Bayou Catholic Magazine - October 2013 by Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Bayou

Catholic

The magazine for the people of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

New shepherd HOUMA, LA ~ OCTOBER 2013 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

Contents

On Our Cover

Retiring Bishop Sam G. Jacobs (left) and his successor, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, are all smiles following a press conference and Mass celebrated Sept. 23 at the Pastoral Center in Schriever. We have complete coverage of the celebrations and information about the vespers and installation Oct. 29-30.

Jesus Is Lord Can a Catholic be a Mason?

32 Respect Life

Cover Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier

Special

At the core of our faith

Bayou

Catholic

Our Churches

Life and Legacy

St. Luke the Evangelist, Thibodaux

Bayou r Guide outdoo 013 Fall 2

Our Organizations

36 • Pope Speaks

• Question Corner

50 • Reflections

• Diocesan Calendar

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

Bayou Catholic Vol. 34, No. 4

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.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

HOUMA, LA ~ OCTOBER 2013

Special

Charismatic Renewal Movement

Bayou Outdoor Guide

• Young Voices

• Seeing Clairely

Louis G. Aguirre editor and general manager Lawrence Chatagnier managing editor Glenn J. Landry, C.P.A. business manager Peggy Adams advertising manager 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 General Excellence

Where to find us

Bayou Catholic magazine can be found at all Catholic churches in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and at the three Catholic high schools in Houma, Morgan City and Thibodaux. 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.

Index to Advertisers Acme Mausoleum, LLC ......................42 Advanced Eye Institute ......................21 Cannata’s ..............................................3 Catholic Foundation ..........................104 Channel 10 .........................................23 Chauvin /Twin City Funeral Home ......41 Classic Business Products ..................8 Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center ...............................53 Diocesan Outreach Line ......................5 Diocesan Website ..............................43 Falgout Funeral Homes, LLC ..............39 God’s Promises Books and Gifts .......45 Haydel Spine & Pain Specialty ..........49 Headache & Pain Center ...................11 Hispanic Concert ...............................25 Holy Cross Elementary School..............9 Inspirational Teachers Awards ...........27 Journey Hospice .................................40 Landry’s/Thibodaux/ Samart Funeral Homes .....................37 Lewis & Company ..............................56 MPress ...............................................53 Re-Bath ..............................................33 Rod’s Superstore ...............................47 SEECA ................................................63 Seminarian Education Burses ............61 Society for the Propagation of the Faith .......................................10 Southland Mall .....................................2 Spotlight .............................................48 Terminix ..............................................56 Terrebonne General Medical Center ..29 Thibodaux Regional Medical Center ..55 Vandebilt Catholic High School .........48

Bayou Outdoor Guide Advertisers Index see pg. 66

Diocesan Outreach Line

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 HoumaThibodaux. 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.

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

Welcome

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

Lucky us

Within minutes of the announcement of the appointment of Bishop Shelton J. Fabre as our new shepherd the reviews started coming in. And by the way he is lauded by so many, we can rejoice and thank God for blessing our diocese once again. What do they say about him? He is gentle, kind, humble, pastoral, prayerful, calm, friendly and a truly happy priest and bishop. As if that were not enough, he is a proven and seasoned administrator, having served New Orleans Archbishops Alfred Hughes and Gregory Aymond for six years. In New Orleans he has been serving as vicar general and moderator of the curia with distinction and humility. When Bishop Fabre is installed at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales on October 30, he will become the Fourth Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux. On that day he will be inheriting a vibrant, caring and loving community that has been nurtured since 1977 by Bishops Warren Boudreaux, Michael Jarrell and Sam Jacobs. Our current Bishop Jacobs, in particular, has tirelessly endeavored to enhance our diocese. A man who seems to have boundless energy, Bishop Jacobs has solidified and diversified diocesan services while infusing the clergy, religious and laity with the excitement of being a Catholic. At the press conference announcing his appointment on Sept. 23, Bishop Fabre was particularly expressive when asked about his motto, “Comfort my People,” saying that this has been his aim from the time he entered the seminary. Additionally, the bishop showed particular affection and gratefulness toward his parents and family. These are wonderful signs of who he is and what he will be for us. As we prepare for Oct. 30, let us offer special prayers for Bishop Jacobs, that he may continue to be an energetic force for Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

Vespers, Installation Oct. 29-30

A vespers service will be celebrated on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 6:30 p.m., at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux in anticipation of the installation of Bishop Shelton J. Fabre the next day. Bishop Fabre will be installed as the Fourth Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux Oct. 30, at 2 p.m., at the Cathedral of St. Francis in Houma. Receptions will follow each of the celebrations. Everyone is invited to attend.

good. We especially pray for Bishop Fabre as he embarks on a new and hopefully rewarding journey of faith with us here in Bayou Country. All I can say is: Lucky us!

‘Comfort my People’

Bishop Fabre introduced at press conference Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier Pope Francis I accepted the resignation of Bishop Sam G. Jacobs of Houma-Thibodaux and named Auxiliary Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of New Orleans to succeed him. The resignation and appointment were announced in Washington, Sept. 23, by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the United States. Bishop Fabre, who was ordained Titular Bishop of Pudenziana and Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans by Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes of New Orleans, at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans in February 2007, will be installed as the Fourth Bishop of HoumaThibodaux Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 2 p.m., at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. Bishop Jacobs says he is grateful to Pope Francis, for appointing Bishop Fabre as the Fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. “I have personally known him since his ordination as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. I believe that he is the right person at this time of the life of this great diocese,” says retiring Bishop Jacobs. As required by Canon Law, Bishop Jacobs tendered his resignation on his 75th birthday in March of this year. He was born March 4, 1938, in Greenwood, MS, and was reared in Lake Charles, LA. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Lafayette in 1964,

and was ordained to the episcopacy and became the 10th Bishop of Alexandria in 1989. He was installed as the Third Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux in 2003. “I am grateful to God for my 10 years as shepherd of this diocese. I have been blessed in many ways by the ministry and cooperation of the priests, deacons, religious and laity. At this point in my lifetime I know it is time for me to pass the torch of administration and embrace more fully the priestly ministry I was ordained for. My plans are to live in Houma and continue to serve the church until the Lord calls me to him,” adds Bishop Jacobs. At a press conference at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Schriever, Sept. 23, Bishop Fabre addressed priests, religious, deacons, diocesan staff and members from the local media, stating, “I am humbled and excited by this appointment by the Holy Father, and I pledge to serve the needs of the church here in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux to the very best of my ability. In all that we do, it is the Lord Jesus Christ whom we praise and serve, and I am confident that together we will grow in faith. … I look forward to making the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux my new home, and I rejoice in the opportunity to become a part of this local church and this unique area of our State of Louisiana. … At this point in the history of this wonderful diocese, let us renew our trust in the Lord and again pledge to serve him by serving one another. In God we place our hope and our trust, and we can be confident that God will never leave us to endure anything alone. I look forward to this faith

www.bayoucatholic.com

Press conference

journey with all of you. As I pledge my prayers for all in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, I ask your prayers for me as well.” “Comfort my people” from Chapter 40, Verse 1 of the Book of Isaiah is Bishop Fabre’s episcopal motto, which he intends to keep. He says, “I chose that because I think there are many, many ways to give comfort. Life can hurt a lot sometimes and I think that is one of the roles of the church – to comfort people not only by speaking the truth, but speaking the truth in love. That phrase has always spoken to me on many, many levels. I just love it.” Bishop Fabre was born Oct. 25, 1963, in New Roads, LA, the fifth of six children to Luke (deceased 2007) and Theresa Fabre. His siblings: Diane Marie, Luke III (deceased 1973); Gerald Louis, Clyde Raymond (deceased 1980); Angelo Gerard. Of his parents’ influence on his vocation, Bishop Fabre says his mother is and always has been a powerhouse of prayer and his father was a good man who prayed in his own way and was a practicing Catholic. His parents’ own commitment to one another, their faith, and their support of him in his vocation was a big influence on his vocation. “They were models of what it means to make a commitment and to be committed to the Lord. They also, in a very loving way, let me go after I was ordained a priest. They always said come home when you can. They realized I had many responsibilities and said whenever you can come home, come home.” He told the story of when he first told his mother he wanted to be a priest. “I remember very clearly when I first told my mother I wanted to go to the seminary. She was doing housework and I told her, ‘Mom, I think I want to go to the seminary.’ She stopped and said, ‘Well if that’s what you want to do, we need to find out what we need to do … to help you.” Many years later, he told her he thought she would have been more excited. His mother told him that she had deliberately not shown excitement because she didn’t want him to feel pressured, but that she went back to her room that day, and said, ‘Hooray!’ Bishop Fabre graduated from Catholic High

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre fields questions from Martin Folse, of HTV-10 in Houma, after a press conference at the diocesan Pastoral Center Monday, Sept. 23. In the bottom photo Bishop Fabre chats with diocesan staff members from left, Shawn Lapeyrouse, Jeanine Avila, Melissa Robertson and Glenn Landry.

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Bishop Shelton J. Fabre celebrates Mass at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Schriever following a press conference Sept. 23.

Mass follows press conference School of Pointe Coupee in New Roads, LA, in 1981, received a BA in history from St. Joseph SeminaryCollege in St. Benedict, LA, in 1985; a bachelor of arts degree (1987) and a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree (1989) in religious studies from the Katholiek Universiteit te Leuven in Louvain, Belgium. He was ordained a priest Saturday, Aug. 5, 1989, by Bishop Stanley J. Ott at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge. Bishop Fabre has served as associate pastor of St. Alphonsus Liguori Church parish in Greenwell Springs, LA; St. George Church parish in Baton Rouge; St. Isidore the Farmer Church parish in Baker, LA; and St. Joseph Cathedral parish in Baton Rouge; Catholic Chaplain to Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola; director of the Office of Black Catholics of the Diocese of Baton Rouge; Defender of the Bond for the Marriage Tribunal of the Diocese of Baton Rouge; as pastor of St. Joseph Church parish in Grosse Tete, LA; Immaculate Heart of Mary Church parish in Maringouin, LA; Sacred Heart of Jesus Church parish in Baton Rouge; and Our Lady of the Rosary Church parish in New Orleans. While serving in the Diocese of Baton Rouge he was a member at-large of the Presbyteral Council, member of the College of Consultors, clergy representative

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Special Mass to the Diocesan School Board, member-at-large of the Clergy Personnel Board, Advisory Board member for Catholic Community Services, board member of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, dean of the Northwest Deanery, and chairman of Pastoral Planning Committee. He also served as vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. He is a 4th Degree Knight of St. Peter Claver and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, a member of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, a 2006 graduate of the FBI Baton Rouge Citizens Academy. Bishop Fabre has been a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) committee for the American College of Louvain, and subcommittee for African-American Catholics. He currently serves on the USCCB’s committee on Cultural Diversity 10 in the Church, and is the chair of the Subcommittee for AfricanAmerican Catholics. Bishop Fabre is one of only 10 active African-American bishops in the United States and the eighth youngest bishop in the United States. Following the diocesan press conference, Bishop Fabre greeted those present and then celebrated Mass for the staff, with the priests of the diocese as concelebrants. During his homily, Bishop Fabre spoke about the Gospel reading from Luke 8:16-18. “The light that he speaks of cannot be covered, … (it) illumines the darkness, … (it) is the love of Christ, the mercy of Christ. It enlightens those places in our life that might be broken. … It is my charge and your charge to try to be that light for others in the pain, suffering and darkness of life today, to be that presence of Christ … and to remind others that God continues to do marvelous things for them regardless of the circumstances of life.” Bishop Fabre will begin working in the diocese in an official capacity once he is seated on his cathedra (episcopal chair), Oct. 30. Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre blesses diocesan staff member Giezel Stewart during a Mass at the Pastoral Center in Schriever.

Pray and give generously

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8/26/13 11:16 AM

A sampling of reactions What are your thoughts about the appointment of Bishop Shelton J. Fabre as the Fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux? “I am very excited about Bishop Fabre coming to us as our fourth bishop. I appreciated his comments today during the conference about the future full of hope. He is coming to ‘comfort our people,’ but also to bring us a future full of hope,” says Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, vicar general.

“Call us First”

ab “I am excited about having a new bishop, but also sad to see Bishop Jacobs leave. I am looking forward to working with Bishop Fabre and to what seems to be a very pastoral approach to his ministry as together we seek to build God’s kingdom,” says Very Rev. Carl Collins, V.F., dean of the Terrebonne Deanery.

ab “I am very happy that the Holy Father has appointed Bishop Fabre as our new bishop. I am thrilled to receive him as our new shepherd and pastor. I am also grateful to Bishop Jacobs for his leadership and dedication to our diocese. When I was a freshman in the seminary, Bishop Fabre was a senior and the leader of the student body. I know that he will bring a very beautiful spirituality and zeal to our diocese,” says Very Rev. Robert Rogers, V.F., dean of the South Lafourche Deanery.

ab “It is an exciting day for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. We are grateful to Bishop Sam, but as always a new bishop is a new beginning. I am most excited about two things he said: speaking the truth with love and his episcopal motto. They are both powerful statements,” says Very Rev. Dean Danos, V.F., dean of the Upper Lafourche Deanery.

ab “Having known Bishop Fabre since his ordination and having worked with him in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, I know he is an extremely prayerful and pastoral man, and a very competent bishop and priest who should bring that same spirit to the people of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux,” says Deacon Jim Swiler, chancellor of Houma-Thibodaux.

ab “I think it is a good appointment in many ways. It will be a great experience – a new opportunity and a new adventure – for our people and for the new bishop as we all try to work together to bring Christ to the people. The goal is the same but the techniques and way of going about it will be different. He is a local man and knows the culture of the people of South Louisiana. Because of that, he will be able to bring that awareness into his ministry,” says Msgr. Frederic Brunet, pastor of St. Joseph Church parish in Chauvin.

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Comment Jesus Is Lord Bishop Sam G. Jacobs

E 12

Even though Masons do many good works that benefit others, even though Masons are seen as a fraternal group that may better connect someone business-wise, the fact is the external evidence does not reflect the internal reality of Masonry. The roots of Freemasonry are traced to a time in Europe when anti-clericalism was rampant and the church was under constant attack from Masonic lodges. There has been an evolution of Masonry into its present form. But at the heart of it is everything that is contrary according to their rituals and teachings to what we believe and teach as the Catholic Church. What are some of those beliefs? The God they professed is acknowledged as the “Great Architect of the Universe.” They do not believe in the Trinity of persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which is central to our faith. The Masons would be equivalent to Deists, whose God is impersonal: there, but with little connection with human beings. Jesus is a good person and teacher, but truly not divine, rather he is equal to Buddha, Mohammed and other great personages of history. He is not the Savior of the world. The Eucharist is not his True Body and Blood. Masons are able to advance to their eternal reward, not depending on the grace of Jesus Christ and the redemption he won through the shedding of his blood, but by advancing in the rites of the lodge and by their

While the First Commandment specifies that there is no other God but God alone, Masons, especially at the highest level, are introduced to a variety of pagan deities.

own good works. In this way he becomes enlightened. While the First Commandment specifies that there is no other God but God alone, Masons, especially at the highest level, are introduced to a variety of pagan deities. Even though the lower degrees may not

experience this, it is the gradual indoctrination that erodes the true faith and relationship with the One God. It is like the process of cooking a frog. The frog is initially placed in a pot of cool water while the level of fire is gradually raised; the end result is that the frog

Can a Catholic be a Mason? Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

is cooked because of the gradual process. The Freemasons teach that Divine Revelation of truth is nonexistent; the Scriptures are not inspired. The Catholic Church, and for that matter Christianity as such, was not established by God but is a blending of many pagan religions. The church is full of error and as a result it leads many from the truth, which is based on rational thought. That Freemasonry is equivalent to a religion, based on nature, is clear from this reference from The New Catholic Encyclopedia. It states, “Freemasonry displays all the elements of religion, and as such it becomes a rival to the religion of the Gospel. It includes temples and altars, prayers, a moral code, worship, vestments, feast days, the promise of reward and punishment in the afterlife, a hierarchy, and initiative and burial rites” (vol. 6, p. 137). Masons, on the whole would deny that they are a religion and argue that religion is not to be discussed in their lodges. But some of their own writers attest to this fact. Albert Pike in “Morals and Dogma” stated: “Every Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion and its teachings are instructions in religion” (page 213). And, “Masonry … is the universal, eternal, immutable religion” (page 219). On one hand, Freemasonry promotes an indifference in so far as all religions are the same even though these religions may use different names for God and have different beliefs (“Morals and Dogma”). The blood oaths that are taken are part of the secrecy of each masonic lodge. As Catholics, we understand an oath as a religious act in which the person swears, implicitly asking God to guarantee the completion of what is promised. As a person advances in the various degrees of Freemasonry, blood oaths are sworn by which the person binds himself “by no less penalty than that of having my throat cut from ear to ear, my tongue torn out by its roots, and buried in the sands of the sea.” The person takes these oaths not to reveal the secrets of the order. This is not something to be taken lightly since it is sworn with one’s hand on the Bible

or another “sacred” book that the person chooses. This is contrary to the Second Commandment of God and is diabolical. It is a means to let the power of evil enter into one’s life without realizing it. Besides being contradictory to authentic Catholic teachings, the higher one advances the more antiCatholic it becomes. An example of this happens when a Mason advances to the 30th degree. The ritual requires the prospect to crush with his foot a replica of the papal tiara (the crown that former popes wore at the time of their installation). Along with this demonstrative action, the person swears to free the world from the bondage of spiritual despotism and tyranny. Here are the words of the oath taken: “And, finally, keep aloof from uniting yourself with any sectional, political, or sectarian religious organization whose principles can in any way bias your mind or judgment, or in the slightest degree trammel with obligations and the vows you have just made.” Can a faithful Catholic adhere to this? What has been the church’s response and teaching concerning Catholics becoming members of this society? The earliest known papal statement was issued by Pope Clement XII in 1738. In his decree the pope both condemned Freemasonry and forbade Catholics from joining the Masonic Order under the pain of excommunication. From that time this condemnation has been repeated 21 times over the years. Since the decree “In Eminenti” of Pope Clement XII in 1738, Catholics have been forbidden to join the Masons, and until 1983, under pain of excommunication. Overall eight popes have condemned. Scanning official documents, the church has condemned freemasonry and other secret societies at least 53 times since 1738, and has specifically repeated the condemnation of freemasonry 21 times. The Catholic Church has not been alone in so banning membership in Freemasonry. Other Christian communities have done likewise. What caused some confusion back in the 70ss was a statement from the Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Franjo Seper. In

his statement he was interpreted to implying that Catholics could possibly join the groups that were not outright anti-Catholic. Once the media spread this widely, a later retraction was issued stating that the church’s position has not changed. To further clarify the church’s teaching on Catholics belonging to Freemasonry lodges, in 1983, the same Congregation, with the approval of Pope John Paul II issued a statement entitled, Declaration on Masonic Associations which states: “The church’s negative position on Masonic association ... remains unaltered, since their principles have always been regarded as irreconcilable with the church’s doctrine. Hence, joining them remains prohibited by the church. Catholics enrolled in Masonic associations are involved in serious sin and may not approach holy Communion.” What was new with this statement from previous ones is that the penalty of excommunication was not attached to Catholics joining the Masons. However, grave sin does occur, which prevents them 13 from participating in the reception of Eucharist. So several questions come to mind: Can a good, faith-filled, practicing Catholic in love with Jesus Christ be also a member of an organization that is in conflict with the Catholic Church’s faith and moral teachings? Is it more important to belong to the Masons for social networking and business advancement than to be in a spiritual relationship with God, namely in the state of grace so as to receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist? Even though Masons support many good social and charitable projects—such as free hospitals for children, the good in these areas do not justify the tenets they practice and require of their members at the different degrees. A lion may be nice to look at because of its external beauty but it is a destructive beast in reality. Look from a distance but don’t get too close to it. In the same way we can look at the external good things Masons may do but we are forbidden to join them because of the eternal consequences of our decision. www.bayoucatholic.com

Comentario

¿Pueden los católicos ser masones?

A 14

A pesar de que los masones puedan llevar a cabo buenas obras para beneficiar al prójimo y aunque parezcan ser grupos fraternos que puedan proveer mejores conexiones financieras, el hecho es que la evidencia externa no refleja la realidad interna de la masonería. Las raíces de los masones se originan en una época europea en el que el sentimiento contra el clero era desenfrenado y la Iglesia sufría un ataque constante por parte de las logias masónicas. Ha habido una evolución en la masonería hasta su estructura actual. Pero en el meollo de ello todo lo que se encuentra es opuesto a los ritos y enseñanzas que creemos y enseñamos en la Iglesia católica. ¿Cuáles son algunas de estas creencias? El Dios que ellos profesan lo llaman el «Gran Arquitecto del Universo.» No creen en las personas de la Santa Trinidad: Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo que son el centro de nuestra fe. Los masones son el equivalente de los deístas que creen en un dios impersonal: está ahí pero con poca conexión a los seres humanos. Según los masones, Jesús es buena persona y maestro pero en verdad no es divino. Es en verdad similar a Buda, Mahoma y otros grandes personajes de la historia. Para ellos, Jesús no es el Salvador del mundo. La Eucaristía no es su Cuerpo Verdadero y su Sangre. Los masones son capaces de alcanzar su eterna recompensa sin depender de la gracia de Jesucristo ni la redención que Él obtuvo al derramar su sangre. La alcanzan al seguir los ritos de las logias y por sus buenas obras. Así los masones son iluminados. El Primer Mandamiento nos dice que solamente hay un Dios y no hay otro. Pero los masones, especialmente los de alto rango, son presentados a una variedad de deidades paganas. A pesar de que los niveles bajos no viven esta

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

El Dios que ellos profesan lo llaman el «Gran Arquitecto del Universo.» No creen en las personas de la Santa Trinidad: Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo que son el centro de nuestra fe.

experiencia, el adoctrinamiento gradual va erosionando poco a poco la verdadera fe y la relación con el Dios Único. Es similar al proceso que se usa al cocinar una rana. La rana se coloca inicialmente en una olla con agua fría comenzando con fuego lento y subiéndolo gradualmente hasta que la rana esté cocinada debido al proceso escalonado del fuego. Los masones enseñan que la

Revelación Divina de la verdad no existe; las Escrituras no son inspiradas. La Iglesia Católica y el cristianismo no fueron establecidos por Dios y es una mezcla de muchas religiones paganas. Según los masones, la Iglesia está llena de errores y el resultado es que aleja a muchos de la verdad que se obtiene por medio del pensamiento racional. Es evidente que la masonería

es equivalente a una religión basada en la naturaleza. Una referencia de la Nueva Enciclopedia Católica declara: «La masonería demuestra todos los elementos de religión y se convierte en un rival a la religión del Evangelio. Incluye templos y altares, plegarias y un código moral, adoración, vestimentas, días festivos, la promesa de un premio y castigo en la vida después de la muerte, una jerarquía e iniciativa y lugares de entierro (vol. 6, página 137). Los masones niegan ser una religión y declaran que no se permite la discusión de las religiones en las logias. Pero algunos de sus escritores confirman este hecho. Albert Pike en «Moral y Dogma» declaró: “Cada logia masónica es un templo religioso y sus enseñanzas son instrucciones para su religión» (página 213). «La masonería… es universal, eterno y religión inmutable» (página 219). Por un lado la masonería promueve indiferencia pues declara que todas las religiones son iguales a pesar que estas usen nombres diferentes para nombrar a Dios y tengan creencias diferentes («Moral y Dogma»). Los juramentos de sangre que se llevan a cabo son parte del código de secreto en cada logia masónica. Siendo católicos entendemos que juramentar es un acto religioso en el que se jura de manera implícita pidiéndole a Dios que garantice el cumplimiento de lo que se ha prometido. En el avance de los niveles de la masonería, juramentos de sangre se llevan a cabo en el que la persona se compromete a «cumplir el castigo equivalente a ser degollado de oreja a oreja, la lengua extirpada completamente y enterrada en la arena del mar.» La persona toma estos juramentos para no revelar los secretos de la orden. Esto no es algo que puedan tomar con ligereza ya que se hace el juramento con la mano sobre la biblia u otro libro «sagrado» que la persona elije. Esto contradice el Segundo Mandamiento de Dios y es diabólico. Es una manera de permitir que el poder del mal entre en la vida de las personas sin darse cuenta. Además de ser contradictorio a las enseñanzas católicas auténticas, mientras más alto sea

el nivel de masonería, lo más anticatólico se convierte. Un ejemplo de esto sucede cuando un masón avanza al grado 30º. El rito exige que el candidato quiebre con su pie una réplica de la tiara del papa (la corona que papas antiguos se ponían en el inicio de su papado). También juran liberar el mundo del yugo del despotismo espiritual y la tiranía. He aquí las palabras del juramento: « Y finalmente, aléjense de unificarse con cualquier tipo de organizaciones partidarias, políticas o sectas religiosas que tengan principios que afecten tu juicio, tu mente o que de cualquier manera pequeña impidan llevar a cabo las obligaciones y los juramentos que has hecho.» ¿Podría un fiel católico seguir esto? ¿Cuál ha sido la respuesta de la Iglesia y la enseñanza sobre los católicos que se convierten en miembros de esta sociedad? La declaración papal más antigua fue publicada por el Papa Clemente XII en 1738. En este decreto el papa condenó la masonería y prohibió que los católicos se unieran a la orden masónica con el riesgo de ser excomulgados. Desde entonces, este decreto ha sido repetido veintiuna veces. Desde el decreto «In Eminenti» del Papa Clemente XII en 1738, no se les permite a los católicos unirse a la masonería y hasta 1983 con el riesgo de ser excomulgados. Ocho papas han excomulgado. El estudio de documentos oficiales revela que la Iglesia ha condenado la masonería y otras sociedades secretas al menos 53 veces desde 1738 y la masonería ha sido condenada repetidamente veintiuna veces. La Iglesia Católica no ha sido la única en prohibir la membresía en la masonería. Otras comunidades cristianas lo han hecho también. La declaración del Prefecto de la Congregación Sagrada para la Doctrina de la Fe, el Cardenal Franjo Seper, causó alguna confusión en los años setentas. Se ha interpretado su declaración de manera que los católicos podrían posiblemente unirse a grupos que no sean abiertamente anti-católicos. Los medios de prensa diseminaron esta declaración y luego la Iglesia se retractó indicando que la posición de la Iglesia no había cambiado.

Para dar más claridad a las enseñanzas de la Iglesia sobre la membresía de católicos en logias masónicas, en 1983, la misma Congregación, con la aprobación del Papa Juan Pablo II publicó una declaración titulada Declaración sobre Asociaciones Masónicas que dice: «la posición negativa de la Iglesia sobre la asociación masónica… permanece inalterada porque sus principios siempre han sido considerados irreconciliables con la doctrina de la Iglesia. Por tanto, la Iglesia prohíbe unirse a ellos. Católicos involucrados en asociaciones masónicas están cometiendo un pecado serio y no podrán recibir la Santa Comunión.» Lo nuevo de esta declaración a diferencia de otras es que el castigo de ser excomulgado no se incluyó para los católicos que se unen a los masónicos. Sin embargo, es un serio pecado que no les permite recibir la Eucaristía. Hay algunas preguntas que surgen. ¿Puede un buen católico que practica su fe con amor y fidelidad a Jesucristo ser también miembro de una organización que está en 15 conflicto con la fe y la enseñanza moral de la Iglesia Católica? ¿Es más importante pertenecer a los masones para beneficiarse de las redes sociales y comerciales para el mejoramiento personal que estar en relación espiritual con Dios, especialmente en el estado de gracia para recibir el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo en la Eucaristía? A pesar de que la masonería apoya muchas beneficencias sociales y de caridad — por ejemplo, los hospitales de caridad para niños, lo bueno en estas áreas no justifican los principios que ellos practican y los requisitos que sus miembros deben llevar a cabo en los diferentes niveles. Un león podría ser simpático al verlo por su belleza externa pero es en realidad una bestia destructiva. Véalo desde lejos pero no se acerque mucho a él. De la misma manera podemos ver las cosas buenas externas de la masonería pero se nos prohíbe unirnos a ellos por las consecuencias eternas de nuestra decisión. Traducido por Julio Contreras, feligrés de la Iglesia Annunziata en Houma. www.bayoucatholic.com

Binh luan bang loi

Ngöôøi Coâng Giaùo Coù Theå Laøm Hoäi Vieân Tam Ñieåm Khoâng?

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Maëc daàu Tam Ñieåm laøm nhieàu vieäc thieän coù ích lôïi cho ngöôøi khaùc, maëc daàu Tam Ñieåm laø moät hoäi töông trôï vaø coù söï gaén boù vôùi ngöôøi khaùc trong coâng vieäc, söï thaät thì beà ngoaøi Tam Ñieåm khoâng phaûn aûnh ñöôïc nhöõng gì beân trong. Coäi nguoàn cuûa Tam Ñieåm phaùt xuaát töø AÂu Chaâu vaøo luùc maø moät soá noåi daäy choáng laïi giaùo syõ vaø Tam Ñieåm ñaõ vaøo huøa vôùi hoï choáng laïi Giaùo Hoäi. Sau ñoù Tam Ñieåm traûi qua cuoäc caûi caùch trôû thaønh nhö baây giôø. Nhöng troïng taâm cuûa Tam Ñieåm nhö nghi leã vaø giaùo lyù thì ñi ngöôïc laïi vôùi nieàm tin vaø giaùo huaán cuûa Giaùo Hoäi. Tam Ñieåm daïy nhöõng gì? Thöôïng Ñeá maø hoï tuyeân xöng ñöôïc bieát nhö laø vò “Taïo Hoùa Toái Cao.” Hoï khoâng tin vaøo Chuùa Ba Ngoâi, Cha, Con vaø Thaùnh Thaàn, ñoù chính laø giaùo lyù noøng coát Coâng Giaùo. Hoäi vieân Tam Ñieåm coi nhö ngang haøng vôùi thaàn thaùnh, maø Chuùa cuûa hoï thì ñoäc toân, nghóa laø khoâng coù nhieàu gaén boù vôùi con ngöôøi. Gieâsu laø ngöôøi toát vaø laø baäc thaày, nhöng khoâng phaûi laø Thieân Chuùa, ngöôïc laïi chæ ngang haøng vôùi Phaät Toå, Tieân Tri Mohamed vaø nhöõng vó nhaân cuûa thôøi ñaïi. Gieâsu khoâng phaûi laø Vò Cöùu Theá. Thaùnh Theå khoâng phaûi laø Mình Maùu Thaùnh Chuùa. Hoäi vieân Tam Ñieåm töï mình coù theá tieán ñeán cöïc laïc ñôøi ñôøi maø khoâng caàn döïa vaøo aân suûng cuûa Chuùa Kytoâ, do chính maùu Ngaøi ñoå ra treân thaäp töï, maø qua caùc nghi leã cuûa Tam Ñieåm vaø do vieäc thieän. Chính phöông caùch naøy hoï trôû neân thaàn thaùnh. Trong khi Ñieàu Raên Thöù Nhaát noùi raèng khoâng coù chuùa naøo khaùc ngoaøi Ta ra, thì hoäi vieân Tam Ñieåm ñaëc bieät ôû caáp böïc cao nhaát thì ñöôïc giôùi thieäu cho bieát coù nhieàu chuùa ngoaïi bang. Maëc daàu ôû caùc baäc thaáp hôn khoâng caûm nhaän ñöôïc ñieàu naøy, nhöng do söï taåy naõo töø töø laøm cho nieàm tin chaân chính vaøo Thieân Chuùa vaø söï lieân heä vôùi Ngaøi khoâng coøn nöõa. Noù nhö laø caùch thöùc naáu chín moät con eách.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

Hoäi vieân Tam Ñieåm töï mình coù theá tieán ñeán cöïc laïc ñôøi ñôøi maø khoâng caàn döïa vaøo aân suûng cuûa Chuùa Kytoâ, do chính maùu Ngaøi ñoå ra treân thaäp töï, maø qua caùc nghi leã cuûa Tam Ñieåm vaø do vieäc thieän.

Khôûi ñaàu thì boû con eách vaøo noài nöôùc laïnh, nung noùng noài nöôùc do cöôøng ñoä cuûa löûa; do vaäy maø con eách ñöôïc naáu chín qua giai ñoaïn naáu nöôùng. Tam Ñieåm daïy raèng maëc khaûi veà söï thaät khoâng toàn taïi; Kinh Thaùnh khoâng coù söï linh höùng cuûa Thaùnh Thaàn. Ñaïo

Coâng Giaùo vaø Kytoâ noùi chung khoâng do Thieân Chuùa thieát laäp, nhöng do bôûi söï keát tuï cuûa nhieàu taø giaùo. Giaùo Hoäi coù nhieàu sai laàm vaø keát quaû ñaõ daãn ngöôøi ta ñeán laàm laïc, maø söï thaät ñoù döïa treân lyù luaän. Tam Ñieåm ñöôïc coi nhö laø moät

toân giaùo, döïa treân töï nhieân, chieáu theo töï ñieån toaøn khoa Coâng Giaùo. Trích daãn nhö, “Tam Ñieåm cho thaáy coù nhieàu yeáu toá cuûa moät toân giaùo, vaø vì theá noù ñoái choïi vôùi toân giaùo tin vaøo Tin Möøng. Toân giaùo cuûa hoï bao goàm ñeàn thôø, baøn thôø, kinh nguyeän, luaät luaân lyù, thôø phöôïng, aùo leã, ngaøy leã troïng, hình phaït vaø phaàn thöôûng sau khi cheát, ñaúng caáp vaø nghi leã nhaäp ñaïo vaø choân caát” (vol. 6, p. 137). Hoäi vieân Tam Ñieåm noùi chung khoâng coâng nhaän mình laø moät toân giaùo vaø khoâng cho pheùp hoï baøn taùn ñieàu ñoù trong caùc chi nhaùnh Tam Ñieåm. Nhöng moät vaøi hoäi vieân Tam Ñieåm ñaõ minh xaùc nhö sau. Albert Pike ñaõ noùi trong cuoán “Moral and Dogma” raèng: “Moãi chi nhaùnh cuûa Tam Ñieåm laø ñeàn thôø toân giaùo, vaø giaùo huaán ñöôïc giaùo duïc trong phaïm vi toân giaùo” (trang 213). Vaø “Tam Ñieåm… laø toân giaùo toaøn caàu, vónh cöûu, khoâng thay ñoåi” (trang 219). Ngoaøi ra, Tam Ñieåm giöõ söï trung laäp ñoái vôùi caùc toân giaùo khaùc vaø coi nhöõng toân giaùo ñoù nhö nhau maëc daàu khi noùi veà Chuùa thì hoï duøng danh töø khaùc nhau vaø nieàm tin cuõng khaùc bieät (“Moral and Dogma”). Duøng maùu ñeå tuyeân höùa laø moät phaàn cuûa moãi chi nhaùnh Tam Ñieåm. Laø Coâng Giaùo, ta hieåu tuyeân höùa nhö laø moät haønh vi toân giaùo maø ngöôøi tuyeân höùa aâm thaàm xin Chuùa cho mình chu toaøn nhöõng gì ñaõ höùa. Khi moãi hoäi vieân tieán leân caùc caáp baäc cuûa Tam Ñieåm, hoï duøng maùu baét buoäc hoäi vieân höùa ñoäc vaø neáu vi phaïm lôøi ñaõ höùa thì “khoâng coøn hình phaït naøo nghieâm troïng hôn laø bò caét coå töø tai naøy qua tai kia, bò caét löôõi töø cuoáng hoïng, vaø bò choân döôùi caùt bieån.” Hoäi vieân phaûi hoaøn toaøn giöõ bí maät cuûa Tam Ñieåm. Lôøi tuyeân höùa naøy khoâng theå coi thöôøng ñöôïc vì khi tuyeân höùa hoï duøng Kinh Thaùnh hay hoäi vieân töï duøng saùch thaùnh do mình choïn. Ñieàu naøy thì ñi ngöôïc laïi vôùi Ñieàu Raên Thöù Hai cuûa Chuùa vaø quyû quaùy. Noù cuõng coù nghóa laø ñeå cho quyeàn löïc toái taêm coù cô hoäi xaâm nhaäp vaøo ñôøi soáng maø hoï khoâng heà hay bieát gì. Ngoaøi vaán ñeà ñi ngöôïc laïi vôùi nieàm tin Coâng Giaùo chaân chính ra, hoäi vieân cao caáp Tam Ñieåm caøng choáng

laïi Coâng Giaùo hôn. Moät ví duï cuï theå cuûa Tam Ñieåm khi hoäi vieân ñaït ñeán caáp baäc thöù 30. Nghi leã tuyeân höùa naøy ñoøi hoûi hoï chaø ñaïp caùi muõ ba töøng töôïng tröng cuûa Giaùo Hoaøng (muõ naøy do Giaùo Hoaøng trong quaù khöù ñoäi khi ñaêng quang). Cuøng vôùi haønh ñoäng chöùng minh cuï theå laø hoäi vieân phaûi höùa giaûi phoùng theá giôùi khoûi quyeàn löïc taâm linh chuyeân quyeàn vaø chuyeân cheá. Ñaây chính laø lôøi tuyeân höùa: “Vaø sau cuøng, taùch rôøi khoûi moïi taàng lôùp, chính trò hay toå chöùc toân giaùo maø toân chæ cuûa noù coù aûnh höôûng ñeán ñaàu oùc hay trí phaùn ñoaùn, hay bò chi phoái cho duø noù raát nhoû beù aûnh höôûng ñeán boån phaän vaø lôøi tuyeân höùa maø baïn vöøa laøm.” Ngöôøi Coâng Giaùo coù theå theo Tam Ñieåm ñöôïc khoâng? Giaùo Hoäi ñaõ noùi gì veà Tam Ñieåm vaø ngöôøi Coâng Giaùo khi muoán trôû thaønh hoäi vieân Tam Ñieåm? Ñöùc Clement 12, naêm 1738 laø Ñöùc Giaùo Hoaøng ñaàu tieân ra tuyeân ngoân veà Tam Ñieåm. Trong vaên baûn ngaøi leân aùn Tam Ñieåm vaø caám ngöôøi Coâng Giaùo khoâng ñöôïc gia nhaäp hoäi kín ñoù, vôùi lôøi caûnh caùo seõ bò vaï tuyeät thoâng. Töø ñoù ñeán giôø söï leân aùn ñaõ ñöôïc laäp ñi laäp laïi tôùi 21 laàn. Sau tuyeân ngoân “In Eminenti” cuûa Ñöùc Clemente 12 naêm 1738, caám ngöôøi Coâng Giaùo khoâng ñöôïc gia nhaäp hoäi Tam Ñieåm, cho ñeán naêm 1983, cuøng vôùi nguy cô bò vaï tuyeät thoâng, thì ñaõ coù 8 Giaùo Hoaøng ñaõ leân aùn hoäi kín ñoù. Löôït qua caùc saéc leänh thì ta thaáy Giaùo Hoäi ñaõ leân aùn hoäi Tam Ñieåm vaø caùc hoäi kín khaùc ít nhaát 53 laàn töø naêm 1738, chæ rieâng hoäi Tam Ñieåm thì ñaõ coù 21 laàn roài. Khoâng phaûi chæ Giaùo Hoäi Coâng Giaùo môùi caám ngöôøi Coâng Giaùo gia nhaäp Tam Ñieåm maø nhöõng coäng ñoàng Kytoâ khaùc nöõa. Ñieàu gì ñaõ gaây ra maâu thuaãn vaøo thaäp nieân 70 döôùi thôøi Ñöùc Hoàng Y Franjo Seper, Toång Tröôûng Vaên Phoøng Tín Lyù. Trong vaên thö ngaøi giaûi thích vaø aùm chæ raèng ngöôøi Coâng Giaùo coù theå gia nhaäp caùc hoäi kín mieãn laø hoï khoâng coâng khai choáng laïi Giaùo Hoäi. Nhöng khi caùc nhaø baùo ñôøi töôøng thuaät baûn tin naøy roäng raõi thì Giaùo Hoäi ñính chính laïi laø qua ñieåm cuûa Giaùo Hoäi khoâng thay ñoåi.

Ñeå laøm saùng toû vaán ñeà naøy Giaùo Hoäi coù vaøi lôøi daønh cho ngöôøi Coâng Giaùo muoán gia nhaäp Tam Ñieåm, naêm 1983 cuøng moät vaên phoøng Tín Lyù, vôùi söï öng thuaän cuûa Ñöùc Gioan Phaoloâ II coâng boá vaên kieän mang töïa ñeà, Baûn Tuyeân Ngoân veà Hoäi Kín Tam Ñieåm raèng, “Giaùo Hoäi coù caùi nhìn tieâu cöïc veà toå chöùc Tam Ñieåm…laäp tröôøng vaãn khoâng thay ñoåi, vì giaùo lyù cuûa hoï khoâng phuø hôïp vôùi tín lyù cuûa Giaùo Hoäi. Vì theá, gia nhaäp hoäi kín ñoù thì khoâng ñöôïc pheùp. Ngöôøi Coâng Giaùo naøo gia nhaäp toå chöùc Tam Ñieåm thì maéc toäi troïng vaø khoâng röôùc Mình Thaùnh Chuùa.” Ñieàu môùi meû trong baûn tuyeân ngoân môùi thì hôi khaùc vôùi baûn cuõ laø khoâng ra vaï tuyeät thoâng cho ngöôøi Coâng Giaùo gia nhaäp hoäi kín nöõa. Tuy nhieân, toäi troïng thì ñöôïc nhaéc ñeán, vì vaäy caûn trôû hoï khoâng ñöôïc röôùc leã. Vì theá moät vaøi caâu hoûi ñöôïc neâu ra: Moät ngöôøi Coâng Giaùo chaân chính, soáng ñöùc tin, meán Chuùa coù theå cuøng moät luùc laøm hoäi vieân cuûa moät taäp theå maø toå chöùc cuûa hoï ñi ngöôïc laïi vôùi ñöùc 17 tin vaø luaân lyù cuûa Giaùo Hoäi khoâng? Coù phaûi laøm moät hoäi vieân Tam Ñieåm vôùi muïc ñích tìm kieám söï thuaän lôïi cho mình trong phaïm vi xaõ hoäi vaø phaùt trieån veà maët kinh teá quan troïng hôn laø söï lieân heä maät thieát vôùi Chuùa, nghóa laø soáng trong aân suûng cuûa Chuùa nhö vieäc laõnh nhaän Mình Maùu Thaùnh Chuùa trong Thaùnh Theå? Maëc daàu Tam Ñieåm giuùp ñôõ nhieàu chöông trình xaõ hoäi vaø laøm nhieàu vieäc thieän-nhö cung caáp y khoa mieãn phí cho treû em, nhöõng vieäc thieän toát laønh ñoù khoâng theå bieän minh cho giaùo lyù maø hoï tin vaø vieäc baét buoäc hoäi vieân phaûi coù ñaúng caáp. Moät con hoå thì nhìn raát ñeïp vì voùng daùng beà ngoaøi cuûa noù, nhöng cuõng raát laø kinh khuûng khi nhaéc ñeán baûn tính thaät cuûa noù. Chæ nhìn beân ngoaøi thì raát haáp daãn nhöng ñöøng ñeán gaàn. Cuõng theá, khi nhìn beà ngoaøi ta thaáy Tam Ñieåm laøm nhieàu vieäc toát, nhöng ta khoâng ñöôïc pheùp tham gia hoäi kín ñoù bôûi vì haäu quaû ñôøi ñôøi cuûa noù raát tieâu cöïc. Dòch thuaät: Linh Muïc Pheâroâ Leâ Taøi, Chaùnh sôû nhaø thôø Our Lady of the Isle. www.bayoucatholic.com

Comment The Pope Speaks

V 18

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis said the church should approach its members with the face of a patient, merciful and understanding mother, who always forgives her erring children and never ceases to pray that they resume the path of Christian living. The pope made his remarks Sept. 18 at his weekly public audience in St. Peter’s Square, where he elaborated on his previous week’s talk on the subject of the “church as mother.” “I like this image very much,” he said, “because I think it tells us not only how the church is, but also what sort of face the church, this church of ours, should have, more so every day.” A mother teaches her children the right way of life “with tenderness, with affection, with love,” he said, because she “didn’t learn it from books, but learned it from her own heart.” “The university of moms is the heart itself,” the pope said, in one of several uses of the informal Italian term “mamma.” Pope Francis said the church’s moral teachings, particularly the Ten Commandments, are similarly the “fruit of the tenderness, of the very love of God who gave them to us.” “You might say to me: But they are commands! They are set of ‘no’s,’” he said, before suggesting the audience “read them -- maybe you have forgotten them a little --

CNS photo/Paul Haring

A man waves Sardinia’s flag as Pope Francis greets people during his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Sept. 18. The pope visited Cagliari on the Italian island of Sardinia Sept. 22.

and then think of them positively.” The Ten Commandments, the pope said, “show us the road to take in order to grow mature, giving us stable points of reference for our behavior. ... They invite us not to make material idols that then enslave us, (but) to remember God, to respect our parents, to be honest, to respect others.” Pope Francis likened the church to a mother who never gives up on her children even when they err. “I think of the moms who suffer for their children in prison or in difficult situations,” he said. “They don’t ask themselves if (their children) are guilty or not, they keep loving them and often experience humiliations, but they have no fear, they do not cease giving of themselves.” Likewise, the pope said, the church seeks always to help and encourage its wayward children: “never shuts the church’s doors; does not judge, but offers God’s forgiveness, offers the love that invites even those children who

have fallen into a deep abyss to return to the path.” Invoking the example of St. Monica, who never ceased praying for the conversion of her son, St. Augustine, the pope said that mothers never tire of praying for their children, “especially the weakest, the neediest, those who have pursued dangerous or mistaken ways of life.” “The church does the same thing,” he said. “She puts in the hands of the Lord, through prayer, all the situations of her children.” At the end of the audience, Pope Francis noted the upcoming International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, and called on Catholics to join other Christians in praying for peace “in the most tormented places on our planet.” The pope specifically mentioned civil war-torn Syria, “whose human tragedy can be resolved only with dialogue and negotiation, with respect for justice and the dignity of every person, especially the weakest and most defenseless.”

Pope says church should face wayward members like a merciful mother Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

Question Corner Father Kenneth Doyle

Greeting before Mass

Q. We are all familiar with some of the liturgical excesses that came about after Vatican II. When the revised Roman Missal was introduced (in 2011), I seem to remember that the American bishops discussed the need for all U.S. parishes to adhere strictly to the new liturgy. According to one article that I read, the bishops addressed the practice of inviting members of the congregation to greet those around them before the Mass begins -- their feeling being that this detracted from the sign of peace, which the liturgy places just before Communion. Sadly, though, this action continues in many parishes. What is your take on it? (Walnut Creek, Calif.)

A. I am not familiar with the article you reference, nor am I aware of any position taken by the bishops that would discourage parishioners from greeting one another before Mass begins. On the contrary, the closest reference I could find (from the Introduction to the Order of Mass, a pastoral resource issued in 2003 by the U.S. bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy) speaks favorably of Mass attendees being “made welcome by representatives of the community and acknowledged informally by their neighbors.”

Such a greeting is discretionary, of course, and not a stipulated part of the ritual. I have seen it used particularly in vacation areas, to create a sense of community when those at Mass come from various distances and directions. In a normal parish setting, informal greeting and “catching up” is often done in the gathering areas of the church as people are arriving. Such a practice should never replace the sign of peace, which has a different meaning. Its purpose is not to extend a greeting of welcome, even less to chat with friends, but to offer an expression of charity as a reminder just prior to Communion of the love of Christ that unites the eucharistic assembly.

Human aspects of Jesus and Mary

Q. We have all been told that Jesus and Mary were like us in all things but sin. I take that to mean that they felt all the emotions that humans naturally experience. But I heard a nun say on television that Jesus was not afraid to die. I don’t believe that. I think he was terrified. (Didn’t he sweat drops of blood from the anticipation of what was to take place?) Likewise, the early 18th-century St. Louis de Montfort said in one of his books that Mary suffered no pain in childbirth. Why not? Was she human or not? (Carrolltown, Pa.)

A. Your question is particularly insightful in that it raises two questions that have no definitive answers. First, as to whether Jesus was afraid to die. Some would argue that Luke 22:4244 clinches it in the affirmative. Jesus says during the agony in the garden: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from

me,” and we are told that “he was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.” But is stress the same as fear? When he appeared before the Sanhedrin and before Pilate, Jesus seemed remarkably calm -- so much so that Mark observes in 15:5 that “Pilate was amazed.” So who can presume to say what was going through Christ’s mind? As for Mary and the pains of childbirth, our answer must be similarly cautious. In Genesis 3:16, pain during childbirth is proclaimed as one of the consequences of original sin. Since the dogmatic teaching of the church has always held that Mary was free from original sin, the early church fathers concluded that she must have borne Christ without any pain -- and the catechism of the 16th-century Council of Trent reached the same conclusion. Notably, though, the current Catechism of the Catholic Church, while clearly defining the Immaculate Conception and the virgin birth, is silent on the details of that birth -- including 19 the question of Mary’s pain. (And don’t we attest to Mary’s emotional suffering in witnessing her son’s Passion when we mark the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows?) 2013 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

God alone can make us righteous

O 20

On the weekend of October 27, we will read the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14). Along with the parables of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35), the Prodigal Son (15:11-32) and the Rich Fool (12:16-20), the example story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is meant to teach a behavior to be imitated or avoided if one seeks to be properly disposed for inclusion in God’s Kingdom. The behavior to be avoided in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector is that of self-righteousness, which is represented by the Pharisee. This religious leader purports to enter the Temple to pray. Rather than praying he, in fact, delivers to God a speech whose content is a braggadocios exposition of what sets him apart as religiously superior to others. He is unlike “the rest of humanity” (18:11), a particular example of which is the tax collector who is also praying in the Temple. The Pharisee deludes himself by asserting that he stands alone in his perceived moral haughtiness. While Jesus would certainly commend the Pharisee’s practices of tithing and praying, he points out that the Pharisee’s error is to think that such practices have earned him justification, a right relationship with God. The Pharisee has, in essence, created his own criteria for righteousness and made himself the judge who

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

declares this status for himself. After describing the humble prayer of the tax collector, who recognizes that he is not right with God and that God alone can justify him, Jesus proclaims, ironically, that of the two men the tax collector goes home justified. The tax collector has disposed himself to receive God’s gracious pronouncement of acquittal regarding his sinfulness. The parable recommends imitation of the tax collector’s behavior and avoidance of the Pharisee’s. Jesus’ motive for delivering the parables of the Lost Sheep, Coin and Son (15:4-32) is the Pharisees’ criticism of his practice of eating with tax collectors and sinners. The principle shows itself true here that criticism of others reveals more about us than the people we are criticizing. Indeed, the Pharisees’ perception of their exalted status before God is threatened when Jesus asserts that by undergoing conversion tax collectors and sinners can find themselves in God’s favor. It is as if the Pharisees need an unrighteous class of people to validate their perception of their own righteousness. This need on the Pharisees’ part demonstrates the shallow quality of the righteousness they believe themselves to possess. An almost identical scene is played out in 5:27-32, when the Pharisees object to Jesus’ dining with Levi, a tax collector. The passage ends with Jesus declaring, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (5:32). In Luke 7:36-50 a woman becomes the object of the Pharisees’ self-righteous scorn, and Jesus’ display of compassion toward her threatens them again. Jesus is dining in the home of Simon the Pharisee when the woman enters, falls at Jesus’ feet, weeps upon them

and dries them with her hair. The Pharisees are appalled that Jesus does not recognize this woman to be an incorrigible and damned sinner. Her touching him would render him ritually impure. But Jesus recognizes in her what the Pharisees do not; her non-verbal act of weeping at Jesus’ feet is an indication of her repentance and her enlightenment that she can receive justification by imploring God’s mercy through Jesus. Daringly, Jesus pronounces her sins forgiven, that is, she is declared righteous by divine grace. Again, the Pharisees’ categorization of her as a sinner against themselves as the righteous exposes their mistaken ideas regarding justification. The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (16:19-31), suggests that self-righteousness has very severe consequences. This time selfrighteousness is linked to wealth, which Jesus has warned is a danger to spiritual life (18:25). The rich man passes by Lazarus, the poor beggar at his gate, every day and makes no effort to help him. Many of Jesus’ contemporaries saw wealth as indicating God’s favor and poverty as a divine curse. Jesus, however, had earlier turned this false idea on its head when he proclaimed the poor to be blessed (6:20). In the end, the rich man’s self-righteous neglect of poor Lazarus renders the former eternally separated from God and his elect. Clearly, the sin of selfrighteousness must have been a big issue for Luke’s community. The Gospel is very direct on this issue. Any thought that we, for any reason, deserve to be more favored in God’s sight than others whom we deem less worthy is a mistaken idea that distances one from the Kingdom!

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Saints Francis of Assisi 1182-1226 October 4

CNS

The son of a wealthy Italian merchant, Francis was a playboy who experienced a profound conversion after going to war for Assisi, being imprisoned, and enduring a debilitating illness. He renounced his family and riches, and lived a life of radical poverty and service because he believed Christ had asked him to. He founded the new mendicant Order of Friars Minor, or Franciscans, and helped found the Poor Clares and Franciscan Third Order. Pope Pius XII said Francis could be called “a second Christ” and in 2013 Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio took this medieval saint’s name when he was elected pope. Francis is the patron of animals, environmentalists, merchants and Catholic Action, and also a patron of Italy.

Louis Bertrand 1526-1581 October 9

Crosiers

Louis became a Dominican at 18 and was ordained a priest in 1547. He was novice-master in his native Spain on and off for 30 years and gained a reputation for holiness by caring for plague victims in Valencia in 1557. In 1562, he went as a missionary to the Caribbean, working in Colombia, and the Leeward, Virgin and Windward Islands for six years. His apostolic zeal, aided by the gift of tongues and other miraculous events, resulted in 15,000 conversions among the Indian populations. After he returned to Spain, he trained preachers for the missions, saying the only effective preparation was humble and fervent prayer. He was canonized in 1671 and is the principal patron saint of Colombia.

Saints

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Margaret Mary Alacoque 1647-1690 October 16

Crosiers

This French saint, who increased devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, spent her life in Burgundy. A pious child, Margaret was bedridden from ages 9 to 15 with a rheumatic illness. She gradually understood a call to religious life, and already had a mature prayer life when she entered a Visitation convent near Lyon in 1671. Between 1673 and 1675, she received four visions of Christ’s heart in flames, burning with love for humanity, with instructions to promote a special feast and First Friday devotions. Margaret, aided by a Jesuit priest, overcame disbelief and jealousy within her own convent and saw the feast celebrated there and in other French Visitation convents in her lifetime. She was canonized in 1920.

Saints

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OCTOBER

4 p.m. at the St. Bernadette KC Hall, 5522 West Main Street – the driveway right before H&H Storage. Any Terrebonne Parish residents on the Food Stamp Program can apply. Items needed to register are: Food stamp print out, child support print out, proof of birthdates for all children, check stubs and proof of all monthly household expenses. n Music for Life Concert, Tuesday, Oct. 15, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma, 7 p.m. World-renown composer-pianist and motivational speaker, Eric Genuis, will perform. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and free to children 12 and under. Call the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales office at (985)876-6904 for more information. n aNew Experience, Wednesday, Oct. 16, St. Charles Borromeo, St. Charles, 7-9 p.m. n Christology, Wednesdays, Oct. 16 and 30, diocesan Pastoral

NOVEMBER

n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, Nov. 5, Quality Hotel, Houma, 10:45-12:45 p.m. Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, speaker. n ADORE, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m., at the Houma Municipal Auditorium. n Revelation, Tradition and Magisterium Thursday, Nov. 7, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Rev. Michael Bergeron, speaker. n aNew Experience, Wednesday, Nov. 13, Annunziata, Houma, 7-9 p.m.

n Christology, Wednesdays, Nov. 13 and 20, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 pm. Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue, S.T.L., speaker. n The Old Testament, Thursday, Nov. 14, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Deacon John Pippenger, speaker. n TEC 70 retreat, Nov. 15-17, Souby Retreat Building, 5 p.m. n Liturgy Committee Workshop, Saturday, Nov. 16, Holy Cross, Morgan City, 8 a.m.1p.m.

Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue, S.T.L., speaker. n Catholic Charities USA Partners in Excellence, A Regional Convening on Mission, Connection and Professional Development will be held Oct. 2223 at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, New Orleans. Call 1(866) 5139744 for reservations. Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, will be the keynote speaker. n God and the Human Person, Thursday, Oct. 24, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Katie Austin, speaker. n Liturgy Committee Workshop, Sat. Oct. 26, Annunziata, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. n Man of God Gathering, Tues., Oct. 29, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall. Meal served at 6 p.m.; events begin at 6:30 p.m. Free event, all men over 18 years of age invited.

n Jesus in the Gospels, Thursday, Nov. 21, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Deacon John Pippenger, speaker. n NCYC, Nov. 21-24, Indianapolis, IN. n Mass for Black Catholics, Friday, Nov. 22, St. Lucy, Houma, 7 p.m. n Native American Mass, Friday, Nov. 29, St. Charles Borromeo, Pointe-aux-Chenes, 6:30 p.m. Reception will follow at the KC Home.

DECEMBER

n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, Dec. 3, Quality Hotel, Houma, 10:45-12:45 p.m. Deacon Jim Swiler and Jimmie Danos, speakers. n Christology, Wednesday, Dec. 4, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue, S.T.L., speaker.

www.bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

DIOCESAN

n 2013 Annual Life Chain will be held on Respect Life Sunday, Oct. 6, from 2 – 3 p.m. on Tunnel Blvd. in Houma and Canal Blvd. in Thibodaux. This is an international hour of prayer for the nation and a peaceful, prayerful public witness on behalf of the unborn. n Woman of God Gathering, Tues., Oct. 8, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall. Meal served at 6 p.m.; events begin at 6:30 p.m. Free event, all women over 18 years of age invited. n Red Mass, Thurs. Oct. 10, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma, 11 a.m. n White Mass, Oct. 12-13 or Oct. 19-20, at all church parishes. See church parish bulletins for times. n Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux will be taking applications for its annual Christmas Toy Drive for residents of Terrebonne Parish on Oct. 14-17, from 9 a.m. until

EVENTS

Tune In To... Quality Family Programming for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

~ Channel 10* on Comcast of Houma and CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS of Terrebonne Parish. ~ Channel 10* on CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS in Thibodaux. ~ Channel 10* on VISION COMMUNICATIONS of South and Central Lafourche ~ Channel 10* AT&T U-Verse *Channel 10 is provided by and in cooperation with HTV of Houma. ~ Channel 71, ALLENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TV CABLE of Morgan City

SUNDAY

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 P.M.

Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary Closer Walk Spotlight/Revival

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 A.M.

Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary Focus Spotlight/Revival

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 A.M.

Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary Real Food Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 A.M.

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 A.M. 11:00 P.M.

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 A.M.

Closer Walk Live With Passion

THURSDAY Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary Living Scripture Spotlight/Revival Spotlight/Revival

FRIDAY

Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary Live With Passion Spotlight/Revival

SATURDAY Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary The Choices We Face Spotlight/Revival

Programs produced by the Diocesan Office of TV Communications. We reserve the right to make program changes. www.bayoucatholic.com

Heavenly Recipes in any way she could. “I started working at the church about 25 to 30 years ago. I started as a helper for religious education. I then taught first grade CCD for a number of years. I was a eucharistic minister and later became coordinator for the level one CCD. She has been the chairperson of the annual boat blessing for the past eight years. She credits her mother as her greatest teacher in learning how to cook. However she says her aunts, grandmother and mother-in-law also taught her how to cook. “I learned from the older generation. I have been cooking since the age of 12 or 13. I would cook for my mom and dad while they were on the boat fishing for crabs and oysters. When they would return home from fishing I would have food ready for them.” Verdin’s husband Ernest has been a fisherman all his life. “My husband is a shrimper. He owned his first boat when he was 16 years old. He has two boats now, a small skiff for inland shrimping and a big boat for shrimping in deeper water and the gulf. The couple have five children, three girls and two boys. My husband and kids know how to cook also. Our youngest is 13 and he is already wanting to stir in the pot. He likes to cook breakfast.” Verdin says that she cooks mostly traditional Cajun food. “I mostly cook white beans, stews once in a while, and beef, shrimp and fish. I tend to cook with shrimp a lot because it is so plentiful in this area.” She says she loves cooking for special occasions in the church parish. “I love cooking for the deanery meetings. The priests that attend always tell me, ‘Mrs. Virginia, I can’t wait to come back and eat the meals that you prepare.’ To hear someone say they love my cooking is the greatest reward I can get. It means so much to me,” says Verdin. She says that she always prays to God when she starts cooking a meal. “I pray to God that he would give the taste that people would like to have when eating what I cook. I believe it is good to pray when I cook. I also believe it is the Lord who puts the good taste in my food.” Considering how people love her food her prayers are certainly answered.

h s i f d Re e

Virginia’s

e c sau iquant P

Virginia Verdin serves Father Justino Estoque Jr., pastor, a plate of redfish sauce piquante.

Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier This month’s heavenly recipe is one that is familiar both in the home and hunting and fishing camps all across South Louisiana. Virginia Verdin’s redfish sauce piquante recipe is an easy recipe with basic ingredients. Verdin, a native of Grand Caillou, cooked at Holy Family Church parish years ago. She had to leave her cooking duties there because of family illnesses and her own health issues, but continues to cook for special celebrations. “I loved cooking here at Holy Family. I really miss not being here to cook at the church parish. I used to cook here as a volunteer years before it became a job for me,” says Verdin. Whether it be cooking for the pastor or volunteering in parish ministry Verdin was always willing to help Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

Virginia’s Redfish Sauce Piquante 1 small onion 1 half bell pepper 2 cloves garlic Parsley to taste 1 can Rotel tomatoes 1 can tomato sauce Vegetable oil 1 medium to large redfish, cubed

In a heavy cooking pot put enough oil to cover the bottom. Saute onion, bell pepper and garlic until brown. Add the Rotel tomatoes, parsley and tomato sauce. Cook until the tomatoes darken (about 40 minutes). Then add the fish and enough water to cover the fish. Cook for another 15 minutes after it comes to a boil. Serve over rice.

e d r e v l a V ra tin

O T IER

C N O

Celebrando nuestra Fe Celebrating our Faith Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux presenta: Celebrando nuestra Fé con el cantante y predicador Martin Valverde y su banda de México. Ven y únete a la celebracion de los 50 años del nacimiento del Ministerio Hispano en esta diócesis y la clausura del Año de la Fe. Un homenaje especial será otorgado a nuestro Obispo Sam Jacobs. 19 de octubre 2013

Vandebilt Catholic High School a las 7:00 pm 209 S. Hollywood Rd • Houma, LA Entradas ya a la venta! Adultos $20 • Niños $10 En taquilla: Adultos $25 • Niños $10 Para obtener más información o boletos: Padre Isaías Galvez: 985-628-1032, 985-628-2371 y 985-381-8875 Todos las ganancias del evento se destinarán a la organización Rescatando Angeles en Guatemala, que apoya a los niños con necesidades especiales.

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux presents: Celebrating our Faith with singer and preacher Martin Valverde and his band from Mexico. Come join as we celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the Hispanic Ministry in our diocese and as we close the year of faith. A special tribute will be given to our Bishop Sam Jacobs. October 19, 2013 Vandebilt Catholic High School at 7:00 pm 209 S. Hollywood Rd • Houma, LA Tickets on sale now! Adults $20 • Children $10 At the door: Adults $25 • Children $10 For more information or tickets: Father Isaias Galvez: 985-628-1032, 985-628-2371 & 985-381-8875 All proceeds of the event will go to the organization Rescuing Angels in Guatemala, which supports children with disabilities and special needs.

Young Voices I feel that we as young people bring a great deal of strengths to the Catholic Church. I feel our faith has to be stronger due to the many more temptations in today’s society. I also feel that because of social media we can learn more easily about our Catholic Church, therefore allowing us to also teach the younger generation through what we have learned.

I think the young people in today’s church are getting more involved and teens are seeking out the love of Christ. The youth groups are growing because more and more young people want to make a change in today’s world. In today’s world we are being lied to about who we should be, how we should act, and how we should look. Teens all over have the courage to make a stand to show others that we are all children of God and should desire to be more like him. The church is growing with young people who have a longing desire to know more about Jesus Christ.

Matthew Barbier, 16 years old Holy Cross Church parish Central Catholic High School

Maggie Bergeron, 17 years old Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales parish Vandebilt Catholic High School

What strengths do young people bring to the Catholic Church today?

Lance Dupont, 17 years old St. Gertrude Church parish, Des Allemands Hahnville High School

The youth of today’s Catholic Church have many strengths, but one that is most evident is leadership. Much of the youth are taking it upon themselves as leaders to live out their faith every day. They are being leaders and role models to other young people to help them become stronger in faith. I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for my friends that lead me closer to Christ, my faith wouldn’t be as strong.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

Naomi Hill, 17 years old St. Anthony of Padua Church parish Vandebilt Catholic High School

I think the strength that us young people bring to the church today is the passion and fire that we have for Christ. We have so many amazing opportunities such as Abbey Fest and Steubenville that unite all the young people in such a unique bond. Together we bring a zeal to church that attracts many others from the outside and we are always there to hold each other accountable.

The

Office

congratulates its 2013 Inspirational Teachers of the Year Lyddy Lindley

St. Genevieve Elementary School, Thibodaux Elementary School Level (Kindergarten - 5th grade)

Alisha Bergeron

E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux Middle School Level (Grades 6 - 8)

Brittany Matte

Central Catholic High School, Morgan City High School Level (Grades 9 - 12)

Our most sincere thanks to the following sponsors of the 2013 Inspirational Teachers of the Year Awards

www.bayoucatholic.com

Scripture Readings Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

1 October 2

Thursday

and a listing of Feast days and saints. Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Weekday Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29 Luke 10:17-24

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Hebrews 1:2-3, 2:2-4 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 Luke 17:5-10

Memorial of Our Weekday Lady of the Jonah 3:1-10 Rosary Luke 10:38-42 Jonah 1:1—2:2, 11 Luke 10:25-37

Weekday Jonah 4:1-11 Luke 11:1-4

Weekday Malachi 3:13-20b Luke 11:5-13

Weekday Weekday Joel 1:13-15; 2:1-2 Joel 4:12-21 Luke 11:15-26 Luke 11:27-28

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2 Kings 5:14-17 2 Timothy 2:8-13 Luke 17:11-19

Weekday Romans 1:1-7 Luke 11:29-32

Memorial of Teresa Weekday of Jesus, virgin and Romans 2:1-11 Luke 11:42-46 doctor of the church Romans 1:16-25 Luke 11:37-41

Memorial of Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr Romans 3:21-30 Luke 11:47-54

Feast of Luke, Evangelist 2 Timothy 4:10-17b Luke 10:1-9

Memorial of John de Brebeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, and companions, martyrs Romans 4:13, 16-18 Luke 12:8-12

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Exodus 17:8-13 2 Timothy 3:14— 4:2 Luke 18:1-8

Weekday Romans 4:20-25 Luke 12:13-21

Weekday Weekday Romans 5:12, 15b, Romans 6:12-18 17-19, Luke 12:39-48 20b-21 Luke 12:35-38

Weekday Romans 6:19-23 Luke 12:49-53

Weekday Romans 7:18-25a Luke 12:54-59

Weekday Romans 8:1-11 Luke 13:1-9

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14

1 November 2

Weekday Romans 8:26-30 Luke 13:22-30

Weekday Romans 8:31b-39 Luke 13:31-35

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

Feast of Simon Weekday and Jude, Romans 8:18-25 apostles Luke 13:18-21 Ephesians 2:1922 Luke 6:12-16

Church Life

Hispanic Ministry celebrates 50 years in Morgan City

Pioneers of Hispanic Ministry in Morgan City pose for a photo with Sacred Heart Church pastor, Father Gregory Fratt, and Bishop Sam G. Jacobs. They are (from left) Gloria Hernandez, Socorro and Francisco Linares and Emelina Basas. Bishop Jacobs (photo below) was the main celebrant and homilist at the Mass.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

Story by Louis Aguirre Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier The Morgan City community celebrated joyfully the 50th anniversary of Hispanic Ministry during a Mass and reception Sept. 8 at Sacred Heart Church in Morgan City. Bishop Sam G. Jacobs was the main celebrant and Father Gregory Fratt, pastor of Sacred Heart, was the concelebrant. Different Hispanic countries were represented during the celebration, which included a procession and singing. “From its humble beginnings in 1963, Hispanic Ministry has grown all over the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux, now serving over 10,000 Spanish-speaking Catholics,” says Father Fratt. The Diocese of HoumaThibodaux now has five Hispanic Centers, as follows: Annunziata Church in Houma, Christ the Redeemer Church in Thibodaux, Sacred Heart Church in Cut Off, Sacred Heart Church in Morgan City and St. Andrew Church in Amelia. Says Father Fratt: “If communion and solidarity are two of the goals of the church in America (as Pope John Paul II suggests in Ecclesia in America, and from which I quote below) then it is immediately evident why Hispanic Ministry is so important. “Here at Sacred Heart, Hispanic Ministry helps us to understand and experience more fully the universality of the church. Together with our Hispanic brothers and sisters we encounter the Living God with great joy as we ‘strengthen the bonds of solidarity and communion between different forms of this continent’s rich cultural heritage which the church should always try to foster as part of her own mission.’ “Hispanic ministry here at Sacred Heart also makes us acutely aware of the root causes for migration and the urgent need for immigration reform as expressed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Personally, as a priest here at Sacred Heart, I find great joy in doing Hispanic Ministry as a fuller expression of my priesthood and my call to promote the communion of all in the Lord.”

e d r e v l a V n i t ar RT

E C N CO

Hispanic Ministry Bishop Sam G. Jacobs greets a member of the Hispanic Community as he enters Sacred Heart Church in Morgan City. Young people, dressed in their native costumes, formed part of the procession outside and inside the church.

The diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry will sponsor a concert, featuring world-renowned artist Martin Valverde and his band from Mexico on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. at Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma. Valverde most recently sang to Pope Francis during the World Youth Day celebrations in Rio de Janeiro. The concert will be in recognition of 50 years of Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and as a farewell to Bishop Sam G. Jacobs as he retires this month. All proceeds from the concert will go to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rescuing Angels in Guatemala,â&#x20AC;? an organization supporting children with special disabilities. For more information see advertisement on page 25.

www.bayoucatholic.com

Special

Respect Life

at the core of our faith Guest Columnist

O 32

Robert M. Tasman

October presents a tremendous opportunity of reflection for each of us within the church as it has been designed by her as Respect Life month. Challenging ourselves to answer the question of whether or not we are living in both word and deed - the call to be authentically pro-life, is an exercise that can reinvigorate our focus toward the good of all life as well as enable us to honor our creator by acknowledging the profound gift that life is. A respect for life is at the very core and origin of our Catholic Christian faith. In the opening chapter of Genesis, we are informed of two unmistakable realities: 1) God created man and woman; and 2) God created them in his own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-31). Life is therefore neither a mistake nor is it something systematically scientific such as a collision of the cosmos. Rather, life is an active and intentional will of God which embodies and houses his divinity in a tangible way. Each of us possesses a sense of God’s divinity and we are therefore obligated to respect life as a natural response to this awesome reality. The dignity that we then are freely gifted by God, as a correlation to being made in his image, begins first when we were formed as an embryo and continues undiminished even as we reach the final moments of

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

our earthly life. This is indeed an expression of the consistent ethic of life. Put more simplistically, we must respect life “from womb to tomb.” We are also aware of this foundational reality when we engage ourselves within the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching. The seminal theme is that of Life and Dignity of the Human Person. There is no direct order that six of the seven themes have to be placed in, other than the fact that the first must always be Life and Dignity of the Human Person. By its very nature, these themes are conditioned upon respecting life and upholding the dignity of all of God’s children. Without such a respect all others fail and do not have a context in which to gain true

meaning. Put positively, this is a recognition that life is sacred, and that one’s dignity is the foundation of a moral vision of our society. Comprehensively, it follows that pro-life issues are just that – a multitude of issues which tend to be complex and varied. To simply discuss one issue within the context of what pro-life is and means is to do an injustice to the full vision of respecting life as given to us by God, lived out through Jesus, and continuously reinforced by our Catholic Tradition. Let us explore some of these issues to more usefully and efficiently frame our reflection. Respecting the life of the unborn or assuring that abortion is recognized as an evil given that it is the direct taking of life at

its most vulnerable stage, is certainly a starting point for such reflection and prayer. Continuously pressing for Roe v. Wade to be overturned is a way in which we can affirm the reality that an embryo is not merely a conglomeration of cells, but rather a human being made in the image and likeness of God and endowed with a soul. However, we must not depend upon a law of man to dictate this reality as it is more deeply rooted within both divine and natural law. Additionally, our work within the pro-life movement cannot end here. Other more complex pro-life issues generally tend to be of a scientific nature. Our faith teaches us to oppose embryonic stem cell research because of its use of extra or discarded embryos. In this way, the practice fails to respect life. We make a distinction between embryonic and adult stem cell research and we support adult stem cell research as it does not venture down the road of harming human life. Along the same vein, there is a grave concern for practices that occur when using reproductive technology. In vitro fertilization, which in-and-of-itself has created many ethical dilemmas including it being intricately connected to surrogacy, raises one’s awareness to the possibility of both the creation of extra embryos (begging the question as to what will and can be done with these lives) as well as what is known as selective reduction (essentially the destruction of embryos for the purpose of either reducing the number of embryos to be implanted or so that only the most “viable” and “healthy” embryos will be used).

SINCE FAST

Euthanasia is yet another prolife issue, and whereas respecting the life of the unborn represents respecting life from conception, euthanasia reminds us that we are commanded to respect life to natural death. Some states within our nation have accepted the practice of euthanasia and the unfortunate result has been countless legally assisted suicides. Homelessness is a life issue as those without shelter are arguably more susceptible to premature death. Hunger is also a life issue as many even within our wealthy nation suffer from malnourishment and a lack of nutrition and therefore are unable to thrive as God has intended. Failing to recognize this reality and acquiescing to the point that we do not work toward alleviating its impact on our population, is to ignore the full spectrum of what respect for life means. Indeed, the Lord hears the cry of the poor. Capital punishment or more accurately state-sanctioned killing is a pro-life issue. At times, it is easy for us to get caught up in innocence versus guilt (Ex. the innocence of the unborn v. the guilt of the incarcerated). This distinction may be human but yet it is not a distinction that God makes within the context of respect for life. All human beings have the right to conversion and the right to redemption. God does not write people off and God certainly does not give up on anyone. The lives of the saints reveal to us that every saint has a past and every sinner a future. As is proclaimed in Sirach, “The Lord is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.” Finally, and by no means least

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of all, we cannot leave the issue of religious freedom out of our reflection. While many question whether the church’s involvement in the public square is a violation of church and state, perhaps the more pertinent and immediate question is: Aren’t the actions and impositions of our government upon our church a true violation of the separation of church and state? Perhaps there is no clearer example to point to in answering this question then the HHS mandate. As conscience rights hang in the balance and men and women of faith wonder whether or not they can freely exercise their religion, the protection of life becomes dangerously threatened. We must pray for ourselves as a Catholic community that we respect life in such a way that we can accurately claim to be pro-life. In so doing, we must not selectively choose one issue and end our advocacy for life there. That merely makes us oppositional to that particular issue. We become anti-abortion, anti-euthanasia, anti-death penalty, etc. Yet, we do 33 not become fully pro-life. We must reflect and then be spurned to action, comforted by knowing the Lord will stand by us and provide us with the strength we need. We must be open to the fullest and most Catholic meaning of pro-life and in this way affirm and embody the great gift of life that we have all been recipients of. October is a great month to remind ourselves of this call and to genuinely answer it. (Robert M. Tasman is the associate director for the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops.)

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Life and Legacy

Honoring our dead: Diocese has

30 cemeteries

November is a special month set aside to remember and pray for all of the deceased. On all Saints Day Catholics recognize and honor the saints as well as other men, women and children who have led good and faithful lives, but who have not been officially named “saints” by the church. At this time of the year, much time and effort is spent making the gravesites and cemeteries attractive with beautiful flowers and fresh paint as a sign of respect for those who have died. The 36 cemeteries are visited by those who come from near and far to pray and remember their deceased family members and friends. There are 30 Catholic cemeteries within the boundaries of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. “St. Joseph Diocesan Cemetery in Thibodaux is the oldest Catholic cemetery in the diocese,” according to George Cooke, director of the diocesan Cemetery Office. “The cemetery was officially adopted by the St. Joseph CoCathedral parish in 1817 when property was acquired by St. Joseph for the church and cemetery, but the cemetery was already in use at the time,” he said. “Some of the tombs were documented before 1817.” St. Joseph Diocesan Cemetery has several points of interest as a historic cemetery of the diocese. In this cemetery lie the remains of the last soldier of Andrew Jackson’s Army to die, Pierre Aaman Lejeune, born in 1790 and died in 1894, who fought in the Battle of New Orleans. The tomb calls him “the

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

According to Cooke’s records, one marker in the cemetery reads, “In Memory of Thirty-Nine Members of Co. A 2nd Texas Calvary who fell at the Battle of Lafourche Crossing – June 21, 1863.” The Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales parish has two cemeteries directly behind the church on Goode Street, and another four miles away on Hwy. 24 in the area known as Bayou Cane. Other church cemeteries in the diocese include St. Andrew Cemetery, Amelia; St. Lawrence Cemetery, Chacahoula; Our Lady of Prompt Succor Cemetery, Chackbay; St. Patrick Cemetery, Gibson; St. Charles Borromeo Cemetery, St. Charles Community; St. Bridget Cemetery, Schriever; St. John Cemetery, LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC Thibodaux; St. Anthony Cemetery, Gheens; pioneer of Thibodaux who walked St. Lawrence the Martyr all the way to Chalmette Field to Cemetery, Kraemer; St. Mary’s join Jackson’s Army,” according to Nativity Cemetery, Raceland; St. Cooke’s records. Hilary Cemetery, Mathews; Holy Also buried in St. Joseph Diocesan Savior Cemetery, Lockport; Holy Cemetery, is Father (Pere) Charles Rosary Cemetery, Larose; Sacred Menard, the pioneer of many Heart Cemetery, Cut Off; St. churches and schools up and down Joseph Cemetery, Galliano; Our Bayou Lafourche, in what is now Lady of Prompt Succor Cemetery, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Golden Meadow; Our Lady of the Pere Menard has been called “the Isle Cemetery, Grand Isle; Apostle of Bayou Lafourche.” St. Louis Cemetery, Bayou The gravesites of Bishop L. Abel Blue; St. Ann Cemetery, Bourg; Caillouet, former auxiliary bishop St. Joseph Cemetery, Chauvin; of New Orleans and the only native Holy Family Cemetery No. 1 and bishop of this diocese; Alexdre. 2, Grand Caillou; Holy Rosary Ph. Nicolas Coulon, born in Paris Cemetery, Houma; Sacred Heart in 1774, who was president of Cemetery, Montegut; Dugas St. Joseph Church; and Richard Cemetery, Montegut; St. Charles Dalton William, an Irish Patriot Cemetery, Pointe-aux-Chenes; St. and poet who died in 1862 at the age of 40, can be found in the Eloi Cemetery, Theriot; and St. historic cemetery. James Cemetery, Kraemer.

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Life and Legacy

Discussing death with loved ones eases burden, says noted author By NANCY FRAZIER O’BRIEN Catholic News Service

In the days immediately before and after a loved one dies, time may slow to a crawl or pass in a flash. But how can people be sure to do or say the things they want to in that critical time period? “Practically speaking, you need to pull a support system together,” says Sherri Auger, an elder-care planning consultant who co-wrote “Now What? A Practical Guide to Dealing with Aging, Illness and Dying” (Novalis, 2010) with health journalist Barbara Wickens. Even better, if the death is not sudden, you can help your loved one to plan ahead so that his or her wishes for end-of-life care and a final remembrance can be carried out easily. 38 “It takes a huge burden off the family if they know they have done what you want them to do,” she said. Auger, an only child, found out the importance of such planning 10 years ago when her father became ill. His illness took its toll on her mother, who also became ill and died three weeks later. Auger then had to plan her mother’s funeral, settle her estate, sell her parents’ home and find long-term care for her father without much guidance or advance discussions about her parents’ wishes. The process led Auger, who was then working in the corporate world, into the relatively new field of eldercare planning. She now teaches on the subject in the Toronto area and heads Caring Matters, which helps individual clients with elder care and estate planning. Starting a discussion about end-of-life care and funeral arrangements with elderly parents is difficult and doesn’t get easier as parents get

older, Auger acknowledges. She said adult children approaching middle age should make out their own wills and put their funeral plans in writing, then raise the topic with their parents. Here is some of Auger’s best advice for the time when a loved one is dying and the period immediately afterward: n “The center of attention always has to be on the person passing away,” she said. Those in the room with a dying person must remember that “the last sense that people lose is the sense of hearing” and must give one another “space and respect,” acknowledging that not everyone wants to be in the room at a death and trying not to “put their own feelings on other people.” n As a person begins transitioning

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

into death, he or she might “need to be given permission to pass away,” Auger said. Handholding and applying hand cream can be very welcome, but it is important to know too that some people might find it uncomfortable to be touched as the end nears. n Keep practical considerations in mind, such as the fact that the dying person might not be wearing his or her dentures and could find it difficult to speak. “You cannot expect them to say their dying words to you,” Auger said. “Don’t leave what you want to say until the very end. Have the words you want to have with them before it reaches that stage.” n Last rites or a final blessing from a priest or other religious leader can ease the transition to death, she added. n Once death has occurred, “you don’t have to rush away.” Instead, Auger recommended that people “take whatever time you need to be with the person.” She also recommended that after a grieving person returns home they should “mark that moment in some special way, with something pleasant” such as a hot bath. n In looking for support through the grieving process, she advised people to consult the many resources available through churches and hospice programs. Ask friends and family members for help, especially with tasks that match well with their expertise. But be aware that the people closest to you might not be able to help “because they are grieving too” she added. n On a practical note, she advised next of kin of the deceased to avoid getting robbed from those who prey on the grieving by asking someone to stay at the house during the funeral.

For Catholics, cremation allowed with proper respect By SUZANNE HAUGH

Catholic News Service

In the Catholic Church cremation has become an accepted practice when “serious reasons” present a need for it and if the practice maintains respect for the sacredness of the body and belief in the resurrection of the dead. The practice had previously been forbidden in the church, but a 1963 instruction by Pope Paul VI explained that cremation is acceptable when practiced “not out of hatred of the church or Christian customs, but rather for reasons of health, economics or other reasons involving public or private order.” An example of public order would be the lack of adequate space for cemeteries, as is the case in Japan and smaller countries in northern Europe, said Holy Cross Father Richard Rutherford, professor of

theology and pastoral liturgy at the University of Portland in Oregon. He then described a situation in which cremation might be pursued because of a private order that goes “beyond economics.” Perhaps an elderly parent dies in a Florida retirement home far away from the family home in Alaska where he or she wishes to be buried, he said. Family members may live in different parts of the country and plan to make the trip home for the funeral at some point. “Cremation in Florida, perhaps following a funeral with the body present there, and transport of the cremated remains home to Alaska for a family funeral and committal in the family plot would be a reasonable request and not (done) out of hatred,” Father Rutherford explained. “In fact, the desire to have a Catholic funeral in the

parish church where the deceased had belonged before the eventual move to retirement in Florida would be a praiseworthy decision (made) out of love of the church and Christian customs.” Cost is often a reason for choosing cremation. However, Father Rutherford said that the cost discrepancy between a burial and cremation has lessened as “mortuaries and cremation providers -- often now the same entity -- are in business to provide goods and services for a profit.” Cremation illustrates the interplay between Christian beliefs and cultural influences. “Early Christians wouldn’t have conceived of it, but (cremation) is part of our world,” said Father Rutherford, who co-wrote “The Death of a Christian: The Order of Christian Funerals.”

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Life and Legacy

Cremation Material from the Committee of Divine Worship of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops further explains the sacredness of the body even after death: “This is the body once washed in baptism, anointed with the oil of salvation, and fed with the bread of life. This is the body whose hands clothed the poor and embraced the sorrowing. The human body is so inextricably associated with the human person that it is hard to think of a human person apart from his or her body.” For this reason, the church “earnestly recommends” burying the body of the deceased, according to the 1983 Code of Canon Law, but does not forbid cremation unless someone has chosen cremation to deny hope in the resurrection of the body. When cremation is to be pursued there remains “the Catholic way”

of putting to rest the cremated remains, according to Father Rutherford. First, when possible, the preference is to hold the funeral Mass or liturgy with the body of the deceased present and at the person’s home parish as it is the place where he or she lived out the Christian life. When the funeral liturgy or Mass is to be held in the presence of one’s cremated remains, certain practices have been adapted without losing their sense of respect for the person. For instance, Father Rutherford explained, as with the funeral liturgy when a body is present, “some form of worthy vessel” containing the ashes is met at the church door or placed at the foot of the altar. Following the funeral rite, the committal takes place whereby the cremated remains

are entombed at a cemetery or mausoleum. Certain cultural practices in regards to cremated remains are off limits to faithful Catholics. These include the desire of some to scatter a loved one’s ashes at certain locations or to distribute them to other family members. Again, the church invokes the importance of the integrity of one’s body and the hope of resurrection for the body. According to the bishops’ statement, “the scattering of cremated remains is not a practice we believe is appropriate or honors a person, and is therefore not permitted.” In either a traditional burial or cremation, the priest stressed that the important thing to always remember is the “integrity of the body.” “The body is not simply the soul’s cage to throw away,” he said. “This was a person in relationship with God.”

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How children handle grief essential to their development By ADESHINA EMMANUEL Catholic News Service

For many young children, it’s hard enough learning arithmetic and proper grammar. But grappling with grief after losing a loved one is in a whole other realm of difficulty. Laurie Olbrisch, executive vice president of Rainbows, an international grief-support charity, said grieving children often experience low self-esteem and a sense of vulnerability that can impede their social and emotional development if left unchecked. She said these feelings can put children at higher risk for developing patterns of risky behavior, such as drug abuse and promiscuity. “Maybe they’re only in third grade when the loss happens but if they’ve never had any support or

help … maybe by the time they’re a teenager those things will really manifest themselves in their personality,” Olbrisch said. She noted that children are sometimes uncomfortable talking to counselors or psychologists about their grief. That’s when a peer-based approach is better for helping them cope, Oldrisch said because they get to “talk about their loss in their own terms, on their own level.” Hospice Support Care is a volunteer organization in Virginia that provides various services to seriously ill people and people suffering the loss of a loved one. Once a year, in spring, the organization hosts Camp Rainbow, a weekend bereavement camp for children ages 5 to 12. The camp aims to strike a balance between

recreation and grief-specific activities. Campers play games and participate in outdoor activities, like fishing and hiking, but they also take part in group discussions where they can share stories and express their feelings. Kim Rudat, Hospice Support Care’s children’s bereavement coordinator, said the camps reduce children’s sense of isolation and give them an environment where they can help each other cope with grief. “They learn from other kids their age experiencing the same feelings and thoughts,” Rudat said. “The big thing is they learn they aren’t alone. They aren’t the only ones who don’t have a parent.” Hospice Support staff determines if children are ready to come to the camp during an intake

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Life and Legacy

Children process where they get to know the child. Rudat said she doesn’t recommend someone attending until two or three months after a loved one’s death, because some children are too numb to deal with their feelings, or too overwhelmed to address them in a group setting immediately after their loss. The Rev. Lavender Kelley, a pediatric chaplain for Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, spends much of her time helping children through various forms of grief, including the loss of loved ones. She explained the different ways young children up to age 12 try to comprehend death. Infants don’t experience the same sense of loss that an older child might, because their minds are so

underdeveloped, Rev. Kelley said. And while children between ages 2 and 5 are aware of their loss, they sometimes struggle to grasp concepts such as time and forever, so it can be hard for them to understand death as a permanent state, Rev. Kelley said. She said it’s important to be somewhat frank when explaining this, however hard that might be. Being vague or using metaphors to explain death runs the risk of children indulging in fantasy and obsessing over something that will never change rather than addressing their feelings, Rev. Kelley said. “You want to use very concrete language. Don’t say things like, ‘they’re gone.’ You use terms like death and dead, and not analogies

like, ‘vacation’ or ‘sleep’,” the chaplain said. “They’re going to try to figure out how to make (their loved one) come back. Or they’ll start to think that any kind of illness or any kind of accident is going to cause the same thing.” When helping a child through their grief, it’s important to listen and let them ask questions. For example, a 5-year-old asking if they will get a new sibling after losing a brother or sister might sound bizarre, but it’s not out of the ordinary for a young child who is grappling with the concept of death, Rev. Kelley said. Prior to the loss of a family member, for many children death has only come up when it pertained to pets or plants. “The absolute worst things you can say to a kid is, ‘You don’t need to need to think about that’, or, ‘Don’t ask questions like that’. Because they’re going to think about it even more. And it’s going to turn into this cycle of unanswered questions that turn into fears that mount,” she said.

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Charismatic Renewal Welcoming the Holy Spirit with raised arms Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement started in the United States in 1968 after a group of theology professors from the Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, made a Cursillo weekend and wanted to share their experience with some of their students. They gathered together for a weekend retreat for the purpose of studying the Acts of the Apostles and talking about the workings of the Holy Spirit. According to Bishop Sam G. Jacobs, at some point during that weekend one of the students, Patti Mansfield, went to the chapel looking for someone and she felt very strongly as if she were being called to stay there and pray. As she was praying she experienced the anointing power of the Holy Spirit in her life. While she was in the chapel, some of the other students making the retreat also said they felt called at that time to go to the chapel. All of the students had the same experience. 44 Having heard the teachings, the students felt open to the possibility of God moving in their lives and experienced the power of the Holy Spirit, says Bishop Jacobs. After this retreat, they couldn’t contain what had happened to them, so they began meeting to talk about and share their experience with others. After Bishop Jacobs had been a priest for five years, he says he began to feel an emptiness inside himself. He prayed to God for the answer to what was missing in his life. One of the religious sisters in the church parish where he was serving attended a charismatic prayer meeting at Boston College while taking some summer courses. She wrote to say she wanted to share her experience with him. When she returned to the parish, she invited a priest who would be traveling through the area to talk to them about this new movement. “It was at that meeting that I felt God was saying to me this is what is missing in your life – the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in your life and the activation of that power you received at baptism, confirmation and ordination,” says the bishop. Those involved in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement believe that they like the apostles have been “baptized” or “filled” with the Holy Spirit, often through the laying on of the hands. Some of the signs of this “baptism” or “filling” include the gifts of speaking in tongues, prophecy, healing and interpretation of tongues. One of the visible signs of worship for Charismatics is the praising of God with raised arms. “This is biblical,” says Bishop Jacobs. “It may Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

not be part of our culture here in the diocese, but it is grounded in the early church and in the Bible, as is speaking in tongues. Both existed in the life of the early church as a means by which people spontaneously expressed the excitement of their faith. I personally think charismatic renewal is for everyone. The church was born, in a sense, on Pentecost Day when the Spirit was poured forth upon it, and Jesus said you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit and you will be my witnesses. The whole context of what Jesus is talking about is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. So although the ‘movement’ itself may not be for everyone, we are all called to be charismatic in so far as our openness to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.” Denise Beyer, bishop’s liaison for the diocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement since 2007, says she became involved after she had a conversion experience during Mass in the late 1990s. “I was looking for something more. My faith had died … during that Mass Jesus revealed himself to me in the Eucharist. I was invited to a Life in the Spirit seminar and discovered that everyone needs to experience this,” she says. “The Charismatic Movement is just a reawakening to the reality of what Jesus promised; that he would make us all witnesses so we could go forth to evangelize. It allows people to open themselves up to the Holy Spirit and experience the love of God

the Father and his living presence among us. It’s only after we allow the Holy Spirit to have his way within us that our lives begin to change. Seeing what the Holy Spirit wants us to do makes us desire more holiness,” says Beyer. “Do not be afraid to reach out and seek if you feel a stirring; come out of your comfort zone and pursue the Holy Spirit.” In a homily July 6, 2013, Pope Francis said, “ … The Holy Spirit renews all things: He renews our heart, our life, and makes us live differently, but in a way that takes up the whole of our life. You cannot be a Christian of pieces, a part-time Christian. Being a part-time Christian simply doesn’t work! … Being Christian ultimately means, not doing things, but allowing oneself to be renewed by the Holy Spirit … .” The Movement has been active in the diocese since the 1980s. Currently, prayer groups meet in the following locations: St. Anthony, Bayou Black; Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay; Our Lady of Prompt Succor Adoration Chapel, Upper Little Caillou; and St. John the Evangelist, Thibodaux. Upcoming monthly prayer meeting which feature praise and worship, music and eucharistic adoration are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 30, Nov. 20 and Dec. 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Lumen Christi Retreat Center. For more information about the Movement and upcoming Life in the Spirit Seminars, go to the web page at www.htdiocese.org/ CatholicCharismaticRenewal, call Denise Beyer at (985) 868-3294 or e-mail her at denisebeyer@charter. net. 45

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Inspirational Teachers of the Year The Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux recently announced its 2013 Inspirational Teachers of the Year in a ceremony which took place before the annual diocesan Educators Conference, which is attended by all of the Catholic school teachers and administrators in the diocese. An inspirational teacher in a Catholic school witnesses to the life of Christ, has the ability to see Christ in students, incorporates Gospel values, teaches life skills, values and respects students, impacts students’ achievements, is compassionate and understanding, goes above and beyond what is required, and never gives up on a student, says Marian Fertitta, diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools. Earlier this year, parents and students were given an opportunity to nominate a Catholic school teacher they felt had been an inspiration to them. An evaluation committee used a rubric to rate the anonymous nominations and determine a winner from the elementary (kindergarten through fifth grade), middle (sixth through eighth grade) and high school (ninth through 12th grade) levels. No names or pertinent information was made available to the 46 evaluation committee. Lyddy Lindley, who teaches third grade at St. Genevieve Elementary School in Thibodaux, was named elementary school Inspirational Teacher of the Year. Her nominator says: This teacher’s “insight and ability to connect with her students has been inspiring to many. Her strong Catholic faith is evident in the positive relationships she develops with her students. Her dedication to teaching with her sensitivity and natural ability to care and nurture each child individually is a perfect example of God’s work.” Other teachers nominated at the elementary school level are: Lynne Bayhi, Beryl Ledet, St. Genevieve Elementary School; Ashley Boudreaux, Dale Ford, Dawn Theriot, St. Bernadette Elementary School, Houma; Jenny Chamberlain, Lauren Guidry, Holy Cross Elementary School, Morgan City; Tiffany Galey, Beth Gros, Julie Landry, St. Joseph Elementary School, Thibodaux; and Betsy Pitre, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School, Houma. Alisha Bergeron, eighth grade religion teacher at E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux, was named middle school Inspirational Teacher of the Year. Some of the comments from her nominators are: “She is probably the most inspirational woman I’ve ever had the privilege of getting to know.” “She is an absolutely amazing religion teacher ...

From left are Jerry P. Ledet Jr., Lyddy Lindley and Marian Fertitta.

From left are Bill Barbera, Alisha Bergeron and Marian Fertitta.

Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

From left are Kim Elfert, Brittany Matte and Marian Fertitta.

She doesn’t just go through the notes and words, she interprets the words and teaches it to us in ways we can understand.” “She inspires me to become a better Catholic and also a better person. What sets her apart from other teachers is that she connects the lesson about God to everyday life.” “She is always willing to help students and teachers. I think she has inspired so many other students to live a good faith life.” Other teachers nominated at the middle school level are: Thea Arnold, St. Mary’s Nativity Elementary School, Raceland; Ellen Baudoin, St. Gregory Elementary School, Houma; Tammy Benoit, Debbie Borne, Allison Boudreaux, Pam Boudreaux, St. Joseph Elementary School, Thibodaux; Angie Knight, Shonie Morvant, Fran Naquin, Kristen Robichaux, Michelle Robichaux, Shane Trosclair, E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux; Kathryn Bernard, Shaunda Naquin, St. Genevieve Elementary School, Thibodaux. Brittany Matte, who teaches ninth and 10th grade English at Central Catholic High School in Morgan City, was named high school Inspirational Teacher of the Year. A common theme throughout this winner’s nominations is that she inspires her students to do their best and be their best in school and in everything they do. She is always happy and has a positive attitude, is friendly and relates well to all of the students.

Some of her nominators’ comments are as follows: “Her personality and teaching style make me look forward to seeing her every day and learning new things.” “I believe that she should be awarded teacher of the year because of her strong faith and her dedication to her students, and to the school. “Her teaching style is fun, entertaining and intriguing.” “She makes everything sound interesting even if it’s the most boring thing ever.” Other teachers nominated at the high school level are: Burt Adams, David Fuhrer, David Irwin, Anne Rhodes, Central Catholic High School, Morgan City; Mary Cavell, Darin Fontz, Christina Lasserre, Tim Robichaux, E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux. Jerry Ledet, president and CEO of Synergy Bank, Bill Barbera, chief financial officer and vice-president of Community Bank, and Kim Elfert, vice-president of Human Resources & Marketing of Coastal Commerce Bank, attended the awards ceremony to present the three winners with a cash award of $500, which was donated by each bank. “Congratulations to our three Inspirational Teachers of the Year and to all of those who were nominated. You are true examples of the living Christ. God has blessed you with many talents and as called by the Gospels you share these with your students and everyone you encounter each day. Thank you for being a model Catholic school teacher and for sharing your call to ministry in our schools,” says Fertitta. 47

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Church Alive

Mini-grant winners

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

As part of the diocesan Catholic Schools Office’s 2013 Inspirational Teachers of the Year awards program, teachers were given the opportunity to write for $300 mini-grants. Four grants were chosen for funding this year. “P.E. Promotes Potential,” written by Kristi Crouch of Holy Cross Elementary School in Morgan City, will be used to purchase muchneeded new equipment to promote physical health and develop the body, mind and spirit of the students. “Science Magnified,” written by Stephanie Granger of Holy Cross Elementary School in Morgan City, will be used toward the purchase of a Celestron Pentaview LCD digital microscope for science and math projects. “Real World Math,” written by Celine Laubach of Holy Cross Elementary School in Morgan City, will be used to purchase instructional materials that will address the shift in current math instruction to the Common Core curriculum. “Core Reading,” written by Katie Mudd of St. Gregory Elementary School in Houma, will be used to purchase new nonfiction books for the school’s library. Pictured with the winners is Marian Fertitta, superintendent of Catholic schools.

Diocesan Programs This Month “Revival”

Host: Bishop Sam G. Jacobs Co-Host: Regina Thibodeaux Wednesday 8:30 p.m. Friday 9:30 a.m. and Sunday 9:30 a.m. HTV/VISION COMMUNICATIONS, CHARTER COMM. & COMCAST CHANNEL 10 ALLEN’S TV CABLE MORGAN CITY CHANNEL 71

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“Spotlight on the Diocese” Host: Louis Aguirre With Guest: Bishop Sam G. Jacobs Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

For more information contact: catholicfoundationsl.org If you are not receiving these programs in your area, please contact your local cable provider.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

Experience Vandebilt firsthand! Join us for a personal visit and tour. Wednesday, October 30 Tours begin on the hour from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Vandebilt Brothers’ Hall 211 South Hollywood Road in Houma Questions may be directed to Mrs. Lisa Vegas at (985) 580-1868 or lvegas@htdiocese.org.

School personnel honored

The following personnel were honored for 25 years of service during the annual Catholic School Educators’ Conference held recently at E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux. From left are Judy Watts, St. Mary’s Nativity School, Raceland; Phyllis Landry, St. Genevieve School, Thibodaux; Cleta Plaisance, Holy Rosary School, Larose; and Marian Ferttia, superintendent of Catholic Schools. Not pictured are Donna Darda, Holy Rosary School, Larose; and Rosita Dufrene, Holy Savior School, Lockport.

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

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Our Churches

St.the Luke Evangelist

Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Persevering community of faith with a ‘humble pride’ St. Luke the Evangelist Church parish and school in Thibodaux was established in 1923, due in large part to the determination of Msgr. Alexander Barbier, who was pastor of St. Joseph Church parish in Thibodaux at the time, and the Negro Catholic Progressive Association that was formed in 1889. According to the history of St. Luke parish, when Msgr. Barbier became pastor of St. Joseph in 1911, “a new era opened on the bayou for Negro Catholics. One of the early concerns of this conscientious pastor was the spiritual and educational welfare of the Negroes of his large flock.” After numerous setbacks, the dream was finally realized in 1923, when Mother (now Saint) Katharine Drexel, Superior of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament,

Our Churches

St. Luke: Persevering community of faith with a ‘humble pride’ visited Thibodaux at Msgr. Barbier’s request and agreed to donate $4,000 to build a church and school for the African Americans. Father Joseph P. Van Baast, S.S.J., served as the parish’s first pastor. Despite a congregation of 424, and 275 children enrolled in the school, the parish was closed in 1967. As stated in the parish history, “The process of integration had begun and diocesan officials expressed the willingness of the local church to implement it in 52 the entire pattern of Catholic activity.” Christine Streams, pastoral associate and lifelong parishioner of St. Luke, says that this was a sad and difficult time for St. Luke parishioners. However, the community still maintained a presence in the diocese as the church building was used by various organizations over the years to serve the needy of the community. In 1984, (the late) Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux asked the Josephite Fathers to take a survey and report back to him on the status of African-American Catholics in the diocese. It was learned that many black Catholics had stopped attending Mass altogether while some had even joined other faiths. In the early spring of 1986, priests from St. Augustine High School in New Orleans began celebrating Mass in St. Luke’s gymnasium until the church could be cleaned and restored. St. Luke the Evangelist Church parish was reestablished in 1986, thanks to Bishop Boudreaux and the persistent efforts of parishioners. The Josephite Fathers returned to pastor the church as they had before it closed; however, their presence ended there in 1997. The present church building, which has a seating capacity of 350, was constructed in 1951 with the financial assistance of Nicholas Huth. It has a simple, contemporary design with a framed roof, and a tower that is a modern version of the campanile of St. Mark’s in Venice. The pews and light fixtures are from the original church; all other artwork comes from different locations. Father Mitchel Semar, associate pastor since June Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

2012, reports that there are currently 197 families in the parish, with a mixture of all age levels. Bishop Sam G. Jacobs serves as the parish’s administrator. The parish has many organizations and ministries to offer such as youth ministry, Knights of Peter Claver, evangelization committee, Gospel choir, bereavement ministry, family fun day, homebound and shut-ins ministry, a community center that is available for public use, parish outreach that provides financial assistance for the community, BISCO, children’s ministry, CCD program, pastoral council, finance council, liturgical ministers and a liturgy committee. The spirituality of the people, which Streams says has been preserved by the elders, makes the parish very unique. “An ‘African American liturgy’ or a Gospel Mass with a Gospel choir is not like a traditional Mass. There are no ‘homilies’ but a preaching that happens here. The people are very expressive about their faith. That’s one of the reasons Bishop Boudreaux wanted to reopen St. Luke, not just to have a ‘black’ church parish, but he realized that the African American community needed to be able to celebrate their culture.” Father Semar says there is an experience of a much deeper freedom to worship there. “The people in the parish have a deep love for Scriptures. They’re not looking at their watches here; they will stay as long as the Holy Spirit is moving through you. They want the Scriptures broken open; it’s like a Bible study at every liturgy. People are here to worship. The Mass lasts an hour and a half to two hours, and people still don’t want to leave. Also, the parish is very open; people of all races and backgrounds come here and they feel very welcome. “This community has a ‘humble pride’ in their parish; they have gone through a lot here having their parish closed for so many years and then reopened again. The parishioners know they have something unique here. It’s not hit or miss, this is how we worship; you can come to St. Luke Church any Sunday and have a transformational experience,” says Father Semar.

Staff St. Luke parish personnel standing from left are, Father Mitchel Semar, associate pastor; and Deacon Martin Dickerson. Seated from left are Christine Streams, pastoral associate; Debra Pilot, secretary; and Kevin Richard, maintenance. Not pictured is Bishop Sam G. Jacobs, parish administrator; and Gloria Woods, bookkeeper.

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Entertainment

Seeing Clairely Claire Joller

O 54

Our individual affinity for certain colors was the subject of a book’s chapter I read years ago. Specifically, I was intrigued by the author’s account of the theory that each person tends to be drawn to a certain range of hues that coincidentally best flatters his/her own physical coloring, for clothing and surroundings. As early as the 1880s, Albert Henry Munsell developed a classification of colors based on three criteria: hue (the color itself), value (light-dark) and chroma (purity of a color). The renowned Bostonian who lived 1858-1918 was not the first nor the last to propose color theory, but nevertheless established a groundwork for others to ponder and build upon. Later, the work of Swiss painter, designer and teacher Johannes Itten (1888-1967) provided inspiration for seasonal color analysis. He was the first to associate color palettes with four types of people, and designated the types using the names of the seasons. After his death, some in the cosmetics industry began to use seasonal color analysis. The four seasons analysis was further developed by Carole Jackson in the 1980s in her book Color Me Beautiful, and by others since then. When Jackson’s book was first popular, I remember learning that women and men with dark hair, cool skin undertones and mostly dark eye colors often look best, and are drawn to, crisp, clear primary colors. Blue-eyed ash blondes and browns with cool undertones do best in muted blue, rose, greens and other understated colors. A

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

Confessions of a Summer/Autumn certain type of blonde, with bright and sunny coloring and warm skin undertones, often chooses bathedin-sunlight shades. Those with fiery or golden hair and yellowundertoned skin are complimented by earthy, natural colors. Carole Jackson’s book termed the first category I mentioned as Winter, the second as Summer, the third as Spring, and the fourth as Autumn. Many years ago, I was deemed a Summer. No doubt about it. Winters and Summers

both have cool undertones and Springs and Autumns have warm ones. Winters and Springs do best in clear colors in their individual palettes, Summers and Autumns in more hushed tones in theirs. I looked around my house today at the walls and furnishings. No bold jewel tones here. Muted greens, greyed blues, and other soft, cool colors, but no clear pastels. If our home was music, it would be muffled—but in what we consider a soothing, not stifled, way. My color self-evaluation began today because I was again considering the reasons October is so appealing to me. Yes, it’s definitely the prospect of cooler weather. But beyond that, it’s the month’s dominant colors. Now, why would a self-respecting Summer be so drawn to fiery-toned October? Because the sunlight of

October does not glare with whitehot clarity, but instead slants over us tender golden, tipping the grasses and leaves with reflected points of light. The pumpkins we gather on our porches are not the brassy orange of a carrot, but instead bespeak deeper paprika and terra cotta hues. Their imperfect spheres and ribbed segmentation are anything but crisp; they are uneven in shape, and appeal to the softness to which I am drawn. Leaves do indeed put on a spectacular show, especially in points north of us. But even then, the brightness to which all the guidebooks attest, I suspect, stems from sheer variation of color rather than from the hues themselves. When I look at autumn leaves, I see saturated harvest gold, deep or browned-orangey reds of cinnabar and vermilion, persimmon orange, and rust brown. They are far from spring’s clear, bright yellows and new-growth lime green. Autumn’s colors are indeed riotous all together, but individually they appear to me to be muted and subdued. This is, after all, appropriate for the time of year. A final colorful display, but subtly restrained, as our world gradually descends into winter. I would be remiss to omit a recent variation on the four seasons palettes. Someone has taken the types a step further, and has expanded them to 12, using overlaps and common points among the original four. As much as I identify with my Summer’s blues and roses, the muting that is common to Autumn influences “my” palette. Turns out I must be a Summer/Autumn. Didn’t I say I love October? (For comments or inquiries about this column, Claire Joller can be contacted by email at clairely1@ comcast.net).

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Special Events

Rev. Allan Sy Fenix

Associate appointed

One pastoral appointment, effective immediately, has been announced by Bishop Sam G. Jacobs. The Rev. Allan Sy Fenix, who has been serving as administrator at St. Rose of Lima Church parish in Anayan, Pili, Camarines Sur, since 2012, has been appointed as associate pastor at St. Genevieve Church parish in Thibodaux, for a period of two years. Father Fenix is a native of La Purisima, Tinambac, Camarines Sur. He was ordained Nov. 22, 1997.

s t n A

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Henry Brinkman, Louisiana Relay outreach coordinator, recently presented Jennifer Gaudet, associate director of Individual and Family Assistance for Catholic Charities Houma-Thibodaux, with Hamilton Relay’s 2013 Better Hearing and Speech Month Recognition Award for the State of Louisiana. This award is presented to an individual who is hard of hearing, late deafened or has difficulty speaking who has made an impact in his/her community. Since 1991, Hamilton Relay has provided Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or have difficulty speaking.

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E.D. White’s new school gymnasium named in honor of Preston LeJeune

Alumni, parents, students, faculty members, family and friends recently gathered at E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux for a presentation and reception honoring athletic director Preston LeJeune with the naming of the new school gym, the “Preston LeJeune Gymnasium.” LeJeune began his career at E.D. White in the spring of 1978 as the defensive coordinator of the football team. During the summer of 1978 he was promoted to football’s head coach. During a 23 year career as the Cardinals head coach, LeJeune had an overall record of 181-821 which equates to a 68.8 percent winning record. During that time he coached four undefeated teams, 1982, 1984, 1990 and 1992. His teams won some type of championship 17 out of the 23 years. Of those championships, 11 were district championships. His teams advanced to the state playoffs 20 out of 23 years. In 1978 his first team failed to make the playoffs after being tri-district champions. At that time only two from a district could enter the playoffs

Preston LeJeune

and the Cardinals lost out on a tie breaker. Coach LeJeune’s 1981 team was a state finalist, losing to John Curtis in the finals 21-17, in the first ever championship game played in the Super Dome Classic. His 1982 team reached the state semi-finals and his 1986 and 1990 teams made it to the quarterfinals. LeJeune’s teams beat arch rival, Vandebilt, 17 out of the 23 years he coached against them. He was named District Coach of the Year

nine times. Coach LeJeune also coached the boys’ golf team to eight consecutive regional championships and the boys’ tennis teams to two regional championships. As an assistant baseball coach, two teams reached the state finals and one was defeated in the semi-finals. LeJeune was named athletic director in 1992. Since that time, the athletic facilities have undergone major improvements. A new running track was installed, a new softball complex was built, improvements to the baseball park was made, a complete remodeling of the football locker room and new locker rooms for boys and girls basketball and volleyball was built. A new office was also built for the women coaches. A beautiful new gymnasium (practice facility) was constructed and an artificial turf 57 football field is being constructed to replace the grass field that we have known for years. Under LeJeune’s direction the Cardinal athletic teams have won 28 state championships in nine different sports.

Few spaces left for pilgrimage to Rome

Based on the success of the pilgrimages the past two years, the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development, along with Father Jay Baker as the spiritual guide, is offering a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy, Jan. 20-27, 2014. While the trip might only last a week, it will be a week filled with many opportunities to see some of the most recognizable sights in the world including St. Peter’s Basilica and Michelangelo’s David, while also discovering some lesser known gems while attending a Mass at the altar of the tomb of St. Peter in the Vatican grottoes. Highlights of the trip currently include attending the Papal Audience given by Pope Francis, the Scavi Tour of the excavations

under St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, a visit to all four major basilicas of Rome with Mass in three of them, a tour of the Holy Stairs, sightseeing in the Coliseum, a day trip to Florence, four star hotel accommodations a block from St. Peter’s Basilica, airfare, daily breakfast, three dinners and much more. Price for the trip is $2,700 per person based on double occupancy not including all airport taxes and fuel surcharges. Reservations are extremely limited at the moment; however, if anyone has any questions, please contact Jeremy Becker, diocesan director of Stewardship and Development, at (985) 850-3155 or jtbecker@htdiocese.org

Very Rev. Jay Baker, V.G.

www.bayoucatholic.com

Special Events

Rev. Simon Peter Engurait

Food for the Journey in Houma Nov. 5 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 Nov. 5 is Father Simon Peter Engurait. Father Engurait, a native of Ngora, Uganda, East Africa, currently serves as associate pastor of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales parish in Houma. Father Engurait was ordained to the priesthood May 25, 2013. Those who plan to attend the Nov. 5th event should RSVP with their name, phone number and church parish by Thursday, Oct. 31. To RSVP, email FoodForTheJourney@ htdiocese.org or call (985) 8503178. 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.” Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

New Hispanic Sisters arrive Father Isaias Galvez, F.M.M., diocesan director of the Office of Hispanic Ministry, greets Sister Eufemia Santiago, M.C.S.H. (center), and Sister Silvia Serrano, M.C.S.H. The two new Sisters are members of the Missionary Catechists of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, a Mexican community of women religious with a United States province in Victoria, TX. The Sisters will be serving the five Hispanic centers in Amelia, Cut Off, Houma, Morgan City and Thibodaux.

Red, White Masses announced The annual diocesan Red Mass will be celebrated Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, at 11 a.m. “A mass for peace and justice will be celebrated as we pray for members of the legal profession, that is, judges, lawyers and their staffs. The Mass is celebrated near the opening of the judicial season in October,” says Father Glenn LeCompte, diocesan director of the Office of Worship. The patron saint for lawyers and judges is St. Thomas More, whose feast day is June 22. On the weekend of either Oct. 1213 or Oct. 19-20, church parishes of the diocese will offer special prayers for medical and mental health professionals or members of the healing profession. People in

these professions will be recognized at Masses on these designated weekends. One should consult their parish bulletin to determine if medical and mental health professionals will be recognized at one or several Masses on these weekends. St. Luke, whose feast day is October 18, is associated with the healing professions due to the mention of a certain “Luke, the beloved physician” in Colossians 4:14. “These Masses are celebrations of the entire local church, not simply of those for whom we offer special prayer intentions. We encourage all of the faithful to join in the celebration of these Masses,” says Father LeCompte.

Pilgrimage announced

Sarah Cagle

Vandebilt Catholic High School seniors Sarah Cagle and Emily Folse have been officially recognized as National Merit Semifinalists. They received this honor as a result of their high PSAT (Preliminary SAT) scores. Cagle and Folse placed in the top one half of one percent of students in the United States who took this test in their junior year of high school. Sarah is the daughter of Sam and Madeline Cagle of Gray. Emily is the daughter of Mark and Monica Folse of Houma.

Father Glenn LeCompte, spiritual director of Lumen Christi Retreat Center, and Father Lance Campo, pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chalmette, LA, will lead a group on a pilgrimage to Greece and Rome March 18-28, 2014. Cost of the trip is $3,998 per person, double occupancy. The price includes air fare from New Orleans, accommodations, 21 meals, port charges, airport-hotel transfers, hotel taxes, baggage handling, touring by private air conditioned motor coaches, and a professional tour escort from Regina Tours. Stops include Athens, Corinth and Ephesus, sites associated with St. Paul Patmos from where John the Prophet claims to have received the revelations associated with the Book of Revelation, as well as some of the other Greek Islands. From

Rev. Glenn LeCompte

Greece, the group will travel to Rome and the Vatican. For more information, contact trip coordinator Terry Saucier, 2320 Paris Road, Chalmette, LA 70043; by phone (504) 473-5663; or by email at: pilgrimagejmj2014@ gmail.com.

Music for Life concert Oct.15 A Music for Life concert featuring world-renown composer-pianist and motivational speaker, Eric Genuis, will take place Tuesday, Oct. 15 at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma beginning at 7 p.m. He will be accompanied by three virtuosos. A reception will follow the performance.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and free to children 12 and under. Proceeds will benefit youth traveling to Washington, D.C., for the annual March for Life. For more information contact the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales parish office at (985) 876-6904.

Charities names Tim Sullivan

Emily Folse

Tim Sullivan, a native of Iowa, who has been volunteering in the area of parish social ministry for some time, has been named associate director of Parish Social Ministry for Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Sullivan has a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of science degree in business management from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in business from Colorado State University. He is also a graduate of the JustFaith Ministries program. He and his wife Karen have been married for 23 years and have three children, Matt, 25; Pat, 21 and Makenzie, 20.

Tim Sullivan

www.bayoucatholic.com

Special Events

Over 350 attend Louisiana Priests’ Convention

Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley (photo above left), was the main celebrant at a Mass at the CathedralBasilica of St. Louis in New Orleans for the Louisiana Priests’ Convention held in that city Sept. 17-19. Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta (bottom photo) was one of many inspirational speakers. Over 350 priests from the Province of New Orleans, including retired Father Roger Villarrubia of HoumaThibodaux (photo above) attended the gathering which was themed “Treasuring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Envisioning the Future.” Both Bishop Sam G. Jacobs and Bishop Shelton J. Fabre were in attendance.

Clarion Herald photos by Frank J. Methe Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

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, 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 - Diocesan K of C - Endowment Fund - $119,136.90

August 2013 Burse Contributions Dr. & Mrs. M. V. Marmande & Family ......... $15,000.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue .......................................... $1,000.00 Juliette & Eugene Wallace ................................. $600.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ............................. $500.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ..................................... $500.00 Ronnie Haydel ................................................... $250.00 Joseph “Jay” Fertitta .......................................... $105.00 Mr. Eledier Broussard ........................................ $100.00 Warren J. Harang, Jr. #2 ..................................... $100.00 Rev. Warren Chassaniol ....................................... $50.00 Rev. Henry Naquin .............................................. $30.00

Open Burses with Balance as of 8/31/13 Mr. Eledier Broussard ................. $13,100.00 St. Bernadette Men’s Club ................... $12,000.00 Msgr. Raphael C. Labit #2 .................. $10,840.00 Sidney J. & Lydie C. Duplantis ........... $10,800.00 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 .............................. $8,320.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ................. $7,500.00 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 Donald Peltier, Sr. #4 .............................. $5,000.00 Rev. Kasimir Chmielewski ..................... $4,839.00 Rev. Gerard Hayes ................................ $4,636.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ........................... $4,500.00 Rev. Henry Naquin ................................. $4,191.00

Harry Booker #2 .................................... $4,138.00 Catholic Daughters ................................ $3,680.00 Kelly Curole Frazier ............................... $3,610.96 Joseph “Jay” Fertitta .............................. $3,500.00 J. R. Occhipinti ...................................... $3,400.00 Mr. & Mrs. Galip Jacobs ........................ $3,060.00 St. Jude ................................................. $3,000.00 Diocesan K of C #2 ............................... $2,894.62 Rev. Peter H. Brewerton ........................ $2,600.00 Anawin Community ............................... $2,300.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue ................................ $2,200.00 Msgr. James Songy ............................... $2,075.00 Mrs. Ayres A. Champagne ..................... $2,000.00 Willie & Emelda St. Pierre ...................... $2,000.00 Rev. H. C. Paul Daigle ........................... $1,900.00 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 Msgr. John L. Newfield .......................... $1,200.00 Warren J. Harang, Jr. #2 ......................... $1,200.00 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 Mrs. Shirley Conrad ............................... $1,000.00 Deacon Robert Dusse’ ............................. $950.00 Rev. Anthony Rousso ............................... $850.00 Deacon Willie Orgeron ............................. $800.00 Deacon Roland Dufrene ........................... $750.00 Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande ...................... $700.00 Deacon Edward J. Blanchard ................... $660.00 Juliette & Eugene Wallace ......................... $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 Jacob Marcello .......................................... $200.00 Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Naquin .......................... $150.00 Rev. Hubert C. Broussard ........................ $ 50.00 Deacon Eldon Frazier .............................. $ 50.00 Deacon Nick Messina .............................. $ 50.00 Rev. Warren Chassaniol ........................... $ 50.00

Overall Seminarian Burse Totals: $1,421,628.39 www.bayoucatholic.com

Special Events

Life Center dedicated

The Yvonne Anne Adams Life Center was recently dedicated at Holy Cross Church parish in Morgan City. The life center was Phase III of the Vision 2012 Capital Campaign which was a collaboration between the church parish, elementary school and high school. Bishop Sam G. Jacobs blessed the building during the dedication which honored Adams.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Bayou Catholic â&#x20AC;˘ Houma, LA â&#x20AC;˘ October 2013

Sports

Overtime

Arrow for LSU football is pointing UP

Ed Daniels

T 64

The arrow for LSU football is pointing up. “We have a lot of momentum in our program,” said LSU head coach Les Miles. “We have guys who are very motivated.” If subliminal man from Saturday Night Live was standing alongside, he would do the immediate translation. What Miles was really saying is, if our quarterback and our offense continue to perform at a high level we have a chance to compete for an SEC and National Championship. The offensive transformation under new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has been stunning. In 2013, it took quarterback Zach Mettenberger two games to throw his sixth touchdown pass. Last season, Mettenberger had six touchdown passes after seven games. In 2012, Mettenberger had a three game stretch of SEC games where he completed 44 percent (vs Florida), 48 percent (vs South Carolina), and 37.9 percent (vs Texas A&M) of his passes. Somehow, LSU won two of those three games. In 2012, receivers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. had a combined three 100 yard receiving games. This season, in two games, the pair have combined for three 100 yard receiving games. All of this was done with little contribution from LSU’s number one tailback, Jeremy Hill. LSU’s offensive turnaround could not have come at a better time. Three of the top prospects in the class of 2014 have yet to make their decisions. John Curtis receiver Malachi

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2013

Dupre, Karr quarterback/wide receiver Speedy Noil, and St. Aug running back Leonard Fournette all plan to announce their college choices sometime after January 1. The three, along with Karr defensive end Gerald Willis, are the remaining uncommitted gems in Louisiana’s class of 2014. That class could be the most talented in the history of Louisiana high school football. The sales pitch to the three from LSU has now been enhanced. It would go something like: come to LSU, and be coached by an NFL offensive coordinator – someone who can get you ready to play in the league. The pitch would not be a reach. Gone are the endless parade of bubbles screens and quick throws.

Distant are the memories of the final games of last season. Remember when LSU had nine first downs in a Chick Fil-A Bowl loss to Clemson? Or, when the Tigers somehow won at Arkansas despite having 16 first downs? This was supposed to be the year that Alabama and Texas A&M would decide the SEC West. And Georgia, led by quarterback Aaron Murray would threaten again for the league crown. All of that could still happen. “I like us.” Les Miles said that more than once in fall camp. In the media business, we call it coach speak. But, the LSU head coach said it with conviction. Maybe he knew something.