The Church Today, January 21, 2013 The Church, 2012

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Volume XLIV, No. 1

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TODAY

Serving the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana Since 1970

January 21, 2013

ON THE

INSIDE USCCB calls for prayer to renew culture of life, marriage, religious liberty The U.S. bishops have approved a pastoral strategy to advance a movement for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty during this Year of Faith.

All of the Catholic faithful throughout the nation are encouraged to participate through their local parish, cathedral, school or home.

It is essentially a call to prayer, penance, and sacrifice for the sake of renewing a culture of life, marriage, and religious liberty in our country. Read more about it on pg. 5.

Fasting

& Abstinence

Prayers of the Faithful

US CATHOLIC CONFERENCE OF BISHOPS

Call to Prayer For Life, Marriage & Religious Liberty

Eucharistic

2013

Holy Hours

La Life March marks 40 year anniversary of legalized abortions in U.S. On Jan. 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court, in a 7-2 decision, handed down two rulings legalizing abortion in America. Since that day, more than 52 millions babies have been killed in their mother’s womb. Read more about it on pgs. 14-15.

Fortnight for

Freedom

Daily

Rosary

CHURCH TODAY

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JANUARY 21, 2013

Child victims of shootings

left families their joy, wonder, and zest for life

By Beth Griffin Catholic News Service

(CNS) -- Addressing mourners at the first two funerals for young victims of the Dec. 14 school shooting in Connecticut, Msgr. Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown asked, “Where else but the church could we bring this unspeakable act?”

“Where else but the altar could we find some resolution?

People bring their wounded and shattered selves here for healing, mending and transcendence,” he said.

Brian D. Wallace, director of communications for the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., described the Dec 18 funeral Masses offered for 6-year-olds James Mattioli and Jessica Rekos, two of the 20 children killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.

At the request of the families, the services were closed to the media.

Msgr. Weiss said the children were a gift from the start and even though the mourners are broken by their deaths, the children left them their joy, their wonder and their zest for life.

He said parents who are crushed that they were unable to protect their children and uncertain if they could parent effectively in the future should remember all the things they did with their children.

“Don’t regret a minute of it. Don’t be afraid to move forward,” Msgr. Weiss said.

The pastor told the parents they had a right to be angry and, unlikely as it seemed, they would be able to let go of the anger with

time. He cautioned them not to become bitter.

He said the tragic events “changed us as a people, a parish and a nation.” Without offering specifics, he challenged mourners to make the change complete by going home and doing something to safeguard life.

Wallace said the church was filled to its 750-person capacity for each of the funerals and the mothers of both youngsters gave moving eulogies about their children.

“People were moved by the remarkable strength of the mothers to grit their teeth and get through it,” Wallace told CNS. “They came in sobbing, but they pulled together.” During the eulogies, Krista Rekos was accompanied by her husband, Richard.

Mark Mattioli stood with his wife, Cindy, as she spoke.

Wallace said the eulogies and Msgr. Weiss’s homilies drew laughter that helped people get through the sadness. “The mothers knew their children well and had an appreciation for their foibles,” he said.

“I was struck by how blessed the children were to be with those parents. There was a vivid sense of the love and wonder the children brought them. Every family listening could relate and it took your breath away,” Wallace said.

Msgr. Weiss is “the face of the Catholic Church at a time we need healing,” Wallace added.

“It’s very clear the people have respect and affection for him, although he doesn’t court it.” He said mourners gave Msgr. Weiss a standing ovation at the conclusion of the Mattioli funeral.

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VICTIMS OF SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING MASSACRE. Undated photos from various memorial websites show the victims of the Dec. 14 Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in Newton, Conn. Pictured, starting on the top row, from left to right, are Ana Marquez-Greene, Caroline Previdi, Jessica Rekos, Emilie Parker, and Noah Pozner; Jesse Lewis, Olivia Engel, Josephine Gay, Charlotte Bacon and Chase Kowalski; Daniel Barden, Jack Pinto, Catherine Hubbard, Dylan Hockley and Benjamin Wheeler; Grace McDonnell, James Mattioli, Avielle Richman, Rachel Davino and Anne Marie Murphy; Lauren Rousseau, Mary Sherlach, Victoria Soto, Dawn Hochsprung and Nancy Lanza. (CNS photo/Reuters)

JANUARY 21, 2013

CHURCH TODAY

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Massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut Many of those killed were Catholic and members of St. Rose of Lima parish

By Beth Griffin Catholic News Service RYE, N.Y. (CNS) -- The “sacramental sense” of a Catholic pastor’s outreach after the horrific violence that took place at a Connecticut elementary school “has brought the church to bear in the most intimate and powerful way,” said the director of communications for the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn.

“It’s hard to sum up how powerful his witness and testimony have been, both locally and nationally,” Brian D. Wallace told Catholic News Service in describing Msgr. Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown.

“He has brought a sense of God and the beginning of healing to everything he has done under considerable stress,” Wallace said in a telephone interview Dec. 17.

“He was the first clergy present at the school, before the world knew what happened. He kept his composure and he worked with families.”

Wallace said Msgr. Weiss was “stunned by the faith of the parents who lost children. People who lose the most sometimes give the most.” He added the courage, openness and determination of the parents is a gift to the priest.

Msgr. Weiss, his two priest associates, and men and women from the parish staff have “brought tremendous comfort to families,” Wallace said.

Efforts by CNS to reach parish staff members for interviews have been unsuccessful.

CROSS BEARING NAMES OF NEWTOWN SHOOTING VICTIMS SEEN AMID OTHER ITEMS LEFT BY MOURNERS. A cross bearing the first names of the victims of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School is pictured amid hundreds of other items left by mourners at a memorial in Newtown, Conn., Dec. 19. (CNS photo/Mike Segar, Reuters) St. Rose of Lima has taken center stage in the aftermath of the shooting massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School Dec. 14, which left 20 children and seven adults dead.

Parishioners and community members gathered for a prayer vigil the night of the shootings and flocked to Sunday Masses seeking solace. They looked to Msgr. Weiss and his staff and other Catholic leaders for pastoral outreach in the aftermath of the violence.

Eighteen children died at the

school and two others died after they had been rushed to the hospital. All of the children were first-graders. The adults included the principal and five teachers, as well as the gunman.

Police officials identified the shooter as Adam Lanza, 20, and said he killed himself as first responders arrived on the scene.

Many of the dead were Catholic and were known in the St. Rose parish family. Wallace said funerals for eight of the children and one of the adults were held at St. Rose.

Mary Sherlach, the Sandy Hook school psychologist, was buried from St. Stephen Church in Trumbull, Conn., where she was an active parishioner. The shooter and his mother were members of St. Rose, but there are no plans at this time to hold funerals for either at the Newtown church, Wallace told CNS. The diocesan response to the tragedy is based on its experience with earlier traumatic events. Its Catholic Charities agency has a crisis team that works closely with the diocesan safe environ-

ments staff.

“Catholic Charities has a very strong behavioral health component, staffed by Catholic professionals. Over the last 10 years, it has evolved as a resource to deal with crises,” Wallace said.

The first response is often presence and prayer, followed by helping people to cope, he continued. “Counseling may not be needed right away. There will be more help down the line.”

“Our Catholic Charities have worked with Catholic school teachers to give them a better handle on how to deal with their fears and our Safe Environments director has talked with some of the parents who lost children,” Wallace said. “The priests are grateful to have that help within our own system.”

Priests from neighboring parishes responded immediately to the crisis and helped the pastoral staff at St. Rose console families and concelebrate Mass, according to Wallace.

Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore was in Rome at the time of the shooting. Wallace said the people of the parish are “very much in the bishop’s heart and he will meet with them” soon.

Msgr. Jerald A. Doyle, the administrator of the diocese, celebrated Mass at St. Rose Dec 16.

St. Rose of Lima is a parish of 3,200 families in a town of 27,000 people. Wallace called it “storybook America,” a town that grew from a population of 10,000 30 years ago. “For all the change and growth, it still has a hometown feel,” he said.

Classes at the parish’s K-8 school were canceled for the week in the interest of protecting the students from the sight of twice daily funerals at the church, Wallace said. The shooter was briefly enrolled in the parish school as a child.

Wallace noted that more than 100 representatives of the secular media were at St. Rose of Lima Church for the Dec. 14 prayer service. He said most were extremely respectful and responsive and comforted by Msgr. Weiss’s healing presence. Some identified themselves as parents and people of faith, he said.

PAGE 4 As we cross the threshold of a new calendar year, we focus our attention on the need to continue our efforts on behalf of the unborn. Many from the diocese travelled to Baton Rouge on Jan. 12 to take part in the Louisiana Life March and others plan to travel to Washington, D.C. for the national gathering. Unfortunately, I was not free to be at either. Hopefully, next year!

Another annual event that has taken place in January for more than a century is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25). Much progress has occurred over these many decades but the goal of full corporate unity is still in the distance. Please keep this intention in your personal and

CHURCH TODAY ONE IN THE LORD Most Rev. Ronald P. Herzog Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria

family prayers during the important week.

Each year we also pay special recognition to those who are a part of our Catholic school family.

We are blessed to have this educational opportunity available in many parts of our diocese. I have accepted an invitation to travel to Washington for a special confer-

ence relating to Catholic School education sponsored by Notre Dame University. I will have already returned by the time you read this. It is always helpful to share ideas and discuss common concerns.

As you well know, the deadline for implementation of the HHS mandate with its terrible

JANUARY 21, 2013

implications is fast approaching and, to date, there has been no agreed upon strategy throughout the country. Many of the bishops will be gathering in a few weeks to receive updates and further information, but the situation is grave.

With the growing number of states approving same-sex marriages and the issues this brings forward actually has the potential of even more critical issues for Church life.

There are still court cases pending but these, too, are unknowns.

Please continue to work and pray for acceptable outcomes that will not jeopardize many of our critical programs that benefit the most vulnerable.

Even though we have just completed the Christmas Season,

we are quickly approaching the days of Lent. Ash Wednesday takes place on February 13 this year. Perhaps this special time might be an apt occasion to devote additional prayer and sacrifice to the crucial issues I just mentioned.

We all know the power of prayer.

We will also soon be announcing our 2013 Annual Diocesan Appeal. We are adding a few new ideas to what was our most successful campaign last year. We exceeded our goal of $750,000!

May the new year that has just begun be a source of rich and abundant blessings!

Pray for those who suffer from effects of unspeakable evil Guest editorial

By Daniel Conway Archdiocese of Indianapolis “When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the Magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity 2 years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the Magi.

Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more’ “ (Mt 2:16-18).

Sobbing and loud lamentation have been heard once again, this time in Newton, Conn., following the massacre of 26 people at an elementary school -- mostly children under the age of 7.

This latest manifestation of the “culture of death” shakes all people of good will to their very foundations.

How could the actions of a single “deranged gunman” cause so much horror and death, especially for so many innocent children? How does a good God permit such evil? What is it about our society that allows the death and destruction of children to become a regular occurrence?

Pope Benedict expressed his “heartfelt grief” over this “senseless violence in Newtown.

He said, “I assure the families of the victims, especially those who lost a child, of my closeness in prayer. The pope went on to say that he prayed God will “sustain the entire community with spiritual strength which triumphs over violence by the power of forgiveness, hope and reconciling love.”

There is no alternative in the

face of senseless violence, but to pray for spiritual strength. From the very first biblical account of man’s inhumanity to man -- Cain’s murder of his brother Abel, no satisfactory explanation has ever been given for the evil that human beings are capable of committing. No consolation is possible -- humanly speaking -in the face of such acts.

Deranged persons -- whether individuals such as the Connecticut killer or groups such as the Nazis in World War II or modernday suicide bombers -- defy reason. They kill out of madness or a deeply misguided sense of mission, and they always end badly -- either dying at their own hands or being overcome -- finally and often at great cost -- by the forces of good.

Still, we can’t help but ask “why?” How could this happen -- again?

There is no answer. The prophet Jeremiah cites Rachel’s weeping for her children and her inability to be consoled “since they were no more” (Jer 31:15).

All we can do is weep -- and pray -- that the day will come when all violence and all tears will be ended forever.

Until then, as Pope Benedict tells us, we must rely on the “spiritual strength which triumphs over violence.” We must place our trust in God who “triumphs

CHURCH

over violence by the power of forgiveness, hope and reconciling love.”

Our faith reminds us that without Christ, all of us and the world we live in, are in a very bad way. Unless guided by God’s Word, human freedom brings with it the capacity for unspeakable evil. Unless grounded in Christ’s reconciling love, there can be no real hope or forgiveness.

TODAY

Volume XLIV, No. 1 • January 21, 2013 P. O. Box 7417 • Alexandria, LA 71303 churchtoday@diocesealex.org 318-445-6424 Publisher: Editor: Advertising: Circulation:

Most Rev. Ronald P. Herzog, Bishop of Alexandria Jeannie Petrus, ext. 255; jpetrus@diocesealex.org Joan Ferguson, ext. 264; joanferguson@diocesealex.org Sandi Tarver, ext. 209; starver@diocesealex.org

THE CHURCH TODAY (USPS 393-240) is published by the Catholic Diocese of Alexandria, once a month, free of charge to members of the parishes in the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana. Out of diocese subscriptions are $20 a year. The office is located at 4400 Coliseum Blvd., Alexandria, LA 71303. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, LA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The CHURCH TODAY, P. O. Box 7417, Alexandria, LA 71306 The CHURCH TODAY is a member of the Catholic Press Association.

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JANUARY 21, 2013

CHURCH TODAY

PAGE 5

USCCB approves a Call to Prayer during Year of Faith All are encouraged to pray for protection of Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty The U.S. bishops have approved a pastoral strategy to advance a movement for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty during this Year of Faith.

All of the Catholic faithful throughout the nation are encouraged to participate through your local parish, cathedral, school or home.

It is essentially a call to prayer, penance, and sacrifice for the sake of renewing a culture of life, marriage, and religious liberty in our country.

Unprecedented challenges call for increased awareness and formation, as well as spiritual stamina and fortitude among the faithful.

The well-being of society requires that life, marriage, and religious liberty are promoted and protected. Serious threats to each of these goods, however, have raised unprecedented challenges

to the Church and to the nation.

Two immediate points are: • First is the HHS Mandate, which requires almost all employers, including Catholic employers, to pay for employees’ contraception, sterilization, and abortifacient drugs regardless of conscientious objections. This is a clear affront to America’s first freedom, religious liberty, as well as to the inherent dignity of every human person.

• Second, current trends in both government and culture are moving toward redefining marriage as the union of any two persons, ignoring marriage’s fundamental meaning and purpose as the universal institution that unites a man and a woman with each other and with the children born from their union. These challenges call for increased awareness and formation, as well as spiritual stamina and fortitude

among the faithful, so that we may all be effective and joyful witnesses of faith, hope and charity.

There are five basic ways to

participate: 1. Host or attend a Eucharistic Holy Hour on the last Sunday of each month 2. Pray a daily Rosary 3. Pray suggested Prayers of the Faithful at daily and Sunday Masses specifically for the protection of life, marriage, and religious liberty 4. Abstain from meat on Fridays and fast on Fridays (not just during Lent).

Fasting and abstinence unites us to the redemptive suffering and death of our Lord.

“The seasons and days of penance in the course of the liturgical year (Lent, and each Friday in memory of the death of the Lord) are intense moments of the Church’s penitential practice.” - Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1438 The general practice of fast-

ing allows a person to eat one full meal. Two smaller meals may be taken, not to equal one full meal.

As we are conformed to Christ through fasting and abstinence, we in particular remember the intention of the protection of life, marriage and religious liberty.

(For more information on fasting and abstinence, see the USCCB Fast & Abstinence page.)

5. Participate in the 2nd Fortnight for Freedom (June/July 2013).

The goal is create a visible, vibrant reminder of the Godgiven nature of religious liberty, the right to bring our faith into the public square, and the rights of individuals and institutions to conduct their professional lives according to their religious convictions This will be especially important in June of 2013 when the Supreme Court could be deciding rulings on marriage.

It will also coincide with the need for conscience protection in light of the August 1, 2013 deadline for religious organizations to comply with the HHS mandate.

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JANUARY 21, 2013

Thousands participate in La Life March to show support for life

By Laura Deavers, Editor The Catholic Commentator Several thousand people walked through downtown Baton Rouge from the Old State Capitol to the current capitol Saturday Jan. 12 to personally show their support for life, especially the life of the unborn child.

The 2012 Louisiana Life March marked the 40th anniversary of the Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision that declared a woman has the right to end a pregnancy, which Louisiana Right to Life intends to overturn.

The 1973 U. S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion had a greater effect on this country than was anticipated, said New Orleans Archbishop Gregory M Aymond in his keynote address. Because of the decision 52 million babies have been aborted.

“Who would have thought that would happen?” the archbishop asked.

“God has already breathed life into these and called them his own,” Archbishop Aymond said.

“Now the people are the voice for the children and those who believe in life for all must carry God’s message to the world,” the archbishop continued.

When a woman who was 7 ½ months pregnant was murdered and her baby was killed, “journalists reporting did not refer to the baby as a child but as a fetus,” Archbishop Aymond said calling

LOUISIANA LIFE MARCH. A group of Knights of Columbus members hold signs and march through the streets of downtown Baton Rouge Jan. 12 when the 3rd annual Louisiana Life March was held. Thousands of pro-lifers marched from the Old State Capitol to the steps of the current State Capitol, where several speakers addressed the effects of legalized abortion in this country during the last 40 years. attention to the way the media does not acknowledge that an unborn child is a human being.

He encouraged those attending the rally to enter into dialogue with those who do not believe in the sanctity of life and to pray that God will change their hearts.

“Support those who have had an abortion. Help them to start over by letting them know God gives second and third chances because God is a God of peace and reconciliation,” Archbishop Aymond encouraged. “This state is very pro life but we still have a

lot of work to do.”

Jeannie McAndrew and her son Brennen McAndrew had a special message about the effect of abortion for the crowd of 3,000.

Jeannie McAndrew became pregnant when she was a freshman at Southeastern University. Afraid to tell anyone in her family that she was pregnant because the pregnancy had come from “a onenight stand” she had an abortion.

She had kept her abortion secret until her son Brennen McAndrew returned from one of his trips to Washington D.C. for the annual

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pro-life rally protesting the Roe v Wade decision.

At the time a student at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Brennen McAndrew, who is now a student at Southeastern University, talked of his desire to become actively involved in the pro-life movement. “I am proud to be from Louisiana the most pro-life state,” he said upon his return from one of his trips.

Listening to her son talk, Jeannie McAndrew’s eyes filled with tears. Then she told him of her abortion, which was on Jan.

27, 1991. Brennen McAndrew was born Jan. 27, 1993.

Jeannie McAndrew told the Louisiana Life March participants she suffered from postabortion stress disorder following her abortion. “The baby I aborted was a shadow child and I needed a replacement baby,” Jeannie McAndrew said. “What I did was not natural and I needed to give birth.”

In his address to the crowd, Brennen McAndrew said he believes because he was not aborted he has a mission to speak out for life and against abortion. “I am here to put an end to abortion in Louisiana and the nation,” knowing that it is not going to be easy.

Research states that one in three women will have an abortion by the time she is 45, stated Jeannie McAndrew. Because of the culture, today’s women have grown up with it and the youth do not have many anti-abortion role models. “The youth look to us,” said Jeannie McAndrew.

Adoption is a major factor in bringing an end to abortion, said Gene Mills, director of the Louisiana Family Forum. Archbishop Aymond also mentioned the importance of adoption in his remarks.

Others speaking at the rally included U. S. Sen. David Vitter, La. Sen. Sharon Westin Broome, and Dr. David Hankins of the Louisiana Baptist Convention.

CHURCH TODAY

JANUARY 21, 2013

LOUISIANA ABORTIONS. Pro-lifers stand on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol holding signs that indicate the number of abortions performed each year in Louisiana since abortion

PAGE 7

was legalized 40 years ago (in 1973). In the early years of legalized abortion there were 19,000 abortions per year, compared to an average of 8,000 today. (Photo by L. Deavers, Catholic Commentator)

52 million babies killed since US Supreme Court legalized abortion On January 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court, in a 7-2 decision, handed down two rulings legalizing abortion in America. Prior to these rulings abortion was prohibited in most of the 50 states. In the states where abortion was permitted, such as New York and California, various restrictions had been placed on the reasons for abortion. These restrictions were removed by the 1973 rulings.

The Court based its decisions on the “right to privacy,” which it claimed was guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, but which it could not specifically find anywhere. The Court concluded that it was implied in either the Fourteenth Amendment or the “penumbra” of the Bill of Rights.

40th Anniversary

ROE vs WADE

JANUARY 22, 1973 • JANUARY 22, 2013 Roe v Wade

The principal decision, Roe v.

Wade, repealed all state laws prohibiting abortion. The companion case, Doe v. Bolton, extended the right to abortion to the entire nine months of pregnancy. The Court divided the term of pregnancy into trimesters (not a medical term prior to that time), and ruled that there could be no restrictions on abortions performed during the first trimester, or first three

months of pregnancy.

During the second trimester (months 4-6), the court allowed states to pass certain regulations regarding abortion, but only to insure a woman’s safety. There could be no restrictions on a woman’s right to choose abortion.

During the third trimester (the last 3 months of pregnancy), the court conceded that a state could impose restrictions on abortion if the state found it in its

interest to protect the child; however, the woman could still have access to an abortion for health reasons. Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is “any condition that might impact her physical, emotional, psychological or financial well being”.

The court adopted this definition, effectively extending abortion on demand for the full nine months of pregnancy.

2 justices disagree

Justice William Rehnquist and Justice Byron White wrote dissenting opinions in these cases, arguing that the Court had overextended its reach and exercised what Justice White called “raw judicial power.” In 1983, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor said that

Roe v. Wade was “on a collision course with itself.” Many legal scholars from across the political spectrum have likewise criticized the Roe and Doe decisions, including notable abortion supporters Lawrence Tribe, Michael Kinsey and Alan Dershowitz.

As advances in medical technology continue to make the personhood of the fetus increasingly obvious, a woman’s “right to privacy” is being more forcibly challenged by the unborn child’s right to life.

Neither wanted abortions

Neither of the two women whose cases were originally brought to the Supreme Court had abortions. Norma McCorvey (Roe) had claimed she was gang raped in order to gain sympathy for her attempt to have an abortion in Texas. Her lawyer, Sarah Weddington, knew the rape story was a lie when she argued the case before the Supreme Court, but she chose to keep that information from the court and the public. The truth did not surface until 1988, when Norma McCorvey herself confessed to the lie. In 1995, McCorvey joined the prolife movement.

Sandra Cano (Doe) had appealed to a lawyer for help in reclaiming her children, who had been taken from her at a time that she was unable to provide for them. Attorney Margie Pitts Hames seized the opportunity to use the unwitting Cano, who was pregnant at the time, in the ef See ABORTION, pg. 20

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CHURCH TODAY

JANUARY 21, 2013

Our Lady of Prompt Succor From quick response to urgent prayer for help, comes a Southern devotion to Mary

By Jeannie Petrus CT editor As a child, I attended Our Lady of Prompt Succor School and Church and never questioned the odd name. I grew up thinking everyone had heard of Our Lady of ‘quick help.”

But while attending college, my new-found friends in the Bible Belt laughed at the name of my school.

“Prom Sucker?” -- they laughed. “What a strange name for a school!”

I didn’t think it was strange.

Afterall, I knew the story that Sister Mary Agnes taught us about how some nuns put a statue of Mary in the window of a convent when there was a fire and the fire immediately turned away. I thought everyone knew that story.

Years later, (after my kids attended and now my grandkids are attending OLPS), I realize how very special the devotion to Our Lady of Prompt Succor is -- not only to us here in Alexandria, but to Louisiana as well.

The story of Our Lady of Prompt Succor goes back to 1727, when the Ursuline nuns from France arrived in Louisiana and established Ursuline Academy, the oldest school for girls in the

Virtus Training Tuesday, Jan. 22 -- 6 p.m.

OL of Prompt Succor Church, Madonna Room, Alexandria Every adult who works/volunteers with children/youth in the Diocese of Alexandria’s churches/schools must attend the VIRTUSTM Protecting God’s Children sexual abuse awareness training. To pre-register go to www.virtus.org and, click on Registration (on left side of screen) to begin the registration process.

territory of the modern-day U.S. Ursuline Academy educated the children of European colonists, Native Americans, and those of the local Creole people, slave or free.

In 1763, when Louisiana fell under the control of Spain, Spanish sisters come to New Orleans to assist the growing school.

In 1800, when the French took back control of Louisiana, the Spanish sisters fled to Havana, Cuba, fearing the anticlerical sentiments of the French Revolution.

With so few teachers left, Mother Saint Andre Madier requested sisters from France to come to America to aid the struggling convent in 1803.

She wrote to her cousin, Mother Saint Michel Gensoul, who was running a Catholic girls boarding school in France at the time. The Catholic Church was suffering the wrath of the revolution under Napoleon. Mother Saint Michel, knowing that the Church was in distress in both her homeland and abroad, was prompted by the Holy Spirit to approach Bishop Fournier of Montpelier to request the transfer.

Bishop Fournier felt unable to afford the loss of another nun, as many had been killed or fled during the revolution. Bishop

Michel commissioned a statue of the Virgin Mary holding Infant Jesus. By request, Bishop Fournier blessed the statue and the Mother St. Michel’s work.

Mother St. Michel arrived in New Orleans with the statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor on Dec. 31, 1810 with several postulants. The statue was placed in the monastery chapel and is venerated by the people of New Orleans.

Many miracles have been attributed to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Prompt Succor.

Two historical events are especially associated with the Virgin.

OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR MOSAIC. Dedicated by Archbishop Schulte on May 18, 1997, this 77-sq.ft. mosaic by Professor Sergio Papucci of Florence Italy, is on the site of the Almonester Chapel where the nuns prayed before the statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. It depicts a scene from the Battle of New Orleans.

Fournier responded to Mother St. Michel, “The Pope alone can give this authorization. The Pope alone!”

Pope Pius VII was a prisoner of Napoleon at the time, and it was highly unlikely that any form of communication could be made with him. Mother St. Michel knew the unlikelihood of the Pope even receiving a letter from her.

So, Mother St. Michel prayed

before a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and said, “O most Holy Virgin Mary, if you obtain for me a prompt and favorable answer to this letter, I promise to have you honored at New Orleans under the title of Our Lady of Prompt Succor.”

Sending her petition on March 19, 1809, Mother St. Michel received a letter from the Holy Fahter granting her request on April 29, 1809. Mother St.

Miracle of 1812

The first occurred in 1812 during the eruption of a great fire in New Orleans devastating the Vieux Carré (French Quarters).

The Ursuline convent was facing imminent destruction as the winds blew the terrible fire toward Jackson Square.

An order was given to evacuate the convent, however at that moment, a nun named Sr. Anthony placed a small statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor on a window seat and Mother St. Michel began to pray aloud, “Our Lady of Prompt Succor, we are lost unless you hasten to our aid!” Immediately, the

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Our Lady of Prompt Succor • Feast day is Jan. 8 • Prompt Succor means “quick help” • Patron saint of Louisiana • Patron saint of New Orleans • Patron saint of bad weather, hurricanes • National shrine is located at the Ursuline Academy in New Orleans

Prayer to Our Lady of Prompt Succor Our Lady of Prompt Succor, ever Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ our Lord and God, you are most powerful against the enemy of our salvation. The divine promise of a Redeemer was announced right after the sin of our first parents; and you, through your Divine Son, crushed the serpent’s head.

Hasten, then, to our help and deliver us from the deceits of satan. Intercede for us with Jesus that we may always accept God’s graces and be found faithful to Him in our particular states of life.

As you once saved our beloved City from ravaging flames and our Country from an invading army, have pity on us and obtain for us protection from hurricanes and all other disasters. (silent pause for individual petitions).

Assist us in the many trials which beset our path through life. Watch over the Church and the Pope as they uphold with total fidelity the purity of faith and morals against unremitting opposition.

Be to us truly Our Lady of Prompt Succor now and especially at the hour of our death, that we may gain everlasting life through the merits of Jesus Christ Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.

Amen.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. (3X)

“O most Holy Virgin Mary, if you obtain for me a prompt and favorable answer to this letter, I promise to have you honored at New Orleans under the title of Our Lady of Prompt Succor.”

--- Mother St. Michel Gensoul, 1809, France wind shifted direction, blowing the flames away from the convent allowing for the fire to be extinguished. The Ursuline convent was one of the few buildings spared from destruction.

Upon seeing the inexplicable occurrence, witnesses unanimously cried out, “Our Lady of Prompt Succor has saved us!”

Miracle of 1815

The second major miracle occurred in 1815, three years after the disastrous fire. General Andrew Jackson was facing the British in the Battle of New Orleans. There were 15,000 British Troops against 6,000 American troops. It seemed as though the city of New Orleans was doomed.

Knowing the terrible fate of the city of New Orleans the Ursuline nuns along with many faithful people of New Orleans gathered in the Ursuline chapel before the statue of Our Lady.

They spent the night before the battle praying and crying before the holy statue, begging for the Virgin Mary’s intercession.

On the morning of January 8, the Very Rev. William Dubourg, Vicar General, offered Mass at the altar on which the statue of

Our Lady of Prompt Succor had been placed. The Prioress of the Ursuline convent, Mother Ste. Marie Olivier de Vezin, made a vow to have a Mass of Thanksgiving sung annually should the American forces win.

At the very moment of communion, a courier ran into the chapel to inform all those present that the British had been defeated.

General Jackson went to the convent himself to thank the nuns for their prayers: “By the blessing of heaven, directing the valor of the troops under my command, one of the most brilliant victories in the annals of war was obtained.”

Every year, since 1815, the vow made by Mother St. Marie has been kept to honor Our Lady in a Mass of Thanksgiving on January 8 celebrated by the Archbishop of New Orleans in the National Shrine. This promise has been kept, without fail, for the past 198 years, and is attended by many devotees from across the Nation.

Today there are 8 schools and/or churches in Louisiana with the name Our Lady of Prompt Succor. The national shrine for OLPS is in the Ursuline Convent in New Orleans.

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CHURCH TODAY

JANUARY 21, 2013

Alexandria Bishop Charles Greco played major role in Vatican II

By Father Chad Partain Chancellor Fifty years ago, Pope John XXIII convened the 20th Ecumenical Council of the Church, commonly known as Vatican II. As the Universal Church marks the anniversary of this historical event, the faithful of our diocese can recall with pride the active role played by our sixth bishop, Charles P. Greco, in the work of the council.

Bishop Greco not only attended every session of Vatican II between 1962 and 1965, but also contributed to the preliminary work that led up to the Council’s opening session.

As chairman of the American Bishops’ Committee on the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Bishop Greco was invited to participate in drafting the agenda for the Council and to help implement its final guidelines. In all, Bishop Greco made more than 21 trips to Rome to serve on the preparatory commission dealing with the ‘Clergy and Christian People’ taking part in 225 deliberation meetings totaling more than 775 hours of work in the Eternal City before the Council opened.

Bishop Greco also served as chairman of a subcommission dealing with catechists. According to his personal notes, Bishop Greco wrote that the most satisfying work he accomplished was the input he provided for the Decree on the Life and Ministry of

Priests. Bishop Greco addressed the Council Fathers in a ‘intervention’ (or short speech) on the ‘Bishop’s Duty to Teach’ before the debate on religious liberty.

TOP RIGHT. Bishop Greco addresses the Council Fathers on the ‘Bishop’s Duty to Teach.’ Many believe this is the first photo ever taken of a Council Father addressing an Ecumenical Council.

BOTTOM RIGHT. Before addressing the Council Fathers, Bishop Greco is informed that Pope John XXIII would be listening to his words in the Papal Apartments.

BOTTOM LEFT. Bishop Greco (second from left) poses with the bishops of the Province of New Orleans.

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JANUARY 21, 2013

CHURCH TODAY

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TOP LEFT. Bishop Greco takes a picture with Pope John XXII at the opening of Vatican II. BOTTOM LEFT. Bishop Greco (circled in the picture) stands in the conclave of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome with his fellow bishops from around the world who participated in the Second Vatican Council from 1962 -1965. Bishop Greco played a major part in the 20th century church council serving on the Committee on CCD and the subcommision dealing with catechists.

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POPE JOHN XXIII CARRIED ON CHAIR DURING OPENING SESSION OF SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL. Pope John XXIII leads the opening session of the Second Vatican Council in St. Peter’s Basilica Oct. 11, 1962. The council’s four sessions and its 16 landmark documents modernized the liturgy, renewed the priesthood and religious life, enhanced the role of lay Catholics, opened dialogue with other churches and non-Christians, and identified the church as the “people of God” attuned to the problems and hopes of the world. The 50th anniversary of the opening of the council wasmarked by Pope Benedict XVI when he kicked off the Year of Faith with an Oct. 11 Mass in St. Peter’s Square.

(CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano)

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ST. MARY’S (Natchitoches) COLLECTS TOYS. St. Mary’s School 4H collected toys for Radio Mash. 5th graders are pictured in front of three baskets filled with toys.

CHURCH TODAY

JANUARY 21, 2013

ST. MARY’S (Natchitoches) DELIVERS WREATHS. St. Mary’s Junior High Cheerleaders visited nursing home residents to deliver Christmas wreaths on Dec. 11. Those who participated were . Back row left to right

MENARD NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY. , a member of Holy Savior Menard’s National Junior Honor Society, shows a first grader at Julius Patrick Elementary in Alexandria, how to make a Christmas bracelet for his mom.

The Junior Honor Society members visited the school Tuesday, Dec. 18 as part of their community service project.

MATER DOLOROSA (Plaucheville) HELP OTHERS. (Above) Students who volunteered at Manna House are (bottom row) . R2: . Back row: Mr. Jimmy, Ms. Elaine, .

(Right) Junior high youth wash dishes at Manna House when the group volunteered Nov. 11.

(Top left) folding shirts and aprons.

(Far Left) , one of the elementary youth who visited the Avoyelles Manor Nursing Home Nov. 10, hands a rosary bracelet that they made as a gift to the residents.

JANUARY 21, 2013

CHURCH TODAY ST. PETER MISSION (Elmer) CHRISTMAS PROGRAM . CCD students in grades PreK - 7 of St. Peter Mission in Elmer presented a program Dec. 16 on the Christian meaning of the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Representing the Holy Family were (pictured) as Mary, as Joseph, as the shepherd, and and as the angels. The program, directed by Mrs. Linda Powell, was followed by a dinner and a visit from Santa Claus.

PAGE 13

OLPS CHRISTMAS PROGRAM. Students at OLPS School in Alexandria presented a Christmas program for parents in December. Pictured above are Pre-K students dressed as shepherds. Below are Wise Men , and (Mary), (Joseph) and (Angel).

(left) ST JOSEPH (Marksville) NATIVITY PLAY, held Dec. 24 before the 4 p.m. Mass, included 57 children playing the parts of Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Innkeepers, Wisemen, angels, shepherds, and the Angel Gabrielle.

The Nativity story was narrated by 2 CCD high school youth and music for the performance was provided by the St. Joseph Youth Bell Choir. (below) ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL (Plaucheville) CHRISTMAS PLAY. St. Joseph School had its annual Christmas play on Dec. 20. The Christmas play was performed by students in grades Pre-K - 8th grade. This year the play was called “This is the Stable” based on the book. The program was held in the Mater Dolorosa Church in Plaucheville.

ST. JAMES GIVES TO HOPE HOUSE. CCD students at St. James Memorial Catholic Church in Alexandria made treats and wrapped presents they purchased to give to the children living in Hope House. Each student also wrote a prayer and included it with each gift.

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CHURCH TODAY

JANUARY 21, 2013

St. Anthony 8th grade La History class visits historic sites around the state The 8th grade Louisiana history class from St. Anthony School in Bunkie traveled one day a month for the past three months to a different historic site in the state to learn more about their history, culture, and faith.

ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL LA HISTORY CLASS -- at Driskill Mountain in Bienville Parish in October.

Driskill Mountain - Bienville Parish In October, the class travelled to Bienville parish, where they hiked to the peak of Driskill Mountain. Driskill Mountain is 535 feet and the highest point of elevation in Louisiana. Once at the top of the Mountain (which is actually a tall hill), hikers can sign a guestbook.

Magnolia Mound Plantation-B.R. In November, the class went to Baton Rouge where they visited Magnolia Mound Plantation, a French Creole house constructed in 1791. The class experienced living in the 1800s by cooking on an open hearth fire, touring the main house, visiting slave quarters, doing daily living chores, and learning in a one room schoolhouse.

ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL LA HISTORY CLASS -- at Magnolia Mound Plantation in Baton Rouge in November.

ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL LA HISTORY CLASS -- in front of St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans in December.

New Orleans In December, the class traveled to New Orleans. The students ate beignets at Cafe’ du Monde and visited The Cabildo, where they learned about the transfers of state government and the history of Louisiana.

The next stop was the oldest cathedral in the US, the St. Louis Cathedral, where they learned interesting facts about their Catholic faith. They learned about Hurricane Katrina and the history of Mardi Gras through many visual, auditory, and interactive exhibits. Their final stop was lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe’ and a walk along the Mississippi River.

Students were

Jill Tassin.

and Mrs.

JANUARY 21, 2013

CHURCH TODAY

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Catholic Schools Week to be celebrated Jan. 27 - Feb. 2 The National Catholic Educational Association has announced that the theme for the 2013 Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 27-Feb. 2) is “Catholic Schools: Raise the Standards.”

Like all Catholic schools around the country, the Diocese of Alexandria schools will celebrate Catholic Schools Week with Masses, open houses and activities for students, families, parishioners and the community at large. Open houses include: • JAN. 30 SACRED HEART OPEN HOUSE. Sacred Heart School in Moreauville will host an Open House all day (8 a.m. - 6 p.m.) on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Parents are invited to stop by the school at any time during the day. In addition, a Religion Fair and a Book Fair will be held from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. on the same day.

• JAN. 31 MENARD OPEN HOUSE. Holy Savior Menard High School will host an Open House on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. in the school gym for all prospective parents and students interested in learning more about Menard. For more information, call 318-445-8233.

NATIONAL CATHOLIC CONFERENCE ON YOUTH MINISTRY. Eight youth ministers from the Diocese of Alexandria attended the annual National Catholic Conference on Youth Ministry, Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 in Orlando, FL. Pictured are (front row) Tara Huesmann and Stacie Marsh. Back row: Stacey Dixon, Luc Noel, Chris Lemoine, Michelle Lemoine, Melenea Fruge, and Amanda Plauche. The Office of Religious Formation and Training has a resource of all the workshop presentations that were recorded during the conference and is offering it to diocesan youth ministers who were unable to attend. For more information, call the Office of RFT at 318-445-6424, ext 221 or visit www.diocesealex.org/ youthministry.

ST. FRANCES CABRINI SCHOOL. Students of Ms. Terry Thibodeaux’s 4th Grade class are working hard on their Famous Americans project for the Great American Festival to be held during Catholic Schools Week.

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CHURCH TODAY

JANUARY 21, 2013

Seminarian Burses A Seminary Burse is an invested sum of money, the interest of which is used in perpetuity to help fund the education of men to the priesthood.

Contributions to any of the burses or to establish a new burse should be sent to the Chancery Office, P. O. Box 7417, Alexandria, Louisiana 71306-0417. -- Very Rev. Stephen Scott Chemino, Chairman Completed burses ($15,000 each) include: • Bishop Charles P. Greco • Msgr. Thomas F. Early (3 Completed) • Msgr. B. A. Scallan • Father H. Gerald Bordelon • Father Bruce Miller • Father William B. Provosty • John Gregory Simms • Miss Mary F. Early • John Dominick Driscoll • Angelo R. and Ena F. D’Angelo • Irvin and Elma Moreau, Harrison P. Moreau, Michael N. Moreau, Deborah S. Moreau Bouchie, Emily A. Moreau, Tom and Mary Candidiotto, Ruby Moreau The following is a list of established burses and amounts of each: Bishop William Friend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.00 Bishop Lawrence P. Graves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,805.00 Bishop Charles P. Greco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 750.00 Bishop Sam G. Jacobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,100.00 Blessed Damien De Veuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175.00 Monsignor Marcel J. Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100.00 Monsignor Leon R. Aycock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,535.00 Monsignor Henry F. Beckers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8,857.50 Monsignor Milburn J. Broussard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5,150.00 Monsignor Norman C. Buvens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100.00 Monsignor Paul E. Conway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825.00 Monsignor Allen M. Chenevert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .966.88 Monsignor Isidore Deceulaer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .160.00 Monsignor S. J. Dekeuwer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .450.00 Monsignor Gerard J. Ducote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .560.00 Monsignor Robert C. Friend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00 Monsignor Ronald C. Hoppe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .750.00 Monsignor James E. Howard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00 Monsignor Charles M. Jekeler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .325.00 Monsignor Joseph F. Kidd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,500.00 Monsignor William Kwaaitaal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .850.00 Monsignor Warren T. Larroque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .800.00 Monsignor Terrence J. Lennon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125.00 Monsignor Frederick J. Lyons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .1,600.00 Monsignor George W. Martinez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .500.00 Monsignor Patrick Murphy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,904.00 Monsignor William C. O’Hanlon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .5,000.00 Monsignor Aloysius O. Olinger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .865.00 Monsignor Mozart Pelletier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.00 Monsignor John V. Plauche . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .400.00 Monsignor F. Joseph Rateau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .520.00 Monsignor Russell J. Ritchie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .591.14 Monsignor B. A. Scallan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10,085.90 Monsignor Matthew J. Scanlon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310.00 Monsignor Joseph M. Susi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,606.00 Monsignor Steve J. Testa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,200.00 Monsignor Henry A. Thompson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360.00 Monsignor John M. Timmermans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,570.00 Monsignor Martin J. Tyrrell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,250.00 Monsignor Henry Van der Putten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,291.89 Monsignor John C. Vandegaer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,350.00 Monsignor Nicholas F. Vandegaer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,350.00 Monsignor John J. Wakeman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100.00 Monsignor Julius G. Walle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,170.00 Father William G. Allison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160.00 Father Peter J. Besselaar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00 Father Michael Bodnar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00 Father Lawrence Bonin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70.00 Father H. Gerald Bordelon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9,885.00 Father Vernon Bordelon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .445.00 Father Gilles Boyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85.00

Father Basil Burns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75.00 Father Scott Chemino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100.00 Father Jules L. Claes, C.I.C.M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,536.00 Father Wilbur G. Cloutier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,290.50 Father Daniel Corkery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6,400.00 Father Anthony N. Cumella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,250.00 Father John H. Cunningham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .475.00 Father Dennis A. Curren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .350.00 Father Leonard Curtis, O.P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,050.00 Father Ferreolus D’Cruz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .875.00 Father Edward Deasy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .625.00 Father Blake Deshautelle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25.00 Father Rudolph J. Engelen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .550.00 Father Richard Fale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5,700.00 Father James A. Ferguson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100.00 Father Harvey J. Fortier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .875.00 Father Joseph Alfred Fortin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200.00 Father James A. Foster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280.00 Father John M. Gayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .870.00 Father Serafin Glasnovic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150.00 Father Rickey Gremillion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500.00 Father William M. Hopp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10.00 Father Mark W. Horacek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00 Father Bartholomew Ibe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100.00 Father Tom M. Jezak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .400.45 Father Michael P. Kammer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12,621.00 Father W. John Kiley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .625.00 Father Francis X. Kronemeyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100.00 Father George Krosfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00 Father Henri Jacquemain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00 Father Russell J. Lemoine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .425.00 Father Bernard F. Maguire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105.00 Father Robert M. Maure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10.00 Father Bruce Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100.00 Father Adrian Molenschot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5,100.00 Father Joseph Montalbano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100.00 Father Govie J. Moraus, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200.00 Father Peter T. Norek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .400.00 Father Dan O’Connor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,200.00 Father Thomas O’Connors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10.00 Father Martin L. Plauche . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50.00 Father Samuel J. Polizzi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .900.00 Father William B. Provosty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105.00 Father Yves J. Robitaille . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,900.00 Father José Robles-Sanchez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250.00 Father Kenneth J. Roy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,355.00 Father Lloyd M. Samson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00 Father Paul B. Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150.00 Father August Thompson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,240.00 Father Antonio E. Villaverde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300.00 Father Nino G. Viviano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200.00 Father Silvan A. Waterkotte, O.F.M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160.00 Father Kenneth Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .880.00 Father Bernard L. Zagst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .975.00 Deacon Raymond J. Dunn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300.00 Deacon Charles A. Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,050.00 Seminarian Frederick Taylor Reynolds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .760.00 Sister Margaret McCaffrey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100.00 Sister Marie Therese McGee, O.P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100.00 Ismael and Libby Agosto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250.00 Shirley Alexander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,125.00 Charles P. and Florence C. Anastasio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .880.00 Mrs. Germaine Armand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .550.00 Mrs. Virgie D. Aymond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225.00 Mr. Bobby D. Basco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,940.00 Harold and Lillie Beridon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,000.00 (Rev.) Hugh Biggers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158.50 Dr. Lamar and Jean Boese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50.00 J. V. Bonnette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00 Mrs. Carolyn Brouillette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00 Nathan Cannella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225.00 Mr. Frank V. Cariere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175.00 Dylan Michael Cashio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200.00 Mr. T. W. Clark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00

Charles D’Amico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50.00 Leo Dobard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,050.00 Mr. and Mrs. Philip Flynn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00 Mrs. Anne Barry Gallagher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,025.00 Anthony and Mary Glorioso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100.00 Toby Guedry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,000.00 Gail T. Gutierrez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100.00 Mr. William J. Hamlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .500.00 Madeline Jeansonne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100.00 Gerry and Connie Leglue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.00 Huey and Neen Lemoine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150.00 Judge Alfred And Mary Jo Mansour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,050.00 Huey and Ethel Mathews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,000.00 Daryl “Pat” Mauterer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00 Mr. Gerald Moreau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215.00 Mrs. Helen Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10,000.00 Miss Marge Murrin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315.00 Alcide A. Nassif . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .522.29 Mr. Maurice Noel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295.00 N. J. and Hannah Nolan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10,000.00 Mr. W. D. O’Neal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8,159.00 David Stafford “Brother” O’Shee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7,794.66 Albert and Elsie Poche . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .900.00 Edna Rabalais . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250.00 Dr. Signey Reed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50.00 Mr. Luis R. Robles-Cortes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125.00 Mrs. Josephine G. Serio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275.00 John Gregory Simms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,275.00 Joseph T. Simms, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9,475.00 Gus Voltz, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,020.00 Larry Lee Wiltse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,825.00 Deceased Members of Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Regina Pacis #1372, Natchitoches . . . . . . . . . 775.00 In Honor of Providence Central High School Class of 1959 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,060.00 General Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500.00 Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432,340.71 Donations in December Knights of Columbus 9217. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10.00

Father Adrian Molenschott Burse Mrs. Judy McClaran. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10.00

Providence Central High School Class of 1959 Burse Mrs. T. R. Rabalais. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10.00

Providence Central High School Class of 1959 Burse Mrs. Laura M. Gremillion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00

Father Kenneth Williams Burse Rodrick Broussard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00

Msgr. Milburn Broussard Burse Henrietta Bordelon Dinnat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$90.00

Providence Central High School Class of 1959 Burse Dr. Joseph Landreneau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00

Msgr. Henry Beckers Burse CDA Court Bishop Greco #2072. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$150.00

Father Kenneth J. Roy Burse Mr. and Mrs. Robert O. Miller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $200.00

Father Daniel Corkery Burse Mr. Ludlow McNeely. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$225.00

Father John Cunningham Burse Deacon & Mrs. L.G. Deloach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500.00

Father Rickey Gremillion Burse Ms. Geraldine B. Deptula. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,000.00

Father Bruce Miller Burse Mr and Mrs. Edward A. Crooks, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,000.00

Father Michael Kammer Burse Mr. Angelo R. D’Angelo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,000.00

Angelo R. and Ena F. D’Angelo Burse Ms. Barbara Dobard . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,000.00

Leo Dobard Burse Mrs. Mary Ann Simms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,000.00

Joseph T. Simms, Jr. Burse Total this month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$6,370.00

CHURCH TODAY

JANUARY 21, 2013

PAGE 17

Faith and trust in God sustains family through life’s challenges my birthday.”

Mia Gabrielle Gonzales was born on May 17, 2010.

(The following story was submitted to the Church Today in response to a calling for any personal stories about faith during the Year of Faith. Send your story of faith or conversion to jpetrus@ diocesealex.org)

* * *

By Laure Derr OL of Lourdes, Winnfield For the first 20 years of our 42-year marriage were pretty normal.

My husband Jacque attended and graduated from law school.

I was teaching, but soon had to temporarily quit my job as a teacher to raise our three children -- Jean, Jamie and Jacque Jr -that I gave birth to in three years.

Little did we know, that all five of us would soon face challenges that would not only shake our faith, but our trust in God.

* * *

In 1991, our lives were disrupted when I heard the diagnosis from my doctor, -- “Mrs. Derr you have a brain tumor.”

After the intial shock and sharing the news with the children and other family members, Jacque went to the woods to deer hunt and to spend time with God. While sitting on the stand— he prayed and asked God for a sign that I was going to be ok.

Jacque said the biggest buck he had ever seen came out of the woods and snorted at him.

“Did you shoot it?” I asked.

“Of course not,” he said. “No one shoots a sign from God.” On Monday, we checked into the hospital. Our parish priest came to the hospital to give me the Anointing of the Sick. After

THE DERR FAMILY. Laure and Jacque Derr pose for a family picture with their children and grandchildren on a sunny beach. Like so many families who face challenges throughout their lives, the Derr family has had their Catholic faith to lean on when life tried to take them down. (Courtesy photo) the anointing I sensed that a huge weight had been lifted and I felt at peace that everything would be OK. .

It turns out that the tumor was benign and my life thankfully returned to normal.

* * *

“I want to be a nurse and a mommy when I grow up.” That’s what my daughter Jamie always said, even as a young child.

So when she found out that she needed a hysterectomy at an early age, she was devastated. We did everything humanly possible to try to keep her from having a hysterectomy. Nothing worked and our precious Jamie had a hysterectomy at the age of 30.

After three years of marriage, Jamie and her husband Nelson, began the adoption process

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through the Diocese of Lafayette.

The paper work was finalized the first week in May in 2010.

On the next Wednesday, the lady from the diocese informed Jamie and Nelson that they had been approved and that it usually takes 2 to 3 years to get a baby.

The next day, Thursday—a young expecting mother called and wanted Jamie and Nelson to adopt her baby girl that was going to be born at the end of the month!

I drove to Lafayette and in one day, we painted the nursery, cleaned the carpets, bought the furniture, and bought clothes, diapers, everything that was going to be needed.

On May 17, Jamie’s birthday, I received a call from her.

“Mom, I’m getting a baby for

After having two beautiful little boys, my son Jacque Jr and his wife, Kristen, were elated when they found out they were going to have a little girl.

Lainey Claire Derr was born on July 23, 2008. Shortly after her birth, things started to go wrong.

Lainey developed a terrible infection and spent weeks in NICU. Weeks after returning home, she began having spasms.

She went to see specialists and they determined she would outgrow her problem. We were all still so worried, -- something just wasn’t right. She seemed to develop slower than the boys.

Then we got the news.

“Your child is autistic.”

Now we understood why she had not yet begun to talk.

Lainey is 4 years old now and attends Pre-K. Jacque Jr and and Kristen struggle daily with the challenges of raising a child with special needs and cling to their faith in God to get them through the really hard times. But above all, they feel abundantly blessed to experience the joy their Lainey brings to them every day.

* * *

Guillain Barre is a syndrome that causes paralysis of the entire body.

In January 2011, my husband Jacque was diagnosed with this dreaded disease.

He was in ICU for three weeks and in the hospital for 47 days. During his ICU days he was scared to death, not of dying,

YEAR OF

FAITH

2012 2013

but of being paralyzed for life.

Our parish priest, Fr. Christian Ogbanna, was out of the country at the time, so a former pastor, Fr. John O’Brien, drove to Lafayette and anointed Jacque.

One night after the annointing, Jacque had a vision of Christ on the cross. Christ told Jacque, “Son, you will be all right.”

Jacque felt at peace.

Although Jacque suffered and struggled for many weeks, he always knew he would be OK. Christ had assured him.

Jacque returned to work inMay with very little residual effects from the disease.

* * *

In September of that same year, I received a phone call from oldest daughter Jean.

“I’m pregnant,” she said with a burst of joy and relief.

This was happy news coming from Jean, especially since she and her husband Matt had been trying for seven years to have a baby.

But four months later, I received another phone call, this time from Matt, with different news.

“Jean’s been in a wreck,” he said. “She’s having contractions.”

Since Jean and Matt lived in Denver, there was nothing I could do but pray.

I remember going to church immediately, knelt in front of the Blessed Mother and pleaded with her to ask her Son for a miracle.

“Please let our baby stay inside her mom and grow. Please let Jean carry her baby full term,” I prayed.

That night Jean’s labor stopped and she went home with a broken thumb and lots of bruises.

On May 9, 2012, our perfect baby girl was born, -- on the 5-year anniversary of my dad’s death.

Our little family of five is now a family of 13. I am sure we will have many more trials to go through in life, but we know our Catholic faith and trust in God will sustain us.

PAGE 18

Mardi Gras

CHURCH TODAY

JANUARY 21, 2013

St. Genevieve Church celebrates 60-year Jubilee

Saturday, Jan. 26 • Bunkie Mardi Gras Parade Krewe of Cronus 3:30 p.m. -- Free • Bunkie Mardi Gras Dance Featuring Geno Delafouse Haas Auditorium, Bunkie 5 - 8 p.m. $25 adults; $5 children • Winnfield Mardi Gras Parade Krewe of Kingfish 2 -3 p.m. -- Free

ST. GENEVIEVE’S WALK WITH JESUS. In celebration of its 60 year Jubilee, St. Genevieve Church in Brouillette held a Walk with Jesus in September in memory of loved ones or special intentions.

ST. GENEVIEVE’S TRUNK OR TREAT. In celebration of its 60 year Jubilee, St. Genevieve Church held a Trunk or Treat for the children in October.

ST. GENEVIEVE CELEBRATES VETERAN’S DAY. In celebration of its 60 year Jubilee, St. Genevieve Church in Brouillette honored verterans in the parish with a special certificate. Don Brevelle presents a certificate to Carter Stafford.

ST. GENEVIEVE’S CHRISTMAS HAYRIDE. In celebration of its 60 year Jubilee, St. Genevieve Church in Brouillette celebrated Christmas with caroling, a hayride, and visiting parishioner’s homes for food and treats. Pictured are the Aymond/Dauzat family spreading Christmas cheer with Santa.

Sunday, Jan. 27 • Marksville Mardi Gras Parade Krewe of Cyllenius 2 p.m. -- Free Friday, Feb. 8 • Taste of Mardi Gras Riverfront Convention Ctr. Alexandria - 6 p.m. $20 adults; $10 child Saturday, Feb. 9 • Alexandria Children’s Parade Downtown Alexandria 10:45 a.m. -- Free • King Cake Party Alexandria Zoo 2-4 p.m. -- zoo admission • Leesville Mardi Gras Parade Third Street 2 p.m. -- Free • Natchitoches Mardi Gras Parade Keyser Ave, Bridge, Front Street 5:30 p.m. -- Free Sunday, Feb. 10 • Alexandria Mardi Gras Parade Texas Avenue-Masonic Drive 2 p.m. -- Free

Ash Wednesday Feb. 13 Go to www.diocesealex.org for list of Ash Wednesday Masses and distribution of ashes

4.7 miles to St. Philomena Shrine

CHURCH TODAY

JANUARY 21, 2013

PAGE 19

Make your own plan for Lent; make growing in faith your goal

By Fr. Michael Van Sloun The Catholic Spirit Lent is a penitential season, a time to “turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel” (Mark 1:15). The season lasts for 40 days, the same amount of time Jesus spent in prayer and fasting in the desert.

Lent is a time to re-examine our lives, acknowledge how we have offended God and neighbor, admit our failings, seek God’s forgiveness, receive God’s healing grace, reform our lives, conform ourselves to God’s will and make headway in virtue and holiness.

Follow regulations

One way to make a good Lent is to observe the two Lenten regulations: abstinence and fasting.

The abstinence regulation requires all those who have reached their 14th birthday to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all of the Fridays of Lent.

The fasting regulation applies from one’s 18th to 59th birthday.

All those in this age range are to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting means one full meal and two smaller meals that together do not equal the larger one, with no food between meals except beverages. This obligation does not apply to those with special health conditions or physically demanding work. Those in

During Lent, I promise to: doubt should consult a priest or confessor.

Prayer

Prayer is at the top of the list. Lent offers an opportunity to intensify prayer, to pray more, or better or with a richer variety.

Regular communication is key to every quality relationship, and if we hope to be close to God, regular prayer is a must.

To have a good Lent, consider adding something to your communal prayer. The highest-rated option is daily Mass, one or two times a week, or possibly every weekday. Parishes offer a variety of other options: the communal recitation of Morning or Evening Prayer, the rosary, the Stations of the Cross or a parish retreat or mission.

At home, the family can offer prayers together at mealtime, bedtime or any other time when two or more pray together.

Jesus frequently went off to pray by himself, and so should we. There are many options: eucharistic adoration; Scripture reading and reflection; a silent or directed retreat, contemplation and meditation; the rosary,

r Attend Mass EVER Sunday. r Attend Mass at least one day during the weekdays. r Pray one Hail Mary & one Our Father every day & night. r Pray the Rosary ___ times a week. r Abstain from eating meat on Fridays/Ash Wednesday. r Do not eat between meals on Fridays/Ash Wednesday. r Attend a Lenten parish mission. r Pray the Stations of the Cross every Friday r Eucharistic Adoration once a week r Scripture reading and reflection once a week. r My own plan: ________________________________

the chaplet, litanies, and prayer books; spiritual reading such as the writings or lives of the saints; a prayer journal; singing along with sacred music in the car; or a solitary prayer walk outside.

Fasting

Fasting is a form of self-denial, one of the most traditional forms of penance. In some circles it is not fashionable to give something up for Lent, with the

objection that it is “too negative”; however, self-denial is the path to self-mastery. If we want to have a good Lent, it would be worthwhile to give up some nonessential pleasure like dessert, candy, pop, ice cream, alcohol, tobacco or television for a day or the week.

The foremost form of selfdenial is fasting from food, and Jesus demonstrated its importance when he fasted 40 days and nights in the desert (Matthew 4:2), and he presumed that his disciples would do the same (Matthew 6:16,17).

When hunger pangs come, it takes determination to say, “No!” and if we can consistently say “no” to something small like food, with improved self-control it is much more likely that we will be able to say “no” when something bigger like temptation comes our way.

Almsgiving and Charity

Almsgiving is giving overand-above what is given to the church: money, food or clothing, goods or services that are shared to help the poor and needy.A fine way to make a good Lent would be to make special donations to disaster relief, a food shelf, a soup kitchen, an orphanage or some other charitable agency that cares for the poor or troubled.Random acts of kindness are good, but planned ones are better. Acts of love toward a neighbor draw a person away from selfish preoccupation and closer to God.

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PAGE 20

CHURCH TODAY

JANUARY 21, 2013

Franciscan Friars pray for prayer intentions texted to them

By Catholic News Service

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Often, prayer intentions are offered with hands folded, but a new service allows hands and fingers to move freely -- provided a cellphone is handy.

The New York-based Holy Name Province of the Franciscans has started a service it calls “Text a Prayer Intention to a Franciscan Friar.”

The service debuted in January with the new year.

Here’s how it works: Text the word “prayer” to 306-44 and hit “send.” Senders will then receive a welcome message inviting them to then send in their prayer intentions. Senders will receive a text in reply stating that their prayer has been received and will be prayed for.

The intentions are received on a website, and will be in-

Franciscan brothers read prayer requests from cell phones at New Jersey friary. Franciscan Brothers Richard Mcfeely and Robert Frazzetta read prayer requests on their mobile phones Jan. 3 at St. Anthony Friary in Butler, N.J. The largest group of Franciscan friars in the United States is offering the faithful a new way to pray in th e digital age by accepting prayer requests via text messages. (CNS photo/Octavio Duran)

Abortion Continued from pg. 7 fort to legalize abortion in Georgia, even though Cano had never wanted an abortion.

The lawyers did not come through on their promise to help Cano, and when the Supreme Court decision came down, both the lawyers and Cano’s family tried to force her to have a late term abortion. She had to leave the state to avoid the abortion they scheduled for her. Cano tried to publicize her opposition to abortion shortly after the 1973 decision, but the media paid no attention to her.

Both McCorvey and Cano testified to their opposition to abortion at a Pro-Life Action League conference in Chicago on April 20, 1996.

Since the legalization of abortion in 1973, there have been approximately 50-55 million abortions performed in the U.S.

Feast of

St. Blaise Feb. 3

cluded collectively in the friars’ prayers twice a day and at Mass.

“With technology changing the way we communicate, we needed to offer people an updated way to ask for prayers for special intentions and needs either for themselves or others,” said a Jan. 8 statement by Franciscan Father David Convertino, executive director of development for the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province.

“We have been working on this for some time and it’s a great way to bring in the New Year,” Father Convertino added. “If the pope can tweet, friars can text!”

Pope Benedict XVI launched

his very own Twitter account in mid-December.

The Holy Name Province is the largest U.S. province of the worldwide Order of Friars Minor, with 300 members serving throughout the East Coast in college, parish, social service and urban ministry, with some on overseas assignments as well.

However, with cellphone technology and access virtually universal, the province’s range could be even larger.

“This is one more way of reaching people who ask us to pray for them,” Father Convertino said. “We hope it can reach people all around the globe.”

CHURCH TODAY

JANUARY 21, 2013

PAGE 21

The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey The potential for everyday goodness to subdue evil is theme in Tolkien’s story

By John Mulderig Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) -- First published in 1937, Catholic author J.R.R. Tolkien’s children’s novel “The Hobbit, or There and Back Again” has proved so popular in the decades since that it has never gone out of print.

With “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” (Warner Bros.), director Peter Jackson provides movie audiences with an epic 3-D screen version of the opening part of Tolkien’s widely beloved work.

Not for the easily frightened nor -- at well over two-and-a-half hours -- for those with short attention spans, his sweeping journey across Tolkien’s imaginary world of Middle-earth is nonetheless an upbeat outing suitable for all others.

In this first installment of a trio of prequels to Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy (200103) -- also, of course, based on Tolkien’s fiction -- homebody hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) finds his contented existence within the safe confines of Middle-earth’s Shire region disturbed by the arrival on his doorstep of magisterial wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen).

Gandalf has seemingly unlikely plans for timid Bilbo: He

MOVIE

REVIEW

THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY’. Martin Freeman stars in a scene from the movie “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.” The Catholic News Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (CNS photo/Warner Bros.) wants him to accompany and aid a group of dwarves on a dangerous quest. Led by their sturdy chieftain Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), the dwarves -- a crude but spirited lot who descend on Bilbo’s house at Gandalf’s invitation -- are out to recapture their

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ancient stronghold, Erebor. Once a storehouse for the dwarves’ fabulous wealth, Erebor was long ago conquered by Smaug, a rampaging dragon who coveted its vast horde of gold.

Though Bilbo initially wants nothing to do with the dwarves’

perilous mission, in the face of Gandalf’s insistence, and perhaps sensing his own destiny, he eventually relents.

The heroism of ordinary people and the potential for everyday goodness to subdue evil are the primary themes of the long, com-

bat-heavy adventure that follows.

Tolkien’s tale can be viewed as a sort of prophecy, foretelling the down-to-earth courage with which his British compatriots would soon confront the onslaught of the Nazi war machine.

As Bilbo proves his mettle, the corrupting effects of power are also showcased through his encounter with Gollum (Andy Serkis), a cave dweller obsessed with -- and spiritually enslaved by -- a magical ring.

Gollum’s grasping character also may relate to the current events of the 1930s, given that the period between the world wars saw the rise of numerous dictators bent on aggression and acquisition. But the endurance of the story in which he appears suggests that his traits may have a broader moral application as well.

The film contains much bloodless action violence and some mild gross-out humor. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13.

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CHURCH TODAY

Holy Spirit Retreat The annual Holy Spirit Women’s Retreat will be held Jan. 25-27, 2013 at the Lafayette Hilton. Leading the retreat will be Deacon Larry Oney, Michelle Moran, and Fr. Joe Krafft of Notre Dame Seminary. Register online at www.ccrno.org or call 504-828-1368. This retreat is sponsored by the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans.

JANUARY 21, 2013 Forms are available at your parish youth office or by calling 318-445-6424 ext. 221.

DIOCESAN

BRIEFS

Steubenville South Registration for 2013 Steubenville South is now open.

Students in grades 9-12 are invited to attend Steubenville South Catholic Youth Conference this summer, June 21-23 at the Alexandria Riverfront Center. A Steubenville Youth Conference is likely to be the best weekend of your summer with thousands of other Catholic teens! Join us for inspiring talks, great music, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, a lot of fun and a lot of faith packed into one weekend. If you, or someone you know, would like to attend, you must register now by contacting your Parish Youth Group. For more information, go to www.steubenvillesouth.com.

Marriage Prep The next Strong Foundations: A Marriage Preparation Program for Catholic Couples one-day workshop will be held Sunday Jan. 27, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Pineville from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The presenters for this workshop are Mandi Chapman and Holly Carbo.

To register or for more information, visit www.comprehensivetherapygroup.com or call 318.445.1651. Additional 2013 dates for the Strong Foundations: Marriage Prep workshop include May 26, July 21, and Oct. 20.

Mardi Gras dance St. Martin, Lecompte will be hosting a Mardi Gras Dance on Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. featuring “Ronnie Bryant and Friends.” A cash bar and free horsd’oeuvres will be available. Admission is $25 a couple or $15 single. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Come join us for an evening of fun. For more information you may call the Church Office at 776.9480.

Abbey Youth Fest

ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL (Bunkie) CHRISTMAS PLAY. All students in gres Pre-K - 8th gade participated in the St. Anthony School annual Christmas play held in December in the school gym .

book “Fertility, Cycles, & Nutrition.” To register, contact Michael and Leah Pelto at 318.640.8678 or michaelandleah@suddenlink.net or visit www.ccli.org.

Christian Dream Therapy Retreat

An Evening to Remember seminar

Jim and Christy Gootee and the Two Hearts Team will offer a retreat on Christian Dream Therapy at Maryhill Renewal Center on Feb. 2-3 from 9 a.m. Saturday to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. The retreat will look at dreams in Scripture as well as study God’s symbolic language found in our dreams. Bring a Bible and Dream Notebook. The $120 cost includes a reference book and retreat manual.

For more information and registration form, go to www. jimandchristygootee.com or call 318-641-6827 and leave a message.

An Evening to Remember, featuring guest speaker Jim Comer, will be held Thursday, Feb. 28 from 5-7 p.m. at the Pineville Country Inn & Suites. Comer, author of Parenting Your Parents, will speak about issues from assisted living to nursing homes, living wills to investments, and home health to hospice. Tickets are $20 per person (includes dinner) and may be purchased from Cabrini Hospital, Rapides Hospital, Lineage Law, Modern Woodmen and Rapides Senior Citizens Centers. For more info, call John Amos at 448-6763.

Natural Family Planning Classes

S.A.L.T. retreats

You are invited to attend a Natural Family Planning class series teaching the Sympto-Thermal Method on the Sundays of February 17, March 24, & April 14 from 2:00 4:00 pm. Attendance of all 3 classes completes the course.

There is a one time fee of $135, which includes student guide book, fertility tracking chart, basal body thermometer, one year membership to the Couple to Couple League, subscription to Family Foundations magazine, and the

Registration continues for the remaining two 2013 S.A.L.T. Retreats. All retreats will be held at Maryhill Renewal Center, in Pineville for students in grades 9-12. The cost is $60 per student. Please include payment with your application which can be obtained at your parish youth office. The two overnight retreats are: • Feb. 2-3 -- Register by Jan. 19 • March 9-10 -- Register by Feb. 17

Go to www.diocesealex.org for Mass Schedules

for • Christmas • New Year’s

The 2013 Abbey Youth Fest will be held March 9 at St. Joseph Abbey and Seminary College in St. Benedict, La. The Abbey Youth Festival is an apostolic service of Saint Joseph designed to provide young people with an opportunity to experience a day of prayer and faith formation with an exposure to the Benedictine tradition. Its focus is evangelization and vocational discernment by means of Liturgy, prayer, worship, music and education appropriate for Catholic young people. The cost is $30 by Feb. 22; $35 after Feb. 22. To register, go to abbeyyouthfest.com

Young Adult Conference The Diocese of Alexandria’s Office of Religious Formation and Training will sponsor the annual Crossroads Young Adult Conference March 15-17 at Maryhill Renewal Center for those age 18 and up. Join us for this weekend retreat featuring Jim Murphy as the guest speaker; Paul Hood as host, and Grae McCullough providing music. For more information, go to www.diocesealex.org/crossroadsconference

Camp Joshua Louisiana Camp Joshua, a jam-packed pro-life weekend for high school teens that trains you to be a true supporter of the Pro-Life effort, is being offered at three locations in Louisiana: • March 15-17 -- LCJ North (Ruston) • April 5-7 -- Baton Rouge The cost is $75 and includes meals, t-shirt, program, field trip, and a bunch of fun. To register or for more information, go to www.campjoshua.org or call 1-866-4635433 or look for a short video titled Louisiana Camp Joshua on YouTube.

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CHURCH TODAY

JANUARY 21, 2013

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January -- February Monday

Tuesday

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Wednesday

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VIRTUS Training 6:00 p.m.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Alexandria

Thursday

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Friday

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25

28

Sunday

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Pre-Lent Mission 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

St. Mary’s Basilica, Natchez, MS

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Marriage Prep 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sacred Heart Church Pineville

Mardi-Gras Parade 3:30 p.m. - Pineville

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY PRAY FOR MSGR. R. HOPPE

Saturday

Holy Spirit Women’s Retreat -- Lafayette PRAY FOR FR. R. HUMPHRIES

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PRAY FOR FR. B. IBE

PRAY FOR FR. H. IMAMSHAH

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Open House 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sacred Heart School Moreauville

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Open House 6:00 p.m.

Holy Savior Menard High School, Alexandria

PRAY FOR FR. K. ISHMAEL

FEBRUARY Mardi Gras Dance 8:00-11:00 p.m.

St. Martin Church, Lecompte

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PRAY FOR FR. G. KROSFIELD

PRAY FOR FR. P. KULIGOWSKI

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3

Catechist Convention 8:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m.

St. Rita Holy Family Center, Alexandria

S.A.L.T. Retreat -- Maryhill Christian Dream Therapy Retreat -- Maryhill

National Catholic Schools Week PRAY FOR FR. P. KUNNUMPURAM

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PRAY FOR FR. J. MEDINA

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PRAY FOR FR. C. MORGAN

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PRAY FOR FR. D. O’CONNOR

PRAY FOR FR. S. KWEBUZA

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PRAY FOR FR. L. MELCHER

PRAY FOR FR. M. LAIRD

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PRAY FOR FR. A. MESSINA

PRAY FOR FR. R. LEMOINE

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PRAY FOR FR. J. MICHALCHUK

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MARDI GRAS DAY

ASH WEDNESDAY

FEAST of ST. VALENTINE

PRAY FOR FR. P. NADAMKUZHY

PRAY FOR FR. C. NAYAK

PRAY FOR FR. J. NELLIKUNNEL

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PRAY FOR FR. C. OGBONNA

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PRAY FOR FR. W. OKOT

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PRAY FOR FR. R. OWUAMANAM

FIRST FRIDAY

FIRST SATURDAY

FEAST of ST. BLAISE

PRAY FOR BISHOP R. HERZOG

PRAY FOR FR. R. MATHEWS

PRAY FOR FR. C. MAURICIO

Taste of Mardi Gas 6 p.m.

Riverfront Center Alexandria

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PRAY FOR FR. K. MICHIELS

15

PRAY FOR FR. M. NOEL

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PRAY FOR FR. J. PALATHARA

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Mardi Gras Parades: Mardi Gras Parade • Children’s Parade 2 p.m.

10:45 a.m., Alexandria Alexandria • King Cake Party 2 p.m., Alexandria Zoo • 2 p.m., Leesville • 5:30 p.m., Natchitoches PRAY FOR FR. B. MILLER

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PRAY FOR FR. K. OBIEKWE

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CHRISTUS Cabrini Foundation Winter Ball 7 p.m.

Paragon Mari Showroom Marksville

PRAY FOR FR. B. PALLIPPARAMBIL

PRAY FOR FR. J. MONTALBANO

Natural Family Planning Class 2:00-4:00 p.m.

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PRAY FOR FR. J. O’BRIEN

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PRAY FOR FR. J. PALLIPURATH