The Church Today, August 20, 2012

CHURCH Volume XLIII, No. 8

www.diocesealex.org

TODAY

Serving the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana Since 1970

August 20, 2012

ON THE

St. Anthony School renovates library

INSIDE Catholic schools open for 2012-13 school year From a little painting and cleaning up, to some major repairs and construction, many of the eight Catholic schools in the diocese experienced renovations this summer. Read more about the construction projects and new changes in the diocesan schools on pages 1215.

Let's get it right!

Is your pastor named Father Jose Palathara or Father Jose Pallipurath? Many of the names of our priests from India are often confused. Check it out on page 7.

Faith and family leads country singer 'home' Did you know that we have a popular country singer in our diocese who used to sing with George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, and other country stars? Today she's a singer and a secretary in one of our churches. Find out who she is on pages 16-17.

4th grader and 2nd grader check out the books in the new renovated libary at St. Anthony School in Bunkie. Read more on pgs 12-15.

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CHURCH TODAY

AUGUST 20, 2012

36% of Catholics have never heard about bishops' objections to HHS mandate, Pew Research shows

By Catholic News Service

SUPREME KNIGHT CARL ANDERSON addresses the 130th Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus.

Challenges to marriage, religious liberty among Knights' top concerns ANAHEIM, Calif. (CNS) -Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson called the number of attendees at the Knights of Columbus 130th supreme convention in Anaheim "a testament to the growth and development" of the international fraternal organization.

More than 2,000 Knights from around the world -- many of them with their wives and children -- along with 12 cardinals and more than 70 bishops attended the Aug. 6-8 convention.

Anderson made the comments at the States Dinner, a high point of the convention that brings Knights together in a celebration of patriotism.

The bishops, archbishops and cardinals attending the dinner processed through a massive exhibit hall in the Anaheim Convention Center, each waving a flag and smiling at the Knights cheering from either side of the aisle. After the clergy reached their seats on the dais, the assembly joined in the national anthems of countries in which the Knights are represented.

Later, as dinner was served, an orchestra performed the anthems of each U.S. state, as well as Canadian provinces.

The celebratory tone carried through the keynote speech of Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York -- a member of the Knights of Columbus for more than 30 years -- who got a big See KC SUPREME CONVENTION, pg. 5

A majority of Catholics say they share the U.S. bishops' concerns about the federal contraceptive mandate and other government restrictions on religious liberty, and the percentage of Catholics who say they are satisfied with the bishops' leadership has increased sharply in the past 10 years.

Catholics who attend Mass more frequently are more likely to agree with bishops' concerns on social issues, and those who attend less frequently show less support for their views on issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.

Those opinions, made public Aug. 1, were among the results in a new survey conducted by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press.

The survey showed that 64 percent of Catholics have heard

about the bishops' objections to the Department of Health and Human Services' contraceptive mandate. Twenty-two percent say they have heard a lot about it, and 32 percent of Catholic churchgoers say their priest has spoken about the issue at Mass.

Among Catholics who are aware of the bishops' concerns on this issue, 56 percent agree with the bishops and 36 percent disagree. In the American population at large, 41 percent agree with the bishops and 47 percent disagree.

Although the survey showed that most Catholics aware of the bishops' concerns also agree with them, about half (51 percent) of Catholic voters said President Barack Obama best reflects their views on social issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage, while 34 percent said the presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney best reflects their views on these issues.

The survey results also gave

SATISFIED WITH CHURCH LEADERS. The majority of Catholic adults say they are very or somewhat satisfied with their church leaders. (CNS graphic)

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY TOPIC. A majority of Catholics (56 percent) agree with the bishops on religious liberty concerns. (CNS graphic/Emily Thompson) high marks to Catholic leadership.

Eighty-three percent of Catholics expressed satisfaction with women religious; 82 percent, with their own parish priests, 74 percent, with their diocesan bishop and the pope; and 70 percent, with U.S. bishops in general -- a significantly higher figure than a decade ago when the satisfaction rate for bishops was 51 percent at the height of the abuse scandal.

White Catholics who attend Mass frequently are more satisfied with the leadership provided by the pope, bishops and parish priests than are those who attend less frequently.

Those surveyed who said they were former Catholics are much less satisfied with Catholic leadership, rating their

satisfaction level at 31 percent for U.S. bishops; 38 percent for the pope; and 55 percent for women religious.

According to the survey results, neither Obama nor Romney has established a consistent lead among Catholic voters. Currently, 51 percent of Catholic registered voters said they support or favor Obama, while 42 percent said they support or favor Romney. Among all registered voters, 50 percent favor Obama, while 43 percent back Romney.

The Pew survey was conducted by phone June 28-July 9 with 2,973 adults, including 619 Catholics. It had an overall margin of error of plus or minus 2.1 percentage points.

Brigitte Paul Kelso Insurance, LLC Brigitte Kelso Owner/Agent

2918 S. MacArthur Dr. Alexandria, La. 71301 Phone: 318.448.2226 Fax: 318.448.2800 kelsoins@yahoo.com

AUGUST 20, 2012

CHURCH TODAY

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Congress fails to address objections to HHS coercive policy DiNardo urges Congress to act on religious liberty issues before end of year

By Nancy Frazier O'Brien Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Since the courts will not act quickly enough to protect the religious liberty concerns prompted by the Obama administration's contraceptive mandate, Congress must "address this urgent and fundamental issue before it completes its business this year," Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo told members of the House and Senate.

"Timely and uniform protection of these rights cannot be expected from the current lengthy judicial process," said the cardinal in an Aug. 3 letter to members of Congress. He is archbishop of Galveston-Houston and chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

Cardinal DiNardo described the contraceptive mandate as an "unprecedented and misguided federal policy."

"The Catholic bishops of the United States continue to advocate for life-affirming health care for all, especially for poor and vulnerable people," he wrote.

"We do not see this policy as a step in that direction."

Cardinal DiNardo said that despite "widespread opposition to this coercive policy by religious organizations, lawmakers and the general public, Congress has still taken no action to counter it."

"The time for such action is, to say the least, overdue," he added. "The fundamental importance of the religious

JUDGE ISSUES ORDER TO HALT ENFORCEMENT OF HHS CONTRACEPTIVE MANDATE AGAINST CATHOLICRUN BUSINESS. James, Paul, William and Andrew Newland, who run Hercules Industries in Denver, a manufacturer of heating and air-conditioning equipment, are pictured in an undated photo. The Catholic family won a temporary injunction July 27 against enforcement of the Department of Health and Human Services' contraceptive mandate. (CNS photo/courtesy Hercules Industries) freedom issue at stake demands a timely congressional response."

The cardinal said the requirement to provide contraceptives to their employees free of charge will likely affect for-profit business owners first.

He noted that four of the lawsuits against the mandate have been filed by Catholic business owners.

"These are devout individuals and families who own and operate businesses who, without any word of protest from employees, have been offering health coverage

that does not violate their moral convictions," he said. "In effect, if an organization is 'for-profit' it is not allowed to be 'for' anything else.

"The owners who have imbued their companies with faith-based commitments to employee well-being, community service and social responsibility strongly disagree," Cardinal DiNardo wrote. "And at a time of grave concern over business and banking scandals, does anyone think that rewarding businesses

obsessed solely with company profits is sound government policy?"

The cardinal noted that a federal judge had granted a temporary stay to Hercules Industries, a Denver-based business owned by the Catholic Newland family, ruling that any "public interest" served by the mandate is "countered, and indeed outweighed, by the public interest in the free exercise of religion."

"However, this welcome and sensible initial decision marks

only the beginning of even the Newland family's court battle," he said. "It does not affect companies filing suit in other states, or even the many thoroughly religious nonprofit organizations whose religious character has always been obvious to most people.

"Vindication of the fundamental rights of these individuals and organizations may take years of litigation," he added.

Cardinal DiNardo said the mandate and the narrow religious exemption to it represent "an approach to religious freedom that is more grudging and arbitrary than any yet seen in federal law."

In addition, he said, "few really know whether their request for exemption will be accepted by the government or not."

Coverage of contraceptives and sterilization "will be imposed 'automatically' on these organizations' employees and their dependent teenage children, regardless of the moral or religious objections of the employer or employee," he said.

"Yet some have cynically said this policy ensures female employees' right to make their own choice on health coverage."

Two bills addressing areas of the health reform bill the Catholic bishops say are problematic -- the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act and the Abortion NonDiscrimination Act, which has been incorporated into the Labor/ HHS appropriations bill for fiscal year 2012 -- are deadlocked in Congress.

PAGE 4 Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending the Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus in Anaheim, California.

More than 2,000 were in attendance. The solid commitment to the issues of religious freedom, respect for all life and the promotion of civility in government was expressed repeatedly.

This year, there was a special event that preceded the actual convention. On Sunday afternoon more than 60,000 people gathered in the coliseum for the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, jointly sponsored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Supreme Council.

I also had the opportunity to take a tour of the newly purchased Crystal Cathedral which will become Christ Cathedral of the Diocese of Orange. It is a magnificent campus. I look forward to seeing it after all the renovations and adaptations are complete.

For those of you who have

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

school age children, the new school year has most likely been the focus of your time and energy recently. We all hope that the new year will bring many blessings.

The school year for our seminarians is also ready to begin.

There are three new men who will enter this fall bringing our total to nine. Please continue to pray for them as they discern the Lord’s call.

In just a couple of months we will be entering the “Year of Faith” proclaimed by our Holy Father. This October will mark the 50th anniversary of the opening

of the Second Vatican council as well. As we receive more details, we will be announcing some activities that we will sponsor here in the diocese.

We are approaching the peak of the hurricane season. Continue to include deliverance from storms in your daily prayers.

May the Lord strengthen you as you continue to respond to his invitation to serve him.

The meaning of life is really quite simple I often bump into people who tell me they read my article. Occasionally, I’ll even receive a letter or two. Recently, a man stopped me after Mass and asked that I write on something more practical. I asked on what practical subject this gentleman would prefer and he said, “You know, something practical, like the meaning of life.”

Philosophers have philosophized and poets have pondered.

Bob Dylan has even sung about it. But as I began to think about it, I wondered what "something useful and practical" could be said about the meaning of life within my editorial constraints.

Faith, especially our Catholic tradition, provides a simple and clear answer but we must approach it patiently. First we must look to the most practical philosopher ever, St. Thomas Aquinas.

I am not an Aquinas scholar, but I was able to find a most practical approach to this issue by Frank Sheed, a very Catholic and practical thinker of the 20th century.

Sheed approached this problem by pointing out that to truly know what something is, one must know what something is for.

There is a world of difference in knowing what something is made of, or even knowing by whom something is made by, compared to knowing what something is

AUGUST 20, 2012

Guest

Commentary Deacon John Whitehead Diocese of Alexandria made for. Both are poor substitutes for knowing what the purpose of a thing is.

In an effort to explain this, Sheed offered a simple example, which I paraphrase. Suppose a man who has never shaved discovers a straight razor. About all he’s going to be able to immediately discern is that it is very sharp. Since he has never shaved, he is likely going to use it for many things including cutting wood, metal, and plastic.

Initially, the straight razor probably cuts very well but in the end it will quickly dull. In a word, it will be useless.

Sheed’s point here is that the man did not know the purpose of the straight razor and every use employed by him was a misuse. Since something cannot be used correctly until its purpose is known, every use is by definition, misuse. The person is acting blindly. All those misuses may have been well-intentioned, but well-meaning is not a substitute

for knowledge of purpose.

Our faith tradition tells what our purpose is. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for” (CCC 27). Only then by understanding that we are made by God, and for God, do we discover our purpose, the very meaning of life. Within this are our dignity, love, truth, and freedom – to know who made us, why, and our destiny. Only then do we act and live our lives according to our purpose and meaning.

It may be overly simplistic, but long before Aquinas, St. Augustine proclaimed, “You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” Sometimes the answers to life’s greatest questions are just that simple.

In the Acts of the Apostles, we learn that God has opened the door of faith for the early Church. But did you know that God has opened the door of faith for each one us and he invites us to step through the threshold into a deeper relationship with him?

The upcoming Year of Faith is an opportunity for every Catholic to turn towards Jesus Christ, encounter him in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and rediscover the Faith and Church.

The "Year of Faith" will begin on October 11, 2012 and conclude on November 24, 2013. The first day of the Year of Faith (Oct. 11), is the 50th anniversary of the opening of Vatican II and also the 20th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. During the Year of Faith, Catholics are asked to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the catechism so that they may deepen their knowledge of the faith.

The Year of Faith is an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him. The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year Catholics are called to open it again, walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church.

CHURCH

TODAY

Volume XLIII, No. 8 • August 20, 2012 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.

Website: www.diocesealex.org/thechurchtoday

AUGUST 20, 2012

CHURCH TODAY

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Miracles of the Eucharist comes to Winnsboro Sept. 16, 22-23

By Jeannie Petrus CT editor Miracles of the Eucharist, a 142-piece exhibit of Vaticanapproved Eucharistic miracles will be on display at St. Mary's Catholic Church hall in Winnsboro in September.

The exhibit will be open on Sundays, Sept. 16 and Sept.

23 from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. with the exhibit in the church hall and Eucharistic adoration in the sanctuary.

The exhibit will also be open Saturday, Sept. 22 from 12 noon - 4 p.m.

The exhibit is free and open to the public.

The original exhibit was developed by Antonia Salzano Acutis of the Pontifical Academy Cultorum Martyrum in Italy. It has been presented to the people of the United States by the Real Presence Eucharistic Education and Adoration Association.

A great promoter of the exhibition is Msgr. Raffaello Martinelli of the St. Ambrose and St. Charles Basilica, an official of the Congregation for the Doctrine

MIRACLES OF THE EUCHARIST EXHIBIT. This is a typical setup of the Eucharistic Miracles exhibit in a parish church hall or school gym. All that is needed to host the exhibit in your parish is space large enough to accommodate 25 7-foot tables, or wall space for the 142 poster panels. of the Faith, and member of the editorial commission of the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

They have entrusted the Vatican's Eucharistic Exhibition to Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, prefect of the Supreme Tribunal

of the Apostolic Signature.

With an extensive assortment of photographs and historical descriptions, the exhibit takes viewers around the globe, and across the centuries, recounting the wonderful miracles performed by God that we might

believe in His Real Presence in the Eucharist.

The exhibit consists of 142 plasticized panels featuring 126 miracles, 17 poster maps that show where the miracles are located in each country and 2 historical European maps. Each is 2 feet x 3 feet in dimension and comes with its own stand.

A book, titled The Eucharistic Miracles of the World: a Catalogue of the Vatican International Exhibition, with a forward by Cardinal Burke, will be available at the exhibit for $30.

It includes all of the elements of the exhibit and more.

The exhibit has traveled around the world reaching Catholic parishes, schools, and college campuses. It is the desire of Msgr. Martinelli that the exhibit be shown in every parish and school in the country.

The exhibit was brought to the Winnsboro area through the efforts of Kim Kramer and Mr. Phillip Bellini of New Orleans.

For years, Kramer desired to bring the exhibit to her area, but was not sure about how to do.

She was finally put in contact with

Mr. Bellini, who so graciously offered to drive the exhibit from New Orleans to Winnsboro for the September showing.

"I had heard about the exhibit several years ago and how parishes worked together to bring it to the people in their area," said Kramer. "I never dreamed we could have it here in Winnsboro."

Kramer said the exhibit is available for viewing in other parishes, but that scheduling and transportation of the exhibit must be arranged. The work is already done for you, all you have to have is a large area to accommodate about 25 7-foot tables or wall space to hang the 142 panels.

"This is a wonderful, beautiful exhibit that can come to any school, parish, or college campus to educate and inspire viewers about the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist," she said.

For more information, go to www.therealpresence.org or contact Kramer at kgbutler@ hotmail.com or Emily Ann McCullough, coordinator of religious education, at 318-4456424, ext 251.

challenges to their religious freedom.

"Freedom of religion is not merely the right to freedom of worship -- it's the right to live out our beliefs in the public square," he said. "On an issue of such fundamental importance, we must be vocal."

In his homily during the opening Mass, celebrated earlier that day, Orange Bishop Tod D. Brown also touched on the issue of religious liberty.

"We face a growing secularism, attacks on the value and gift of human life, attempts to redefine traditional marriage,

and serious curtailment of our religious rights," said Bishop Brown, a Knight of Columbus for 40 years. "Certainly, there is a clear and demanding need today for the new evangelization called for by Blessed John Paul II and, now, Pope Benedict XVI." These are difficult times -- just as St. Juan Diego lived in difficult times, he said. "In those tumultuous times in Mexico, Our Lady (of Guadalupe) brought a message of love and peace.

Millions of native peoples embraced Christianity in the years that followed," Bishop Brown said.

As the patroness of the Americas, and of the Knights of Columbus, Mary provides a model of how to respond to the Lord's call, a model that will be all the more important as clergy and laypeople around the world begin to respond to the call to the new evangelization.

"I'm confident," Bishop Brown said, that the Knights "will be in the front ranks of the evangelizers."

Knights of Columbus supreme convention From page 2 laugh after thanking Anderson for booking him into the honeymoon suite of the hotel where the convention took place.

He went on to say he wanted to turn his audience's attention away from "the crimson tide" of bishops and cardinals seated before them and focus instead on the Knights and their wives, and the sacrament of marriage.

"We Catholics are hopeless romantics, you know, when it comes to married love," he said, recalling something a staff member had said to him when he

was the archbishop of Milwaukee.

In striving to increase vocations to the priesthood and religious life, Jan Ruidl told him, he was not thinking along the right lines.

"The greatest vocation crisis today is to lifelong, loving, faithful, life-giving marriage," she said. "You take care of that one, and you'll have all the priests and sisters you need." "'For an increase in vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life and the sacrament of marriage' should perhaps become the new phrasing for a prayer of the faithful at every Mass," Cardinal Dolan went on, referring not to

high divorce rates -- but to low sacramental marriage rates.

Other speakers focused on the issue of religious liberty -- a hot topic at a convention with "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land" as its theme.

Pointing out that the clergy and the faithful of the United States had launched a robust defense of the fundamental right of religious freedom, Archbishop Richard W. Smith of Edmonton, Alberta, -- the newly elected president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops -- noted that their neighbors to the north are also facing many

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CHURCH TODAY

NEW PASTORS WELCOMED. After existing without a parish priest for most of 2011, the parishioners at Holy Ghost Catholic Church were happy to hear that Rev. Abraham Varghese was recently assigned as pastoral administrator of the parish. Parishioners hosted a "thanks and welcome" BBQ dinner for Father Abraham and all of the priests in Avoyelles who filled-in at Holy Ghost during the past year and to welcome all new priests who were re-assigned to new parishes in Avoyelles. Pictured are seminarian Taylor Reynolds, Fathers Scott Chemino, Silverino Kwebuza, Ramji Shoury, Dwight de Jesus, Rusty Rabalais, Abraham Varghese, Jose Pallipurath, Jose Palathara and Deacon William Daigrepont. Not pictured is Rev. Joseph Xavier.

AUGUST 20, 2012

FATHER CHRISTIAN OGBONNA, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Winnfield, celebrated his 33rd anniversary in the priesthood on July 22. Following the 10 a.m. Mass, David Chop, thanked Father Christian for his 33 years of service to the Lord and presented him with a gift. A covered dish dinner was held after Mass.

Sept. 28 Red Mass held to pray for national, local law professionals The annual Red Mass, a Mass celebrated in the Catholic Church for judges, attorneys, law school professors, students, and government officials, will be celebrated Friday, Sept. 28 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Alexandria.

The Mass will be celebrated by the Most Rev. Ronald P. Herzog, bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria; and concelebrating priests from around the diocese.

Rev. Peter B. Mangum, rector of St. John Berchmans' Cathedral in Shreveport and judicial vicar for the Diocese of Shreveport, will be the homilist.

Outdoor Rosary Every Thursday 8:15 p.m.

St. Joseph Church Marksville Join us in prayer, while we pray for God's bessing upon our families, church and nation

Rev. Peter B. Mangum

A reception will be held immediately following the Red Mass at Weems Hall located at Emmanuel Baptist Church.

The first recorded Red Mass was celebrated in the Cathedral of Paris in 1245, when it officially opened the term of the court for most European countries.

The celebrants--government officials, lawyers and judges-would proceed into a church clothed in red vestments or red

garments, signifying the fire of the Holy Spirit's guidance to all who pursue justice in their daily lives.

The first Red Mass in the US was held in 1877 at Saints Peter and Paul Church, in Detroit by Detroit College, as the University of Detroit Mercy was known at the time. UDM School of Law resumed the tradition beginning in 1912 and continues to hold it annually.

Everyone is invited to attend the Sept. 28 Red Mass at the Cathedral to pray for all branches of national and state governments and locally, for all law professionals in our area, including judges, and attorneys.

In the past, the annual Red Mass has been attended by both Catholic and non-Catholic law professionals, as well as local, district, and State Supreme Court judges.

AUGUST 20, 2012

CHURCH TODAY

PAGE 7

Similarities in Indian priests' names cause confusion for some Name that Indian Priest Match the picture with the name of the Indian priest currently serving in the Diocese of Alexandria

Rev. Antony Aelavanthara (pronounced: Ann-ton-ee Ah-luh-vhan-thar-uh) Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi, Powhatan

Rev. Jose Palathara (pronounced: Jos Pal-uh-thar-uh) Pastor, OLPS, Mansura

Rev. Jose Pallipurath (pronounced: Jos Pal -uh-puh-rath) Pastor, St. Genevieve Church, Brouillette

Rev. Bino Pallipparambil (pronounced: Bee-no Pal-uh-puh-rum-bull) Pastor, St. Louis Church, Glenmora

Rev. James Nellikunnel (pronounced: Jaimz Nell-ee-kun-nul) Pastor, St. Mary, Winnsboro

Rev. Paul Kunnumpuram (pronounced: Paul Kune-uhm-purr-ahm) Pastor, St. John the Baptist Church, Deville

Rev. George Pookkattu (pronounced: Jor-j Poo-ka-too) Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Vidalia

Petrus FEED & SEED

2914 N. Bolton Ave. • Alexandria, LA

442-2325

Answers:

Question: What do desert and dessert have in common with Father Antony Aelavanthara, Jose Palathara and Jose Pallipurath?

Answer: The pronunciation and differentiation between each seems confusing to many people.

“I am mistaken for Father Jose Palathara all the time, and vice versa,” said Father Jose Pallipurath. “Just recently some of my parishioners asked me why I didn’t tell them I was leaving (transferring to another church).

They heard that “Father Jose (Palathara) was being transferred and assumed it was me."

Father Jose Pallipurath, who usually goes by Father Jose, says he has grown accustomed to it and embraces the confusion with a sense of humor and a smile. He understands the confusion.

And, in a way, it is confusing, -- especially since there are other priests who share almost the same names and we (Americans) are not familiar with the pronounciations.

First, there’s Father Binochan Pallipparambil, pastor of St. Louis Church in Glenmora. Luckily, most people call him Father “Bino,” so there is not much confusion there, except pronouncing the last name.

Then there’s Father Antony

(not Anthony) Aelavanthara, pastor of St. Joseph in Cheneyville.

Palathara and Aelavanthara are often interchanged.

Father James Nellikunnel, pastor of St. Mary's Church in Winnsboro and Father Paul Kunnumpuram, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Deville, have not been a major part of the "confusing names" club, . . yet.

"My last name is what I give in the confessional for penance," said Father Paul. "I tell them to say my last name three times for penance," he joked.

According to Father Paul, many Indian last names can be traced to where the family house (in Kerela) was originally located. For example: Kunnumpuram means "on a hill" and Aelavanthara means "land covered with young coconuts." There are last names associated with trees, rivers, field, roads, etc.

Lucky for the fact that most priests today are referred to by their first names makes it easier to call each by name informally.

But when the last names are used, both the pronunciation and the differentiation become cloudy.

And, lucky for the other Indian priests -- Fathers Ferreolus D’Cruz, Jacob Thomas, George Pookkattu, Kurian Zachariah, Chris Nayak, and Abraham Varghese -- they have their own unique names that are rarely mistaken for any other person in the diocese. For now.

1. Rev. Bino Pallipparambil 2. Rev. Paul Kunnapuram 3. Rev. Jose Parapurath 4. Rev. James Nellikunnel 5. Rev. Antony Aelavanthara 6. Rev. Jose Palathara 7. Rev. George Pookkattu

By Jeannie Petrus CT editor

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CHURCH TODAY

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.

Seminary Burses

A Seminary Burse may be named for anyone – bishop, priest, religious, or lay person – by the original donor, and can be added to and allow to grow.

Totals from January 2012 - July 2012

A burse is completed when it reaches $15,000.00 but another burse of the same name can be started.

Monsignor B. A. Scallan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10,085.90 Monsignor Matthew J. Scanlon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .310.00 Monsignor Joseph M. Susi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,581.00 Monsignor Steve J. Testa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,200.00 Monsignor Henry A. Thompson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360.00 Monsignor John M. Timmermans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,320.00 Monsignor Martin J. Tyrrell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,150.00 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

Contributions to any of the burses or to establish a new burse should be sent to the Chancery Office, O. P. Box 7417, Alexandria, Louisiana 71306-0417.

Very Rev. Stephen Scott Chemino Chairman

Completed burses at $15,000.00 each:

• Bishop Charles P. Greco • Monsignor Thomas F. Early (3 completed) • Monsignor B. A. Scallan • Father H. Gerald Bordelon • Father Bruce Miller • Father William B. Provosty • John Gregory Simms •• Miss Mary F. Early • John Dominick Driscoll • Irvin and Elma Moreau, Harrison P. Moreau,

Michael N. Moreau, Deborah S. Moreau Bouchie, Emily A. Moreau, Tom and Mary Candiotto, Ruby Moreau The following is a list of established burses and amounts each: Bishop William Friend. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.00 Bishop Lawrence P. Graves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,805.00 Bishop Charles P. Greco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .750.00 Bishop Sam G. Jacobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,000.00 Blessed Damien De Veuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175.00 Monsignor Marcel J. Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.00 Monsignor Leon R. Aycock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,535.00 Monsignor Henry F. Beckers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,157.50 Monsignor Milburn J. Broussard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,850.00 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,500.00 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. Richie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .591.14

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25.00 Father Scott Chemino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100.00 Father Jules L. Claes, C.I.C.M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,377.50 Father Wilbur G. Cloutier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,290.50 Father Daniel Corkery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5,400.00 Father Anthony N. Cumella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,250.00 Father John H. Cunningham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250.00 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00 Father William M. Hopp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10.00 Father Mark W. Horacek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00 Father Bartholomew Ibe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50.00 Father Tom M. Jezak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360.00 Father Michael P. Kammer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,751.00 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 Jack Michalchuk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00 Father Bruce Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,100.00 Father Adrian Molenschot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,485.00 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

AUGUST 20, 2012 Father William B. Provosty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105.00 Father Yves J. Robitaille . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,900.00 Father José Robles-Sanchez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250.00 Father Kenneth J. Roy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,205.00 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 Silvin A. Waterkotte, O.F.M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160.00 Father Kenneth Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .855.00 Father Bernard L. Zagst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .875.00 Deacon Raymond J. Dunn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200.00 Deacon Charles A. Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,050.00 Seminarian Frederick Taylor Reynolds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 510.00 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,750.00 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 Angelo R. and Ena F. D’Angelo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,000.00 Leo Dobard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00 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 Dr. Sidney Reed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00 Mr. Luis R. Robles-Cortez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125.00 Mrs. Josephine G. Serio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275.00 John Gregory Simms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,275.00 Joseph T. Sims, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,475.00 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 Class of 1959 Providence Central High School . . . . . . . . 950.00 General Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .500.00

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417,268.26

AUGUST 20, 2012

CHURCH TODAY

PAGE 9

July Seminary Burses

2012 DIOCESE OF ALEXANDRIA SEMINARIANS. Seminarians from the Diocese of Alexandria who will be attending different seminaries this fall include (from left) Daniel Hart, St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, La.; Joseph Desmoine, Notre Dame in New Orleans; Brian Seiler, Pontifical Josephinum College, Columbus, Ohio; Taylor Reynolds, N.A. Pontifical College in Rome, Italy; Luke Lafleur, Pontifical Josephinum College, Columbus, Ohio; and Gus "Dutch" Voltz, Notre Dame in New Orleans. Not pictured is Dale Meade, Pontifical College Josephinum; Carlos Mario Burgos Rueda, Notre Dame, in New Orleans; and Austin Burns, Pontifical College Josephinum.

Knights of Columbus Council #9217. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10.00 Father Adrian L. Molenschot Burse Mr. and Mrs. Philip Heiman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25.00 Father Basil Burnes Burse Mr. and Mrs. Philip Heiman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25.00 Father Bartholomew Ibe Burse Mr. and Mrs. Philip Heiman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25.00 Father Jack Michalchuk Burse Deacon and Mrs. Rodrick B. Broussard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00 Monsignor Milburn Broussard Burse Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Danielson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00 Father Michael P. Kammer Burse Mr. Robert R. Hicks, Jr.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$50.00 Father Michael P. Kammer Burse Mr. and Mrs. Quinn D. McNeely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$50.00 Father Michael P. Kammer Burse Ms. Deanna B. Wright. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00 Seminarian Taylor Reynolds Burse Dr. Joseph Landreneau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Monsignor Henry Beckers Burse Mr. and Mrs. Robert O. Miller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $200.00 Father Daniel Corkery Burse Mr. and Mrs. Maurice F. Carr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$200.00 Frederick Taylor Reynolds Burse Mr. and Mrs. Edward A. Crooks, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,000.00 Father Michael P. Kammer Burse Mr. Angelo R. D’Angelo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,000.00 Angelo R. and Ena F. D’Angelo Burse Total this month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2,835.00

Sr. Ann Lacour named Congregational Leader of Marianites of Holy Cross Sr. Ann Lacour, MSC, has been named the Congregational Leader of the Marianites of Holy Cross, an international congregation. Her five-year term will begin Aug. 18, 2012.

As a Marianite, Sister Ann most recently served as one of the five MSC congregational assistants, under the direction of Sister Suellen Tennyson, MSC Congregational Leader. In August, when Sister Suellen's term ends, Sister Ann will assume the duties of Congregational Leader.

Sister Ann has served the Diocese of Alexandria, off and on, for the past 31 years. She came to the diocese in 1981, and served as director of religious education for seven years. From 1988 to 1993, she served as the director of Maryhill Renewal Center.

She returned to New Orleans in

1993 and worked for the congregation as the director of Development and the Archdiocese of New Orleans where she worked as the director of development for Catholic Charities.

When Katrina hit in 2005, she and her family lost their homes and were forced to find a new place to live. Bishop Herzog welcomed her back to the diocese and offered her a job as director of Special Services which included prison ministry, marriage prep, and safe environment.

In 2006, she was named superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Alexandria, where she worked until 2011.

That same year, she was called back to assist the congregation with administrative duties.

Most recently, her mother, Eloise Lacour passed away after a long illness.

Sister Ann Lacour, MSC the in-coming Congregational Leader for the Marianites of Holy Cross and Sister Suellen Tennyson, outgoing Congregationa Leader.

Sr. Ann Lacour will replace Sr. Suellen Tennyson as congregational leader of the Marianites.

"Transition seems to be my middle name at this point and time. I am humbled to be chosen as congregational leader," said Sister Ann. "I look forward to the many challenges that leadership in our church offers.

"Compassionate presence is a call that permeates the family of Holy Cross and I believe the Marianites strive to live that call each day. There are three Marianites currently serving in the Diocese of Alexandria and so I will return."

Sister Ann will celebrate her 45th year as a Marianite sister this year.

In the family of Holy Cross, there are four independent congregations: the Priests and Brothers of Holy Cross, the Sisters of the Holy Cross, the Marianites of Holy Cross, and the Sisters of Holy Cross.

PAGE 10

CHURCH TODAY

AUGUST 20, 2012

In Louisiana, four pro-life bills went into effect August 1 Beginning Aug. 1, the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, the Hear the Heartbeat Bill, the Criminal Abortion Dismemberment Act, and the Additional Protections Against Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide Act took effect.

The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, Louisiana Right to Life’s flagship piece of legislation, protects unborn children 20 weeks old (post-fertilization) and older based on the scientific evidence showing that the

unborn child can feel pain at 20 weeks.

Another primary piece of legislation for Louisiana Right to Life, the Hear the Heartbeat Act, requires abortion facilities to make the unborn child’s heartbeat audible for the mother at least 24 hours prior to an abortion (unless she requests and signs an opt-out form). In addition, SB 708 improves the “Ultrasound Before Abortion” law by requiring abortion facilities to place the ultrasound screen in view of the wom-

an (the woman then has the choice whether to view the ultrasound images of the unborn child).

In addition to these new laws, the Criminal Abortion Dismemberment Act creates a specific crime for performing an abortion in the state of Louisiana if the abortionist is not licensed to practice medicine in Louisiana. Finally, the Additional Protections Against Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide Act better protects the disabled and ill from euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Benjamin Clapper, executive director of Louisiana Right to Life, said the following upon these pieces of legislation going into effect, Thanks to the the Hear the Heartbeat Act, unborn children are now given a voice because their heartbeats will be heard and their ultrasound image will be more easily viewed.

Women will be empowered with these critically important aspects of their pregnancy, even in the midst of an abortion facility that has a financial interest in the

woman choosing abortion.»

"Because of the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, unborn children are now spared from the pain of abortion. We believe through a conservative estimate that 150 unborn children will be now given the gift of life.»

"Louisiana is ranked as the top pro-life state in the nation, and I commend our Senators and Representatives, our Governor, and the people of Louisiana for their support in enacting these new pro-life laws." Clapper finished.

Sept. 26- Nov. 4

40 Days for Life Campaign to be held

NELLIE GRAY DIES. Nellie Gray, a pro-life leader who founded the March for Life in 1974, died at her Washington apartment Aug. 13 at age 86. As a 28year employee of the federal government, Gray was asked by the Knights of Columbus in 1974 to help them find a speaker for a march they were planning.

Since no politician at that time wanted to assoicate themselves with pro-life, Gray volunteered herself to emcee the first march in 1974. She is pictured here in the 2009 rally. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)

Sept. 29-Oct 7

Pro-life novena for unborn babies The annual Pro-Life Novena for Unborn Babies will be held Sept. 29-Oct. 7 in church parishes and homes around the world. During this multi-national novena, Masses will be offered and Rosaries will be prayed for the protection of unborn human persons.

The St. Michael the Archangel Organization, coordinator of the events, is encouraging people to be a part of the novena by doing one or both of the following: • Have at least one Mass offered during the novena for the protection of unborn human persons.

• Pray one rosary on each day of the novena for the intention listed above.

People who wish to participate in the novena are asked to register their prayer commitment online at www.SaintMichaelThe ArchangelOrganization.org. The same organization held a similar event -- 1 Million Rosaries for Unborn Babies -- in May of this year.

More than 100,000 rosaries from more than 70 countries were prayed during the three-day event, including 24 rosaries prayed by a prayer group at an assisted living facility in Alexandria, LA.

The annual national 40 Days for Life Campaign will be held Sept. 26- Nov. 4 across all 50 of the United States, as well as, more than 14 countries.

The purpose of the campaign is to pray for an end to abortion not only nationally, but in a specific region or area.

Statistics have showed that more than 23 abortion facilities completely shut down following a local 40 Days for Life campaign.

The first 40 Days for Life campaign was conducted in Bryan/College Station, Texas in the fall of 2004. A local pro-life group prayed for an answer about how to reduce abortion in their area, and the answer God gave them was 40 Days for Life.

The campaign was put together in a matter of weeks, yet

it activated 1,000 people and led directly to a 28 percent decline in abortions in that community.

News of the victory that God led in Texas spread to other communities, and in 2005 and 2006 a half dozen other cities conducted their own 40 Days for Life campaigns.

In most states, where the campaign is held, participants pray outside an abortion clinic.

Each program was geared to the specific region, but each reported positive results.

For some, it was learning that clinics closed altogether or cut their operating hours. Other cities found an outpouring of women seeking post-abortion healing.

The first national 40 Days for Life campaign was conducted in the fall of 2007, with more than

80 cities in more than 30 states participating in a simultaneous outreach. People who had never been involved in pro-life activities came forward to answer the call.

Lives were saved, hearts were changed and people are seeing that prayer indeed can make a difference in the quest to end abortion.

To see if there is local event in your area, go to www.40daysforlife.com.

At presstime, there were no scheduled events in Louisiana, but interested persons are asked to participate by praying and fasting for an end to abortion, for conversion of those involved in the abortion industry and for healing for the many who are hurting after abortion.

AUGUST 20, 2012

CHURCH TODAY

PAGE 11

Romney chooses Catholic Paul Ryan as running mate First time ever both major parties have Catholics seeking vice presidency

By Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) -U.S. Rep. Paul Davis Ryan, whom Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney announced Aug. 11 as his running mate for the White House, is a lifelong Catholic whose children attend their parish school in Wisconsin.

Ryan's inclusion on the presumptive Republican ticket marks the first time both halves of the major party matchup will have Catholics seeking the vice presidency. Vice President Joe Biden, a Democrat, is the first Catholic to hold the post.

The last time the Republican nominee for vice president was a Catholic was in 1964, when New York Rep. William E. Miller was the running mate of Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater.

Ryan, 42, was born and raised in Janesville, Wis., where he lives with his wife, Janna, and their three children. The fifthgeneration Wisconsin native graduated from Nativity of Mary Elementary School and Joseph A. Craig, a public high school, both in Janesville.

After graduating from Miami University in Ohio in 1992 with a double major of economics and political science, Ryan began working in the Washington office

U.S. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ROMNEY STANDS WITH NEW RUNNING MATE AND THEIR FAMILIES. The Romney and Ryan families wave to the crowd after Republican U.S. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, center, introduced Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., as his vice-presidential running mate during a campaign event in Norfolk, Va., Aug. 11. Ryan, a Catholic, chairs the House Budget Committee. (CNS photo/Jason Reed, Reuters) of Sen. Bob Kasten of Wisconsin, for whom Ryan had served as an intern while in college.

Ryan first ran for public office in 1998, winning election to the 1st Congressional District seat. He has since been re-elected six times and will remain on the ballot for his congressional seat as he seeks the vice presidency.

Concurrent candidacy is allowed in Wisconsin.

Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer, a

priest of the Diocese of Madison who was pastor in Janesville for 12 years during Ryan's youth, told the Catholic Herald, the diocesan newspaper, that Ryan comes from a strong Catholic family.

Msgr. Schmelzer said he believes Ryan's Catholic faith influences his public life. "He emphasizes that our rights come from God and nature. He has a strong vision for the future," said the priest, calling Ryan "a great

gift to our country."

His father, Paul Davis Ryan, an attorney, died of a heart attack at age 55. Paul, Jr., the youngest of four children, was 16.

As chairman of the House Budget Committee, Ryan is the principal author of a Republican budget plan budget that delineates a decade-long plan to reduce spending on nonmilitary programs as a step toward reducing the country's $15

trillion deficit. The GOP budget also calls for remaking Medicare, establishing Medicaid as a block grant program for states to administer and simplifying the tax code by closing loopholes and lowering individual and corporate tax rates.

Ryan cited the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity as keys to securing a future in which everyone has the opportunity to achieve and to preserving the public safety net for those citizens who are truly in need.

The principle of subsidiarity as found in Catholic social teaching calls for decisions to be made and actions taken at the most local level possible.

Ryan's argument that the budget reflects Catholic social teaching brought criticism from some within the church, including theologians and social ministry activists. Two bishops who head committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called for a more measured approach to the budget.

The congressman cosponsored the Sanctity of Human Life Act and the Right to Life Act, which both would write into law that life begins at the moment of conception. He has voted to ban use of federal money to pay for abortion or any part of a health plan that covers abortion.

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CHURCH TODAY

PAGE 12

AUGUST 20, 2012

Students in K- high school can win a $1,000 scholarship The Radio Maria national office in New York is offering a $1,000 college scholarship to students in grades kindergarten through high school. Listeners to any Radio Maria station in the U.S. are eligible to enter the $1,000 Mustard Seed Scholarship. No forms to fill out; no purchase is necessary, just go online to enter.

A random drawing will be held Oct. 11 to identify the recipients; entries must be received by Oct. 5. The winner's school will receive a $250 grant for religious education. To enter, go to http://nye.radiomariausa. org/mustard-seed-scholarships.

For more information call Radio Maria- Alexandria (580 AM) at 318-561-6145.

Listen to Radio Maria on 580 AM, or on the Internet at radiomaria.us, or download the app to your iPhone, Blackberry, or Android at radiomaria.us.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES VBS, Fifth Ward held a Bible Schoool July 9-13, the first one in five years. Students who attended were

helped out were

OUR LADY OF LOURDES VBS, Winnfield. Twenty children participated in Vacation Bible School June 18-21 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Winnfield. Following the theme "Sowing Seeds of Love," the lessons revolved around the parable of the Sower of Seeds. On the final day, the group enjoyed water fun with two huge water slides. Thanks to all of the ladies who helped put this together.

. Volunteers who

YOUTH RETREAT AT ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI , Waterproof. The St. Mary Basilica Youth Group, from Natchez, Miss. went on a weekend retreat at St. John’s Lake and St. Francis of Assisi Church in Waterproof recently. Father Peter Kuligowski, pastor of St. Joseph Church in St. Joseph, La., and St. Francis of Assisi mission church celebrated Mass. Jennifer Combs, coordinator of the retreat said, “Thanks to Father Peter for the wonderful Mass he offered that our 25 youth group members were privileged to attend. His presence, humor, powerful message, and the way he drew in our teens was really inspiring. We all left feeling very nourished by the Mass and grateful to have been able to attend it at St. Francis.” Pictured are (front row) . R2: Father Peter Kuligowski, .

AUGUST 20, 2012

CHURCH TODAY

PAGE 13

2012 - 2013 Back to School Special Section

Extreme Makeover: School edition Sacred Heart's major renovations include gutting 64-year old school building

By Jeannie Petrus CT editor Ty Pennington would be proud of the extreme makeover accomplished recently at Sacred Heart School in Moreauville.

Since late spring of last school year, Father Marc Noel, pastor and Sister Sandra

Norsworthy, principal, have worked very hard with architect James Guillory and contractor Brent Scallan to complete the biggest renovation project in the school's 64-year history.

"Basically what we did was bring the main school building into the 21st century," said Sister Sandra.

Constructed in 1948, the main building originally housed the entire school and still relied on window air conditioning units for cooling and gas-lit heaters.

The primary goal of the renovation project was to make the building more energy efficient, while retaining the integrity and 1940s style of the building.

The main building today, houses the secretary and bookkeeper's office, three administrative offices, two classrooms each of fourth, fifth, and six grade, a teacher's lounge, and a technology classroom.

All 67 of the 64-year-old windows were removed and replaced with energy-efficient

windows and the window air conditioning units and gas lit heaters were removed and replaced with central air and heat.

"We are offering the original historical windows to the public as a keepsake of the original school," said Karen Moreau,

Workers were still sawing and hammering in the classrooms a week before school was scheduled to start.

Teachers in other parts of the school were able to work and prepare their rooms for the start of school on Aug. 20.

The cafeteria, enlarged in 2009, is ready for the start of school.

The classrooms at Sacred Heart are huge -- this one especially with the new insulated windows. The classrooms received new desks.

PAGE 14

CHURCH TODAY

AUGUST 20, 2012

Welcome to the Jungle 8 Catholic schools welcome more than 2,500 students to the 2012-2013 academic school year

By Jeannie Petrus CT editor

Sister Kalen Sarmiento, Pre-K teacher at Sacred Heart, prepares her classroom for the new school year.

Sacred Heart School renovations Continued from pg. 11 director of development for the school.

The interior walls were removed, checked for wiring hazards, and filled again with new, more efficient insulation.

The original hardwood wainscoating that lined the bottom-half of the classroom walls and offices were refinished and revarnished.

All of the original window frames, door frames and solid wood doors were also restored.

"The wood in this building is so beautiful," said Moreau. "Even though everything has been restored, refinished and painted, the school still has the look of yesteryear."

To finish off the project, the remaining rooms (copy room and main hall) received new flooring and fresh paint. New lockers were also installed for students in grades 5-6 and new bulletin boards and dry-erase boards in every classroom.

Classes were originally scheduled to start Aug. 16, but had to be postponed until Aug. 20 because the building was simply not ready.

Even a week before the Aug. 20 date, construction workers were busier than ever trying to have things ready for the opening of school.

"This project has been a labor of love," said Sister Sandra.

"It's been hard, and a project like this will drive you crazy, but when you see the final outcome, it makes you very, very proud."

The project was made possible by fundraisers and generous donors.

“We are so grateful to Msgr.

John Timmermans (former pastor of Sacred Heart for 34 years) for his generous support during this project. He loves our school and parish so much and has been so instrumental in its success over the years," said Moreau.

Other improvements include the renovation of two restrooms by volunteer men of the parish and Alfred Patton, custodian.

Sacred Heart's enrollment is expected to reach more than 404 students this year.

The wainscoting, cabinets, and window frames were all refinished and revarnished.

Thomas Roque may only have been serving as superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Alexandria only six short months, but his goals set for the 2012-13 school year are those of a seasoned educator.

Two goals

"I have set two goals for all of the Catholic Schools in our diocese for this year," he said.

"Number one is to follow the new national core curriculum and begin integrating a stronger Catholic identity of our own into it, and number two is impleting new strategies for teaching through technology."

Roque said that the Catholic schools, in essence, have long been following the national standards for core curriculum.

This is a model of education that uses specific "benchmarks" or standards of knowledge to master/ accomplish at each grade level. By implementing this nationwide, all students, in every grade, at every school in the country, should be at the same level.

"But as Catholic schools, we want our students to achieve specific "benchmarks" or standards in their Catholic education as well," he said. "We have always strived to do that, but our new goal will be to strenghten that standard or to "raise the bar" in learning more about our faith in the Catholic schools."

Roque says he plans to accomplish this by working closely with the principals and incorporating more Catholic standards into every part of the core curriculum.

In the area of technology, Roque says he wants to offer more training for the teachers to learn how to incorporate technology into every subject.

"It's not enough to just have computers in the classrom and allow students to log on to the internet," he said. "That's not what I mean when I say to use technology in the classroom."

Roque believes there is a wealth of technology tools and resources to liven up any subject, and that teachers need to be trained on how to use these new tools and resources. Roque says he plans to offer inservices, webinars, and demonstrations to the teachers to meet this goal.

State voucher program

If all goes as planned, 58 new students will be walking the halls of two Catholic schools in Alexandria this fall.

St. Frances Cabrini School has welcomed 41 new students and Holy Savior Menard has 17 new students, who were selected by the state to participate in the Louisiana State Tuition Scholarship program.

Under the scholarship program, commonly referred to as the "voucher program," the state will pay the tuition for students who attended a "C, D, or F" school last year, and who then applied to and were accepted by the state to participate in the program.

"There is a common misconception that these new students from public schools are "bad" kids," said Roque. "But nothing could be father from the truth.

"A majority of the applicants are Catholics who have been going to "C, D, or F" schools and wanted to go to Catholic schools,

PRESS BOX AT MENARD BASEBALL FIELD was completed this summer by parent volunteers. The school also began construction of new batting cages, which are expected to be completed soon after school starts.

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AUGUST 20, 2012

CHURCH TODAY

PAGE 15

Child Nutrition Office strives to offer healthy food choices

3 YEAR OLDS AT ST. MARY'S ASSUMPTION, Cottonport. Despite a few tears in the morning, the first day of school for these 3-year-olds at St. Mary's School in Cottonport was a day of fun and meeting new friends. but were unable to afford it," he said. "There are also nonCatholics who will be attending and I see this as an opportunity to expose them to the Catholic faith."

Roque met with the parents and students of all of the new "scholarship" students Aug. 8 to explain to them the uniform policy, disicipline standards, and to meet the faculty and staff.

"I told them, under no uncertain terms, that everyone at our schools follow the same rules and suffer the same consequences.

Anyone who does not follow the rules, will be suspended and/or expelled, if it comes to that."

Roque said he was impressed with the families who attended the meeting. "The parents are happy to have their kids attend a Catholic school, where they feel the kids will be treated fairly and will be safe."

Roque said he is optimistic about the new venture and does not anticipant any problems that can't be easily handled.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor. Removed the temporary building that housed the library for the past three years and moved the library back to its original location in the main hallway. Moved the two 4th grade classrooms that were located there, farther down the hall and gutted and renovated the third grade restroom. Painted two classrooms.

St. Mary's Assumption.

Painted, pressure-washed, and repaired some AC units.

Switched two classrooms due to class sizes and space. Refinished the floors in the main building.

Purchased new tables and chairs for kindergarten and purchased a Smartboard for Religion classroom.

St. Frances Cabrini.

Painted the exterior of the

school; stripped and waxed all the classrooms, cafeteria, and Activities Building; and painted some of the classrooms.

Opened three more classrooms in anticipation of the new Louisiana Scholarship students.

St. Anthony. Renovated the library with new hardwood floors and fresh paint. Installed new study cubbies, computer carrels, and a circulation desk. Updated shelving and added new books and magazines to enhance the existing collection.

Holy Savior Menard.

Removed the hallway doors to the gym, constructed a pressbox and batting cages for the baseball field. Plans are underway to revamp the publications lab and to transform the library into a more technology savvy media center.

School improvements Most schools in the diocese spent the summer months cleaning, painting, and remodeling their campus.

In addition to the major renovations at Sacred Heart School, other school improvements this summer included:

St. Frances Cabrini School had a 1 mile / 5 K on the campus of Louisiana College on August 11. The event kicked off the new school year school supplies were collected for donation to the Shepherd Center.

Grab-n-Go Lunches For the first time, a new Grabn-Go lunch will be available to students at Holy Savior Menard High School this fall.

Grab-n-Go lunches may be the answer for students who have something they want to work on during lunch (homework, study, etc) or for students who may even want to just eat outside.

For the same price as the regular school lunch, a student can "scan the hand" and pick up a bagged lunch on the go -- all in a minute or less.

Each Grab-n-Go lunch is pre-packaged and includes the following: Monday-Wednesday-Fridays • Hamburger • Baked fries • Fresh fruit/Salad bar • Choice of milk Tuesdays-Thursdays • Pizza • Baked fries • Fresh fruit/Salad bar • Choice of milk Every Day of the Week • Fresh fruit/Salad bar • Crackers • Choice of milk Regular Lunch Program The Catholic School Child Nutrition office continues to offer healthy lunch food choices that conform to the federal government's new nutrition standards. Daily menus include a serving of fruit, vegetables, protein, whole grain, and choice of milk.

The prices for lunch have not changed since last year. Price are: PK-6th $2.50 7th-12th 2.75 Reduced .40 (all grades) Teachers 3.50 At cost 4.00

Breakfast Program Once again this year, the breakfast program will be available to all Catholic schools in the diocese, except Holy Savior Menard and St. Mary's in Natchitoches.

Each breakfast includes an entre, a fruit or juice, and choice of milk. Prices for the 2012-13 school year are: PK-12th $1.25 Reduced .25 (all grades) Teachers 2.00 At cost 2.50 How to Pay for Lunch The best way to pay for lunch is by the month using payment coupons.

• Payment Coupons. A book of nine coupons for the months of August-April are available. Pay a monthly rate of: PK-6 $49.45 7-12 54.35 Reduced 7.80 Send a check with the monthly coupon attached and send it to school with your child.

• Cash. A student or teacher can pay cash daily for lunch.

Menus Beginning this fall, the lunch and breakfast monthly cycles of menus will be posted online at www.diocesealex.org/ schoolnutrition

CHURCH TODAY

PAGE 16

AUGUST 20, 2012

Singing with George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty From singer to secretary, Bert Thibodeaux follows her faith and family

By Jeannie Petrus CT editor Most people around the diocese know Bert Thibodeaux as the quick-witted "rascal" of a secretary at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Winnfield.

"She can respond with some quick-witted come-back, faster than any person I know," said Father Christian Ogbonna, pastor of OL Lourdes. "She's a very dear person."

But what most people don't know about Bert is her more than 30-year career as a country singer who sang with big names like George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, Pat Boone, Hank Snow, and Ernest Tubbs.

So how did a charming Southern country singer end up singing church hymns in a small Winnfield Catholic Church?

"My faith and my family," she said. "I have followed my heart and my faith all of my life and this is where it has brought me," she said. "I am happy where God has led me."

It all started in Boone County, Kentucky, where she was one of 10 children. She loved singing and always sang loud and robust at Sunday Mass and in the church choir. Her mom played the organ and her dad played the harmonica.

She remembers getting on the floor with her brother, to pump the pedals of the organ, while her mama played.

At age 5, she went with her family to Renfro Valley Music Hall, a place similar to Louisiana Hayride, where upand-coming new country music stars performed.

"At the end of the show, one of the performers invited me on to the stage, where he placed me on a nail keg so people could see me," she said. "I forgot what I sang, but after that I was hooked.

I knew I wanted to sing."

At age 16, she got married and graduated from high school, and in that order. Her plans at the time were to live a simple married life, but her father would have none of that.

"You are going to college," he

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1. You Closed the Door

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MAKING A RECORD AND THE COVER OF TV GUIDE. Ms Bert's only record on the Big Howdy label had two songs: "You Closed the Door" and "You've Made Me Everything." Her recording name was "Bert James." In 1972, she made the cover of the Lafayette TV Guide.

TOURING WITH ERNEST TUBBS. Bert Thibodeaux, secretary at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Winnfield, poses with her husband Allen (left) and Ernest Tubbs, a well-known country music star of the 50s and 60s. Thibodeaux, a country singer in her day, opened for Tubbs on one of his 6 month tours.

said. So Bert went to school and earned a degree in accounting.

When her young husband suddenly died of a heart attack, Bert became a single mother, but with an accounting degree.

She had to put her music aside to support herself and her son, so she moved to the Bahamas to work as an accountant for an oil company.

She made good, tax-free money, but after only a few years, that job ended and she was out of work again.

"I asked my 12-year-old son where he wanted to move and he said 'New Orleans!" He thought

New Orleans was a state," she said.

New Orleans was a great move for her on several levels.

"I got a job at an oil company only three days after I arrived, I was excited about the music opportunities in New Orleans, and I met my second husband, Allen Thibodeaux, the love of my life," she said.

One day while driving with Allen through New Orleans, Bert saw a tour bus with the name, 'Kenny Price' on it.

"I told Allen to stop the car!" she said.

Bert knocked on the tour bus and yelled through the door, "Anybody on this bus from Boone County, Kentucky?"

A guy from the back of the bus yelled out, "Bert, is that you?

Kenny Price was a schoolmate friend of Bert's from Boone County. He was working his way up the country music charts and was a regular on HeeHaw, a popular country music show in the 70s.

From that moment on, Bert picked up her guitar again and started singing again hanging out with her new-found country music friend Kenny Price. It wasn't long before she and Allen were running around in all of the country music circles of friends

AUGUST 20, 2012

CHURCH TODAY

STILL SINGING. Bert Thibodeaux and Father Christian Ogbonna, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Winnfield, practice a song on the church organ.

Ms. Bert enjoys singing at Mass every Sunday. and singing in local night clubs.

One night, while at a George Jones concert, he knew Bert was

in the audience and invited her on the stage to sing with him.

"He said, 'I heard you singing

at the Bourbon Barrel last night in Lafayette. Come up here and sing a song with me.'"

So Bert did. The next few nights, her band was the opening act for his concert.

Another time before a Conway Twitty concert, Bert just walked backstage to see the country star.

"I've never been a shy person and I knew that we knew a lot of the same people, so I just went backstage and introduced myself," she said. "He was very nice and he, too, invited me on stage that night to sing with him."

Through the next 30 years, Bert, her husband Allen, her son Dale, and her country music band, travelled the roads singing at places and rubbing elbows with many of the popular country singers of the day.

She sang with Loretta Lynn and stayed at her home in Nashville several times over the years, and spent six months touring with Ernest Tubbs.

"Loretta Lynn promoted my career probably more than I did," she said. "She told everybody about me every chance she got.

She was a very good friend."

Bert concludes that the country music years travelling around with Allen and her son were the 'best years" of her life.

"We loved that life of travelling and singing," she said.

But being the Louisiana man that he was, Allen longed for the quiet, simple life of Louisiana living. He bought several acres of land in Winnfield, Louisiana where he could hunt and be by

PAGE 17

FROM SINGER TO SECRETARY. At age 83, Ms. Bert doesn't see much of her country music friends anymore, but she volunteers three days a week as the church secretary at OLL, Winnfield. She can e-mail, burn a CD, and download a song faster than most 10-year-olds. himself.

"We called it the 'retreat house" and Allen loved to come here and unwind, and enjoy the quiet life in the woods," she said.

"I came with him sometimes, but most of the time, he liked to come here by himself and get 'renewed."

It wasn't until Allen passed away in 1992, after 37 years of marriage, that Bert realized the value of the quiet life in Winnfield.

"I came to Winnfield in 1992 to decide what to do with this property out here -- sell it or keep it. After staying at the retreat house a few weeks, I understood the sense of peace that Allen felt when he stayed here. I felt God

was calling me here to a new life he had planned for me," she said.

Bert and her married son and his family all decided to move to Winnfield. She said she had everything she needed here -- peace, quiet, her son and his family, and a good Catholic Church nearby.

At age 83, Bert doesn't see much of her country music friends any more. She had a postcard from Loretta Lynn from several years ago that she mistakenly threw out in the garbage just recently.

She works in the church office three days a week, keeping the books for Father Christian and handling some of the correspondence through e-mails.

She's a wiz on the computer and can e-mail, burn a CD, and download a song faster than most 10-year-olds.

She keeps her buddy list entertained throughout the day with her humorous e-mail jokes and quips she sends out.

She's also thinking about getting back into the sewing and embroidery business she had in Winnfield many years ago before it burned.

But for now, the highlight of her week is singing at Mass with her family in a small town -- kind of like where she started years ago in Boone County, Kentucky.

Visit our website: www.diocesealex.org

PAGE 18

CHURCH TODAY

AUGUST 20, 2012

Sacred Music Graham Bateman is new director of Immigration Center Justin Ward is new music director at SFX Cathedral Graham Bateman has been named the new director of the Central Louisiana Interfaith Immigration Center.

As director of the Immigration Center, Ms. Bateman will assist immigrants in the area, with a variety of legal issues such as naturalization, employment authorization, official translations, English as a second language, family-based immigration, status adjustment, and other legal work.

Bateman, a native of Louisiana, is a 25-year attorney who served as a law clerk in the Michigan Court of Appeals for five years and as a senior law clerk in the Michigan Supreme Court for 11 years. She returned to Louisiana in 2007, where she has served as a law clerk for Judge Jimmie C. Peters in the Louisiana 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal. Concurrently, she served as an adjunct professor at the LSU School of Law from 2010-11.

She is fluent in Spanish. Her experience with the Hispanic community includes serving as an exchange student in Costa Rica for a summer, serving as a medical interpreter in a Monroe, La hospital, traveling through Ecuador, walking the Camino de Santiago as

Graham Bateman a pilgrim, celebrating Easter in Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras, and joining a Trinity Episcopal Church mission trip in Copan Ruinas, Honduras.

Bateman is a member of St. James Episcopal Church.

The Immigration Center opened June 28, 2010 when the federal Board of Immigration Appeals granted recognition to the Central Louisiana Interfaith Immigration Center and granted accreditation to practice immigration law with the Department of Homeland Security. The Center is a collaborative effort of the Northern and Central Louisiana Interfaith Cluster, the Catholic Diocese of Alexandria, the Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana, and the Alexandria District of the United Methodist Church.

Rev. James Ferguson, rector of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, has named Justin Ward as the new director of music.

Justin has a degree in church music with an emphasis in organ, and a master's degree in sacred music (choral conducting) both from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. Prior to coming to the Cathedral, Ward was part of the music staff of EWTN, where he played the music and conducted choirs for the live Masses on EWTN. After EWTN, Ward spent the past four years at St. John Berchman's Cathedral in Shreveport as director of sacred music.

As director of music at the Cathedral, Ward will primarily be resposible for playing the organ at all weekend and any special Masses at the Cathedral. He will also direct the adult choir, which sings at the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Masses on Sunday; and the youth choir.

Ward said he plans to divide the youth choir this year into two groups: the St. Nicholas choir, for grades 2-6; and the St. Gregory choir, for grades 7-12.

"There is such a wide range of vocal maturity in that one large group," he said. "I think the quality of the program can

be more effective by splitting the two groups."

Choir rehearsals for all of the choirs are held on Wednesdays (for now): St. Nicholas Choir from 3:30 -4:30 p.m.; St. Gregory Choir from 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.; and adult choir from 7-8:30 p.m.

Ward is also involved in the current renovation project of the old convent at the Cathedral.

The second floor of the covent

will soon house the entire music department including a large choir practice room, office space, storage for robes and other music equipment, and a music library.

"I'm very excited for the opportunity to serve at the Cathedral in the Diocese of Alexandria," he said. "Anyone is invited to be a part of our choirs by joining us on Wednesdays for choir rehearsal."

JUSTIN WARD is the new director of music at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral.

PAGE 19 CHURCH TODAY 163 couples celebrate milestone wedding anniversaries AUGUST 20, 2012

60 Years or More Percy and Denise Roy Charles J. and Helen Simon John and Bonnie Clarius Houston and Lucille Dunn Joe and Constance Nasello Mandell and Pearl Riviere James and Elaine Saucier Artis and Verla White Roger and Jean Reed Robert and Jean Ball, Jr. August and Eschol Bruyninckx Lambert and Bertha Vel Coco James C. and Billie V. Delrie Lucien and Peggy Laborde Jacob and Marilyn Bordelon Ives L. and Ruth Cargle Ignatius and Betty Lemoine Paul and Grace Johnson Alge and Helen Schexnaider Hubert and Mable Bordelon Ryan I. and Kathleen Gauthier Stanley and Lou Gisclair Nemour & Jeanette Lawrence Roy and Betty Leblanc, Sr. Eudore and Alice Arsenault Sherman and Patricia Cook Loyd and Madelyn Gaspar Allen and Jerayne Jeansonne Gerald & Mary Robichaux, Sr. Troy and Edwina DeRamus Bert and Bertha Bordelon Charles and Gertrude Caletka Luke and Barbra Difulco Perry A. and Myra Ducote Felix and Cecile Monette Donald and Janet Normand Joseph and Louise Oats Raymond and Joan Rachall Howard and Jeanie Shores Charles and Kathryn Wallace 50 Years Leon and Ada Bergeron Norman A. and Nita Baudoin Willard and Linda Brown John A. and Patricia Butler Clarence and Linda Connella Glen H. and Jill Curtis Ewell John and Linda Gaspard Rev. Mr. Ray and Phyllis Gibson Leon and Kate Jeansonne

70 70 68 66 66 66 66 66 65 64 64 64 64 64 63 63 63 63 63 62 62 62 62 62 61 61 61 61 62 62 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60

Roger and Sylvia Jeansonne Vernon R. and Cecilia Mathews Raymond and Audrey Monette Alvin and Jean Moreau Charles and Lynda Partridge Wayne and Edna Smith Rivers and Marilyn Ruth Wilson 40 Years Stephen M. and Irma Andress Todd M. and Colleen Armand J. C. and Karen Barbin Richard and Judi Baker Adris and Lanette Bandy Hulen and Mary Benoit Emeric and Peggy Bordelon Randy and Mollie Bordelon Kenneth and Vicki Brossett Jerry and Debbie Brown Johnny and Shela Byone Chris and Barbara Cancienne Kent and Janeva Coco Dale and Gloria Couvillion Ted and Catherine Couvillion Wayne T. and Karen Descant Thomas and Shirley Delphin John and Linda Duplan III Larry and Ann Elders James and Charlene Flynn Kevin and Angela Friloux Larry and Ramona Foster Etifanio and Pauline Greco Ronald and Elaine Haworth

Dave and Dona Haywood Kelly and Elaine Jouette Paul A. and Mary Ellen Laborde Doug and Pat Lacour Gerald and Janice Lachney Duane and Connie Lacour Gerald Simon and Jannie Lacour Johnny and Rebecca Marien Alvin Lee and Diane Martin Louis and Beverly Metoyer Danny and Julie Moreau Donald and Roxanne Morvant Roger Dale and Verlena Normand Kirby and Linda Parker Michael and Cleta Perry Fulton and Pam Rabalais Mike M. and Mary Rabb Lee A. and Mavis Richardel James and Josephine Richardson Ervin and Audrey Riche Paul and Mona Robertson Stanley and Teresa Roque Roderic W. and Becky Rozas David and Anita Ryland Jimmie P. and Mary Sanchez K. Michael and Marlene M. Sawrie James and Elda Schoolcraft Tommy and Evelyn Simon, Sr. Michael and Gayle Thevenot Robert G. and Marie Weeks, Jr. 30 Years John R. and Lauren Berry, Jr. Buddy Ray and Dana Bordelon

Clark and Dianne Bordelon Keith and Denise Bordelon David and Lisa Bouchie Bill and Beth Carstens Charles and Pamela Clayton Hurley and Cynthia Deville Larry and Diana Deville Darrell and Charlotte Dubroc Lonnie and Sandra Dunn Rodney and Pam Feazell Michael and Billie Flynn Daniel and Patricia Jarrell Gary and Susan Lachney Kevin and Karan Lemoine James Lester and Elizabeth Metoyer John P. and Laura Murchison Paul A. and Patricia Newton Phillip and Cynthia Parr Christopher and Marie Perkins Dorville and Tami Robichaux Gary and Fran Swain Louis Wade and Regina Swart Richard and Mary Tompkins Clinton and Suzanne Vegas Kent and Cindy Wakeley 25 Years John E. and Donna H. Ackel Tom and Cindy Bouchie Hunter and Sharon Bradford Danny and Monica Campbell John and Sharon Chenevert L. G. and Sherry Deloach Duane and Lisa Deshautelle Dennis and Marie Ducote Keith and Joni Duplantis Ted and Christine Gaspard Dewitt and Kimberly Gilchrist Bruce and Sharon Graham Wade and Jackie Hickman Chad and Jan Joffrion Jeffrey and Karen Lachney Jack R. and Kathy Marien Alfred and Judy Mathews, Jr. Paul and Donna Mayeux Silton and Bridget Metoyer, Jr. James and Natalie Montgomery Richard and Merrilyn Norem Ebbin and Michelle Norris, Jr. William and Josephine Phillips, Jr. Randall and Norma Rhame David and Janet Walker Fred and Analisa Washington

Reach Your Catholic neighbors directly.

Advertise in the Church Today Call 318-445-6424 x 264

CHURCH TODAY

PAGE 20

AUGUST 20, 2012

American Bible Challenge: where Jesus meets Jeff Foxworthy New Bible trivia game show to premiere Aug. 23 on GSN The show will test contestant’s knowledge of the bible that is relevant to current pop culture.

Questions will come from current, as well as historical, references in the world’s oldest and best-selling book. The teams will use their knowledge of Bible trivia to win money for a charitable organization or ministry.

“It’s just cool seeing people come and, within the course of an hour, win money to change somebody else’s life,” said Foxworthy during a promotional interview of the game show.

The American Bible Challenge was created by executive producers Michael Davies of Embassy Row (“The Newlywed Game,” “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”) and Tom Forman (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”) who wanted to see America’s passion for knowledge of the Bible portrayed on television. Nick Stuart and Maura Dunbar of Odyssey Networks are consulting producers.

Consult your local cable provider for the GSN channel.

Test Your Bible IQ In what book can you find the story of Noah? a. Genesis b. Exodus c. Jeremiah

Who were the Israelites? a. people from the country Israel b. descendants of Jacob c. sons of Isaiah Answers: 1-A, 2-B

Is America ready to get their Bible lessons from Jeff Foxworthy, king of the redneck joke? It’s about to become reality as Game Show Network has released the first look at its original game show “The American Bible Challenge.”

The American Bible Challenge, a one-hour game show on GSN (Game Show Network) will premiere Thursday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. Television personality, Jeff Foxworthy hosts the show in which faith-filled players compete to demonstrate their superior knowledge of scripture.

The tournament starts with 18 three-person teams—three teams in each of the first six episodes. Each team is playing for a charitable organization. The winning teams from each of those six episodes will advance to play in two semi-final games. During the final round, one team will be named champions of The American Bible Challenge.

Catholic Wedding

The

A complete guide for planning your Catholic wedding!

Advertising space available now!

Imagine having your ad placed in the hands of every young couple planning a Catholic wedding in 13 Central Louisiana parishes for the next 3-5 years! If you offer wedding products or services, you don’t want to miss this opportunity to be part of the Diocese of Alexandria’s comprehensive 72-page, full color, glossy 8.5 X 11 wedding guide that will be distributed free to every Catholic couple planning a wedding.

Want more information? Email: joanferguson@diocesealex.org or

call (318) 445-6424, ext. 264 to request an advertisers packet.

Hurry! Ad space will fill up quickly!

THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE, GSN'S new game show, will premiere August 23. The one-hour program is a Bible quiz show.

AUGUST 20, 2012

CHURCH TODAY

PAGE 21

Hope Springs looks at rekindling attraction in a routine marriage

By John Mulderig Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) -Although fundamentally moral, "Hope Springs" (Columbia) -- a skillful mix of comedy and drama that focuses on the problems of one long-married couple -- is also significantly flawed.

Primarily, that's because the frankness with which director David Frankel's film approaches marital intimacy veers, at times, into intrusiveness. Additionally, in keeping with the under-refined values of contemporary society, his picture implies that virtually all methods of obtaining sexual gratification -- at least between married partners -- are acceptable.

Still, a resounding promarriage message undergirds the proceedings as aging Omaha, Neb., suburbanites Kay (Meryl Streep) and Arnold Soames (Tommy Lee Jones) work to rekindle their spark. Worn down by routine after three decades together, they've gradually grown physically and emotionally distant, occupying separate rooms at night and hardly exchanging a word during the day.

While grumpy Arnold seems resigned to this fate, feisty Kay is unwilling to give up so easily. So, at her insistence, the pair sets off to Maine for a week of intensive

MOVIE

REVIEW Now Playing at

Grand 14 Theatre Alexandria

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (PG) • Hope Springs (PG-13 • Ice Age 4: Continental Drife (PG) • Madea"s Witness Protection (PG-13) • Paranorman in 3D (PG) • Sparkle (PG-13) • Step Up Revolution (PG-13) • The Bourne Legacy (PG-13) • The Dark Knight Rises (PG-13) • The Odd Life of Timothy Green (PG) • Total Recall (PG-13) HOPE SPRINGS. Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones star in a scene from the movie "Hope Springs," a skillful mix of comedy and drama that focuses on the problems of one long-married couple. Worn down by routine after three decades together, they've gradually grown physically and emotionally distant and seek therapy with marriage counselor and self-help author Dr. Bernard Feld (Steve Carell). (CNS photo/Columbia)

• Expendables 2 (R) • Ted (R) • The Campaign (R)

therapy with marriage counselor and self-help author Dr. Bernard Feld (Steve Carell).

Even discussing their personal problems -- much less solving them -- proves a challenge for the buttoned-up duo. Much of the humor plays off the contrast between their verbal and

bedroom narrows the appropriate audience for this keenly observed study. Only mature moviegoers well formed in faith and morals will be up to the task of gleaning its virtues from its failings.

The film contains considerable sexual content, including semigraphic scenes of marital lovemaking and masturbation; pervasive references to sexuality; a benign view of aberrant sex acts; about a half-dozen uses of profanity; and at least one crude and a few crass terms.

behavioral inhibitions and Feld's unflappable straightforwardness on any and all subjects.

Yet, as he peers into every aspect of their history, as well as their unfulfilled desires and fantasies, viewers need not be puritans to share in Kay and Arnold's discomfiture. And things

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go from bad to worse when we're subjected to a brief but unseemly scene in which Kay resorts to a sinful alternative to the physical union she and Arnold no longer share. While her act is portrayed as a pathetic symptom of desperation, this interlude marks the movie's low point of unnecessary immodesty.

Thus, while "Hope Springs" celebrates determined fidelity, and finds its leads in top form, the proportion of screenwriter Vanessa Taylor's script devoted to talk about, or activity in, the

PAGE 22

CHURCH TODAY

Life in the Spirit Seminar A Life in the Spirit Seminar will be held Saturday, August 25, from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., at Sts. Francis and Anne's Church hall located at 143 Booner Miller Road in Kolin.

Please bring a brown bag lunch. Drinks and desserts will be provided. The seminar is a tool to re-evangelize His people and help them make a renewed commitment to the Lord allowing them to experience a fuller life in the Spirit.

The seminar is free and open to the public. To register, call Diane at 318-419-1547 or Jo at 318-442-0584.

Retrouvaille

A Lifeline for Marriage -- Retrouvaille (pronounced retr-vi, with a long i) helps couples through difficult times in their marriages. It is designed to provide the tools to help get your marriage back on track. It will give you the opportunity to rediscover each other and examine your lives together in a new and positive way.

This program has helped 10s of 1000s of couples experiencing marital difficulties at all levels, including disillusionment and deep misery.

For confidential information or to register for the Retrovaille of Acadiana August program, which begins with the weekend of August 24-26, call 800-470-2230 or visit the website at www.HelpOur Marriage.com.

Catholic Homeschooling The Divine Providence Catholic Homeschool group will be meeting at the splash pad at City Park on Friday, Aug. 24 from 12 noon - 2 p.m. Anyone homeschooling or interested in learning more about homeschooling is invited to attend. Bring a picnic lunch and meet us for an afternoon of fun and fellowship. We will continue to meet on the first and third Friday of every month for events and field trips of interest to children of all ages. Please contact Sandra West (westpack@bellsoulth.net) or Jenny Hamilton (jennyhamilton517@hotmail.com) for more information.

Natural Family Planning You are invited to attend the fall series of Natural Family Planning classes teaching the Sympto-Thermal Method.

Classes are on the Saturdays of Sept. 15, Oct. 13, & Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. - noon. There is a one-time fee of $135. Must attend all 3 classes to complete the course.

Fee includes student guidebook, fertility tracking chart, basal body thermometer, "Fertility, Cycles, & Nutrition" book, one year subscription to the award-winning Family Foundations magazine, & one year membership to the Couple to Couple League. Natural Family Planning is 100% safe, natural, and morally acceptable to

VirtusTraining • Tuesday, Sept. 11, 6 p.m., St. Joseph Catholic Center, Alexandria To pre-register, attendees should go to www.virtus.org and click on Registration to begin the registration process. For more information, call 445-6424, ext. 213

AUGUST 20, 2012

DIOCESAN

BRIEFS postpone or achieve pregnancy. Register at www.ccli. org or contact Michael & Leah Pelto at 318-640-8678 or michaelandleah@suddenlink.net

St. Mary's Summer Lunch St. Mary’s Assumption Catholic Church will host a summer lunch extravaganza on Sunday, Aug. 26 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. The dinner includes chicken fricasse with white rice, potato salad, coleslaw, and a roll. Cokes and homemade cakes will be available for sale. Dine in or pick up. A $1 cash raffle will also be held to win $200, $100, $50. Tickets are available at Poret’s Pharmacy (318-876-2104), St. Mary’s Rectory (318-876-3681), or Margaret Ducote (318-359-5335)

Two Sisters from St. Elisabeth Convent, located in Minsk, Belarus, display some religious items made at the convent, while Father Remi Owuamanam, pastor of St. James and Juliana does some shopping. The sisters sell the items to support their mission of helping children with disabilities and learning difficulties.

KC Golf Tournament

Celebration of Life Dinner

The Knights of Columbus Council # 13296 will sponsor a golf tournament on Friday, Sept. 14 at the Links on the Bayou. Four-man scramble, $100 per person, and Tunks Restaurant will be feeding us. Anyone interested in getting a team and playing, contact Kenneth Antee at 318-4874869 or 318-446-4396 or at: kantee2558@aol.com.

The Women's Resource Center (a pregnancy help medical clinic) in Natchitoches, will host its annual Celebration of Life Fundraising Gala on Thursday, Sept. 27 at the Natchitoches Events Center. The event begins at 5:45 p.m. with a meet & greet with hors d'oeuvres followed by the program that starts at 6:30 p.m. Carey Casey, CEO of the National Center for Fathering, will be the guest speaker.

Casey played in the 1971 Virginia State Championship football game -- the game later dramatized in the awardwinning movie, Remember the Titans.

Beginning Experience Widowed, separated or divorced? Don’t know where to turn? Struggling with grief or loss? Beginning Experience is registering now for a weekend away toward a lifetime of change at Maryhill Renewal Center in Pineville for Sept.

14 - 16. Program helps grieving single-again persons emerge from the darkness of grief into the light of a new beginning, and move into the future with renewed hope.

Cost is $185 which includes two nights' lodging and meals. To register or for more information, call Anna at (318) 452-2678 or Rose at (504) 920-0770.

Miracles of the Eucharist Exhibit Miracles of the Eucharist Exhibit will be open at St. Mary's Church in Winnsboro on Sundays, Sept. 16 and Sept. 23 from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. with the exhibit in the church hall and Eucharistic adoration in the sanctuary. The exhibit will also be open Saturday, Sept. 22 from 12 noon - 4 p.m.

The exhibit consists of 126-Vatican approved Eucharistic miracles that are explained on 142 beautiful, large posters and maps. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Red Mass The annual Red Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral on Friday, Sept. 28, at 9:30 a.m. Any law professional is invited to participate in the Mass. Everyone is invited to attend the Sept. 28 Red Mass at the Cathedral to pray for the U.S. Supreme Court justices and locally, for all law professionals in our area, including judges and attorneys.

Cooking for the King dinner St. Mary’s Assumption Catholic Church in Cottonport, will host the annual Cooking for the King dinner, on Saturday, Sept 29 beginning with a 6 p.m. floral design exhibit and a silent auction, followed by the dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person. For more information, contact Cindy at 337-257-9992 or Adrienne at 318-3055820.

CHURCH TODAY

AUGUST 20, 2012

PAGE 23

August -- September Monday

Tuesday

20

Wednesday

21

22

Thursday

Friday

23

American Bible Challenge premieres on GSN TV 7:00 p.m.

Saturday

24

Catholic Homeschooling Playdate Noon-2:00 p.m.

City Park, Alexandria

Sunday

25

Life in the Spirit Seminar 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Sts. Francis & Anne Kolin

26

St. Mary's Lunch Extravaganza 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Cottonport

Retrouvaille -- Lafayette PRAY FOR FR. M. NOEL

27

PRAY FOR FR. J. O'BRIEN

28

PRAY FOR FR. D. O'CONNOR

29

PRAY FOR FR. K. OBIEKWE

30

PRAY FOR FR. C. OGBONNA

31

PRAY FOR FR. R. OWUAMANAM

PRAY FOR FR. J. PALATHARA

1

2

SEPTEMBER

FIRST SATURDAY PRAY FOR FR. H. IMAMSHAH

PRAY FOR FR. B. PALLIPARAMBIL

3

4

PRAY FOR FR. J. PALLIPURATH

PRAY FOR FR. J. PARDUE

5

6

LABOR DAY PRAY FOR FR. M. LAIRD

10

PRAY FOR FR. C. PARTAIN

PRAY FOR BISHOP R. HERZOG

7

PRAY FOR FR. T. PAUL

8

9

FIRST FRIDAY PRAY FOR FR. G. POOKKATTU

11

VIRTUS Training 6:00 p.m.

St. Joseph Catholic Center, Alexandria

PRAY FOR FR. R. RABALAIS

12

PRAY FOR FR. C. RAY

13

PRAY FOR FR. J. RETNAZIHAMONI PRAY FOR FR. J. ROBLES-SANCHEZ

14

Knights of Columbus Golf Tournament Links on the Bayou, Alexandria

15

Natural Family Planning 10:00 a.m.-12 noon

CHRISTIS Cabrini Cancer Center "Threads" fundraiser 5:00 p.m.

PRAY FOR FR. E. RODRIGUEZ

16

Miracles of the Eucharist Exhibit 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

St. Mary's Church, Winnsboro

Beginning Experience -- Maryhill Renewal Center PRAY FOR FR. J. ROY

17

PRAY FOR FR. I. ST. ROMAIN

PRAY FOR FR. J. RYAN

18

PRAY FOR MSGR. S. TESTA

PRAY FOR FR. C. SCOTT

19

PRAY FOR FR. K. TEXADA

PRAY FOR FR. R. SHOURY

20

PRAY FOR FR. J. THOMAS

PRAY FOR FR. P. SIERRA

21

PRAY FOR FR. A. THOMPSON

PRAY FOR FR. L. SKLAR

22

PRAY FOR FR. S. SOARES

23

Miracles of the Eucharist Exhibit 12 noon-4:00 p.m.

St. Mary's Church, Winnsboro

Miracles of the Eucharist Exhibit 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

St. Mary's Church, Winnsboro

PRAY FOR FR. J. TIMMERMANS

PRAY FOR FR. A. TRAVIS