April 21 - The Catholic Commentator

Transcription

April 21, 2010
VOLUME 47 • NO. 5
TWO SECTIONS
inside
Serving the Diocese of Baton Rouge Since 1962
www.diobr.org/tcc
Another Perspective
4
Family Life
5
Spirituality
7
Our Catholic Community8
Youth
12
Entertainment
14
Viewpoint
16
Prayers for Priests, Deacons
and Religious Women
and Men
17
Coming Events
18
Classified Ads
18
Priest
assigned
to
Maronite
Community
page 2
Bishop Muench
makes known
allegation against
Fr. Duhé page 3
Two North Baton
Rouge Catholic
schools to merge page 10
FIGHT THE BLUR – Members of the Diocesan Youth Band and Youth Board play music for young Catholics attending
the Diocesan Junior High Rally on Friday, April 16 at the Catholic Life Center. The rally took a light-hearted approach to
encouraging youth to focus on Christ. For story and pictures, see page 11. Photo by Debbie Shelley
LCCB addresses variety of issues
in current legislative session
by
Archbishop
William D.
Borders dies
at 96 page 19
Special Section
Laura Deavers
Editor
Hearing “There is no money” over and over again at
the State Legislature, Danny
Loar, Louisiana Conference
of Catholic Bishops (LCCB)
executive director, carefully
chooses the legislative matters
he will lobby for or against
during this current legislative
session.
The shortage of money for
state programs has caused a
lot of tension in the capital,
said Loar as he talked about
the bills the LCCB is following.
“So many groups are being
hurt: health care, the handicapped, the elderly. These are
tough times.”
Loar and Rob Tasman,
LCCB associate director, have
been meeting in the archdiocese and each of the six
Louisiana dioceses with the
archbishop, bishops and the
legislators that represent those
areas to discuss the legislation
that is of interest to the LCCB.
–The Foster Grandparent
Program provides a stipend of
$2.65 per hour to low-income
persons 55 and over, who assist
children with their schoolwork. FGP is funded by the
federal government with states
expected to provide an “Action
Match” which traditionally is
10 percent of the monies.
Loar said the Action Match
has been eliminated from the
2010-11 budget, and retroactively from the current budget. Without the 10 percent
match, Louisiana’s 900 foster
grandparents will not be able
to enhance the lives of nearly
20,000 children in the state.
He noted that the children
who have a foster grandparent have increased their school
attendance by 58 percent and
improved their grades by 87
percent.
–The scholarship program
in New Orleans, which has
been in effect since 2008, is not
being cut, Loar reassured. The
governor’s office has placed $8
million in the 2010-2011 budget for this program, which
in 2011 will have students in
grades kindergarten through
fifth grade.
The Archdiocese of New
Orleans provided 925 classroom seats for the Scholarship
Program in both the 200809 and 2009-10 school years.
Overall, there are 1,119 students enrolled. This number
will increase to 1600 students
as another grade level is added.
“The Scholarship Program
is a very effective lifeline to
students and parents trapped
in a failing school system,”
said Loar. “If funding was
eliminated for this program,
these students would be forced
back into public schools, which
would add more expense to
the state budget.”
–Immigration is an issue the
federal government and many
states are grappling with. The
Catholic Church believes all
immigrants have inherent
dignity and worth as human
See SESSION page 10
April 21, 2010 • The Catholic Commentator
news
Priest assigned to Maronite Catholic community
2
by
Barbara Chenevert
Staff Writer
It’s the Second Sunday of
Easter: Divine Mercy Sunday to Roman Catholics. But
a small group of Maronite
Catholics gathers in Baton
Rouge to celebrate what they
call “New Sunday.”
The sweet aroma of incense
rises in the air and chant fills
the chapel. Three languages –
English and Arabic, as well as
Aramaic, the language Jesus
spoke to his apostles – are
spoken during the Mass. The
actions are familiar; the words
are not.
Baton Rouge’s Maronite
Catholic community is keeping alive a rich heritage.
The St. Charbel Maronite
Mission has been meeting
in Baton Rouge for several
years, but its presence got
a significant boost recently
when a priest was assigned to
establish a church here.
“We want to let the people
know we follow the pope. We
are not a church apart. We are
Catholic. We are not another
religion. We only have a different rite,” Father Charbel
Jamhoury said.
Fr. Charbel, a priest of the
Lebanese Maronite Order,
came to the United States
seven months ago from his native Beirut. Maronite Bishop
Robert Shaheen of St. Louis,
Mo., then sent him to Baton
Rouge to set up a community
here.
“My goal is to call everybody,” Fr. Charbel said, adding he hopes to minister to
Maronite Catholics from Lafayette, New Orleans and
Alexandria. He estimates
there are about 200 Maronite
families in Louisiana.
Most Catholics in the United States attend Mass in the
Roman or Latin rite. However,
the church officially recognizes 22 rites in the Catholic
Church, including the Maronite rite, which is an Eastern
Rite in the Syriac Tradition.
The 22 branches or churches
complete the beautiful mosaic
of the Catholic Church, Fr.
Charbel said.
All of the Catholic churches
profess the same faith, believe
in the same celebration of
sacraments and come under
the authority of the pope,
Fr. Charbel said. At the same
time, each church enjoys an
Fr. Charbel Jamhoury, dressed in the traditional vestments of the Maronite Catholic Church,
presides at Mass for the St. Charbel Mission Church in Baton Rouge. One of 22 recognized rites
within the Catholic Church, the Maronite community meets each week for Mass, which is said in
English, Arabic and Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus. Photo by Barbara Chenevert
autonomy and independence
from its sister churches. One
of the biggest differences is in
how the liturgy is celebrated.
The use of incense and
chant is extensive, adding to
the beauty of the liturgy. The
sign of peace is exchanged
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very other week, The Catholic Commentator comes to you in the mail and online with the
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well as, local, national and international news:
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before the Eucharistic prayer
and is brought into the congregation by the altar servers or
deacon, who will touch each
person with hands folded as
if in prayer. Unlike the Roman rite, where the assembly
kneels for the consecration,
the Maronites stand during
the consecration, which is said
in Aramaic. Communion is
received by intinction, meaning the host is dipped into the
Precious Blood and given on
the tongue.
“It is so moving to know
that the very words the priest
is speaking were the words of
Jesus, the way he said them
in his language,” Richard
Ieyoub, a member of the committee seeking to establish the
church here, said. He called
the Maronite liturgy “poetic.”
The Maronites take their
name from Saint Maron, a
hermit and priest who lived
a simple life of prayer and
meditation near Antioch in
the fourth century. The first
Maronites were direct descendants of the people who
received the Catholic faith
from the apostles, Fr. Charbel
said. Their culture was influenced by their predecessors,
the Phoenicians.
The arrival of Islam in
Syria and heavy persecution
forced the Maronites to flee
to the mountains of North
Lebanon. Over the next several centuries, more Christians
fled to the mountains and
joined the Maronite Church.
Most of those attending
services here are of direct Lebanese descent, Ieyoub said.
“We are in a building process.
We want people to know that
we are here and we are going
to continue to be here.”
“We are not asking people
to leave their parishes but to
experience our Mass so their
children can learn the spiritual
heritage of their ancestors and
experience a beautiful liturgy,” said Ieyoub, a member
of St. Jude Church.
Ieyoub said Bishop Robert
Muench and the diocese have
been a tremendous support to
the fledlging community.
Until recently, finding a
home for services has been
the biggest obstacle facing
the Maronite community. It
has met at several Catholic
churches and most recently in
the chapel at Our Lady of the
Lake Regional Medical Center.
However, this month it began
celebrating Mass at the chapel
at St. Joseph’s Academy’s
Mother Alice Hall, through
the generosity of the Sisters of
St. Joseph, according to Scott
Deumite, another committee
member. Masses are set for
each Sunday at 11:30 a.m., and
everyone is invited
Eventually the group hopes
to have its own church and,
toward that end, is sponsoring a fundraiser on June 19 at
7 p.m. at Our Lady of Mercy
Church Parish Activity Center. Authentic Lebanese food
will be served.
news
The Catholic Commentator • April 21, 2010
Bishop Muench makes known
allegation against Fr. Duhé
Laura Deavers
by
Editor
On April 16, Bishop Robert W.
Muench announced that Father Tom
Duhé, pastor of St. Thomas More
Church in Baton Rouge, would be on
administrative leave while an investigation into an allegation of sexual misconduct against Fr. Duhé is conducted.
Bishop Muench met with the priests
of the Baton Rouge Diocese that morning to tell them of the allegation before
calling together diocesan employees to
inform them of the situation. He then
met with journalists at a news conference. All of the meetings were held in
the Westerfield Conference Center on
the Catholic Life Center Campus.
At the news conference, Bishop
Muench read a prepared statement
(see below) and answered questions
from the media. The bishop said he
did not know how long the investigation would take, but that it would be
carried out in a “fair, impartial and
professional manner.”
East Baton Rouge Parish District
Attorney Hillar Moore has been informed of the allegation, said Bishop
Muench. Notifying civil officials when
a situation such as this occurs is part of
diocesan policy. At this time, no charges
have been filed.
The website for the Baton Rouge
Diocese www.diobr.org has information about how a person should report
incidents of misconduct.
Bishop Muench said the Catholic
Church wants to “insure the safety of
young people.” To this end, the charter for the Protection of Children and
Young People was adopted eight years
ago. That same year, the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops set up the Office of Child and Youth Protection and
promulgated the “Essential Norms for
Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing
with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of
Minors by Priests or Deacons.”
Diocesan officials stated, that in
accordance with diocesan policy, psy-
The statement Bishop Robert W. Muemch gave the media April 16, 2010,
in the Westerfield Conference Center on the Catholic Life Center Campus
On Tuesday, April 13, 2010, the Diocese of Baton Rouge received an allegation of sexual misconduct from an adult man against a priest of this
diocese, Father Tom Duhé, Pastor of St. Thomas More Church in Baton
Rouge. The person bringing the charge, who has asked that his identity
remain private, alleges the misconduct occurred over a decade ago, when
he was between 12 and 15 years old. This is the only such complaint the
diocese has ever received about Fr. Duhé.
Our diocesan victims’ assistance coordinator, Mrs. Amy Cordon, in meeting with the person making the allegation, offered assistance on behalf of
the diocese. Following our own policy when an allegation is made and in
compliance with the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and
Young People, a task force of three trained lay persons was appointed to
look into this matter. The task force subsequently determined that the case
merited further investigation. Such investigation will now be carried out
by another team of experts, determined by the Independent Review Board.
Their findings will be submitted to the Independent Review Board which,
in turn, will make its recommendations to me.
In accord with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young
People, and diocesan policy for this type of situation, Fr. Duhé has been
placed on administrative leave, had his clerical faculties withdrawn, and is
restricted from any public ministry while this investigation takes place. It
is important to underscore that these actions which the diocese has taken
imply neither guilt nor innocence on the part of Fr. Duhé, nor will any
conclusion be reached until the investigation is complete. Father Chris
Decker, St. Thomas More parochial vicar, has been appointed temporary
administrator of that church parish.
Also, the diocese promptly notified civil officials of the allegation and
assured them of our full cooperation.
We are profoundly saddened by this allegation and pray that God’s
healing grace will come upon all involved – anyone who might or who has
been hurt in this matter, as well as Fr. Duhé himself.
If anyone has any information about this or any other circumstance
regarding sexual misconduct by a member of the clergy, a religious, an
employee or a volunteer in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, please contact Mrs.
Amy Cordon in the Diocesan Victims’ Assistance Office at 225-242-0250.
Thank you.
Bishop Robert W. Muench
Bishop of Baton Rouge
Bishop Robert W. Muench addresses
the media April 16 concerning an
allegation of sexual misconduct against
Father Tom Duhé. Photo by Laura Deavers
chological counseling is being made
available to the person who made the
allegation.
Father Chris Decker, parochial vicar
at St. Thomas More, has been named
the temporary administrator of that
church parish. Fr. Decker became
parochial vicar of St. Thomas More in
July 2009.
Before Bishop Muench had his meetings, Father Than Vu, vicar general for
the Baton Rouge Diocese, met with
Fr. Decker and the St. Thomas More
Church staff to tell them of the allegation.
Fr. Duhé has been a priest of the
Baton Rouge Diocese since 1978.
Bishop Robert W. Muench will
administer the sacrament of
confirmation at these churches
during April and May.
Wednesday, April 21
7 p.m. St. John the Baptist
Church, Zachary
Thursday, April 22
7 p.m. St. John the Baptist
Church, Brusly
Sunday, April 25
12 Noon St. Alphonsus Ligouri
Church, Greenwell Springs
6 p.m. Christ the King Church
and Catholic Center, Baton
Rouge
Monday, April 26
7 p.m. St. George Church,
Baton Rouge
Tuesday, April 27
7 p.m. St. Joseph the Worker
Church, Pierre Part
Thursday, April 29
7 p.m. Holy Rosary Church,
St. Amant
Saturday, May 1
6 p.m. St. Helena Church, Amite
Sunday, May 2
11:30 a.m. Holy Family Church,
Port Allen
Saturday, May 8
5 p.m. St. Thomas More
Church, Baton Rouge
Sunday, May 23
12 Noon St. Joseph Cathedral,
Baton Rouge
5500 St. Mary St. Metairie, LA 70006
www.cenaclesisters.org/metairie
(504) 887-1420 (800) 699-4095
2010
Spiritual Retreats
to develop and create a deeper relationship with self and the Lord
May 21-23 – Handicapped encounter cHrist (Hec)
The HEC retreat is for physically disabled adults, bringing the GOOD NEWS of
JESUS CHRIST to all. The retreat team comprises physically disabled and
physically abled persons. Advance registration required.
Contacts: Christine M. Carpenter (504) 400-0325; Phuong Pham (504) 333-1193;
Kristen Cipriani (504) 732-5601; Peter Vujnovich (504) 421-1200
June 4-6, 11-13, 16-19, 25-27 – Living tHe iMage of cHrist
Reflect on the need for on-going personal transformation and living out the virtues so
evident in the example of Jesus, such as compassion, mercy, community, etc.
Presenter: Rev. Simeon Gallagher, OFM.Cap
May 26 – young adult Book club – cenacle retreat House
A book will be read ahead of time and discussed at the meeting.
Contact: Vince Liberto, (504) 250-9697
Ongoing Programs
Call the Ministry Office: (504) 887-1420, ext. 225 for information about:
•Cenacle Home Retreats •Individual Spiritual Direction
•Directed Retreats/Days of Prayer
Cenacle Prayer Enrollment
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (504) 887-1810 | Fax: (504) 887-6624
E-mail: [email protected]
3
4
commentary
Another Perspective
by Father John Carville
“I Am ... one who serves”
Our catechumens for this year
were brought into
the church at the
Easter Vigil. They are wondering, I am sure,
Now that I am a Catholic, what do I do? The
answer is, Find a way to serve. That is why, on
Holy Thursday night your feet were washed,
in memory of Jesus’ washing his apostles’ feet
to make sure they understood that to follow
him meant to serve.
Ministry (our church word for service)
comes in many forms. We practice it according to our different gifts, as Saint Paul tells
the Romans in chapter 12. Jesus, of course, is
always our prime model. As he said, he came
not to be served but to serve others, and he
did so in many ways, some dramatic and
others ordinary. He miraculously cured lepers
and brought sons and daughters back to life.
But he also healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a
fever, blessed children and taught individuals, his disciples and crowds. He gave Levi,
the tax collector, a more respectable job and
helped Zacchaeus become an honest manager.
He fed hungry disciples and celebrated with
marriage couples.
Jesus was a practical man. He could speak
to everyday people and shared their concerns.
He chose his disciples from among them and
sent those disciples to spread his work. They
founded Christian communities that were
examples of mutual service. Saint Paul lists
some of the roles, which he says God himself
inspires in the community: apostles, prophets,
teachers, miracle workers, healers, helpers,
administrators, and speakers in various kinds
of tongues (1 Cor 12:28).
As the first Christian communities spread
throughout the world, new forms of ministry
arose. Saint Paul took up collections for the
poor and persecuted Christian community
in Jerusalem and praised the generosity of
those who contributed to this ministry of char-
ity. Early in the Acts of the Apostles we read
about the order of deacons being instituted
to feed the poor and take care of orphans and
widows.
The history of the church continued this
trend of matching ministry to need. The monastic movement in the Middle Ages organized the daily life of agrarian communities
around the church. The great cathedrals were
built not only as centers of worship but also
as focal points for markets as feudal times
gave way to the rise of cities. Universities
began as church-sponsored seats of learning
to meet the educational needs of a population whose labor was becoming diversified.
Religious orders like the Dominicans were
founded to provide the teachers.
One of the most intriguing stories of the
founding of a religious order I ever came
across was that of the Trinitarians. This order still exists. I studied with some of their
students in Rome. They were founded to
take the place of Crusaders captured by the
Muslims and doomed to a life of slavery.
Saint Paul called himself and Tychicus “fellow slaves in the Lord” (Col 4:7), but he never
went that far.
A great gift of the Second Vatican Council
was to extend ministry in the Church to the
laity. After Vatican II, ministry was no longer
the job of just priests and religious. It became
everyone’s answer to their call in baptism to
follow Jesus. The tremendous response that
has come from the laity is a sign, I believe,
that this really is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Ministry, the service for others in the name
of Jesus, is what Catholics do.
This should affect our attitude toward
many things, even maybe extending health
care to those who can’t afford it. We continually have to ask ourselves in all things, What
would Jesus be doing, especially given his
history with curing lepers, forgiving prostitutes, and hiring tax collectors?
Father Than Vu
Associate Publisher
Laura Deavers
Exec. Ed./Gen. Mgr.
Debbie Shelley
Assistant Editor
Bishop Robert W. Muench
Wanda L. Koch
Publisher
Advertising Manager
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At Vatican, frustration
and some optimism
over abuse scandal
by
John Thavis
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY — Fresh
developments in the continuing storm over clerical sex
abuse illustrate a chronic Vatican problem as well as some
reasons for guarded optimism
about the future.
The problem, acknowledged
by many inside the Roman
Curia, has been recent missteps
in communication that have
undercut the Vatican’s own patient efforts to provide accurate
and detailed information about
sex abuse policies.
The latest misstep came
when Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican secretary of
state, told reporters in Chile
April 12 that many psychologists believe there is a connection between homosexuality
and pedophilia.
The groans could be heard
throughout Vatican City the
next day, as news media reported not only the cardinal’s
remarks but also the intensely
critical public reaction – including a condemnation from the
French government.
The Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi,
came back with a statement
that tried to reframe Cardinal
Bertone’s remarks with an
unusual disclaimer: “Church
authorities do not believe they
are competent to make general
affirmations about specifically
psychological or medical issues.”
The Vatican relies on specialists and experts for such
information, Father Lombardi
said. In fact, experts consulted
by the Vatican several years
ago argued against a causeeffect relationship between
homosexuality and pedophilia.
The groans in Rome came
from people who wondered
why Cardinal Bertone was
needlessly raising an inflammatory side issue at a time when
the Vatican was already under
a media siege on sex abuse.
The Vatican has been down
this road before. A papal
preacher recently surprised
the pope and others at a Good
Friday liturgy by comparing
criticism of the church on the
sex abuse issue with antiSemitism. A cardinal stood up
at the pope’s Easter Mass and
used the term “petty gossip”
to describe such criticism.
Some have faulted Pope
Benedict XVI for failing to take
firmer control of the reins.
“It’s a matter of governance. You have to bring
people together, get them on
the same page. And tell them
to stop speculating out loud
with the media,” said one
Vatican source. But this kind
of hands-on management is
not Pope Benedict’s strength,
he added.
Father Lombardi had to
put out another fire April
15, after a French Web site
published a 2001 letter from
Cardinal Dario Castrillon
Hoyos, at the time head of
the Vatican’s Congregation
for Clergy, congratulating a
French bishop for not reporting a sexually abusive priest
to the police. The priest was
later sentenced to 18 years
in prison for multiple counts
of sexual assault. The bishop
was given a three-month
suspended sentence for not
reporting the abuse in violation of French law.
“I congratulate you for
not denouncing a priest to
the civil administration,”
Cardinal Castrillon wrote to
Bishop Pierre Pican of Bayeux-Lisieux. “You have acted
well and I am happy to have
a colleague in the episcopate
who, in the eyes of history
and of all other bishops in
the world, preferred prison to
denouncing his son, a priest.”
Father Lombardi said in
a statement: “This letter is
a confirmation of how opportune it was to centralize
the handling of cases of sex
abuse of minors by clergy
under the competence of the
Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith, in order to assure
their rigorous and coherent
management.”
In effect, Father Lombardi
was pointing to Cardinal
Castrillon as part of a problem
that has since been overcome.
Cardinal Castrillon retired in
2006; Bishop Pican retired last
March.
family life
5
First Communion signifies children are growing up in faith
by
Debbie Shelley
Assistant Editor
Second-grade children in
the Diocese of Baton Rouge
are preparing to receive their
first Communion with nervous
excitement. Many of their immediate and church parish family members will wistfully look
on during this milestone event,
which signifies these children
are growing up in faith.
Isaiah Sam is the only boy of
three children who will receive
first Communion at St. Paul the
Apostle Church in Baton Rouge
on May 23.
When the children in Sam’s
class began studying for first
Communion, they received a
packet of lesson assignments
that involve family discussion
and participation. The children also received
packets of red and diamondcolored beads. The red beads
represent bad deeds or ways
in which they did not live up
to the Ten Commandments;
diamond-colored beads rep-
resent good deeds or ways in
which they did. The beads were
accompanied by a list of selfexamination questions, which
the children reviewed with their
parents at the end of the day to
see how well they were living
up to the Ten Commandments.
The children received red or
diamond beads, accordingly.
Vera Dunbar, religious education instructor at St. Paul,
stated that the beads give first
Communion candidates a visual
image of what sin and goodness are.
The materials have fostered
good talks about faith between
Isaiah and his parents, Carlos
and Dana Sam. Carlos Sam, a
member of the St. Paul Church
Parish Council and director of
magnet programs for the East
Baton Rouge Parish School System, said Isaiah is learning the
deeper lessons about receiving
the body and blood of Christ.
Isaiah says he is ready to be
“a grownup” and receive the
Eucharist.
First Communion also repre-
sents a beginning of serving the
church for Isaiah. His parents
and older brother, Ethan, 10,
are lectors, and he is looking
forward to being an altar server.
The Sam family is also looking forward to first Communion
because Dana Sam is expecting a
baby boy around the first week
of May.
“We will have first Communion followed by a baptism,”
said a beaming Dana Sam.
First Communion will also
be a big celebration this year
for the Barry and Stacey Babin
family, members of St. Isidore
Church in Baker, who have
three children, twins Wesley and
Graceyn, 8, and Avery, 7, who
will receive their first Eucharist
on May 2.
Stacey Babin said first Communion preparation has been a
special time for their five children. The Babin’s eldest child,
Nicholas, 12, shares memories
of his first Communion and
their youngest child, Kendal, 5,
looks forward to receiving her
first Communion in a couple of
Our Turn
by Therese Borchard
The meaning of Communion
Like most Catholics I
know, my first Communion is forever etched in
my memory. I remember my white dress, my black patent leather shoes
and the beautiful missal I received with the white,
padded cover, a picture of a little girl making her
first Communion. The edges of the pages were
golden, which I thought were 14 karat.
As my son, David, prepares to make his first
Communion in May, I’m trying to articulate what
this day means and why friends and family make
such a fuss over it.
At a preparation meeting for the big day, parents recently gathered together to explore what
the Eucharist means. A priest and a lay minister
gave a presentation that explained the relationship of the domestic church and the parish church.
Six themes were presented:
1. To illustrate the history of family connectedness, the layperson displayed a picture album of
relatives, a framed photo of an ancestor and any
information that showed the family’s countries of
origin or background information. The priest displayed the history of parish connectedness with a
Bible and a picture of the parish when it was built.
2. To show how a family gathers together, the
lay minister set out cups, plates and napkins,
hotdog buns, and lemonade. The priest set out a
chalice, bread, water and wine.
3. To show how a family celebrates its connectedness, the domestic table included sym-
bols commemorating birthdays, anniversaries,
holidays and achievements. The parish church
demonstrated the celebration of sacraments, feast
days and holy days, cultural fairs and parish anniversaries.
4. To illustrate how a family reconciles, the
lay minister demonstrated a family ritual of
reconciliation, some words spoken after a fight
among siblings or the gift given to a mom to say
“I’m sorry.” The priest pointed to the sacrament
of reconciliation and the sign of peace during the
liturgy.
5. To symbolize the stories shared among families, the table of the domestic church held photos,
family Christmas letters. The priest held the Lectionary, the stories of the faith community that
are told and retold each time we come to Mass.
6. To represent the traditions and rituals that
keep us connected, the lay minister held family
prayers, favorite recipes, photos or postcards
from vacations in the past, and any morning and
mealtime prayers said as a family. The priest held
holy water and symbols of celebrations within the
parish, like the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Watching this presentation helped me better
connect the sacrament of Communion to family
life within the parish.
Borchard, former editor of U.S. Catholic magazine, lives in Annapolis, MD. She gives a young-adult
perspective on current issues and concerns for Catholic
News Service.
Among the children who will
receive their first Communion
on May 2 at St. Isidore Church
in Baker are, from left, Avery,
Wesley and Graceyn Babin.
Photo provided by Stacey Babin
years. All the children attend St.
Isidore School.
St. Isidore Church and School
are in the Babin’s “backyard,” so
the children can hop in the family’s golf cart and go to school,
according to Stacey Babin.
Living in close proximity to
St. Isidore, the Babin family is
actively involved in the church.
Stacey Babin is an extraordinary
minister of the Eucharist and
president of its home and school
association. She will receive the
Mother Seton Award May 3,
the day after the children’s first
Communion.
Nicholas is an altar server.
Graceyn recently received the
Harvest Award at school for
having an outstanding Christian
attitude.
The family has also been
actively participating in the
first Communion preparation
classes. They have been writing
their own prayers, making a
family calendar of kind things to
do during the week, and writing
Isaiah Sam, front, left, will
receive his first Communion on
May 23 at St. Paul the Apostle
Church in Baton Rouge.
Among his family members
who will be with him that day
are his brother Ethan, front
right, his father, Carlos and his
mother, Dana. Photo provided by
St. Paul the Apostle Church
a list of family commandments.
In reflecting on what first
Communion means to them,
Avery said, “I am happy that
when I receive first Eucharist
Jesus will come into my heart.”
Graceyn said, “I am joyful to
be able to eat the body of Christ
because I have learned what a
special gift it is.”
First Communion for Wesley
means, “I am growing up and
get to celebrate first Eucharist.
After that I will be able to receive
(the Eucharist) every time I go
to Mass.”
Graceyn and Avery also
look forward to having their
ears pierced the day before first
Communion.
Stacey Babin said musingly
first Communion is one of
many milestones, including
confirmations, graduations and
weddings. “It reminds me of the
things to come.”
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news
6
Question Corner
Ministry and theology
by Father John Dietzen
“Stand, take up your MAT and go...”
MT 9:6B
Ministry and Theology (MAT) is a program sponsored by the
Diocese of Baton Rouge. It is designed to provide continuing formation for today’s Catholic who is presently engaged
in ministry, considering active ministry in the church or desiring
further knowledge of the teachings of the church. The eight-course
program addresses areas of theology, ministry and spirituality.
Summer 2010
MAT I: Basic Courses
Catholic Life Center, 1800 South Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge
ChristianConversion
June 7-10
9 to 11:30 a.m.
OldTestament&NewTestament
June 7-10
12:30 to 3 p.m.
ChurchHistory
June 21-24
9 to 11:30 a.m.
Creed
June 21-24
12:30 to 3 p.m.
Christology
July 12-15
9 to 11:30 a.m.
Sacraments
July 12-15
12:30 to 3 p.m.
Morality
July 19-22
9 to 11:30 a.m.
Evangelization,Cathechesis&Mission
July 21-24
12:30 to 3 p.m.
MAT II: Intermediate Courses
Wisdom
June 21-24
9 to 11:30 a.m.
JohannineLiterature
July 19-22
9 to 11:30 a.m.
To register please complete this form and mail it to:
Office of Christian Formation, Diocese of Baton Rouge,
P. O. Box 2028, Baton Rouge, LA 70821
or call 225-336-8760 or check our
website [email protected]
The cost is $20 for each course.
Please make check payable to: The Diocese of Baton Rouge.
Please enroll me in:
ChristianConversion&Spirituality
OldTestament&NewTestament
ChurchHistory
Evangelization,Cathechesis&Mission
JohannineLiterature
Date
Creed
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What does church
say about Medjugorje
Q. What is the Catholic Church’s
present position on the appearances of
Our Lady at Medjugorje? Some Catholics
seem to have great devotion to the shrine,
but priests I’ve asked say the appearances are not approved by the church.
(Louisiana)
A. The Vatican itself has made no
declarations about Medjugorje. Local
bishops and church officials there have
conducted a series of investigations since
the early 1980s, when some children allegedly began seeing and speaking with
Mary at the site in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Official reports have not been favorable.
About the latest word on the subject,
to my knowledge, is from Bishop Ratko
Peric of the diocese that includes Medjugorje. Last June (2009) he told young
people of that parish whom he was about
to confirm not to behave as if the alleged
Marian apparitions were real. He placed
this homily and texts of his letters to the
Franciscan pastor of the Medjugorje parish on his website.
Bishop Peric reported that, during
a visit to the Vatican early in 2009, top
officials of the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith confirmed that the
Catholic Church has never recognized
these apparitions as authentic. “If, as
Catholics, devoted sons and daughters of
the church,” he said to the confirmation
class, “we want to live according to the
norms and the teachings of the church,
glorifying the Holy Trinity, venerating
Blessed Mary ... and professing all the
church has established in the creed, we
do not turn to certain alternative ‘apparitions’ or ‘messages’ to which the church
has not attributed any supernatural
character.”
Hundreds visit the “shrine,” and apparently many find some spiritual consolation there. But after long investigation,
the official position of the local church is
that no evidence exists that the alleged
events are authentic.
In March of this year, at the request of
the bishops of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the
Vatican established an international commission to study the alleged apparitions.
Q. I sometimes send the family of a
deceased friend a card promising a Mass
intention. Someone died recently who
was not Catholic, but a good Christian
and friend. Is it all right to send a Mass
card for him, or would it offend the family or be in poor taste? (Louisiana)
A. It is permitted to offer Mass for non-
Catholic Christians. The Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith liberalized
the law in this matter in 1976, following
requests in several countries for priests
to celebrate Mass for deceased persons
baptized in other denominations. The
Masses may be announced publicly, in
the parish bulletin, for example.
This happens especially when the
deceased person showed special respect
for the Catholic faith or held public office
in service to the whole community. These
Masses are not only permitted, said the
decree, they are encouraged for reasons
of patriotism, friendship or gratitude,
and have in fact become rather common.
Only two conditions apply. The family
of the deceased must request it or at least
not be opposed. And there should be no
scandal resulting either for Catholics or
those of other faiths because of the announced intention for the Mass.
Q. My question concerns those of us
who were in a valid Catholic marriage,
divorced and remarried without an annulment. Can we serve in our parish as
a sacristan, extraordinary minister or
religious education teacher? (Texas)
A. Yours is a difficult question for
which there is no easy, one-size-fits-all
answer. First of all, let’s be clear again
that Catholics in your situation are not
excommunicated. You remain members
of the Catholic faithful even though, according to Catholic discipline, you have
chosen to be separated from the church’s
sacramental life through the remarriage
outside the church.
In many church parishes, divorced
and remarried Catholics who remain
faithful to Catholic practice as much as
possible serve in various parish capacities, even some connected with the Eucharist. Sacristan would certainly be one.
Some functions, however, would
probably not be feasible. For example,
since divorced Catholics who have
entered another marriage outside the
church, by present church regulations,
generally do not receive Communion,
it would be at least rather awkward for
them to be ministers of the Eucharist.
Specific local practices will differ,
depending on appropriate policies established by the bishop or pastor.
Father Dietzen, a retired priest living in
Peoria, IL, answers questions from and
about Catholics. Questions may be sent
to Father Dietzen at Box 3315, Peoria, IL
61612, or e-mail: [email protected].
spirituality 7
‘Awakening Faith’ reminds Catholics about beauty of the church
by
Debbie Shelley
Assistant Editor
The church is a place to celebrate positive changes, such
as getting married, having a
child or getting a new job. It
is also a refuge in hard times,
including illness or death of a
parent or loved one, divorce
or annulment or financial loss.
During these different stages of life, people develop a
deeper appreciation for their
faith and want to rekindle their
relationship with the church.
Beginning Sunday, April
25, from 9-11 a.m., St. George
Church in Baton Rouge will
help people of the diocese reconnect with their faith and become more involved in church
parish life during the program
“Awakening Faith,” a ministry
of the Paulist National Catholic
Evangelization Association.
During the six-week program, people will meet in a
small-group setting once a
week at St. George for faith
conversations and socializing.
Some people may think
there is less participation in
parish life because people are
angry or have issues with the
church, according to the Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association. However, many people drift away
because their priorities have
changed or they are choosing
other options.
Awakening Faith works as a
bridge between the church and
the community.
The meetings will help fos-
ter reflection and sharing in a
setting of hospitality, according to St. George Pastor Father
Mike Schatzle.
Small community forms
during the sessions that bridge
to the larger church community.
Topics of the sessions,
which participants will discuss
include: Jesus, the Holy Spirit,
God’s mercy, the Mass and
the Church.
Additional, optional essays
allow the group to continue to
meet for another four weeks to
discuss issues including: faith
and love; marriage, divorce
and annulment; and money.
According to the National
Catholic Evangelization Office,
there are many reasons why
people would want to recon-
Spirituality for Today
by Father John Catoir
Praydreaming is a key
to discernment
In the February 2010 issue of “Catholic Update,” a publication under the auspices of St.
Anthony Messenger Press, there is an excellent
article by Jesuit Father Mark E. Thibodeaux,
“Praydreaming: Key to Discernment.” He
speaks of prayerful daydreaming as the key to
discernment.
Accordingly, the Holy Spirit speaks to us
through our own daydreams and desires.
At first, we may not fully understand whether
this dream is from God or not. Not every desire
is from God, but many are, and when a dream
brings peace and joy it is a good sign that God
is asking us to choose a new path.
There are many approaches to discernment
in our Catholic tradition, Father Thibodeaux
writes, and St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of
the Jesuits, explains one: “Good discernment
consists of prayerfully pondering the great desires that well up in our daydreams.”
Good desires are one of God’s primary instruments of communicating his will to his children.
God enflames the heart with holy desires and an
attraction toward a life of greater divine praise
and service. Sometimes these desires and attractions have to do with a vocation, but more
often than not they have to do with the choice
of volunteering for some noble work.
My own vocation emerged from daydreaming about being a priest. At the time I definitely
wanted to marry and raise a family. Becoming
a priest was the last thing I wanted – or so I
thought. I resisted the idea for more than five
years, until I finally had to surrender and admit
that what I wanted most of all was to become
a priest.
Spiritual directors know that the Holy Spirit
often leads his children along paths they would
not have chosen for themselves. Many of my columns are written in a state of “praydreaming.”
I awake with the whole article in my head, and
while I am still half asleep I scribble some notes
so I can remember them later.
Here’s a new article taken from notes I’ve had
for a couple of weeks:
We need air. But in order to receive air, we
must learn to breathe. If you cut yourself off from
air you will die.
We also need joy. Life is so miserable at times
that we need joy to survive.
It is important to know that joy is a choice. If
you have chosen Jesus as your lord and savior,
you already have his joy in you. Then you must
decide to live joyfully because of the knowledge
of his love.
If you cut yourself off from spiritual joy, you
will suffer emotional death.
The Gospel tells us that God is love (1 Jn 4:16),
but love and joy are two sides of the same coin.
God is both love and joy. The knowledge of
God’s love opens us to a participation in his joy.
Joy, therefore, is not merely a feeling; it is a
kind of contentment based on the knowledge of
God’s never-ending love.
If you have bad feelings over some sorrow in
your life, you still have joy at the center of your
heart. God’s joy is always present.
If God has allowed some sorrow to overtake
you, it does not mean that he has abandoned
you. His joy is within you. Claim it.
Father Catoir, a canon lawyer, is chaplain of an
emergency assistance program and writes on spirituality for Catholic News Service.
nect with the Catholic Church
and awaken their faith.
First, the program offers
people an opportunity to mature in their faith. Many Catholics have a faith that is passed
down to them from parents
and grandparents. Reconnecting with their faith helps
people rediscover its beauty
and truth, which enhances
it and makes it more deeply
their own.
Through the program people also develop an appreciation for the Catholic faith and
its various elements: traditions; a faith that appreciates
reason; a range of spiritualities
that have lasted over 20 centuries; the discipline and challenge of the seven sacraments,
particularly the holy Eucharist;
a church with authority, and
which leaves room for individual expression; a faith not
trapped in the next world or
this world, but relates each
to the other with hope; an approach to Scripture that allows
for non-literal understanding;
an institution that is open to
change; and the assurance of
communion with God, in Jesus
and the Holy Spirit.
Awakening Faith also offers
participants the opportunity to
think of themselves as modern
disciples. This helps the Catholic faith to be more personal to
program participants.
People who want to provide
a heritage for their children
also benefit from Awakening
Faith.
According to Karen Fawley, director of adult religious
education at St. George, many
adults attend Catholic schools,
yet after they graduate, they
become involved with other issues and drift away from their
faith. However, they want to
pass on a faith that is clear,
deep and strong. Program
participants can provide their
children with a faith that is
rooted in good intentions and
solid practice.
In face of a society that
promotes commercialism,
Awakening Faith participants
can gain the tools to confront
the commercial bombardment of everyday life, and the
consequences that result from
shallow living.
Since prayer is an important
part of developing a deeper relationship with God, Awakening Faith helps people develop
a prayer life and reclaim what
is important to them.
The program also serves as
a resource for people making
life-shaping decisions by providing them with the church’s
teachings on those issues. By
studying these teachings, people can decide what will bring
the most meaning to their life.
One of the most important
benefits provided by Awakening Faith is the cultivation of
holiness as people learn more
about the virtues of faith, hope
and love. Through studying
their faith and applying the
teachings to their lives, participants can increase their confidence in their eternal destiny.
For more information about
the Awakening Faith program,
call the St. George Church
office at 225-293-2212 or visit
www.awakeningfaith.org.
First
Communion!
Prayer books, gift sets, 4-way medals,
rosaries, rosary bracelets, crosses,
sacramental keepsake boxes,
handkerchiefs, frames, photo albums and
many more gifts for this special occasion!
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11232 Florida Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA
225-272-4030
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The little book store with a big heart and a thirsting desire to spread the Good News
8
our catholic community
St. Michael acquires
three defibrillators
Father Mike Schatzle, pastor of St. George Church in Baton Rouge, presides at a ceremony
dedicating the newly renovated St. Cecilia Hall. Music teacher Angela Sneed led the procession of
student bell ringers from the church to St. Cecilia Hall for the dedication and blessing. Photo provided
by St. George Church
St. George dedicates St. Cecilia Hall
On April 10, St. George
Church and School blessed
and dedicated a newly renovated building, which had
served as the St. George
Church office and will now be
used for the St. George music
program.
Interior modifications include a dedicated band practice room as well as secure
storage area for band instruments, music and equipment.
A separate choral room
will be used for school music
classes as well as church choir
rehearsals.
The building also has a
new name: St. Cecilia Hall.
St. Cecilia is the patroness of
church music.
The St. George School
Band, under the direction
of Jan Dupre and John Gerbrecht, continues to grow in
quality and in numbers and
has won numerous awards
over the last few years, according to St. George Principal Lizette Leader.
The old offices, once used
for parish staff, received updating and will be used by
the school’s faculty members.
The pastor’s office is now
a conference room for school
faculty and staff. The building will also be used to store
text books.
Through an effort led by
Dr. Robert Kenney and the
Cortana Kiwanis Club, St.
Michael the Archangel High
School now has three Automated External Defibrillator
devices (AED). These portable
computerized medical machines automatically diagnose
the potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of
ventricular fibrillation and
ventricular tachycardia in a
patient.
The device is able to treat
the person through defibrillation, the application of electrical therapy, which stops
the arrhythmia, allowing the
heart to re-establish a normal
rhythm.
The death in 2008 of Glen
Oaks High School basketball
player Shannon Veal was
a catalyst for obtaining the
devices.
Kenney said, “I was joined
by my partners in nephrology,
Dr. Don Marsh, Dr. Robert
Landry, and Dr. Michael Roppolo, in the Catholic school
effort, while Dr. David Carmouche and other physicians
from eight different clinics, as
well as Our Lady of the Lake
Foundation, secured AED
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devices for every public high
school and middle school in
the area.“
These doctors and Kiwanis
clubs worked to clear up any
legal issues and liability concerns related to the devices.
The Kiwanis organization
serves Louisiana, Mississippi
and parts of Tennessee. It is
their long-term goal to put
AEDs in all secondary schools
throughout the three states
as well as provide services
for training how to use the
machines and keeping them
up to date.
Kiwanis members are also
equipped to explain the laws
and protection one has in association with AED use.
“By working through our
schools’ service clubs and/
or with community leaders
such as Dr. Kenney, good examples are set and the good
will spreads, helping us to
meet our goal of securing at
least one life-saving device in
every school we serve,” said
Pam Morgan, tri-state Kiwanis
AED coordinator. She added,
“It is much harder in the more
rural and less-populated areas
of these three states; but by
acknowledging our donors
and shedding light on the importance of AED usage, while
also putting fears to rest, we
hope to continue to see action
and acquisition throughout
all schools in each of the areas
we serve.”
St. Michael High School has
two stationary AEDs in addition to one mobile device.
Principal Myra Patureau
and St. Michael High School
athletic trainer Anthony Neeson are working to train all faculty, staff and administration
on proper AED use through
faculty in-services throughout
the remainder of this school
year. They also will work
through the local Kiwanis to
purchase more equipment
through their school discount
program in order to secure one
AED for each major building
on St. Michael’s campus.
“The training is important,
but the good news is that
these machines are so easy to
use yet technically advanced
enough so that the user is
audibly walked, guided and
directed,” said Neeson. “It
basically takes up where CPR
leaves off.”
COOKING FOR OUR VETS – On April 1, the Fourth Degree Knights of
Columbus Archbishop Antoine Blanc Assembly #2047 cooked a jambalaya
dinner for the residents of the Louisiana War Veterans home in Jackson.
Cooking the meal are, from left, Glen Phillips, Gerald Blanchard, Leo Daigle,
Joe Trabeaux and Emerson LeBlanc. Photo provided by Thomas Hildebrandt
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our catholic community
SUPPORTING RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS – Jim Rabalais, grand knight
of Knights of Columbus Council #7856 of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
in St. Francisville and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Jackson, presents
on behalf of the council a check in the amount of $1,200 for the diocesan
vocations program to Father Matt Lorrain, director of vocations for the
Diocese of Baton Rouge. The council raised the money through various
fund raisers throughout the year. The council contributes annually to the
vocations program in support of its efforts. Photo by Debbie Shelley
Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a
soul nobler and stronger than it was before.
James Buckham
9
news
Diocese plans to merge two
North Baton Rouge schools
10
School board members of St. Isidore
the Farmer School, St. Gerard Majella
School and Redemptorist High School
met with Dr. Melanie B. Verges, superintendent of diocesan schools, and
members of the Diocesan School Board
on April 13 to address declining enrollment in the three schools. After much
discussion, those present concurred
that to continue to serve the families in
North Baton Rouge, St. Isidore School
and St. Gerard Majella School should be
merged to form a new school.
Following the meeting, which was
held at the Westerfield Conference Center on the campus of the Catholic Life
Center, Verges announced the opening
of Redemptorist Elementary School in
August 2010. The school will be located
in the building currently occupied by
St. Gerard Majella School at 3655 St.
Gerard Ave.
By partnering with Redemptorist
High School, an academic model for
PK-4 through grade 12 will be established, said school officials. Students
will have the advantage of technological advancement through a laptop
computer program, increased school
transportation services from several
sites and expanded programs in several
G
enrichment areas.
Verges said, “Catholic Schools have
served Americans well for hundreds of
years. We embrace the future for families
of both Redemptorist Elementary and
High schools as we partner with stakeholders to improve and expand services
in faith formation, academic foundation
and community connection.”
Board members agreed that there is
much work to be done to successfully
merge the schools, and parent, staff
and alumni involvement is needed. The
Catholic Schools Office has begun working with the school principals to place
teaching faculty and to transfer student
registration. Information will be posted
on the Catholic Schools Office website
(www.csobr.org) as it becomes available.
Parents of students in the three
schools have been invited to attend one
of two meetings on Thursday, April 22,
either at 7:30 a.m. or at 4 p.m. at 3655 St.
Gerard Ave.
The two current principals, St. Isidore
principal Erica Walker and St. Gerard
principal Joan Huston, will be part of
the new school. In the next couple of
weeks, students from St. Isidore and
St. Gerard will have an opportunity to
meet each other.
ifts that
b
brighten
their day!
Session
From page 1
beings, regardless of their immigration
status, said Loar.
Immigration laws passed on the state
level concerning immigration will likely
be pre-empted by federal law based on
the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, according to Loar. “The Catholic
Church supports comprehensive immigration reform and believes that the
proper venue for such reform is at the
federal level.”
He added that the Catholic Church believes that an immigration policy, which
focuses solely on enforcement, without
reforming the immigration system as a
whole, would cost the U.S. hundreds of
billions of dollars and have a devastating impact on vast sectors of the U.S.
economy.
–Current law requires that the physician intending to perform an abortion
shall, at least 24 hours before the abortion,
perform an ultrasound examination of
the unborn child. LCCB is supporting
a bill that would require the physician
to display the ultrasound images so the
woman may choose to view or not view
the images of the unborn child.
“The ultrasound laws are aimed at
fulfilling at least two interests of the state:
ensuring that the pregnant woman is
fully informed and protecting unborn
human life,” said Loar. “Seeing an image
of the unborn child highlights both the
humanity and the dignity of the child.”
–The Catholic Church believes that
restorative justice be pursued when considering criminal law. Restorative justice
involves the return to right order affected
through the acceptance of responsibility,
the assignment of appropriate punishment and the return or restoration of as
many as possible to the human community. This is why the LCCB is supporting
legislation that provides for juveniles
younger than 15, who are found guilty
of serious crimes, be given the possibility
of parole.
“Children who are most susceptive
to being involved in criminal activity are
also those same children who come from
the worst circumstances.” Loar added
that studies have shown the brain of a 15
year old is not fully developed to totally
understand consequences of their actions.
Catholic schools in Louisiana educate
17 percent of all students in kindergarten
through 12th grade, the highest percentage in the United States. But they receive
only 57 percent ($14.3 million) of what it
costs ($24.9 million) to collect information in 15 categories required by the State
Department of Education.
These schools are requesting what
they are legally entitled to receive, noted
Loar.
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news
11
Youth break through the
blur, see Christ at rally
by
Debbie Shelley
Assistant Editor
The youth attending the
Diocesan Junior High Youth
Rally on April 16 at the Catholic
Life Center responded enthusiastically to the event’s lighthearted approach to helping
them concentrate on Christ. The
youth played icebreaker games,
listened to music and humorous messages and participated
in group activities in breakout
sessions.
The theme of the rally was
“Fight the Blur: Focus on
Christ.”
After listening to the Dio c e s a n Yo u t h B a n d a n d
playing games such as,
“Bear, Hunter, Ninja” and
“Ships and Sailors,” the young
Catholics listened to talks by
“Popple “ Ministries, whose
members use only their first
names, Dan and Kyle.
Dan, whose dad was in the
military, moved around a lot as a
youth, so he did not think about
joining a faith community. He
and his family love the Catholic
faith, but he was caught up in
“the blur” of “being cool” and
being popular rather than serving the church, he said.
When Dan was of high
school age and living in California, a woman invited him
to join a local Catholic church’s
youth group.
Dan participated in activities
with the group, and he stated
he always saw smiles on their
faces. He said to himself, “I
don’t know what they have, but
I want it.”
Dan learned from the members of that group that prayer
is a conversation with God. He
became more involved in the
Catholic faith.
Dan challenged the youth
to focus on Christ during the
storms of life and to help others. He referred to the Scripture
passage where Peter sees Christ
walking on water and asks to do
the same. Peter steps out onto
the water, yet sinks after he
takes his eyes off Christ.
Kyle re-emphasized Dan’s
message of the importance of
helping others as he talked
about Jesus’ feeding 5,000 people from five barley loaves and
two small fish provided by a
boy.
“The boy hears Jesus say,
‘Give me what you have,’”
Kyle said.
He stated when people focus
on “the blur” of what others
think of them, they may not
see they have gifts to offer others; however, Jesus will take
those gifts and bless them,
break them and offer them to
the world.
“Whenever we give the
gifts he gives us back to him,
he takes what seems insignificant and makes it more than
enough,” Kyle said.
Between the speakers’ presentations, breakout sessions
re-enforced the rally’s messages
of the importance of teamwork.
Members of the youth group from St. Margaret Church in Albany salute after hearing the
command “Captain’s coming” during the icebreaker game, “Ships and Sailors,” at the Diocesan
Junior High Youth Rally on April 16. Photos by Debbie Shelley
Youth attending the Diocesan Junior High Youth Rally try to eliminate each other during a
round of the game “Bear, Hunter, Ninja,” which is similar to the game “Rock, Paper, Scissors.”
Portraying members of the New Orleans Saints football team and cheerleading squad were
emcees, from left, Mark Holt as Drew Brees, Madi Alford and Abigail Theriot.
LeeAnn Law and Matthew Flanders, members of the youth
group from St. John the Baptist Church in Zachary, were inspired
to dance to the music played at the rally.
12
youth
DISTRICT LITERARY RALLY – Ascension Catholic High School participated in the District
Literary Rally at Nichols State University on March 20. Gathered with counselor Judie Martinez,
far left, and principal Sandy Pizzolato, far right, are ACH participants, from left, seated, Haley
Capello, Engish II; Erin Breaux, geometry; Shea Guillot, Spanish I; Anna Lassere, algebra II;
Addie Imbraguglio, Spanish II; Maci Luquette, biology I; kneeling, Taylor Cavalier, chemistry;
Heather Poirrier, algebra I; Macy Esneault, world history; Jamie Boudreaux, English IV; Sarah
Ball, English III; Chelsea Roudeze, physical science; Josh Traigle, American history; standing,
Charles Caballero, calculus; Taylor Marcello, civics, Brandon Burns, advanced math II; Wade
Bailey, world geography; Michael Graugnard, English I; and David LeBlanc, biology II. Also
participating in the event were Crystal Green, advanced math I; and Jesse Pizzolato, physics.
SCHOOL BLESSING – Father Phil Spano, pastor of
Ascension of Our Lord Church in Donaldsonville, blesses
for St. Theresa of Avila School at its 50th anniversary
celebration March 21. Following a ceremony in St.
Theresa of Avila Church, there was a tour of the school,
followed by a reception in the gym. Assisting Fr. Spano
are altar server Megan LeBoeuf, left, and Knights of
Columbus 4th Degree Officer Russell Ruh, right. Photo
provided by Janis Ament
Photo provided by Ascension Catholic High School
CRAZY DAY – On Friday, April 16, Most Blessed Sacrament School students and faculty
dressed in crazy, mis-matched outfits to raise money for ARC, a center which provides many
essentials for children and adults with disabilities. The charity fund-raising event netted over
$1200 for ARC to purchase needed items. Dressed in “crazy garb” are MBS middle school
students with teacher Lisa Lloyd. Photo provided by Most Blessed Sacrament School
The Catholic
Commentator is
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Baton Rouge and
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www.diobr.org/tcc.
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HONOR BAND MEMBERS – Five St. Michael High
School Jazz Ensemble students earned spots in the East
Baton Rouge Parish Honor Jazz Band. These students were
selected by audition from among students throughout the
parish and performed in a recent concert at Woodlawn High
School. St. Michael students chosen are Alex Holeman,
bass; Matthew Hawkins, bass; Amanda Crump, trombone;
Eric Peters, trumpet; and Dylan Parker, alto saxophone. Photo
provided by St. Michael High School
RELIGION FAIR – St. George
School hosted its third annual
Fourth-Grade Religion Fair on April
15. The projects provided fourthgrade students an opportunity to
learn more about Catholic faith and
traditions. Pictured with religion
instructor Lara Bettencourtt are
fair winners, from left, kneeling,
Maddie Williston, Caroline LeBlanc,
Catherine Fuller, Emily Boudreaux,
Courtney Patterson and Whitney
Hamilton; standing, Lizel Varnado,
Madison Zeber Christian Lejeune,
Clayton Torres, Zach Cobb and
Robert Doerr. Photo provided by St.
George School
youth
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Visiting with Phillip Gordy, center, during a “Called by Name”
convocation hosted by the Diocese of Baton Rouge Office of
Vocations in March are, from left, seminarians Reuben Dykes,
Tim Hedrick, Cody Reed, and convocation participant Sara
Monti. Photo provided by Father Matt Lorrain
of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the
White House and an abortion
clinic.
The group also spent time
with seminarians and religious sisters, who planned
activities for the group.
“It was especially encouraging to see such youth and
fervor in the church – our
youth group has benefited
in a special way by this exposure,” Gordy said.
Since the March for Life,
Gordy has cont i nued h is
support of pro-life activities
as a member of Teens4Life.
Gordy has helped restore
the grounds and supported
building projects at the National American Holocaust
Museum, which is at the site
of a former abortion clinic in
Baton Rouge that was seized
by the federal government
in 1994 and bought by the St.
Mary and St. Joseph Family
Memorial Foundation.
Future projects include
building an American Holocaust wall, a Tomb for the
Unborn Child, a Memorial
Shrine and the Church of the
Holy Innocents Chapel.
Gordy has also worked
with the poor in areas that
are not predominately Catholic as part of the Glenmary
Volunteer program. He said
t he m issiona r y work has
made him aware of needs
within this country.
As a member of the
Knights of Columbus Council #7856 of Our Lady of Mt.
Ca r mel a nd O u r Lady of
Perpetual Help in Jackson,
Gordy participates in projects that benefit the community.
The organization awarded
him the Catholic Youth Leadership Award and a scholarship.
At this time, Gordy plans
to attend St. Joseph Seminary
in St. Benedict.
Gordy said he has always
had a strong interest in a
religious vocation and he
decided last fall to become
a priest.
Th roug h h i s vo c at ion ,
Gordy said he wants to help
Catholics become more in
love with God and see their
faith as important, if not the
most importa nt t h i ng, i n
their lives.
St. Jean Vianney breaks school
record for Lent fund raising
St. Jean Vianney School
students, teachers and staff
raised more than $2,300 for
its Lenten project benefitting
World Vision.
The School had a goal of
$1,956 to collect during the
Lenten season, which ended
on March 26.
The funds will be given
5.4
%
Tired of Watching
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D ebbie Shelley
Si nc e t he t i me Ph i l l ip
Gordy was a young child,
God has tugged at his heart
with a call to follow him along
a path of servant leadership
and a priestly vocation.
Gordy, a senior and student
ambassador at Catholic High
School, has initiated prayer
opportunities at school.
During Lent he organized
an outdoor Stations of the
Cross on Fridays.
He also organized a rosary
group at school, which prays
together a couple of days a
week during the lunch hour.
The rosar y is a special
Marian devotion for Gordy,
who said he has a good relationship with the Blessed
Mother. A resident of West Feliciana
Civil Parish, Gordy recites the
rosary and offers prayer intentions during his commute to
school.
Gordy i s a l so ver y i nvolved in pro-life issues. He
attended the annual March
for Life in Washington, D.C.,
on Jan. 22 with members of
his youth group from Our
Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
in St. Francisville.
While the group experienced some delays getting
to their destination, Gordy
sa id t he t r ip gave g roup
members the opportunity to
know themselves better and
to grow closer to God and
each other.
The Mt. Ca r mel yout h
group visited different historical sites; the Shrine of
the Most Blessed Sacrament;
Washington National Cathedral and the Basilica of the
Immaculate Conception.
The group also attended a
Louisiana Preaux Life Youth
Rally and prayed outside
13
to World Vision to purchase
a variety of needed items
and services for the people
it serves.
World Vision is a Christian
humanitarian organization
dedicated to working with
children, families and their
communities worldwide to
reach their full potential by
tackling the causes of poverty
and injustice.
St. Jean Vianney Catholic
School opened in 1985 as a
part of the Diocese of Baton
Rouge to provide a strong
education to local area students based on the principles,
values, and teachings of the
Catholic Church.
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          
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          


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


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

14
entertainment
FCC tries to clear backlog of indecency complaints from its docket
by
Mark Pattison
WASHINGTON – Since more than
1 million complaints about indecent
programming have been lodged with
the Federal Communications Commission, in March the FCC started taking
action to clear the backlog.
Nobody knows exactly how many
complaints are sitting in the FCC’s
inbox. FCC Commissioner Bob McDowell said last June during his renomination hearing in the Senate that
the number of complaints had reached
1.2 million.
The logjam reaches back four years,
when Republicans controlled the commission; the FCC recently sent a letter
of inquiry regarding an installment of
“Dr. Phil” that aired in 2006. And Michael Copps, one of three Democrats
on the five-member FCC, has been an
ardent foe of indecent programming.
Nor is it a matter of everything on
the tube being bad, or worse. Some
zealous groups exploit their e-mail
networks and implore their followers
to complain to the FCC over an episode
of a particular show.
For instance, in January 2009 the FCC
took in 578 indecency complaints. The
following month 505 complaints came
in. Then, in March 2009 the FCC got
slammed with 179,997 complaints. Most
of them had to do with one episode of
the animated Fox sitcom “Family Guy”
that became the source of a campaign by
the Parents Television Council. The 2009
first-quarter complaint total of 188,558
swamped the 2008 fourth-quarter complaint total of 29,008.
As for how many came in the rest
of last year, good luck getting a figure.
FCC spokeswoman Rosemary Kimball
said in a March 31 e-mail to Catholic
News Service that the report on the first
quarter of 2009, issued Sept. 8, was the
most recent report to be released.
Robert Peters, president of Morality
in Media, told CNS the Parents Television Council was, at its start in 1995,
“not putting pressure on the FCC. Instead they were putting it on sponsors.
They still put pressure on sponsors,
but their main focus is on the FCC.”
Peters also cited the Mississippi-based
American Family Association for having “contributed to the large number
of complaints. ... They’ve got a lot of
members.”
Of course, individuals don’t need
organizations to tell them what is
indecent. People, if they choose, can
file their own FCC complaint online,
thanks to Morality in Media, by going
to www.moralityin media.org, clicking
on “Radio/TV Indecency” in the right
column, then clicking on the top menu
item in the center column with “FCC
Form 475B” in red.
The form will ask for the month,
date and year of the program in question; the time it aired; the network that
aired it; the channel or call letters of
the station airing the program; the city
and state where the show was seen or
heard (the form can be used for radio
indecency complaints as well); There is
also space to describe the content that
M ovie
Reviews
Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get
Married Too? (Lionsgate)
Dramatically uneven but, for the
most part, morally steady sequel mixing comedy and drama and examining
the renewed marital challenges of four
couples – a successful self-help author
(Janet Jackson) and her architect spouse
(Malik Yoba), a sportscaster (Michael Jai
White) and his hyper-suspicious wife
(Tasha Smith), a lawyer (Sharon Leal)
whose husband (Tyler Perry) begins to
doubt her fidelity, and a divorcee (Jill
Scott) whose second marriage is under
strain due to her new partner’s (Lamman Rucker) ongoing unemployment.
While implicitly endorsing Scott’s character’s remarriage after her split from
her abusive ex (Richard T. Jones) – who
puts in a remorseful reappearance here
– writer-director Perry’s follow-up to his
2007 hit “Why Did I Get Married?” is
otherwise all about commitment, though
the script’s highlighted values, such as
open communication and self-giving
love, do not rest on a spiritual foundation. Brief, nongraphic marital lovemaking, a nonmarital bedroom scene, intense
domestic discord, adultery theme,
numerous sexual references, including
mention of sterilization and venereal
disease, drug references, frequent crass
language. A-III; PG-13
Date Night (Fox)
This well-intentioned but ultimately
wayward mix of the romantic comedy
and action genres sees an ordinary suburban New Jersey couple (Steve Carell
and Tina Fey) caught up in an underworld blackmail scheme after being mistaken for the cohabiting lowlifes (James
Franco and Mila Kunis) who are out to
sell the damning evidence. As written
by Josh Klausner and directed by Shawn
Levy, the pair’s nocturnal Manhattan
odyssey – during which they flee a duo
of thugs (Common and Jimmi Simpson)
in the employ of a mob boss (Ray Liotta)
and turn for help to a James Bond-like
intelligence agent (Mark Wahlberg)
-- though its travails aid them to re-
the viewer or listener found indecent.
Morality in Media also has a link on
its website called “TV Smut.” It doesn’t
show actual smut, but it contains
information about federal obscenity
and indecency laws, the FCC’s definition of indecency, plus instructions
on how to make a formal complaint
to the FCC. And, when material isn’t
obscene or indecent but is morally offensive nonetheless, Morality in Media
includes a list of tactics on how to deal
with advertisers, networks, and local
TV affiliates and cable operators.
A-I – general patronage; A-II
– adults and adolescents; A-III –
adults; A-IV – adults, with reservations; L – limited adult audience;
O – morally offensive.
G – general audiences, all ages
admitted; PG – parental guidance
suggested, some material may not
be suitable for children; PG-13 –
parents are strongly cautioned to
give special guidance for attendance of children under 13, some
material may be inappropriate for
young children; R – restricted,
under 17 requires accompanying
parent or adult guardian; NC-17 –
no one under 17 admitted.
kindle their flickering love for each other,
eventually leads to an underground sex
club where they briefly find themselves
forced to entertain a powerful patron
with perverse tastes. Considerable,
though bloodless, action violence, partial
rear nudity, much sexual humor, including gags about casual sex, masturbation
and aberrant practices, at least one use of
profanity and of the F-word, some crude
and crass language. L; PG-13
Letters to God (Vivendi)
Inspirational and touching drama,
based on real events, about a faith-filled
but cancer-stricken 8-year-old boy (Tanner Maguire) whose prayers and reflections are expressed in a series of letters
to the Almighty, and the effect these
notes have on his family – including his
widowed, overtaxed mother (Robyn
Lively), his devout grandmother (Maree
Cheatham) and his emotionally conflicted teen brother (Michael Christopher
Bolten) – but especially on the depressed,
boozing war-vet-turned-postman (Jeffrey S. Johnson) who has recently taken
over the local mail route. Though the
underlying theology of director David
Nixon’s family-friendly tale of courage
and conversion is evangelical, the basic
message about the power of Gospel
values to transform lives is sufficiently
nondenominational to exert a strong
appeal on Christian believers of every
stripe. Life-threatening illness, divorce
and alcoholism themes. A-II; PG
entertainment
On The Record
1
by Charlie Martin
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3
4
If I go before I’m old; Oh,
brother of mine please, don’t
forget me if I go
Bartender please; Fill my
glass for me; With the wine
you gave Jesus, that set him
free after
Three days in the ground
Oh, and if I die before my
time; Oh, sweet sister of
mine; Please don’t regret me
if I die
Oh, and if all this gold should
steal my soul away; Oh, dear
mother of mine; Please redirect me if this gold
Bartender, you see, the wine
that’s drinking me; Came
from the vine that strung;
Judas from the devil’s tree;
His roots deep, deep in the
ground
(Repeat above verse.)
In the ground
(Repeat second verse twice.)
Watch the light
In the ground
I’m on bended knees; Oh,
bartender please; I’m on
bended knees, father, please
I’m on bended knees; I pray,
oh, bartender please
When I was young, I didn’t
think about it; Now I can’t get
it out of my mind
I’m on bended knees, father
please
When I was young, I never
dreamed about it; Now I just
think about it all the time
I’m on bended knees, oh,
bartender, please; Bartender,
please; Bartender, please
Sung by Dave Matthews Band
Copyright © 2010 by RCA
some encouragement in facing
their own difficulties? Who feels
outside the acceptance of most
of your peers and could benefit
from your caring friendship?
What acts of generous service
could make a positive difference
in your school, parish or community?
And don’t forget those you
live with. Do you spend time
with younger siblings, letting
them know that you care about
them? And what about spontaneously doing a few more
chores to help your parents?
Could you call your grandparents and just check in on them?
Life offers us many choices. It
may take time to discover what
helps you to live your own life
well. If you are confronted by
dissatisfaction or emptiness,
know that you don’t have to
accept that situation. Ask God to
help you find a new way to give
and receive love, and then you
will drink of what truly endures
and blesses your whole life.
Your comments are always
welcome. Please write to me at:
[email protected] or at
7125W 200S, Rockport, IN 47635.
Copyright © 2010 Catholic
News Service/U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops
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Bartender
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A reader from Cedar Falls,
Iowa, who reads this column
in The Witness asked me to
review the Dave Matthews
song “Bartender.” I found the
song on the recent “Live in Las
Vegas” CD, which features both
Matthews and Tim Reynolds on
acoustic sets. I believe, though,
that the song may be an earlier
Matthews release.
“Bartender” is rather enigmatic in meaning and prompts
much consideration among
Matthews’ fans. Some of these
fans believe the lyrics refer to
Matthews’ past problems with
substance abuse, and others see
the lyrics as describing a very
low time in Matthews’ life.
Whatever the song’s personal context for Matthews,
“Bartender” invites us to think
about what is important in how
we live.
The song’s character wonders if his life has enough meaning so that others will remember
him if he dies before he is old.
He also feels uncertain about his
life choices and wants the bartender to serve him the “wine
you gave Jesus that set him free
after three days in the ground.”
To me, these images speak of
his desire for salvation and healing from what his life has been.
Thus, he is on “bended knees,”
praying for God’s help.
Perhaps the bartender is a
metaphor for God. If so, the
song’s character is sure to receive guidance past his current
emptiness.
Having questions about life’s
greater purpose is common.
They occur often when previous choices or ways of behaving
no longer bring us satisfaction
or meaning. Instead, we want
to discover more fully God’s
divine purpose for our lives.
To do so, we can drink the
same “wine” that Jesus drank.
It is the elixir of enduring, compassionate and forgiving love.
This is much more than feelings of love. Rather, this love is
marked by consistent, loving
service toward others.
Such an attitude of service begins right where you are. Look
around in your world. Who
among your friends could use
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A cry for healing
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ACROSS
1 Float
5 Dismas, the Good ____
10 Broadway play based on the
work of a Catholic poet
14 Egyptian goddess of fertility
15 Strange and mysterious
16 Illustrious warrior
17 Novena number
18 The Diocese of Portland is
here
19 On the ocean
20 Tribe of Israel
21 Chooses
22 Pond sound
23 Ancestress of Jesus
24 Carves
26 Superior of convent
29 Friend of St. Francis of
Assisi
30 Response
31 Sends
35 Hint
36 Master (in Africa)
37 Asian inland sea
38 Tendon behind the knee
40 ____ Meal
41 Attack
42 Broke a Commandment
43 Marks with oil
46 “…and the secret of his
heart will be laid ____.” (1
Cor 14:25)
47 Automaton
48 Water storages
49 Benedictine title
52 Demeanor
53 Monks’ cowls
55 “Behold the ____ of God”
56 Tasmanian peak
57 Money paid
58 Certain code
59 Spool
60 Liturgical color
61 Urges
DOWN
1 Jesus rebuked this
55
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www.wordgamesforcatholics.com
Paul preached in ____
Minor
Scandinavian
Monogram for poet in 10A
Entices to sin
Moor
Greek goddess of the
rainbow
One, in Berlin
Sum charged
Emperor of the Holy Roman
Empire
Greek writer of fables
Something special
Steeps
Expel
Scoundrels
Closing hymn
Jargon
Biblical city
Diocese opening
Catholic horror actor Lugosi
Children’s book author
Author of 46D
Tiny branches
The Garden of Eden might
have been in this modernday state
Record
Iditarod vehicle
Author Hart
Hue
“Love is not jealous, it does
not put on ___.” (1 Cor 13:4)
He knocked down the
Philistine temple
Knight dress
Sound
Corpulent
The Red ____ of Courage
Express excessive love
(with “on”)
“We ___ to say, Our
Father…”
Augury
Some CEOs
Solution on page 18
Shane T. Bennett, CPA, CVA
A Professional Accounting Corporation
• Income Taxes
• Monthly Bookkeeping
• Business Valuation
3752 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Ph. 225-343-4715, FAX 225-343-4726
[email protected]
16
viewpoint
In Exile
by Father Ron Rolheiser
Living with frustration and tension
Among William Blake’s
infamous Proverbs from Hell
we find this one: “Sooner
murder an infant in its cradle
than nurse unacted desires.”
There are subtle layers of meaning to this, but on the
surface it speaks volumes, especially for our generation.
Today we are for the most part congenitally unwilling
and existentially unable to carry tension for long periods
of time, to live with frustration, to accept incompleteness, to be at peace with the circumstances of our lives,
to be comfortable inside our own skins, and to live
without consummation in the face of sexual desire. Of
course, in the end, we do not have a choice. We are not
above our humanity and simply have to accept and live
with the tensions of incompleteness, but we struggle to
do so without bitter impatience, pathological restlessness, and all kinds of compensatory activities.
Emotionally and morally, this is our Achilles heel.
Our generation has some wonderful emotional and
moral qualities, but patience, chastity, contentment with
the limits of circumstance, and the capacity to nobly live
out tension are not our strengths. The effects of this can
be seen everywhere, not least inside of our struggle to
be faithful to our relational commitments.
We have made life-long commitment in marriage
very difficult because we find it hard to accept that any
marriage, no matter how good, cannot take away our
loneliness. We have descralized sexuality and severed
its link to marriage because we are unable accept sex as
limited to a marriage commitment. We have basically
rendered consecrated celibacy existentially impossible
tional challenges. Such challenges are probably the
most immediate value the legislation can bring as a
vehicle to go up to the U.S. Supreme Court.
This would force the high court to consider a new
standard: pain. Previous court decisions have always
dealt with the viability of the fetus outside the womb.
“There is substantial evidence, that, by 20 weeks
after fertilization, unborn children seek to evade
certain stimuli in a manner which in an infant or an
adult would be interpreted as a response to pain,”
the Flood bill says.
This would not be the first time a constitutional
question was decided on the basis of pain. Capital
punishment has been challenged successfully more
than once as violating the constitutional prohibition
against cruel and unusual punishment.
Ironically, the method many states chose – lethal
injection – to overcome objections to electrocution,
hanging and the gas chamber has been challenged
for the pain believed to be felt by the condemned.
“Those raising lethal injection challenges are
generally claiming that the drugs used in the executions cause extreme and unnecessary pain, and that
the combination of chemicals masks the pain being
experienced by the inmate from the sight of those
administering the death penalty,” according to the
Death Penalty Information Center.
The ideal is for major questions about life to be
dealt with on their merits. But since that is not the
situation, we must settle for working at the margins
to achieve each goal step by step.
The fetal pain issue won’t stay in Nebraska. If it
becomes law, it is sure to be challenged by those who
want to keep abortion legal.
Good. As the saying goes: Bring it on.
because no one, we feel, can be expected to carry sexual
tension for a lifetime. And, most painful of all, we have
sown a deep restlessness inside of ourselves because,
in our incapacity to accept the incompleteness of our
lives, we torture ourselves with the thought that we are
missing out on life, that we should not have to live with
so much incompleteness, and that the full symphony
for which we so deeply long should already be ours.
And the fault is not entirely our own. Much of it lies
with those who were supposed to prepare us for life
and did not give us the emotional and psychological
tools to more naturally and nobly accept life’s innate frustrations and the conscriptive asceticism that
brings with it. More simply, too many of us were not
taught that life is hard, that we have to spend most
of it waiting in one kind of frustration or other, and
that this is the natural state of things. Too many of us
were given a false set of expectations. We were given
the impression that indeed we could have it all, clearcut joy without a shadow and full intimacy without
frustration or distance.
Worse still, many of us were not given the simple,
basic permission to live in frustration: that is, to feel okay
about ourselves and about our lives even when for the
most part we are frustrated. We were not given permission to accept that frustration is natural, the normal state
of things, and that it is okay to accept ourselves and our
lives as they are and find joy and happiness inside of
them, in spite of the frustrations.
I’m still part of the generation whose moral and religious elders gave us this permission. I got this from my
parents who, deeply schooled in the concept of original
sin, understood themselves as “mourning and weeping
in a valley of tears.” This rather stoic perspective, which
believes that on this side of eternity all joy comes with
a shadow, did not make them morbid. The opposite, it
gave them permission to accept the limits of their lives
and the circumstances of their lives and, paradoxically,
find joy in the imperfect precisely because they were not
expecting the perfect. They understood that it is “normal” to be frustrated, to not have everything you want,
to have to live in incompleteness, and to accept that in
this life we will experience more hunger than satiation.
Most of us will have to learn this the hard way,
through bitter experience, through tears, and through
a lot of restlessness, from which we might be spared if
we already knew that hunger, not satiation, is what is
normal. As Karl Rahner famously puts it: In the torment
of the insufficiency of everything attainable we finally learn
that here in this life all symphonies must remain unfinished.
Wisdom and maturity invariably do find us and
life eventually turns each of us into an ascetic. We may
kick against the goad for a while, like a child kicking
against a mother’s restraining arms, but eventually we
tire, stop wailing, and accept the restraints, though not
always peacefully. But it can be peaceful, if we accept
that frustration is normal.
And so I would amend Blake’s proverb: Better to
murder an infant in its cradle … unless you give that child a
realistic set of expectations with which to deal with unrequited
desire and frustration.
Kent writes on current events for the Catholic News
Service. Former editor of archdiocesean newspapers in
Omaha and Seattle, he has a master’s in Christian spirituality from Creighton University.
Oblate Father Rolheiser, theologian, teacher, and awardwinning author, is president of the Oblate School of Theology
in San Antonio, TX. He can be contacted through his website
www.ronrolheiser.com.
Consider This
by Stephen Kent
Pro-life may gain from pain
Sometimes life is a pain.
Which can be a good
thing both for felons and
fetuses.
A bill pending in the Nebraska Legislature would
use pain as a reason to prevent abortions. Pain has
also been effective in causing de facto moratoriums
on the death penalty in many states.
If the Nebraska bill became law, the measure
would have national impact on the judicial handling
of abortion.
It was introduced in Nebraska’s one-house Legislature by its speaker, Sen. Mike Flood, under the title
“Abortion Pain Prevention Act.” It would prohibit all
abortions starting 20 weeks after fertilization, a point
where medical experts believe a fetus can feel pain.
Nebraska is no stranger to abortion-law precedent.
In 1997 it passed the nation’s first ban against partialbirth abortion. The U.S. Supreme Court found that
to be unconstitutional in 2000 for imposing “unfair
burden” on a woman. The constitutional challenge
had been brought by Dr. LeRoy Carhart of Bellevue,
Neb., one of few physicians in the country providing
third trimester abortions.
“With Dr. LeRoy Carhart performing and advertising such late-term abortions here in Nebraska, the
state needs to recognize the reality of what’s going
on,” Flood said when introducing the new bill.
“Fetal pain” could become as legally important as
“partial birth.”
The U.S. Congress passed a ban against partialbirth abortions in 2003 that was challenged by those
in favor of keeping abortion legal but upheld in 2007
by the Supreme Court.
Flood’s new bill was advanced by the Judiciary
Committee after the title was amended to the “PainCapable Unborn Child Protection Act.” At the end of
March it was awaiting action by the full Legislature.
During the committee hearing, several of those
testifying said the bill would certainly face constitu-
viewpoint
Looking Around
17
by Father William J. Byron SJ
Facing up to the clergy abuse scandal
Holy Week was heavier
this year for many Catholics
because of allegations of
clergy sex abuse of children
in Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland and other countries. Catholics worldwide are
shaken by criticism of Pope Benedict XVI.
Concern for victims is on our minds. The search for
reasons, which began here in the U.S. eight years ago, is
reopened. How, we ask, can the church make amends
and what must be done to prevent a recurrence ever
again?
For me, the path of analysis begins at the entry gate
– two gates really. The first is the threshold one crosses
when entering a seminary; the second is advancement
to orders.
If I were a bishop or admitting provincial, I would
want to know the sexual history of every candidate. This
is extraordinarily intrusive and invasive of privacy.
Please pray for the priests,
deacons and religious women and
men in the Baton Rouge Diocese
Apr. 25.... Rev. John L. Vessels SJ
............... Dcn. Angelo S. Nola
............... Sr. Georgeann Parizek RSCJ
Apr. 26.... Rev. Than N. Vu
............... Dcn. Curles P. Reesom Jr.
............... Sr. Johanne Pedersen CSJ
Apr. 27.... Rev. Clarence J. Waguespack
............... Dcn. Frank W. Rhodes Jr.
............... Sr. Anh-Tuyet Pham ICM
Apr. 28.... Rev. Miles D. Walsh
............... Dcn. Alfred J. Ricard Jr.
............... Sr. Cecile Poitras SSJ
Apr. 29.... Rev. Ju Hyung (Paul) Yi
............... Dcn. Bruno Rizzo
............... Sr. Christine Pologa CSJ
Apr. 30 . . Rev. Gerard F. Young
............... Dcn. Thomas M. Robinson
............... Sr. Penny Prophit OSF
May 1 .... Rev. Fred Youngs
............... Dcn. Tommy J. St. Pierre
............... Sr. Maria Rabalais CSJ
May 2 .... † Most Rev. Robert E. Tracy
............... Dcn. Eliazar Salinas Jr.
............... Sr. Anne Michelle Ramagos CSJ
May 3 .... † Most Rev. Joseph V. Sullivan
............... Dcn. Milton J. Schanzbach
............... Sr. Irene Regan CSJ
May 4 .... † Most Rev. Stanley J. Ott
............... Dcn. Peter Schlette
............... Sr. Geraldine Riendeaux CSJ
May 5 .... Most Rev. Robert W. Muench
............... Dcn. Rudolph W. Stahl
............... Sr. Brendan Mary Ronayne OSF
May 6 .... Rev. Howard R. Adkins
............... Dcn. Christopher Surek
............... Sr. Cynthia Sabathier CSJ
May 7 .... Rev. Donatus Ajoko
............... Dcn. J. Thomas Traylor
............... Sr. Thérèse St. Pierre CSJ
May 8 .... Rev. Michael J. Alello
............... Dcn. Francis J. Waguespack Jr.
............... Sr. Mary de Montfort Schexnaydre OP
No one would be forced, however, to continue or
even to begin to participate in this conversation, but
the conversation between the candidate and the admitting authority to a seminary should, I believe, touch
on the delicate questions of how one has managed his
sexuality, of whether one’s sexual identity is adequately
known to himself and whether one feels truly called to
and capable of meeting a commitment to celibacy.
If the candidate had ever been sexually abused, that
fact should be known. Not that it would of itself be
disqualifying, but it should open up an honest examination of whether or not the psychological impact of the
violation has been dealt with so that the probability of
the victim ever becoming a violator could be judged to
be minimal.
Exquisite care would have to be taken to avoid
creating the impression (or aggravating an impression
already there) that the young man caused the abuse or
is morally responsible for it. Any victim of abuse as a
child must be a psychologically healthy young adult
when entering the seminary.
Similarly, when it is time to advance a seminarian to
orders, the same kind of special, even sacred, conversation should take place. If the commitment to celibacy has
proved to be unmanageable, if anything even remotely
resembling the criminal behavior that produced the
scandals we all now deplore occurred during the seminary years, the candidate should be denied admission
to orders.
As harsh as these steps appear when laid out here in
cold print, it would be wise for bishops, superiors and
seminary rectors to apply them now retroactively and
confidentially to those famous “files” that have been
turned over, however belatedly, to criminal prosecutors.
What if these procedures had been in place many
years ago when the tragic figures now called “cases”
sought admission to the seminary or requested advancement to ordination? Could some cases of subsequent abuse have been prevented?
Conversations along these lines are now happening
in many dioceses and religious orders around the world.
This is an obvious preventive measure. It is also a welcoming, encouraging and positive assist, on the part of
those in authority, to healthy young men of generosity
and talent, whom God is calling to ordained ministry.
We can only hope and pray that they will not be
discouraged by reports of past failures in the wounded
church they want to serve.
Jesuit Father Byron is university professor of business
and society at St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia. E-mail:
[email protected]
The Human Side
by Father Eugene Hemrick
Ruined for life
As two students of St.
Vincent College in Latrobe,
Pa., reported their experience
of working with the “dump
people” in Guatemala, the idea “ruined for life” coursed
through my mind.
Dump people reside in garbage dump areas where
they live on what they can find there.
A lay volunteer who had served in a poor country
once told me, “The experience ruined me for life! Returning home to our affluence after living with the poor
left me feeling extremely uncomfortable with our way
of life.”
This same sentiment was echoed by the students of
St. Vincent in recalling their Guatemalan experiences.
The squalid huts that dump people live in are constructed of scrap corrugated tin. Sickening odors of
garbage permeate the air. Paved streets are nonexistent,
and young, innocent children living among the rubble
contract debilitating diseases.
What appalled the students of St. Vincent was a
four-story supermarket crammed with food and luxury
items within walking distance of these people. The
disparity between the poor and the wealthy living side
by side was a sad reminder that inequality often exists
around the corner for many of us.
Student projects like this, more often than not, are
meant to broaden the travelers’ education primarily. Not
so with these students! Their primary mission aimed at
bringing Christ to the dump people. They were there to
bring joy, peace and beneficence, three of love’s precious
qualities. They didn’t picture themselves as social workers so much, but rather as living witnesses of Christ’s
redemption.
Will they return? Yes they will, but the next time
they plan to be more fluent in Spanish. Although they
were able to communicate relatively well, fluency is an
equalizer that says, “I am one with you and not above
you by struggling to master your language rather than
remaining comfortably in my own.”
We Americans are extremely blessed in having most
of our needs met. However, this has a flip side of becoming absorbed with these needs, self-centered and
forgetting how the other half lives.
Today, universities and colleges realize the propensity of students to be insular and inward looking.
To counter this, the schools are including community
service as part of the curriculum.
For these institutions of higher learning, education is
not solely about learning to get ahead and serving one’s
own needs; more important, it is about being altruistic,
humane and serving others.
Our young people are the future of America. From
what I have experienced around the country, many of
today’s students are receiving well-rounded educations
through projects like this that are aimed at ensuring a
bright and wholesome future.
Father Hemrick is a research associate with the Life Cycle
Research Institute at The Catholic University of America.
coming events
18
St. Michael Tennis Social – The third annual
St. Michael High School Tennis Social will be held on
Saturday, May 1 at the Southern Oaks Athletic Club,
15253 Shenandoah Ave., Baton Rouge. Registration
will begin at 5 p.m. with matches beginning at 5:15 p.m.
Cost is $30 and includes a T-shirt and light appetizers.
All players must be at least 21 years old. To sign up and
for information, call Lee Reeves in the St. Michael High
School Office of Development at 225-755-3618.
Family Festival – Immaculate Heart of Mary
Church, 11140 Hwy. 77, Maringouin, will host its annual
Family Festival on Sunday, May 2. There will be barbecue chicken dinners from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., raffles,
bingo and a flea market. For information call the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church office at 225-625-2438.
Women’s Morning of Reflection – Ann Schneller will speak about “Being Mary in a Martha’s
World” during a women’s morning of reflection on
Saturday, May 8, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Our Lady of Mt.
Carmel Church Parish Hall, 11485 Ferdinand St., St.
Francisville. A former teacher, Schneller has taught
Ministry and Theology diocesan courses and is presently teaching theology at Our Lady of the Lake College
in Baton Rouge. For information call the Our Lady of
Mt. Carmel Church office at 225-635-3630.
End-of-Life Issues Rebroadcast – The “End-ofLife Issues” presentation given by Our Lady of Mt. Carmel pastor Father Cary Bani in January will be broadcast
on Catholic Life Television Channel 15 on Friday, April
23 at 9 p.m. and Saturday, April 24 at 9:30 a.m.
St. Francis of Assisi Food Fest – St. Francis of
Assisi Church, 818 W. Tenth St., Donaldsonville, will
host its annual Food Fest on Sunday, May 2 after the
10:30 a.m. Mass. There will be food, homemade desserts,
sweets, ice cream, children’s games and inflatables,
bingo, raffles, live and silent auctions, a plant booth
and music. For information call the St. Francis of Assisi
Church office at 225-473-8302.
Hearts and Lives Events – The Grief Recovery
Center in Baton Rouge will host its annual “Healing
Hearts and Lives” culinary event on Tuesday, April 27,
7-10 p.m., at White Oak Plantation. There will be food
prepared by Louisiana chefs, a silent auction and music.
Tickets are $50. For information call 225-924-6621.
St. Joseph’s Academy Spring Programs –
St. Joseph’s Academy will host two spring programs.
There will be a dance concert, featuring students in advanced dance II, ballet II and III classes, on Wednesday,
April 28 at 6:30 p.m., at the Manship Theatre in Baton
Rouge. Tickets are $6.50 each and can be purchased
See EVENTS page 19
Classified ads • Classified ads • Classified ads • Classified ads
legal notiCe
Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of Donna Katherine Epes is
asked to contact the Diocesan Tribunal at 225-336-8755.
for rent
Hall Rentals with kitchen, VFW Post
3784, 13214 S. Choctaw Dr., B.R. All
occasions. 225-273-1999.
for sale
Cemetery lot for sale, lot 53 section N; Roselawn Cemetery. Call
601-832-6009.
7000 sq. ft. brick building with metal
roof. 35625 KC Dr., White Castle.
Formerly W.C. KC Hall. Call Jimmy
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home for sale
EXCELLENT CONDITION 28x80
double wide mobile home, 3BR, 2.5
baths, f/p, all appliances, several
amenities, DS by I-12, large lot, wood
fence, $59,995. 225-667-7363/225229-5519.
Child Care
Zachary/Slaughter area Catholic
mom has child care opening in my
home for ages 6 weeks to 1 year. Call
225-572-3209.
Cards of thanks
In honor of St. Jude for assistance in
finding lost article.
MP
Thanks to St. Jude for favor granted.
DB
Cards of thanks
Thanks to St. Jude and God for my
great healing.
PT
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help Wanted
help Wanted
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wages will be paid (salary,
commissions, etc.) if money is
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state if there is an investment
required.
Position Available
Director of Preschool
Dependable female for part-time
job at Anthony’s Italian Deli. References required. To apply call 225272-6817, 3-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat.
St. Joseph’s Academy seeks the a
full-time Theology teacher for the
2010-2011 academic year. Must be
degreed in subject area. Experience
using technology in classroom beneficial to employment; teaching experience in church history and social
justice a plus. Submit resume with
references and current transcripts
to Assistant Principal of Academics
Sheri Gillio at [email protected]. Mail:
3015 Broussard St., Baton Rouge,
LA 70808.
has a position available
Assistant Director for
the Office of Religious Education
Candidate needs to be able to develop and implement faith formation
programs for adults, as well as certification and training programs
for catechists. Create marketing and promotional materials for all
programs. Practicing Catholic, with a degree in Theology, Religious
Education, or a comparable area, and experience in ministry on
the parish or diocesan level. Knowledgeable in the teachings of
the Catholic Church, catechetical leadership, and parish ministry.
Excellent written and verbal communication and organization skills;
working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Please send resume to:
Most Blessed Sacrament Church
Attn: Rev. Michael J. Collins
15615 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA 70817-6311
FAX 225-756-5014
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to:
Dr. Faith Ann Spinella or Louis Aguirre
P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395
[email protected]
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seeks Information Technology Support Specialist. Responsible for providing IT support for daily operational
activities, able to implement and
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Qualifications: Associate degree with
at least 3 year experience preferred
or an equivalent combination of education and experience/certification,
flexible and able to work in a missioncentered environment, good organizational and communication skills. Email cover letter and resume by April
30 to [email protected].
Diocese of
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Applications are currently being accepted for a
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www.wordgamesforcatholics.com
year for priests
Events
From page 18
online at www.manshiptheatre.org. The St. Joseph’s Academy/
Catholic High School Spring Choir Concert will be held Monday,
May 3, 6:30 p.m., at the SJA Activity Center. For information call
the St. Joseph’s Academy office at 225-383-7207.
Knights of St. Peter Claver Golf Tournament – The St.
Paul Knights of St. Peter Claver Council #351 will hold its fourth
annual Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 8, at Howell Park Golf
Course, 5511 Winbourne Ave., Baton Rouge. Registration is from
7-8 a.m., with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Entry fee includes green
fee, cart fee, dinner and drinks and a twosome scramble. Proceeds
will benefit the organization’s annual scholarship fund, promote
community youth development and renovations to St. Paul. For
information call Lionel Bazile, grand knight, at 225-936-5907 or
e-mail [email protected]; F. L. Stewart, deputy grand knight, at
225-756-4537; or Nolan Locket at 225-272-9337.
Archbishop Borders, retired
archbishop and former Baton
Rouge priest, dies at 96
by
George P. Matysek Jr.
BALTIMORE — Archbishop
William D. Borders, who retired
in 1989 as the 13th archbishop
of Baltimore, died April 19 at
Mercy Ridge Retirement Community in the Baltimore suburb
of Timonium.
He was 96 and had been bat-
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Business services
Baton Rouge Care Service. Serving
Baton Rouge and surrounding areas
since 1960. Registered sitters, nurses, and nurses aides for the sick and
elderly in the home, nursing homes
and hospitals. Licensed and bonded
for private duty care. 225-924-6098
or 225-667-0480. www.batonrougesit
tersregistry.com.
Gio’s Mezza Luna – Book your
wedding rehearsal suppers, business luncheons, private parties
with us. Great food at great prices.
Airline Hwy. at Old Perkins Rd. or
call 225-335-8880.
Wallpapering and Painting
by Debbie
28 years exp. 225-266-7655.
BROUSSEAU'S PAINTING
Interior and exterior painting. Experienced and reliable. Free estimates.
Call 225-241-8488 or 225-928-7194.
Business services
Kitchen counter tops. Call for free
estimates. John O'Neill 225-938-6141
or 225-683-6837.
LEBLANC’S TREE & STUMP
REMOVAL, INC.
Prompt service-Free estimates
FULLY INSURED
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Phone 383-7316
THOMAS LUNDIN, CPA
Accounting and taxes for businesses,
non-profits and individuals; business,
computer, financial and management
services. 30 years experience; professional, prompt and personal attention.
225-296-0404.
Donnie’s Furniture Repair &
Upholstery. We do refinishing, repairs,
caning, painting of furniture and
upholstery. Business 39 yrs. Pick up
and delivery. 10876 Greenwell Springs
Rd. 225-272-2577.
Business services
Dave’s Bicycle Repair and Sales
Free pickup and delivery, free estimates, expert economical repair on
all brands. 225-924-4337 or www.
davesbicyclerepair.com.
Mr. D’s Tree Service
3 Licensed Arborists
Free Estimates
Fully Insured
Don Decell & Carl Babin, owners
225-292-6756
Anthony's Furniture Specialties.
We restore hurricane damaged furniture. If it's furniture we do it all! Refinishing, re-upholstery, pick up and
delivery, etc. 2263 Florida Blvd., BR.
225-413-2607.
St. Joseph is the Patron Saint of a
Peaceful Death. St. Joseph Hospice
is available to support families as they
face end-of-life decisions. Peace,
comfort, dignity and support can
make every day "a good day." Call
225-368-3100 for more information.
S t.S ta n iSl auS
~ a Catholic residency and day school for boys in grades
seven through twelve and post graduate ~
St. Stanislaus Principal Opening
St. Stanislaus College (SSC), a 156-year old Catholic residency and day school for boys
in grades 7 through 12 and post-graduate located on the beach in Bay St. Louis, MS,
announces an opening for a principal for the 2010-2011 school year. The principal of
SSC is responsible for the academic program and the day-to-day operation of the school.
He/She will be responsible to a Board of Directors and to the president of the school
and will direct the school’s administration and faculty in accomplishing the mission of
the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in this locale.
All applicants must be practicing Catholics, have a Master’s degree in school
administration (preferred), have or be capable of becoming immediately certified as an
administrator by the Mississippi Department of Education, have a minimum of eight
years of successful teaching and administrative experiences combined, and be willing
to be formed and minister in the charism of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. Salary
commensurate with degree, experience, and certifications. Health benefits, retirement
contributions, life insurance, and LTD part of compensation package.
Résumés may be e-mailed to [email protected] or mailed to
Bro. Ronald Hingle, S.C. President
304 South Beach Blvd.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
Inquiries to (228) 467-9057, ext. 253.
19
tling colon cancer. He was the
fourth-oldest living Catholic
bishop in the United States at
the time of his death.
Renowned for his commitment to collegiality, social justice and a pastoral approach to
leadership, Archbishop Borders
led the archdiocese from 1974 to
1989. He continued to reside in
Baltimore throughout his retirement, maintaining an active
priestly ministry well into the
last year of his life.
Archbishop Borders served
as a priest in the Baton Rouge
Diocese from 1940-1968.
In a recent letter to Archbishop Borders, Bishop Robert W. Muench, the bishop of
Baton Rouge, told the retired
archbishop, “At all levels you
have been an instrumental
leader, wise administrator,
powerful preacher, dynamic
witness and zealous minister
of the Gospel and the sacraments.” Bishop Muench spoke
of Archbishop Borders as “a revered colleague, acknowledged
visionary, brilliant preacher
and teacher, pillar of courage,
always centered in Jesus and
anchored in the church.”
Upon hearing of the archbishop’s death, Bishop Muench
referred to Revelations 14:13,
“Happy are those who have
died in the Lord; let them rest
from their labors, for their good
deeds go with them.”
“Archbishop Borders was a
man of deep faith, great humility and great love for God, the
church and this archdiocese,”
said Archbishop Edwin F.
O’Brien, the current archbishop
of Baltimore. “As a result, he
was universally loved by the
people of this local church, by
his brother bishops and priests,
and by all who were blessed to
call him Archbishop, Father,
teacher, brother and friend.”
Funeral arrangements were
incomplete at press time.
Pope Paul VI appointed
Archbishop Borders to be the
founding bishop of the Diocese
of Orlando, Fla., in 1968. Just six
years later, the pope transferred
him to Baltimore – moving
him from the nation’s newest
diocese to its oldest.
Upon his arrival, Archbishop Borders was faced with
several serious challenges. The
Archbishop
William D. Borders
archdiocese was suffering a
budget deficit and a religious
order funding scandal. Baltimore City was dealing with
striking police and sanitation
workers, and there was a courtordered school busing plan that
heightened tensions.
While dealing with those
volatile issues, the new archbishop suffered a near-fatal
heart attack while on retreat
just a few months after arriving in Baltimore. He spent his
first Christmas in Baltimore
recuperating under an oxygen
tent.
“It caused me to be realistic
as far as what I had to do and
what I didn’t have to do,” Archbishop Borders said. “You have
to recognize limitations. If you
don’t, it’s going to catch up to
you in any walk of life.”
In appointing leaders, Archbishop Borders followed a
ground-breaking path. He
reached out to women and
African-Americans in a special
way – naming them to key
posts.
The archbishop’s concern for
racial equality stretched back to
the earliest years of his priesthood. When he became pastor
of Holy Family Church in Port
Allen, La., in 1957, he struggled
with how to desegregate his
parish.
“There was a section roped
off for black people,” Archbishop Borders remembered
in a 1989 interview for a tribute
magazine at his retirement.
Worried about how he was
going to get rid of the ropes
“without causing a riot,” the
See BORDERS page 20
20 news
Borders
From page 19
archbishop “prayed some.”
“Then I bought a can of
coal oil, took off the ropes and
quietly burned them,” he said.
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Within six months, AfricanAmerican parishioners gradually integrated throughout the
church.
Throughout his priesthood,
Archbishop Borders was concerned with issues of social
justice. He met with union
leaders and civil rights activists
such as Cesar Chavez. Among
his many pastoral letters and
statements written while in Baltimore included letters on the
desegregation of Baltimore City
public schools, women in the
church, housing for the poor,
increased lay involvement in
the church, nuclear deterrence
and human sexuality.
A strong supporter of Catholic Charities, Archbishop Borders oversaw significant expansion in the outreach agency’s
work with the poor. Our Daily Bread, a downtown soup
kitchen that grew to become
Catholic Charities’ most well
known ministry, started during
his tenure.
The third of seven children,
Archbishop Borders was born
at his parents’ home in Indiana
during a flood that lifted the
family’s house from its foundation.
He began his studies for the
priesthood in 1932 in Indiana,
but transferred to New Orleans’ Notre Dame Seminary in
1936. He was ordained to the
priesthood in 1940 and served
as an associate pastor in Baton
Rouge.
In 1943, Archbishop Borders
enlisted in the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps and served with the
91st Infantry in North Africa
and Italy. He was awarded an
honorable discharge in 1946,
with the rank of major, and a
Bronze Star for Valor for carrying a wounded soldier to
safety while under fire.
Seeing men die in battle
shaped Archbishop Borders’
humble, collaborative approach
to leadership, according to Father Richard T. Lawrence.
“He had all the fear drained
out of him in the first few
years of his priesthood,” said
Father Lawrence, pastor of
Baltimore’s St. Vincent de Paul
Parish, adding that the arch-
bishop exhibited pure courage
on the battlefield and that was
how he ministered as well.
After the war, Archbishop
Borders was assigned as the
associate pastor at Our Lady
of Prompt Succor in Westwego, La. He was sent next to
Our Lady of Lourdes in New
Orleans. He also served as assistant chaplain and then chaplain at Christ the King Church
and Catholic Center at LSU.
He was also a pastor of
Holy Family Church in Port
Allen, and rector of St. Joseph
Cathedral in Baton Rouge.
Early in his retirement,
Archbishop Borders was a
much-sought lecturer. He also
wrote a book about spiritual
living in a secular society, published by Cathedral Foundation Press.
Until recently, the archbishop visited his office at the
Catholic Center in Baltimore
once a week to answer correspondence and visit old
friends. He celebrated the sacraments at Mercy Ridge, where
he had lived for several years.
Where would we be without our mothers?
On Sunday, May 9th, as we honor
our mothers, please remember that
mothers everywhere share the same
hopes for their children – that they will grow up to be good and kind, happy and healthy – but most of all, that God will
keep them safe from harm. Every day at St. Vincent de Paul, we see needy mothers who are struggling to take care of
themselves and their children. Many of them have been victims of domestic violence. Some have been abandoned by people
they thought they could trust. We see young mothers and children who have been sleeping in their cars. Others have
nothing but the clothes they are wearing. Too many older mothers and grandmothers can’t afford their life-sustaining
medications. Their stories may be heartbreaking, but they still have hope for a brighter future – for themselves and their children.
The Perfect Gift for Your Mother or Wife
On this special day, let your mother, grandmother or wife know just how much she means to you, and at the same
time, touch the life of a needy mother by giving a faith filled gift – the Taste & See cookbook. This hardcover book
is a collection of recipes from local cooks, with a special section containing recipes from Chef John Folse. In
addition, each chapter begins with a touching short story about one of St. Vincent de Paul’s charitable programs.
There’s everything from Kahlua Grapes, a delicious four-ingredient appetizer, perfect for the beginner, to dishes for
the more experienced cook, like Chef Folse’s Creole Cream Cheese Strawberry Shortcake. There’s something to please
every palate. All proceeds from this Mother’s Day effort will go toward helping mothers in need in our community.
Order Your Mother’s Day Gift & Card Today! – God has blessed me with a wonderful ⁮ mother ⁮ grandmother ⁮ wife (Check One), and I would
like to honor her and help needy mothers in our community by purchasing a Taste & See Cookbook, which includes a complimentary gift card. Please send me a
copy of the cookbook at $21.95 plus 9% tax – a total of $23.93, plus shipping and handling of $3.99 for a total of $27.92. (If you are interested in ordering more
than one copy or picking up your book to avoid shipping costs, call us at (225) 383-7837, ext. O.)
Name____________________________________________________________ My check for $__________ is enclosed.
Address_________________________City, State, Zip_______________________ Phone number ________________
Clip and mail your order to St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 127, Baton Rouge, LA, 70821

April 21 - The Catholic Commentator

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