Catholic School - The Catholic Connection

Transcription

Connection
The Catholic
Vol. 25, No. 1
August 2015
Bishop's
Reflection
Stand Firm & Act
with Loving Respect
What Makes a
New Look!
Magazine Celebrates
Awards & Fresh
Design
CatholicCatholic?
School
August 2015 1
Publisher
Bishop Michael G. Duca
Editor
Jessica Rinaudo
Contributors
Tamara Alqassis
Sam Alzheimer
Brian Burgess
Roxanne Chumley
Sr. Carol Cimino
Bishop Michael Duca
Fidel González
Harris Leblanc
Kim Long
Bonnie Martinez
Missy McKenzie
Kevin Prevou
Fr. Rothell Price
Dianne Rachal
Jessica Rinaudo
Katie Sciba
Mike Van Vranken
John Mark Willcox
Editorial Board
Kim Long
Fr. Matthew Long
Kelly Phelan Powell
Dianne Rachal
Christine Rivers
Deacon Mike Whitehead
John Mark Willcox
Mission Statement
The Catholic Connection is a monthly
publication funded by your Diocesan Service
Appeal; mailed to every known Catholic
household in the Diocese of Shreveport.
Our Mission is to advance knowledge and
understanding of our Catholic Faith among
the faithful. We seek to foster the application
of Christ’s teachings and our Church’s mission
in our daily lives and to encourage our sense
of Catholic identity within our family, parish,
and diocesan faith community.
Subscriptions & Address Changes
Contact: Jessica Rinaudo, Editor
Email: [email protected]
Write:
Catholic Connection
3500 Fairfield Avenue
Shreveport, LA 71104
Call: 318-868-4441
Fax: 318-868-4609
Website: www.thecatholicconnection.org
The Catholic Connection is a member
of the Catholic Press Association.
The Diocese of Shreveport complies with Virtus’s
Protecting God’s Children program. Classes are
offered every second Wednesday of the month
at the Catholic Center in Shreveport. To report
child sexual abuse by a cleric or church worker in
the Diocese of Shreveport, call Glennda Lawson.
Hotline is 318-294-1031 and your local law
enforcement agency.
2 Catholic Connection
Magazine Celebrates Awards
and Fresh Design!
by Jessica Rinaudo, Editor
C
atholic Press Awards are announced
each year at the national Catholic
Media Conference attended by
journalists in Catholic Press from all over
North America. I was unable to attend this
Sciba
Long
year’s event, as I had just given birth to
two beautiful babies, but that didn’t stop me from submitting some items from our
magazines to be considered.
As I’ve discovered in my eight years as Editor, it’s really tough to win a CPA award,
especially in the magazine division. We are up against many national publications
with large staffs and a wealth of resources. So when our small mission magazine enters
a category and takes home an award, it’s cause for great celebration!
This year we took home two awards: one for Katie Sciba’s Domestic Church
column (pg. 9), and another for Kim Long’s Faithful Food column (pg. 8). We strive
each month to bring you content that will nurture your Catholic faith in all areas of
your life, and I think it’s quite fitting that as the U.S. prepares for Pope Francis to
visit during the World Meeting of Families, these two columnists took home awards
for topics that discuss faith as it applies to our families and homes. Congratulations
Katie and Kim!
And on another exciting note, beginning with this issue of the Catholic Connection, I
hope you find that it is a little easier to read! We’ve enlarged our text, added some white
space and given our articles and columns a little room to “breathe.” We’ve also added a
new space for vocation news and for Catholic children. I hope you enjoy our new look
as we continue to strive to make our publication better for all area Catholics.
bishop’s august calendar
AUGUST 3 Theology on Tap;
Nicky’s Mexican Restaurant,
Downtown Shreveport; 7:00 p.m.
AUGUST 4 Priests Retirement
Committee meeting; Catholic
Center; 11:00 a.m.
AUGUST 5 St. Francis Medical
Center Board of Directors’
Meeting; Monroe; 11:30 a.m.
AUGUST 8 2015 Catechetical
Fair: Fostering Discipleship in the
Domestic Church; Shreveport
Convention Center, Shreveport
AUGUST 12 Opening of School
Mass: The Cathedral of St. John
Berchmans Catholic School;
Cathedral of St. John Berchmans,
Shreveport; 8:15 a.m.
Opening
of School
Mass: Loyola
College
Prep;
Cathedral of
St. John Berchmans, Shreveport;
9:30 a.m.
AUGUST 21 Blue Mass; St. Mary of
the Pines Parish, Shreveport;
9:30 a.m.
AUGUST 29 Encounter Jesus;
Catholic Center, Shreveport
AUGUST 31 New Orleans
Provincial Council Meeting/
Louisiana Conference of Catholic
Bishops Meeting; Immaculata
Center, Lafayette
contents
august 2015
columns
Stand Firm and Act with Loving Respect by Bishop Michael G. Duca.................. 4-5
Mike’s Meditations: Determining Your Goals by Mike Van Vranken....................6
In Review: Beloved: Finding Happiness in Marriage by Katie Sciba....................7
Faithful Food: Enjoy the Goodness We Have Wrought by Kim Long...................8
Domestic Church: Eyes on the Prize by Katie Sciba..............................................9
Knowledge is Spiritual Power by Katie Sciba .........................................................9
From the Pope: God Entrusted His Work to the Fruitfulness of "Our Earth"
by Vatican Information Services..................................................................................10
In the Words of Pope Francis by Vatican Information Services...............................10
Navigating the Faith: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
by Dianne Rachal.......................................................................................................11
Second Collections: Special and Second Collections in Our Diocese
by Fr. Rothell Price .....................................................................................................12
Vocations View: Boy Tested. Church Approved. by Sam Alzheimer ...................13
Kids' Connection .....................................................................................................25
4
14
features
What Makes a Catholic School Catholic?
by Sr. Carol Cimino ................................................................................................... 14
Catholic Schools Annual Report.......................................................................... 15-16
news
Launch Into the Deep: Bishop Duca Has Started Pastoral Planning Process
by Kevin Prevou and Pastoral Planning Committee ....................................................17
Catholic Charities Welcomes Palestinian Intern by Tamara Alqassis ..................18
Mercy Ministries Group Enjoy Evening on Black Bayou by Missy McKenzie .......18
21
on the cover
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Grant Will Help Needy in Shreveport
by Brian Burgess.........................................................................................................19
Vacation Bible School: A Granparent's Perspective by Bonnie Martinez ...........20
Youth Spread the Gospel in Belize by Roxanne Chumley & Harris Leblanc ..........21
Encounter Jesus Youth Event by Kevin Prevou ......................................................22
Hispanic News by Fidel Mondragón González ........................................................23
School News: Dr. Webber Named Principal at St. Frederick .............................24
School News: School Leadership Program byJohn Mark Willcox ........................24
Across the Globe: Pope Publishes Encyclical 'Laudato Si'
by Vatican Information Services.................................................................................26-27
Across the Globe: Pope Francis' Visit to U.S. by Carol Gates...............................26
Around the Diocese ...............................................................................................28-29
Mark Your Calendar ...............................................................................................30
August Calendar ....................................................................................................31
Picture of the Month...............................................................................................32
Students from three Monroe
Catholic schools.
(Photo by Missy McKenzie)
August 2015 3
la reflexión Del Obispo
por Obispo Michael G. Duca
Permanecer Firmes Actuando con Amor y Respeto
Q
ueridos Hermanos y Hermanas en Cristo,
Aunque no estoy sorprendido, sí estoy triste por la
decisión que hizo el mes pasado la Suprema Corte de
reconocer el matrimonio del mismo sexo como un derecho legal
en los Estados Unidos. Estoy seguro que ustedes también sienten
tristeza que la ley de nuestro país contradice nuestras profundas
creencias sobre el matrimonio.
Tal vez tengan muchas preguntas sobre el impacto que
esta decisión tendrá en la vida y dentro de nuestra iglesia.
Prácticamente, por ahora, la decisión no parece causar efectos
inmediatos en la vida diaria de la iglesia. No nos van a forzar a
ser testigos de bodas del mismo sexo y los derechos de predicar
nuestras creencias no son retadas por esta regla. Cuando las
situaciones se presenten y después de que haya yo tenido
tiempo de consultar con los sacerdotes, voy a publicar guías
específicas para asegurarme que actuamos de acuerdo con nuestro
entendimiento del matrimonio y no promover de ninguna
manera matrimonios del mismo sexo. Esto es lo que puedo decir
por ahora.
Continuaremos enseñando y afirmando que Jesucristo, con
gran amor, enseñó sin ambigüedad que desde el principio el
matrimonio es la unión de toda una vida de un hombre y una mujer.
Esta única relación está inscrita en nuestros cuerpos como hombre y
mujer y ordenada para la procreación y el cuidado de los niños, creando
una familia de amor. La protección de esta definición y significado del
matrimonio es una dimensión crítica de la “ecología integral” que el papa
Francisco nos ha llamado a promover. En nuestra enseñanza debemos ser
claros que no estamos predicando en oposición en contra de nadie, sino
proclamando la verdad de la belleza del matrimonio, que nos ha sido
entregada.
Estoy consciente que esta decisión de la Suprema Corte puede afectar
a algunas familias Católicas en maneras personales profundas porque
tengan hijos o familiares que son gay. En todo, ya sea con la familia,
vecinos, en el trabajo o con amigos, debemos actuar con respeto amoroso
para cada persona. Nuestra primera responsabilidad como católicos es ser
testigos del amor de Cristo. Nuestro primer encuentro con otros, como
el papa Francisco nos guía, es no juzgar, si no mostrar el amor de Cristo.
Este amor que mostramos no compromete nuestra enseñanza sobre el
matrimonio o la práctica dentro de nuestra Iglesia. Nuestro testimonio
más poderoso es siempre el gozo propio y la manera fiel de vivir todo lo
que nos enseña la iglesia sobre el matrimonio y la sexualidad humana.
¡No tengan miedo! Aunque escuchen que hay muchas maneras que
esto afectará a la iglesia en el futuro, por ahora son solo especulaciones.
Seríamos tontos si no tomáramos estas advertencias en serio, pero creo
que los mejores testimonios de nuestra fe en Cristo, y en particular
nuestro testimonio al entendimiento que tenemos sobre el matrimonio
Católico, vendrá de nuestro gozo y profunda fe en la belleza del
matrimonio cristiano y no temer.
Hemos sido testigos de muchos cambios en
nuestra cultura, las leyes de nuestro país, la
inseguridad causada por los peligros radicales
a través del mundo, la gran diferencia entre los
que tienen y los que no tienen, los inmigrantes y
ciudadanos. No podemos vencernos al miedo y
la pérdida de la esperanza que sentimos algunas
veces. Debemos revestirnos con la esperanza y el
gozo que vienen de nuestra fe en Jesus, Camino,
Verdad y Vida. Este gozo debe estar al centro
de nuestra respuesta a todas estas dificultades
y al centro de un compromiso decidido a vivir
las enseñanzas de Cristo y Su Iglesia. El Papa
Benedicto lo dijo tan bien que me gustaría
terminar con sus palabras: “El Espíritu Santo
nos da gozo. Y él es gozo. El gozo es un regalo
al cual se le añaden todos los demás regalos. Es
la expresión de felicidad, de estar en harmonía
con Dios y con su creación. Le pertenece
por naturaleza al gozo ser radiante; debe
comunicarse a sí mismo. El espíritu misionero
de la iglesia no es otro más que el impulso de
comunicar el gozo que se le ha dado” (Papa
Benedicto XVI, Dirigido a la Curia Romana en
la Navidad del 2008). •
bishop’s REFLECTION
by Bishop Michael G. Duca
Stand Firm and Act With Loving Respect
D
ear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
While I am not surprised, I am saddened by the Supreme
Court’s decision to recognize same sex marriage as a legal right in
the United States. I am sure you feel a sadness that the law of our country
stands in contradiction to our deeply held beliefs
about marriage.
You may have many questions about the impact
of this ruling on the life and practices within the
Church. Practically, for now, this decision does not
seem to cause any immediate effects on the Church’s
daily life. We are not going to be forced to witness
same sex weddings and our rights to preach our beliefs
are not challenged by this ruling. As situations arise
Bishop Duca
and after I have time to consult with my pastors, I will
issue specific guidelines to insure we act in accord with our understanding
of marriage and in no way promote same sex marriage. This much I can
say for now.
We will continue to teach and affirm that Jesus Christ, with great love,
taught that from the beginning marriage is the lifelong union of one
man and one woman. This unique relationship is inscribed in our bodies
as male and female and ordered to the procreation and care of children
creating a family of love. The protection of this definition and meaning
of marriage is a critical dimension of the “integral ecology” that Pope
Francis has called us to promote. In our teaching we should be clear that
we are not preaching
in opposition
Our most powerful witness
to something or
is always our own joyful
against anyone, but
proclaiming the
and faithful living of all the
truth of the beauty of
marriage, which has
teachings of the Church on
been handed on to us.
marriage and human sexuality.
I am aware that
this decision of the
Supreme Court may
affect some Catholic families in deeply personal ways because of gay
children or relatives. In all things, whether with family, neighbors, work
colleagues or friends, we should act with a loving respect for each person.
Our first responsibility as Catholics is to witness the love of Christ. Our
first encounter with others, as Pope Francis guides us, is not to judge,
but to show Christ’s love. This love we show does not compromise our
teaching on marriage or our practice within our Church. Our most
powerful witness is always our own joyful and faithful living of all the
teachings of the Church on marriage and human sexuality.
Do not be afraid! While you will hear of many possible ways this will
affect the Church in the future, for now they are only conjecture. We
would be foolish to not take these warnings to heart, but I believe the best
witness to our faith in Christ, and in particular
our witness to our Catholic understanding of
marriage, will come from our joyful and deeply
held belief in the beauty of Christian marriage
and not from fear.
We have witnessed many changes in our
culture, the laws of our country, the insecurity
caused by the dangers of radicals throughout
the world, the growing gap between the have’s
and have-not’s, the immigrants and the citizens.
We cannot give in to the unsettling fear and the
loss of hope we feel at times. We must reassure
ourselves with the hope and joy that comes
from our faith in Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and
the Life. This joy must be at the center of our
response to all these difficulties and at the heart
of a resolute commitment to live the teaching of
Christ and His Church. Pope Benedict said it so
well that I would like to end with his words:
“The Holy Spirit gives us joy. And he is joy. Joy is
the gift in which all other gifts are included. It is the
expression of happiness, of being in harmony with
God and with his creation. It belongs to the nature
of joy to be radiant; it must communicate itself. The
missionary spirit of the Church is none other than
the impulse to communicate the joy which has been
given.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Christmas Address to
the Roman Curia, 2008) •
August 2015 5
mike’s meditations
by Mike Van Vranken
Determining Your Goals
O
ver the years, I have attended and facilitated countless “goal
setting” meetings and sessions. In addition, I have purposely set
personal goals to lose more weight, get more sleep, save more
money and work fewer hours. All-in-all, identifying
targets and focusing on reaching those objectives is a
positive way to achieve desired results.
But at some point in my life, I realized there is only
one goal that is important. Every other mark or target
should only be considered if it gets us to that one
destination. Paul put it in perspective for us:
“I continue the pursuit towards the goal, the prize
of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus” Philippians
Van Vranken
3:14 (NAB).
Paul is urging all of us to have only one target. To focus on it with laserlike discipline. To press toward it no matter what the obstacles. To pursue
it with such a deep and passionate love that nothing can stop us.
And what is the goal he is describing? He calls it the “prize of God’s
upward calling.” That calling is a personal invitation from God to embrace
His eternal salvation. God summons us, welcomes us, persuades us, and
even begs us to follow Jesus to such an extent that we imitate His every
thought, word and action. When we do that, we are rewarded with the
prize; that heavenly crown for Christian character that places us squarely in
the presence of the Holy Trinity forever.
What about you? Were there former goals in your life that you thought
were indispensable but are now totally unnecessary? Do you have things
in your house you bought for happiness that you now fully ignore? Did
something specific happen in your life that influenced you to reassess your
priorities?
When determining our goals for work, pleasure or for personal or
spiritual development, consider the following questions before making any
decisions:
• How does this objective sharpen my focus on eternity with God?
• Does this target offer opportunities for me to evangelize, forgive, be
compassionate or offer encouragement?
• Will pressing towards this goal offer enrichment in my own walk with
God?
• Will the activities I pursue to achieve this objective cause me to be
more Christ-like or less?
Remember, the goal that matters most is a prize – a treasure. It is our
response to God’s invitation in Christ Jesus, asking us to spend eternity
praising, worshipping and giving Him glory as we find the joy that only
His presence can bring. Press on! •
Mike is a writer and teacher, and co-author of the book: Faith
Positive in a Negative World. You can contact him at www.
mikevanvrankenministries.org
MONTHLY REFLECTIONS
When determining our goals for
work, pleasure or for personal or spiritual
development, consider the following
questions before making any decisions:
How does this objective sharpen my
focus on eternity with God?
Does this target offer opportunities
for me to evangelize, forgive,
be compassionate or offer
encouragement?
Will pressing towards this goal offer
enrichment in my own walk with God?
Will the activities I pursue to achieve
this objective cause me to be more
Christ-like or less?
in REVIEW
by Katie Sciba
Beloved: Finding Happiness in Marriage 6-DVD Set
Produced by Augustine Institue
T
here seems to be a bit of confusion as
to what marriage is these days. Our
“anything goes” society makes it tough
for Catholics to go against the flow; but
even setting aside cultural perceptions,
there’s still a fight for marriage happening
within our homes. Kids, work and outside
obligations often leave our marriages the founding relationship of our families
- barely maintained on a back burner.
Between society and our own kitchen
tables, the divine origin and reality of Holy
Matrimony goes widely unrecognized.
Which is why a series like Beloved is
so refreshing. Beloved: Finding Happiness
in Marriage was released this year by the
Augustine Institute, just in time for the
Synod on the Family this fall. This 12-part
DVD/study series provides couples with
solid, intelligent marriage preparation as
well as marriage enrichment. I jumped
at the chance to review Beloved and
sweetly coerced my husband Andrew into
going through the series with me. Much
to our shared delight, we’re seeing an
improvement between us: we’re finding
that it’s bringing us back to a common
understanding of what marriage is in the
context of God’s plan for creation and
salvation. Though it’s been just seven years
since our wedding day, it’s been easy to lose
sight of the sacramental significance of our
relationship amid the day-to-day, and at
last, we’re recognizing it as our ladder to
heaven.
But I knew we couldn’t be the only
couple in need of a program like this. I
had a few minutes to chat with the series’
content director, renowned Catholic
theologian Dr. Edward Sri. I asked Dr. Sri
what prompted the creation of Beloved.
“Well first of all, we’re living in a postmarriage culture. There are fewer and
fewer people who are getting married,”
he said, and and we agreed that the cause
is a widespread misunderstanding of the
nature of marriage. Beloved, in this case,
will clear the air and clarify the Divine
Origin of Holy Matrimony.
Secondly, Dr. Sri touched on the lack
of continued guidance post-wedding:
“I went through marriage prep 16 years
ago but I need [continued] growth in all
areas. Marriage isn’t like riding a bike. We
all need regular, on-going formation…
to get better, grow in love, to sacrifice for
our spouse.” A fantastic point, I thought.
How many of us, years after the wedding,
realize how little we actually knew before
getting married? So much goes into
wedding planning, and considerably less
into marriage planning. It’s here that
Beloved serves not only as enrichment, but
also as realistic marriage prep. One of my
favorite episodes filmed three Catholic
couples of varying years of marriage,
sitting at a table talking about the ruts and
triumphs they experienced together. Their
conversation was honest, offering the
truth that every couple will be challenged,
but every couple can overcome difficulty
with the understanding that they’re living
for something greater.
Beloved looks at how God created men
and women to be made for marriage,
made for a total, free, fruitful and
exclusive love. The theology behind
Holy Matrimony is explained clearly and
the presentation itself - the production
and cinematography - are modern and
appealing. These combined with its brief
30 minute episodes make Beloved very
easy to watch. And though we’re enjoying
Beloved in our own home, just the two of
us, the materials lend themselves perfectly
to a group setting.
Speaking of which, I asked Andrew
his opinion about it: “It’s great,” he said,
“It brings to light that marriage is not a
situation. It’s something we do together,
and we can always have hope for improving
because of God’s grace.” •
"What if woven into the
very design of your
humanity is a purposeful
desire for you to be united
with your beloved, to
create something new
together, something
mysterious and holy?
What if your marriage is
designed to be a vital
part of God's work in the
world? "
Beloved: Finding Happiness in
Marriage Introducation
Beloved: Finding Happiness in
Marriage is available through
Ignatius Press and Amazon.
com, and will be available soon
in the Slattery Library.
August 2015 7
faithful FOOD
by Kim Long
Enjoy the Goodness We Have Wrought
Be the Beneficiary of this Season’s Bounty
I
t’s summer, the season of growing.
Vegetable gardens and fruit orchards are
laden with produce,
everything from
tomatoes and corn to
blueberries and peaches,
each offering a special
treat.
Working in a parish
Long
for many years I
thought I had “seen it
all,” or more delicately put, experienced
parish life in all of its many facets. Not so.
In this time of growth and productivity,
we also have the season of weddings.
Recently our parish had a wedding
celebration, and it was a celebration
like no other I have been a part of. This
particular bride and groom were known
to us, really known to us. We, as a parish
family, had seen them notice one another,
begin to “date,” and watched the man
who would become groom and husband,
go through the RCIA process and become
a fully initiated member of the Catholic
faith. That particular Easter Vigil, as his
future father-in-law laid his hand on the
man’s shoulder and walked with him into
this new part of his life, we smiled away
a tear or two as well as a bit of a
chuckle as we also witnessed the
woman who would become bride
and wife photograph the entire
event.
One Wednesday evening as I
was saying goodbye to students
and their parents after religion
classes, the couple approached
me with shy bursting smiles and
an outstretched hand to display
“the ring.” Later still there was
the purchase of a house and the
work of making it ready, then a
round of parties and showers, the
selection of the scripture readings,
the choosing of attendants, the
dress, invitations, programs, pre Cana,
and all the rest.
On the appointed evening and time as
I walked to the ambo to give the second
reading, I looked up and was so happy
to see so many of our parish family
present. As I read the “love chapter,” it
took on an enlightened meaning for me.
As I read it, I mentally substituted their
names and ours for the word love.
In the priest’s wedding homily
he spoke of them in an intimate and
Chilled Blueberry Soup
Ingredients:
• 4 cups fresh blueberries
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 pint half and half
• Mint leaves for garnish
2) Remove from heat, and slightly
cool.
3) Process blueberry mixture and
lemon juice in a blender or food
processor until smooth, stopping to
scrape down sides.
4) Cover and chill until ready to
serve.
Directions:
5) Stir in half-and-half just before
1) Bring first five ingredients to a boil
in a saucepan over medium-high heat, serving. Serve in stemmed glasses.
Garnish, if desired.
stirring often.
wonderful way, a way that assured the
nervous and excited young couple that
just as we had all been with them up to
this point, they could be assured of our
continued presence throughout their
married life. And it is true. This couple
belongs to us and, for better or worse, we
belong to them, a family.
So in this season of growing and
coming to fullness, we enjoy the
goodness of all that we have wrought,
whether it is planted in the earth or in
the heart. And we can be confident “that
He who has begun a good work in
you will see it to completion on the
day of Christ.”
I offer here a bit of a fancy and
a unique recipe for cold blueberry
soup. Have a little sip, serve it as a
dessert on a warm summer evening
and enjoy the fruits of your labor
whether you have planted, harvested,
or been the beneficiary of this
season’s bounty. Offer a little prayer
of thanksgiving as you bring this to
your table for your loved ones. •
Kim Long is the Director of Religious
Education at St. Mary of the Pines
Parish in Shreveport.
domestic CHURCH
by Katie Sciba
Eyes on the Prize
Thoughts on the SCOTUS Ruling
T
he recent Supreme Court ruling
was… eye-widening. I won’t dive
into how the SCOTUS can’t legally
do what they did, or
mention that male and
female bodies are totally
and completely oriented
toward “bonding and
babies” so no other
union participates in
God’s plan for creation,
Sciba
or that Facebook has
blown up in obnoxious, heated debate. I
won’t flip out crying, “What are we going
to do now??!!” Because I’m going to keep
doing what I was doing before this whole
thing started. Today I woke up and I’ve
been living my sacrament. I fixed my kids’
breakfast, put together lunch for Andrew,
planned the day and ate my toast. We
prayed, played, read books and made
brownies. The same as any other weekday.
Because Pope St. John Paul II asserted:
“As the family goes, so goes the nation
and so goes the world in which we live,”
compelling us all to the fact that the family
is a God-given driving force; a powerful
image of the Creator himself sent to go
to work loving as Christ loves. And now,
as much as ever before, that mission
continues. It has not changed.
In feast or famine, we press on joyfully;
striving to know and accept God’s will.
What happened by the hand of the
Supreme Court was allowed by God, let’s
remember, and He is absolutely worthy of
our trust. He has a plan – The Plan.
“The world is a different place than when
I was growing up,” I’ve heard so many say.
True, there are innumerable differences
between then and now – technology,
security, any given thing; but on a
fundamental level, people haven’t changed.
The SCOTUS ruling indicates how things
are just the same as they were. No, this
probably wouldn’t have flown a decade or
two ago, but there have always been people
seeking equality without any idea of what
it is. Equality isn’t that we can do the same
exact things; equality is the freedom St.
JPII mentioned – the ability to do what
we ought instead of what we want. And by
this definition, the Court acted out of turn.
They are not the legislature. Similarly, the
legal recognition of same-sex union does
not equate it with marriage.
Right and left, journalists and
commentators assert that marriage has
been redefined. Ahem… Marriage has
not been redefined. A divine institution
will never be redefined because its Origin
is without change. Marriage according to
God’s design is an exchange of offering and
receiving; our bodies to our perpetual call
to sacrifice and love. Man and woman are
not simply the traditional marriage, they’re
the only marriage. Not everyone sees it that
way. Don’t worry about them.
There is no better time to be a Catholic
– isn’t this what we’re all called to do?
Cling to and reveal God’s love and design
in our lives? But we have to be ready: the
questions and skepticism of our faithful
practices have come and so we must
be educated, compassionate, as well as
invested in our own families. In the face
of something drastically different, we’re
supposed to be in the world, not of the
world. Turn your focus inward to the
surroundings of your own home because
the best thing you can do is to immerse
yourself in being a good spouse, a good
parent. Love and serve Jesus by offering
your family your whole heart and trust in
his perfect Plan. •
Knowledge is
Spiritual
Power
Catholics are in a vulnerable
position. Fewer and fewer know and
understand Church teaching on hotbutton topics like same-sex union.
Arm yourself with knowledge and
charity in order to field questions and
skepticism about our faith.
Check the
Catechism
The Catechism of the Catholic
Church is a summation of our beliefs
and practices. From the Creed to
the sacraments to human sexuality,
the Catechism explains the faith
and its foundation in Christ one
paragraph at a time.
Ask Your Priest
Our priests are our shepherds - seek
them out for spiritual advice and
guidance. Bring your ideas and
resources along with your questions.
It’s also especially important to
cover our priests in prayer since they
will undergo tests on our behalf.
Receive the
Sacraments
Holy Communion and Confession
will draw you supernaturally close to
Christ, who imparts graces through
these sacraments. Receive Jesus
in the Eucharist to better make
yourself a channel of his charity and
compassion, and receive absolution
in Confession to grow in humility.
These virtues will wash over your
whole life.
Katie Sciba is the author of
thecatholicwife.net. She lives in
Shreveport with her husband, Andrew,
and four children.
August 2015 9
from the POPE
from Vatican Information Services
God Entrusted His Work to the
Fruitfulness of "Our Earth"
V
atican City, June 14, 2015 (VIS)
– The effectiveness of the Word
of God and the needs of His
Kingdom, which are
the reasons for our
hope and our efforts
throughout history
were the theme of
the Pope’s reflection
before July 14’s
Pope Francis
Sunday Angelus.
To the thousands of
faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square,
Francis explained the two brief parables
from the Gospel: the seed that grows
in the earth alone and the tiny mustard
seed that becomes the largest plant.
“In the first parable, our attention is
placed on the fact that the seed, thrown
on the ground, takes root and develops
by itself, whether the farmer sleeps or
is awake. The farmer trusts in
the inner strength of the seed
itself and of the fertility of the
ground. In the language of the
Gospel, the seed is the symbol
of the Word of God, Whose
fruitfulness is recalled by this
parable. Just as the humble
seed that develops in the
ground, so the Word operates
with God’s power in the heart
of those who listen. God
entrusted His Word to our earth, that
is, to each one of us with our concrete
humanity.”
The second parable uses the image of
the mustard seed that, despite being the
smallest of the seeds, grows to become
“the largest of plants”. “Thus is the
Kingdom of God: a humanly small and
apparently irrelevant reality. To become
a part of it, one must be poor of heart;
not trusting in one’s own abilities, but
rather in the power of God’s love; not
acting so as to be important in the eyes
of the world, but precious in the eyes
of God, who prefers the simple and the
humble. When we live like this, the
strength of Christ erupts through us and
transforms what is small and modest
into a reality that leavens the entire mass
of the world and of history.”
The teaching of these two parables,
Francis underlined, is that the Kingdom
of God requires our collaboration, but
it is above all the initiative and gift of
the Lord. “Our feeble work, seemingly
small faced with the complexity of the
problems of the world, if embedded into
that of God, no longer fears difficulty.
The victory of the Lord is sure: His love
will lead every seed of good present
on the earth to germinate and grow. It
The victory of the Lord
is sure: His love will lead
every seed of good
present on the earth to
germinate and grow.
opens us up to trust and hope, despite
the tragedies, injustice and suffering
we encounter. The seed of good and of
peace germinates and develops because
it is ripened by the merciful love of
God”.
“May the Holy Virgin, who received
as ‘fertile earth’ the seed of the divine
Word, sustain us in this hope that never
lets us down”.
In the
of
Words
Pope Francis
“Service is the sign of true love. Those
who love know how to serve others. We
learn this especially in the family, where
we become servants out of love for one
another. In the heart of the family, no
one is rejected; all have the same value.”
(Homily at the Shrine from Samanes
Park, Equador 7/7/15)
“In our world, especially in some
countries, different forms of war
and conflict are re-emerging, yet we
Christians wish to remain steadfast in
our intention to respect others, to heal
wounds, to build bridges, to strengthen
relationships and to bear one another’s
burdens. The desire for unity involves
the delightful and comforting joy of
evangelizing, the conviction that we
have an immense treasure to share,
one which grows stronger from being
shared, and becomes ever more sensitive
to the needs of others.” (Homily at “lung
of Quito,” Equador 7/8/15)
“With Jesus, there can be no ‘taking’
which is not a ‘blessing’, and no
blessing which is not also a ‘giving’.
Blessing is always mission, its purpose
is to share what we ourselves have
received. For it is only in giving, in
sharing, that we find the source of our
joy and come to experience salvation.”
(Mass in Plaza del Cristo Redentor in
Santa Cruz de la Sierra 7/10/15)
“Jesus came to show the love which
God has for us. For you and for me. It
is a love which is powerful and real. It
is a love which takes seriously the plight
of those he loves. It is a love which
heals, forgives, raises up and shows
concern. It is a love which draws near
and restores dignity. We can lose this
dignity in so many ways. But Jesus is
stubborn: he gave his very life to restore
the identity we had lost.” (During visit
to Santa Cruz-Palmasola penitentiary
7/11/15)
navigating the Faith
by Dianne Rachal, Director of Worship
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
C
elebrated every year on August 15, the Solemnity of the
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates the death
of Mary and her bodily assumption into heaven, before her body
could begin to decay. This is a foretaste of our own bodily resurrection at the
end of time. Because it signifies the Blessed Virgin’s passing into eternal life,
it is the most important of all Marian feasts and is a holy day of obligation.
Pope Pius XII’s Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus defined
Mary’s Assumption into heaven to be a dogma of the Church on November
1, 1950.
The Assumption is the oldest feast day of Our Lady. With Constantine’s
restoration of Jerusalem as a sacred city (285-337), the sacred sites began to
be restored and memories of the life of Our Lord began to be celebrated by
the people of Jerusalem. One of the memories about his mother centered
around the “Tomb of Mary,” close to Mount Zion, where the early Christian
community had lived. On the hill itself was the “Place of Dormition,” the
spot of Mary’s “falling asleep,” where she had died. The “Tomb of Mary”
was where she was buried.
There is a quasi-precursor of this feast in the “Day of Mary Mother of
God” which is attested for August 15 in the mid-fifth-century lectionary
from Jerusalem. This ancient feast was rather general in its object and it soon
became a commemoration of the Natale (birthday), i.e. death or dormation
of Mary. The feast in this form was extended to the entire Byzantine Empire
by Emperor Maurice (582-602). Soon the name was changed to the
“Assumption of Mary,” since there was more to the feast than her dying. It
also proclaimed that she had been taken up, body and soul, into heaven.
The sixth-century Gallic liturgy had a feast of Mary on January 18; in the
seventh century this was celebrated as the “Feast of Mary’s Assumption.” A
feast called Natale Sanctae Mariae on August 15 is attested for the middle of
the seventh century in Rome. Under Pope Sergius I (687-701), the feast was
celebrated as a feast of her death, and included a procession from the church
of St. Adrian to the church of St. Mary. In the Gregorian Sacramentary
which Pope Adrian (772-795) sent to Emperor Charlemagne, the name of
the feast is given as “Assumption of Mary.”
The belief in the Assumption of Mary is ancient, dating back to the time
of the apostles. What was clear from the beginning was that there were no
relics of Mary to be venerated, and that an empty tomb stood on the edge of
Jerusalem near the site of her death. That location also soon became a place
of pilgrimage. (Today, the Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition of Mary
stands on the spot.)
At the Council of Chalcedon in 451, when bishops from throughout the
Mediterranean world gathered at Constantinople, Emperor Marcian asked
the Patriarch of Jerusalem to bring the relics of Mary to Constantinople to be
enshrined in the capitol. The patriarch explained to the emperor that there
were no relics of Mary in Jerusalem, that “Mary had died in the presence of
the apostles; but her tomb, when opened later . . . was found empty and so
the apostles concluded that the body was taken up into heaven.” The gospel for the Assumption is the same as on the feast of the Visitation:
Luke 1:39-56. The reason for this is evidently the presence of the Magnificat
Alonso López de Herrera (ca. 1585 - ca.1675)
which on August 15 becomes a hymn of praise sung
by the new glorified Mother of God; as such it takes
on a special tonality.
The Assumption completes God’s work in Mary
since it was not fitting that the flesh that had given
life to God himself should ever undergo corruption.
The Assumption is God’s crowning of His work as
Mary ends her earthly life and enters eternity. •
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed
Virgin Mary is a holy day of obligation in the United
States, and is always observed on August 15. This
year August 15 falls on a Saturday, so the precept to
attend Mass is abrogated.
Ritual Masses, including the nuptial Mass and
funeral Masses, may not be celebrated on holy days
(GIRM, no. 336). For couples who plan a wedding
on August 15, the following norms are observed:
A. If the Rite of Marriage is celebrated within Mass,
the Mass of the day is used (presidential prayers,
readings, and preface) with the Nuptial Blessing and,
where appropriate, the special final blessing (OM, no.
11).
B.The Rite of Marriage Outside Mass may be
celebrated with no restrictions.
Funeral Masses may not be celebrated on holy days
(GIRM, no. 336). If a funeral is scheduled for August
15, use a Liturgy of the Word, closing with the rite of
Farewell, as found in the Order of Christian Funerals,
part 1, no. 4 (OCF, nos. 117-203).
August 2015 11
second COLLECTIONS
by Fr. Rothell Price
Special and Second Collections
in Our Diocese
Dame Seminary, where all of the Diocese of
Shreveport seminarians attend. Please consider
giving generously to this worthy fund. For more
information, see page 30 of this issue, or visit our
website at www.dioshpt.org
Special Collection for September:
The Catholic University of
America
Collection Dates:
September 5th & 6th
Bulletin and Oral Announcement
Dates: August 23rd & 30th
M
y dear brothers and sisters in Christ: I hope your summer has been
as nice as mine. This month we do not have a second collection,
and God willing, I pray that we will not have a need for a special
collection. Second collections are annually recurring
collections established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops and the Holy See. Special collections are calls
from Pope Francis or his brother bishop(s) in response to
an unforeseen emergency such as an earthquake, hurricane,
tornado, tsunami, famine or some devastating social upheaval.
Our hierarchy is constantly called upon by local and
Price
international leaders to provide financial help to alleviate or
eradicate some crisis devastating a nation, region, group or community of people.
From the days of Jesus’ public ministry to today, the Church and its leaders have
been viewed as a beacon of hope and relief in times of turmoil. The second and
special collections continue this aspect of the ministry of Christ to those who cry
out to the Lord and His Church in their time of suffering.
I quote this poem of Saint Teresa of Avila, 1515-1582:
“Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet
but yours; yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world,
yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good; yours are the hands
with which he is to bless men now.” And quoting our Lord in the final judgment
of Matthew’s Gospel, “what you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you
did for me.”
Please participate willingly and generously to the second and special
collections of the Church throughout the year, never forgetting the lesson and
example of the widow who gave from her need, not her surplus. Thank you for
responding positively to the Lord when he is devastated.
On a special note, the Archdiocese of New Orleans will complete their “I
Will Give You Shepherds” campaign this month. This important fund aims to
support our two Louisiana seminaries: St. Joseph Seminary College and Notre
T
his second collection provides funding
for academic scholarships at The Catholic
University of America in Washington,
D.C. in response to the commitment made
by the bishops of the U.S. when The Catholic
University of America was established in 1887.
It is the only U.S. university with Pontifical
faculties. Students are enrolled from all 50
states and almost 100 countries in 12 schools.
While The Catholic University of America
is not the only Catholic institution of higher
learning in the U.S., it is the only one
specifically established by the U.S. Conference
of Catholic Bishops with the express purpose
of educating Catholic and non-Catholic
students in undergraduate and graduate
level studies based on a pontifically approved
curriculum and faculty. As with Catholic
elementary and high schools across our
nation, so also with The Catholic University
of America, the need for broad-based Catholic
support for the life of the school is vital. I
thank you in advance for your generous giving
to the second collection for The Catholic
University of America on Labor Day weekend.
Gratefully yours, Very Rev. Rothell Price,
Diocesan Director of Second Collections
Fr. Rothell Price, Vicar General, is the
Director of Special Collections.
vocations View
Boy Tested. Church Approved.
by Sam Alzheimer, Vianney Vocations
Two teams paddle
their hearts out in
the final stretch of
the canoe races. A
team of boys from
East Monroe had
the fastest time of
9:53.
^ Brian Garcia “takes the plunge”
during the trust fall on the low-ropes
portion of the adventure course.
“
T
he guys had a blast,” said Fr. Matthew Long, “It was
definitely our best Mission Possible yet.”
Thirty teen boys spent four days at King’s Camp in Mer
Rouge, a beautiful property situated between a wide bayou and
a picturesque pond dotted with cypress trees. The camp was
run by the seminarians of the diocese.
One of the most popular activities (aside from the zip line
–a perennial favorite) was an Olympic-styled event that pitted
four dorms of boys against each other. Teams of six to eight
boys competed in soccer, canoeing, disk golf, basketball,
and Catholic trivia. It was a photo finish, with one dorm,
St. Michael’s, edging out the other dorms because of their
encyclopedic knowledge of scripture, Church teaching and the
history of the diocese.
The camp is structured to offer a balance between highintensity outdoor fun and meaningful spiritual formation.
“Obviously the Masses were the best part of the weekend,
because that’s what means most to us as Catholics,” said 17-year
old camper Al Sloane.
The boys prayed the Rosary and the Divine Office, as well
as nighttime Holy Hours before the Blessed Sacrament. One
talk was titled, “Five Things Every Catholic Teen Boy Should
Know.” “Mission Possible is one of the best things we do in the
diocese,” said Fr. Long. “It’s an awesome opportunity for teens
to encounter Jesus, make friends and just be healthy Catholic
guys. Plus they have the example of our seminarians.”
As he was leaving the camp, Juan Monjares, a 16-year old
from St. Thomas in Ruston, said, “I’m definitely coming back
next year – and I’m going to bring my little brother, too!” •
Are you feeling called to a vocation in the Church?
Contact Fr. Matthew Long, Director of Church Vocations
at 318-868-4441, or [email protected]
^ Fr. Long led the Stations of the Cross on Friday. As
much as possible, the camp introduced the traditions of
our faith in a vibrant, meaningful manner.
^ Seminarian Martin Valazquez leads a group of boys in a
discussion about priesthood and discerning vocations.
August 2015 13
What Makes a
Catholic School
Catholic?
by Sr. Carol Cimino, SSJ, Ed.D
A
nyone old enough to remember the Baltimore Catechism
probably can recall the question and answer format. “Who
made me?” was question number one; “God made me,” was
the answer. Question number two was, “Why did God make
me?” And the answer was: “God made me to know, love and
serve God in this world, and be happy with God in the next.”
When the bishops of the United States wrote their document
(“To Teach As Jesus Did,” 1972) describing the characteristics
of the Catholic school, they went back to the Baltimore
Catechism. The purpose of the Catholic school is to help children
to know God, to create a community of faith so that the
students can love God and each other, and to put all this into
action through service. When these elements are present in the
Catholic school, then the Catholic school is truly Catholic.
In order to help students to know God, Catholic schools
provide a regular course of study of the Gospels, the beliefs of
the Church, and the Church’s teachings on everyday challenges
faced by young people. Catholic schools invite students to think
critically, pitting what they learn in social studies, math, science
and the other “secular” subjects against morality, ethics and right
living. The curriculum of the Catholic schools meets and exceeds
state curricula and is pervaded by students’ knowledge of God.
Thus, the Catholic school does not leave the youngsters adrift
in a sea of uncertainty and amoral conclusions. By providing
a solid program of study steeped in a pervasive formation of
conscience, Catholic schools produce successful students who
have a foundation in morality.
Since relationships are so important to young people,
Catholic schools invite a community of believers to respect each
other as children of God, and to love God through their regular
prayer, Mass, observance of religious holy days and reception of
the sacraments.
It has been observed that “it takes a village to raise
a child.” If that is so, then Catholic schools do that
exceedingly well. Recent studies around the success of
Catholic schools suggest that their success is due to what
is called “social capital;” that is, that the Catholic schools
share and enforce the values of parents who send their
children to these schools. In that way, parents and families
play as much a part in children’s lives as teachers and
other school personnel. It is this shared set of values that
helps young people to avoid the daily conflict between
what they are taught in Catholic school and what they are
taught at home. It is also why families can find comfort
in the loving community of the Catholic school.
Catholic schools are known for their hospitality, for their
welcoming atmosphere and for making children of all faiths feel
wanted and loved.
Finally, the New Testament letter of James (2:17) reminds us
that “faith without good works is dead.” In Catholic schools,
service is not an option; it is a requirement, and without this
requirement of service by students, the school is not Catholic.
Students in Catholic schools study the social justice teachings
of the Church, with the understanding that they are called on
to serve their fellow human beings. The vast network of service
programs among Catholic schools offers up the true value of
a Catholic education: that that education is obtained for the
service of others.
It is hoped by Catholic school leaders that their graduates
will go on to volunteer in their churches and their communities,
to be civic-minded with a conscience, and to stand with the
marginalized in their society. In short, Catholic schools produce
valuable members of church and home.
People often get caught up in the paucity of nuns and priests
in Catholic schools, but the lay men and women who labor in
them, without receiving the material compensation that they
would in other schools, are continuing this great work of the
Catholic church. They strive every day to help their students
to know, love and serve by providing outstanding examples
themselves. They know they are tasked with creating the next
generation of holy people by teaching in these schools and by
continually striving to make them as Catholic as possible.
What makes a Catholic school Catholic? Do the “scratch and
sniff” test: does the school teach children to know, love, serve?
That’s as Catholic as it gets. •
Diocese of Shreveport
Catholic Schools
Jesus the Good Shepherd School
900 Good Shepherd Lane
Monroe, LA 71201
318-325-8569
Our Lady of Fatima School
3202 Franklin St.
Monroe, LA 71201
318-387-1851
St. John Berchmans School
947 Jordan St.
318-221-6005
Loyola College Prep
921 Jordan St.
318-221-2675
St. Frederick High School
3300 Westminster Ave.
Monroe, LA 71201
318-323-9636
St. Joseph School
1210 Anniston Ave.
318-865-3585
ANNUAL REPORT
Terra Nova Achievement Test
*National statistics will not be available until Fall 2015.
ACRE tests were newly normed Spring, 2015.
ReadingLanguage MathSocial StudiesScience
National
50*
50
50
50
50
Kindergarten64
N/A
79
N/A
N/A
Grade 1
77
N/A
77
72
80
Grade 2
75
N/A
78
75
78
Grade 3
76
78
73
77
85
Grade 4
80
84
59
71
77
Grade 5
75
76
68
67
77
Grade 6
85
83
71
73
82
Grade 7
70
78
72
74
71
Grade 8
84
85
76
75
73
ACT SCORES
NATIONAL: 21.1
STATE: 20.3
ST. FREDERICK: 22.9
LOYOLA COLLEGE
PREP: 26.0
ACRE TEST SCORES
Profession of Faith
Liturgy & Sacraments
Grade 5: 78%
Grade 8: 88%
Grade 11: 72%
Grade 5: 71%
Grade 8: 84%
Grade 11: 73%
Life in Christ
Christian Prayer
Grade 5: 75%
Grade 8: 93%
Grade 11: 76%
Grade 5: 72%
Grade 8: 88%
Grade 11: 75%
August 2015 15
our Faculty and staff
115 Full-Time Certified Classroom Teachers
3 Music Teachers
11 P. E. Teachers
20 Pre-School Teachers
25 Instructional Assistants
6
Certified Principals
Enrollment by Grades
Faculty and Staff service awards
5 Years
Laura Nugent
Kathryn Beaird
Malissa Carroll
Penny Everage
Lisa Morrison
Amy Vitacca
Matt Burt
10 Years
Sarah Bishop
Carrie Rocconi
Traci Wade
Jamie Humphrey
Susan Hymel
Jo Cazes
Shawn Bernard
Bridget Nolen
PreK
K
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
237
160
140
123
114
109
113
120
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
117
144
166
167
135
159
TOTAL: 2004
15 Years
Lisa Patrick
Sue Blackford
Lori Digiulian
Judy Edwards
Susan Brady
20 Years
Pat Maxey
Tina McCaa
Polly Maciulski
Diocese of Shreveport NonDiscriminatory School Policy
The Diocese of Shreveport School system re-affirms its non-discriminatory policy on the basis of race, sex, color,
national, and ethnic origin in its educational programs, activities, and employment policies in accordance with
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, and Sections 4.03 (a) and
4.03 (c) Revenue Procedure 75-50.
All students, faculty members and staff, without exception, are admitted to all rights, privileges, and activities
generally accorded or made available at the schools which do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color,
national, and ethnic origin in the administration of its employment policies, admission policies, scholarship, and
loan programs, and athletic and other school-administrated programs.
St. John Berchmans Cathedral School, Shreveport • St. Joseph School, Shreveport
Loyola College Preparatory, Shreveport • Jesus the Good Shepherd School, Monroe
Our Lady of Fatima School, Monroe • St. Frederick High School, Monroe
local NEWS
Launch Into the Deep: Bishop Duca
Has Started Pastoral Planning Process
by Kevin Prevou & Pastoral Planning Council
B
ishop Duca has
launched the
Diocesan Pastoral
Planning Process, an
initiative that will
culminate in a Diocesan
Pastoral Plan for the
Diocese of Shreveport.
Twenty-three parishes
and missions sent a total
of approximately 100
representatives to the launch’s first gathering event, which was held at the Catholic
Center on Saturday, June 20.
Many organizations develop mission statements to help keep them on track. Our
Church already has a profound mission statement: to share the Good News of Jesus
Christ with the world. The role of the Church is to carry on Jesus’ mission, or to
“embrace the mission” to promulgate or spread the reality of divine love, and to manifest
its active and ongoing presence in the world.
As we embrace the mission of Jesus in the world today, we look for guidance from the
Holy Spirit about how best to spread the divine love in northern Louisiana. Over the
next few months, “Embracing the Mission” gatherings will take place in parishes and
parish clusters (several parishes/missions together) that will also include youth groups,
schools and campus ministries. These gatherings will give Bishop Duca and the faithful
an opportunity to listen to the Holy Spirit through the voices of our faith communities.
Bishop Duca, after listening to the voices of our diocesan Church, and through
prayerful consideration, will then write a vision statement that will give direction to the
entire diocese for the next two to three years. Parishes, missions and schools will then
be invited to reflect on this vision statement and develop a parish faith response that
will name specific actions each parish will take over the coming two years to live out
the vision for our diocese. Diocesan offices will reflect on the vision statement and the
individual parish faith responses to then develop a faith response that can best support
the entire diocese over the coming two years.
What can you do? Everyone has a role to play in making sure that this process leads
to a vision that can inspire the Church of Northern Louisiana in the coming years. The
most important thing each one of us can do is pray for openness, courage and guidance
by the Holy Spirit. Additionally, please plan to fully participate in this discernment
process by attending one of the Embracing the Mission gatherings this fall.
Talk with your pastor about when your parish gathering is scheduled. Volunteer to
help your pastor with any aspect of hosting a gathering.
Want to know more about something that has been mentioned in this article? Please
contact any one of us on the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Process Core Team:
Fr. Rothell Price [email protected] • Randy Tiller [email protected]
Christine Rivers [email protected] • Dianne Rachal [email protected]
Kevin Prevou [email protected]
Embracing the
Mission Parish
Gathering Dates
9/1: St. Jude, Benton
6:30 - 8:30pm
9/2: St. Benedict, Grambling
5:00 - 7:00pm
9/8: Our Lady of Fatima,
Monroe • 6:00 - 8:00pm
9/9: Sacred Heart, Shreveport
6:00 - 8:00pm
9/11: Sacred Heart, Rayville
5:00 - 7:00pm
9/12: Our Lady of Perpetual
Help, Farmerville
10:00am - noon
9/19: St. Pius X, Shreveport
9:00 - 11:00am
10/13: St. Lucy, Hodge
6:00 - 8:00pm
10/19: St. John the Baptist,
Many • 5:00 - 7:00pm
10/20: St. Paul, Minden
6:00 - 8:00pm
10/21: Mary, Queen of Peace,
Bossier City • 6:00 - 8:00pm
10/23: St. George, Coushatta
6:00 - 8:00pm
10/24: Our Lady of the Blessed
Sacrament, Shreveport
10:00am - noon
10/25: Thomas Jason Lingo
Community Center, Oak Grove
6:00 - 8:00pm
10/26: Cathedral of St John
Berchmans, Shreveport
6:00 - 8:00pm
10/27: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton,
Shreveport • 6:00 - 8:00pm
11/ 3: St. Paschal, West
Monroe • 6:00 - 8:00pm
11/ 4: Little Flower of Jesus
Monroe • 6:00 - 8:00pm
11/ 9: St. Matthew, Monroe
6:00 - 8:00pm
11/22: St. Mary of the Pines,
Shreveport • 6:00 - 8:00pm
August 2015 17
Catholic Charities Welcomes
Palestinian Intern
by Tamara Alqassis
H
ello! Or as we say in Arabic,
Marhaba! My name is Tamara
Alqassis, and I am currently
a senior at Bethlehem University
studying English Language and
Literature as a major and Translation
as a minor. I am spending six weeks
in Shreveport as part of an internship
program between Catholic Charities
USA and Bethlehem University. I live
in Beit Jala, Palestine which is about
1.24 miles away from the Church of
the Nativity. I come from a big family,
five sisters and one brother, and I have
16 nephews and nieces. My hobbies are
running, dancing Dabkeh which is
Palestinian Folk Dance, and drama.
I am interested in traveling and
learning more about communication
skills.
Since my sophomore year I
have been a member in Bethlehem
University Students Ambassadors
Program where we welcome
foreigners and help them understand
the truth about Palestine and
promote the university. Being part
of this program, I have gained
confidence in my language skills
through my experience in my daily
talks and interactions. It also gives
me an opportunity to learn about
other cultures and their perspectives
about Palestine and its people. I am
honored to be an ambassador for
my country and university, and to
be interning at Catholic Charities of
North Louisiana. Our internships
were chosen for us, and I believe God
has sent me to Louisiana for a definite
purpose. My internship at Catholic
Charities of North Louisiana
(CCNLA) includes developing an
e-newsletter and helping in the
development office.
The first day I arrived in Louisiana,
I had my first Chinese food and
my first fortune cookie (it said, “A
pleasant surprise is in store for you
soon”). I have been exposed to a really
different culture with unique food. I
also tried some seafood for the first
time including frog legs. They look
disgusting, but they are delicious!
I believe I will become addicted to
seafood. As I am exposed to different
food and culture, my host family is
exposed to some Palestinian food too.
They now enjoy Zeit (olive oil) and
Za’tar (roasted thyme) with bread, a
traditional breakfast in Palestine.
The first week and a half, I was
continued on page 19
Mercy Ministries Group Enjoy
Evening at Black Bayou
by Missy McKenzie
R
esidents at the Monroe Mercy
Ministries home recently enjoyed
a “Night of the Bayou” adventure
with members of JGS Mercy Ministries
Team at the Black Bayou Lake National
Wildlife Refuge just north of Monroe.
The annual outing included a brown
bag dinner and an educational tour of
the bayou led by a refuge ranger. Mercy
residents learned about plants and animals
native to the area. The Black Bayou –
located in Ouachita Parish – features a
spectacular 1,600-acre scenic lake and a
4,500-acre refuge that supports a variety
of waterfowl, migratory songbirds and
other wildlife.
Even though some residents were a bit
anxious, they loved experiencing nature
up close. “When I first found out that we
were going to Black Bayou, I was a little
uncomfortable because I am not a huge
fan of the outdoors!” said Mercy resident,
Rachel. “But once we arrived, I got a
glimpse of God’s glory and magnificence.
Through nature, God revealed His love
and majesty to me, reminding me of how
much He loves me. All in all, I had an
absolute blast!”
Encountering some bayou creatures
helped Mercy resident Emily overcome
her fears. “The trip to Black Bayou was
a blast,” she said. “Walking on the trail
and learning about the native plants
and animals was a neat experience. I
also got to face my fears and pet a snake
and alligator! I’m so thankful to the
kind people of Jesus the Good Shepherd
Church for hosting this event for us! I will
certainly never forget it!”
Members of the JGS Mercy Ministries
team are J. Randy Smith, Lori Hughes,
Amy Sawyer, Lori Spence, Gina
Greenwood, Jennifer Petzet and Allison
Sherman. If you would like to find out
more or become a part of the JGS Mercy
Ministries Team, please contact the
church office at 318-325-7549. •
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Grant
Will Help Needy in Shreveport
by Brian Burgess
R
through the program
esidents in the Shreveport area
around the country. Grant
will receive emergency housing
applications are evaluated
and utility assistance thanks
and awarded quarterly
to a $5,000 grant from the National
on a regional basis by
Council of the Society of St. Vincent
a Vincentian review
de Paul (SVdP). The money is part
committee. Funding is
of SVdP’s Friends of the Poor® Grant
provided by the general
Program and will be disbursed by
public and the Society’s
the Society’s St. Catherine of Siena
150,000 members in
Conference, one of two conferences at
the Cathedral of St.
John Berchmans in
This grant was
Shreveport.
“Often we are asked
to help a family or a
single elderly person
around
with a ‘sizeable’ utility
payment. We also
the country.
receive many requests
for rent and mortgage
assistance,” said Carol
Jeronica Sanders, Manager, Vintage Realty
the United States and is
Brill of the St. Catherine of Siena
Company- Southern Oaks Apartments, receiving
targeted to specific needs
Conference. “Our assistance will have
check from Carol Brill, Vincentian member of
in each community.
a profound impact on approximately
St. Catherine Conference, for rent payment of
“We are pleased to
20 clients and their families by
conference client.
be able to assist local
maintaining stable housing and
Conferences as they work
‘creature comforts’ that others take
SVdP programs include: home
to help those in need,” said
for granted. Those individuals will
visits,
housing assistance, disaster
Dave Barringer, CEO of the Society.
receive counseling about budgeting,
relief,
job
training and placement,
“Our local Conferences are a great
educational choices, local support
food pantries, dining halls, clothing,
example of how a dedicated group
resources, saving money, cutting
transportation and utility costs, care
of people can make a difference in
utility costs and avoiding impulse
for the sick, the incarcerated and the
alleviating suffering.”
buying.”
elderly, and prescription medicine.
One of the largest charitable
This grant was one of 10 distributed
SVdP provides over $794 million in
organizations in the world, the
tangible and in-kind services, serves
Society of St. Vincent de Paul (www.
more than 11 million people each year
svdpusa.org) is an international,
Charities continued from page 18
and conducts more than 1.7 million
nonprofit, Catholic lay organization
personal visits (home, hospitals,
involved with CCNLA to help victims
of more than 800,000 men and
prisons and more.) Every year, SVdP
of the Red River flood. Just standing
women who voluntarily join
performs more than 11 million hours
next to them, listening to their stories
together to grow spiritually by
of volunteer service to aid those in
and helping them with the resources
offering person-to-person service
need. •
available, makes their hurts a little
to the needy and suffering in 150
easier to bear for people who have lost
countries on five continents. With
much. This experience has affected me
the U.S. headquarters in St. Louis,
Brian Burgess is the President
the most, and I believe it has been the
MO, membership in the United
of the local Society of St.
most memorable experience I have had
States totals more than 150,000 in
Vincent de Paul Chapter.
here. •
4,400 communities.
one of
10 distributed through
the program
August 2015 19
Vacation Bible School: A
Grandparent's Perspective
by Bonnie Martinez
I
often find myself “grandparenting” a
term I have coined for times I have
second-guessed my success as a parent.
As I observe my adult children, as well as
other young parents, making decisions
about educating their children about their
faith, I often reflect upon my parenting
role and ask myself, “How well did I do
that?” or “Now, why didn’t I think of
that?” Obviously, I cannot correct my
parenting oversights now. Instead, we
pray for spiritual guidance, particularly
in the process of teaching our Catholic
faith. My role as a grandparent affords me
the occasional helpful suggestion to my
children as to approaches that are in the
best interests of my grandchildren.
My most recent “grandparenting”
moments happened while serving as a
volunteer for the Cathedral of St. John
Berchmans’ Vacation Bible School. I felt
compelled to volunteer as a way of “giving
back” for these spiritual opportunities.
Overall, I came away feeling spiritually
lifted by this volunteering experience. My
children attended Vacation Bible School
each summer, where I often volunteered.
However, there were no VBS opportunities
once they reached middle school. So,
their participation naturally stopped
at that point. I fulfilled that parenting
responsibility, right?
As soon as I arrived for the first morning
of St. John’s Vacation Bible School, I
experienced my first “grandparenting”
question, “Now, why didn’t I think of
that?” There were 19 teenage volunteers
awaiting the arrival of the children and
their parents. Why did I not encourage
my children to serve as volunteers when
they were in middle school and high
school? The positive impact of these young
volunteers as they interacted with the
children was remarkable.
This prompted me to contact other
Catholic churches in the area to inquire
about their youth volunteer participation
for VBS. Cathy Cobb of St. Elizabeth
Ann Seton Parish shared, “Our Vacation
Bible School has the largest involvement of
youth (as volunteers). They can earn many
service hours in a short period of time
alongside their friends.”
Christine Sloan of St. Jude Parish shared
the same sentiment, “Some of the youth
serve as peer mentors while leading the
children through the various activities
and others serve as assistants to the adult
volunteers. In fact, one of my five-year-old
great-nephews shared that his favorite part
of attending St. Joseph’s Vacation Bible
School was ‘playing with the older kids
who were helpers.’”
Sr. Anna Maria Iannetti, OLS, provided
Bible lessons for the children attending
the Cathedral’s Vacation Bible School. As
I observed Sr. Anna Maria involving the
first and second grade children in role-
playing throughout the Bible stories, it
dawned on me that perhaps several of
the students had little to no experience
interacting with a nun. One of the
precious little kindergarten students
shared with her great aunt that there
was a lady at VBS wearing priest’s
clothing, except that she wore a skirt
instead of pants. What a priceless
example of “out of the mouth of
babes.” This same little girl also shared
what she had learned about the
Holy Trinity and demonstrated the
reverence one should exercise when
making the Sign of the Cross.
Another “grandparenting” moment
I experienced was hearing at least
three of the children within the group
that I worked with at St. John’s also
attended St. Joseph’s VBS. Why didn’t
I think of enrolling my young children
(and volunteering) in more than one
Catholic Vacation Bible School? I hear
many young parents talk about their
search for interesting and educational
summer camps for their children. I
encourage parents to maximize their
young children’s participation in the
Diocese of Shreveport Vacation Bible
School opportunities. The diocesan
parishes coordinate the dates of their
VBS programs so as to not overlap.
This is one avenue of support afforded
parents in the awesome responsibility
of teaching children about their
Catholic faith. As recent as this past
May, Pope Francis focused on the role
of parents in the education of their
children during his General Audience.
He referred to parents’ role as “an
essential characteristic” of the family,
and also acknowledged that parents
face many difficulties in this endeavor.
During my contact with the
various coordinators of VBS, I
became aware of the Diocese of
Shreveport’s support manual for
parents, “The Go-To-Guide for
Catholic Parents & Guardians,”
which can be accessed from the
Diocese of Shreveport’s website,
www.dioshpt.org. (Click on
“Ministries” tab, choose “Catechesis”
from the pull-down menu, click on
“Catechetical Goals” ). •
Youth Spread the Gospel in Belize
by Roxanne Chumley & Harris Leblanc
Harris Leblanc, Drew Whaley, Fr. Price on the bus ride heading to the work site.
M
ission trips: they pull us away
from our beloved electronics,
our family and friends, and
even our A/C, but most importantly
they plug us into a life that is simple, a
life free of distractions and full of focus
where the voice of God is loud and clear.
It is in this environment that I realized,
at age 15, that life is about this simple
truth: Discovering God’s love and then
giving that love to others. It is a truth that
A
required being in a simple place to learn.
From that age on I continued to seek
God’s love and do my best to give it away,
which has brought joy to my life. This is
why our youth group goes on a mission
trip every summer. It is my hope that
these teens will step foot onto foreign land
where their minds will be made clear and
they will encounter God’s abundant grace
and mercy. •
- Roxanne Chumley
Extend the Invitation That Points to Christ
re you a real American? If so you
“
will be able to answer these six
questions: Who are the first six
presidents, in order…” These were the first
words spoken to me by the man I would
come to know as Vernon.
One hot afternoon during our mission
trip to Belize, while taking a lunch break
from our construction work, a group
of friends and I wandered to escape to
some shade. While sitting down we were
approached by the 46-year-old man who
introduced himself as Vernon. After telling
us who the first six presidents were when
none in our group could, Vernon sat down
and began to talk with our small group of
American high school missionaries. We
discovered Vernon was an impressively
intelligent man as he began inquiring
about our studies and exhibiting his own
wealth of knowledge by reciting some
of his favorite poetry and the periodic
table from memory, as well as displaying
the magnifying glass he carries with him
in order to closer observe the plants of
Belize and identify them. Vernon’s love for
knowledge was clear as he told us he could
not finish school and therefore educated
himself; however, Vernon confessed that
all his knowledge was for nothing as he
was a struggling alcoholic.
Vernon removed a beer bottle from
his back pocket he had just bought. As
he reached back for it though, he just
barely nicked the bottle on the wall when
it shattered into two pieces and alcohol
spilled everywhere. Sulking in this puddle
of alcohol, Vernon admitted that this
was a sign from God that he needed to
stop drinking. At this mention of God
we began to ask Vernon about his faith
life with the desire to be missionaries of
the Lord. Vernon said that while he used
to attend church quite often, he had not
in many years as he believed God would
not hear his prayers as a result of his
alcoholic sin. At this misunderstanding,
we explained to Vernon we are not perfect,
but we are able to have a relationship
with the Lord because we have accepted
the grace that came from His son dying
on the cross. Vernon began to ponder
the thought and thanked us for this
realization he desired to more fully
understand. We prayed over Vernon
and invited him to Mass, which he later
attended with us, as well as adoration.
Afterwards, with tears in his eyes,
Vernon thanked us again for the hope
we had shown him.
In Matthew 13, Jesus explains how
the Kingdom of Heaven is like a tiny
mustard seed that when sown becomes
one of the largest of trees. That week
in Belize the Lord provided countless
opportunities to allow Him to work in
me. My interaction with Vernon was
a divinely inspired opportunity to sow
a mustard seed-sized amount of faith
into Vernon that I believe shall grow
into a life-changing relationship with
Jesus Christ. The opportunity to attend
this mission has shown me “Vernon” is
everywhere. This world is full of people
who are suffering, whether they are in
Belize or walking the halls of your high
school, everyone needs someone to
lend a listening ear and then extend an
invitation that points them to Christ. •
- Harris Leblanc
Elizabeth Bryan
and Ben Robichaux
shoveling gravel for the
fence project around
Trinidad Catholic
Church
August 2015 21
Encounter Jesus Youth Event
Experience Rich Day Planned for Diocesan Youth
by Kevin Prevou
appropriate to their particular
developmental levels. We will of
course share opening prayer and
Mass with Bishop Duca together,
but the presentations and encounter
experiences will be done in separate
tracks.
Preparing for Encounter Jesus
P
astoral ministry with young
people is a series of encounters
with the person of Jesus that forms
hearts and minds for discipleship and
creates a deeper bond with the Church.
Put another way, everything we do with
young people is focused on offering them
encounters with Jesus. On Saturday
August 29, we want to bring the young
church of the Diocese of Shreveport
together for a day to Encounter Jesus!
Pope Francis says that an encounter
is the means chosen by Jesus to change
lives. A good example of this is Paul of
Tarsus, the anti-Christian prosecutor
who, by the time he reached Damascus,
had already become an Apostle.
Pope Francis said, “Jesus never forgets
the day we encountered Him for the
first time; we should ask God for the
‘grace of memory’ so that we can always
remember it…our faith is an encounter
with Jesus.”
My own conscious encounter with
Jesus began when I was a freshman in
high school back at Holy Name parish
in San Antonio. We were participating
in a day retreat led by a neighboring
parish’s group of young adults. These
Every parish leader will receive a
preparation packet for Encounter
Jesus that will offer a session or two to
help your group prepare for the day
on August 29. You will also receive a
post-packet following Encounter Jesus
as a way for your group to continue
encountering Jesus.
For more information, contact Kevin
in the Office of Youth at 318-8684441, or [email protected] •
young adults were faith-filled, prepared,
fun-loving and full of joy. My memory
of specific activities during the retreat
are hazy except for a guided meditation
led by one of the young adults. During
the meditation, I had an experience of
Jesus being present with me. It was so
powerful that it has stuck with me all of
these years and is one of the reasons that
I continue to serve in ministry.
Encounter Jesus Will Be
“Experience Rich”
The young people and adult leaders
will be invited into an “experience rich”
environment. The presentations by
nationally known presenters Mike Patin,
Katie Prejean and Project YM (Tony
Vasinda and Scott Dougherty) will also
include a reflection and response time.
Encounter experiences will include
scripture, prayer, sacraments, works of
mercy, family, relationships, creation/
nature, digital world, a personal journal
for the day and more!
Encounter Jesus Tracks for High
School and Middle School Youth
There will be separate tracks for
high school and middle school youth
JOIN US!
WHO: High School & Middle
School Youth and Their Adult
Leaders
DATE: Saturday, August 29
TIME: 8:30AM - 5:30PM
WHAT: Meet young people
from across the diocese; have
Mass with Bishop Duca; see
Nationally recognized speakers
& enjoy Encounter experiences
WHERE: The Catholic Center
3500 Fairfield Ave.
REGISTER: Through your
church!
#EncounterJesusDYC
hispanic NEWS
por Fidel Mondragón González
Fidel Mondragón González, Seminarista
Calendario
del Mes de Agosto
de la Diócesis de Shreveport
M
i nombre es Fidel Mondragón González, originario de
Luvianos, Estado de México. Soy el número seis de una
familia de ocho. Mi mamá Amelia y algunos hermanos aún
viven en mi pueblo natal y mi papá, Santiago falleció hace 9 años.
Mi vocación comenzó cuando al terminar secundaria participé en
un retiro vocacional en la Diócesis de Ciudad Altamirano, aunque no
logré entrar entonces porque me aconsejaron terminar la preparatoria
González
y si al terminarla seguía con la inquietud, me aceptarían. Al terminar
participé nuevamente en una semana de retiro vocacional y mi decisión era entrar al
Seminario. Sin embargo, al finalizar la semana y regresar a casa, sentí miedo de regresar
y decidí no hacerlo.
Un hermano que vivía en Dallas me invitó a venir a trabajar a Estados Unidos por
un año. Conseguir el permiso de salir de casa aunque fue un poco difícil con mi mamá
pues ella sabía que yo quería seguir estudiando y entrar al seminario, además de que
estaba ayudando a mi papá en el campo. Mi papá accedió fácilmente y me vine a Dallas
pero ese año se pasó y en total me quedé 9 años trabajando.
Mientras vivía en Dallas, participaba en la Pastoral Juvenil y a veces nos tocaba
salir a trabajar a otros lugares. En una ocasión las hermanas religiosas me invitaron a
una reunión de la Red Pastoral en Chicago, donde conocí a un Sacerdote Escolapio;
le expuse mi situación y él me invitó a un retiro vocacional a Miami. Estuve 4 días
en el retiro y me dijeron que si quería entrar con ellos al seminario no me tenía que
preocupar de mi estatus migratorio ni de que no hablaba mucho inglés.
Dejé mi trabajo, la casa de mi hermano donde vivía e ingresé al seminario con los
escolapios. Estudié en Miami un año, otro en Celaya, Gto., dos más en Puerto Rico y
cinco en la ciudad de México.
Terminé en mayo de este año e ingresé a Estados Unidos patrocinado por la Diócesis
de Shreveport, y si Monseñor Obispo Michael Duca, Dios y la Inmaculada Virgen
María así lo desean, me convertiré en sacerdote para esta diócesis en un futuro cercano.
Que Nuestro Señor y la Inmaculada Virgen los bendigan.
Todo lo que hagamos sea para la mayor Gloria de Dios.
Su hermano en Cristo: Fidel Mondragón González.
del 2015
8 Reunión de preparación
para retiro Búsqueda,
Centro Católico 11 a.m.
– 6 p.m.
8 Conferencia de
Catequesis (Inglés)
Shreveport Centro de
Convenciones, 9 a.m. –
3 p.m.
15 Asunción de la Virgen
María a los cielos.
22-24 Retiro Búsqueda,
Scottsville, TX de
viernes a las 6 p.m. a
domingo a las 4 p.m.
29 Encuentro Juvenil de
Middle y High School
(Inglés) Centro Católico,
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
August 2015 23
school NEWS
Dr. Robert Webber Named Principal at St. Frederick
S
t. Frederick Catholic High School
has announced that Dr. Robert
Webber will succeed St. Frederick
Principal Guy Farber who has accepted a
position at a school in Florida.
Dr. Webber previously served as
Superintendent of the Ouachita Parish
School System. He retired from the parish
school system at the end of the school
year after serving as the superintendent
for the last 14 years.
“I want to thank the search committee
and Judge Wendell Manning, President of
the St. Frederick School Board, for a job
well done. We are excited about having
someone with Dr. Webber’s credentials
joining the St. Frederick family. His
experience and leadership success
will help us continue the growth and
advancement of St. Frederick Catholic
High School,” said Sr. Carol Shively,
Diocesan Superintendent of Schools.
Prior to being named Superintendent,
Webber served
as Principal of
Ouachita Junior
High School
and as Assistant
Principal of
Ouachita Parish
High School. He
also served as a
teacher and coach
of Ouachita Junior High and Ouachita
High Schools.
Webber is a graduate of Northeast
Louisiana University where he earned his
bachelor’s degree in Physical Education
and Social Studies (1977), a Master’s
Degree in Administration and Supervision
(1983), and a Specialist Degree in
Administration and Supervision (1992).
He earned his Doctorate from Louisiana
Tech in 1998.
Webber is actively involved in service to
the community. He served as Chairman
of the United Way of Northeast
Louisiana, Fall Roundup Chairman
of Boys Scouts of America, Louisiana
Purchase Council, Board of Directors of
the Chennault Aviation Museum, Board
of Directors of the Glenwood Regional
Medical Center, Board of Directors of
the Big Brothers-Big Sisters and the
Board of Directors of the West Monroe
Community Center as well as many other
organizations.
Dr. Webber is married to Janis
Townsend. Janis is a Registered Nurse.
They have a daughter, Tara, and son, Seth,
both of Monroe.
St. Frederick remains the only Catholic,
coeducational, college preparatory high
school in Northeast Louisiana serving
over 300 students enrolled in grades 7-12.
St. Frederick High School is accredited by
the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools and approved by the Louisiana
Department of Education. •
School Leadership Program
by John Mark Willcox
D
eveloping leadership skills
within our Catholic School
system can be a daunting
challenge, but that goal has become
much more achievable through a recent
grant to our diocese from Catholic
Extension Society.
Through Extension’s new strategic
initiative on Catholic School Leadership
Development, three members
from among our combined school
administration are sponsored to be
enrolled in a comprehensive online
training program through Loyola
Marymount University in Los Angeles,
CA. This includes a visit to the campus
for a special orientation in early August
of 2015.
Stephanie Johnson of Loyola College
Prep in Shreveport, Stephanie Haney
of Our Lady of Fatima School in
Monroe and Dianne Porter-Lord of
Monroe’s St. Frederick
High School will each
receive a graduate level
Certificate of Catholic
School Administration
and will bring back their
Johnson
newfound knowledge to
promote solid leadership
within the schools of our diocese.
Because of Extension’s generosity to
our diocese, these three woman will
benefit from a program of unique and
successful educational professional
development that is designed to address
three major themes in Catholic school
administration including mission
effectiveness, operational management
and instructional leadership.
“This is a proven and effective means
to enhance our efforts in Catholic
Leadership,” comments Diocesan
Superintendent of Schools, Sr. Carol
Haney
Porter-Lord
Shively. “We are indeed blessed to have
Extension sponsor our participation
in the program. I am confident in the
abilities of the women we have selected
for the program and I know this will
bear good fruit for our schools.”
“The school system of the Diocese of
Shreveport was a perfect fit for what we
are trying to achieve in mission dioceses
throughout the South,” comments
Extension’s Director of Mission Services,
Rob Anderson. We were impressed
at Extension with the quality of the
applicants and we are pleased with their
enthusiasm for the program.” •
Kids' Connection!
What Can We Do This Month?
This month we celebrate the
Feast Day of Saint Dominic on August 8!
Use this month to learn about him in a variety of fun ways:
1)
Saint Dominic is
the founder of the
Dominican religious order.
In his young years, he sold
off his clothes, furniture and
even priceless manuscripts to
feed the hungry. Collect cans, food items and toiletries and donate
them to your local St. Vincent de Paul food pantry!
2)
He spent much of his life preaching to the heretics and doing
conversion work. Take time to learn a Scripture verse. The
more we learn about our faith, the better teachers and witnesses we are
to those around us.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul. The statutes of the
LORD are trustworthy, making wise the
simple. - Psalm 19:7
3)
The spread
of the Rosary
is attributed to the
preaching of St.
Dominic. Take time
each day to say the
Rosary, especially
on St. Dominic’s
Feast Day.
"Arm yourself
with prayer rather
than a sword; wear
humility rather than
fine clothes."
- St. Dominic
Word Find
Astronomy
August
Conversion
Dominic
Humility
Prayer
Religious
Rosary
Saint
Scripture
4)
Saint Dominic is the patron saint of
astronomers. The universe is an AWESOME
part of God’s creation. Step outside and see how
many constellations you can find!
August 2015 25
across the GLOBE
by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
by Carol Gates
E
Nature cannot be regarded
as something separate
from
ourselves or as a mere setting
in which we live. We
are
part of nature, included
in it and thus in constant
interaction with it.
photo: presidencia.gov.ar
Pope Publishes Encyclical "Laudato Si"
Overview of the Encyclical
L
AUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” –
“Praise be to you, my Lord.”
These are the words that open
Pope Francis’ encyclical on ecology and
care for God’s creation. These words,
quoting St. Francis of Assisi’s beautiful
canticle, remind us that our common
home is like a sister with whom we
share our life and a beautiful mother
who opens her arms to embrace us.
Pope Francis addresses Laudato Si’
to “every person on the planet,” for we
all share a common home –the earth.
He focuses on a number of important
themes.
• A Moral and Spiritual Challenge.
The ecological crisis, Pope Francis
writes, is a summons to profound
interior conversion—to renew our
relationships with God, one another,
and the created world.
• Care for God’s Creation. God
created the world and entrusted it to us
as a gift. Now we have the responsibility
to care for and protect it and all people,
who are part of creation. Protecting
human dignity is strongly linked to care
for creation.
• We are All Connected. We are
connected to the rest of the human
family, to the created world and to
“
Pope Francis'
Visit to the U.S.
those who will come after us in future
generations.
• Impact on the Poor. People
in poverty have contributed least
to climate change, yet they are
disproportionately impacted by it.
As a result of excessive use of natural
resource by wealthy nations, those who
are poor experience pollution, lack of
access to clean water, hunger and more.
• Called to Solidarity. We are
one human family and have a shared
responsibility for others and for creation.
Wealthy countries have a responsibility
to reduce consumption of non-renewal
resources and should help poorer nations
develop in sustainable ways.
• Technological and economic
development must serve human
beings and enhance human dignity,
instead of creating an economy of
exclusion, so that all people have access
to what is needed for authentic human
development.
• Supporting Life, Protecting
Creation. Concern for nature is
incompatible with failure to protect
vulnerable human beings, such
as unborn children, people with
disabilities, or victims of human
continued on page 27
xcitement is building in
Washington, D.C., New York City
and Philadelphia as plans are being
made for public and private events with
Pope Francis in September! In addition
to meetings with our U.S. president and
bishops upon his arrival on September
23, Pope Francis will preside at the Mass
of Canonization of Junipero Serra at the
Basilica of the National Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception. On Thursday,
Pope Francis will address the Joint Session
of the U.S. Congress before going to
New York City to address the United
Nations General Assembly, offering a
Prayer Service at the World Trade Center,
visiting a Harlem school and offering
Mass at Madison Square Garden on
Friday. While in Philadelphia, Pope
Francis will meet with the bishops and
visit a correctional facility.
Thousands of adults and youth will
be gathering in Philadelphia September
22-25, for the World Meeting of Families
Congress. More than 100 presenters,
including keynote speakers Bishop-elect
Robert Barron and Cardinal Robert
Sarah, will speak on the theme “Love is
Our Mission: the Family Fully Alive.”
Representatives from our diocese will be
in attendance for the Congress meetings,
as well as present for the weekend
activities, Festival of Families on Saturday
and Mass concluding the World Meeting
on Sunday.
Diocesan events and daily blogs will be
offered during the week of
September 22, in order
for all Catholics to share
in this momentous visit
by our Pope. Look for
more information in
the next Catholic
Connection. If you
would like more
information on
these events, visit
worldmeeting2015.
org and usccb.org.
continued from page 26
trafficking.
• A Time to Act. Pope Francis calls for
a change in lifestyle and consumption.
We can make important changes as
individuals, families and communities,
and as civil and political leaders.
• Hope and Joy. “Injustice is not
invincible” (no. 74) and we act knowing
that we seek to live out God’s vision
of renewed relationships with God,
ourselves, one another and creation.
How You Can Respond
Each of us are called to take concrete
steps – from reducing consumption to
working for political change – to better
care for creation. Here are some ideas.
1. Become more aware of our
connectedness. Care for one another
and creation includes understanding
that “everything is connected” (no.
91) and that the economy, politics,
community involvement and technology
all affect the future of the planet and
humankind. How can we become more
aware of our connectedness?
2. Changes to lifestyle and
consumption habits can make a big
difference. For example, get a re-usable
water bottle, take shorter showers,
walk, bike or take public transportation
instead of driving, recycle, compost
food waste and buy energy efficient
appliances.
3. Make changes institutionally
at your parish, school or workplace.
For example, start recycling and
composting, use washable dinnerware in
cafeterias, share electronically instead of
printing, do an energy audit, and install
solar panels.
4. Support local efforts to solve
environmental problems. Community
groups around the country are working
to make city, county and state-wide
changes that can make a big difference.
Find out what is going on locally and
get involved.
5. Contact your members of Congress
to share Pope Francis’ message and
urge action to address climate change.
Sign up for action alerts with the U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops at
http://cqrcengage.com/catholicbishops/
jphd. •
Prayer
Triune Lord, wondrous community of
infinite love, teach us to contemplate you in
the beauty of the universe, for all things speak
of you.
Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being
that you have made.
Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is.
God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your
love for all the creatures of this earth, for not one of them is forgotten in
your sight.
Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid
the sin of indifference, that they may love the common good, advance
the weak, and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out.
O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all
life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of
justice, peace, love and beauty.
Praise be to you!
Amen.
Excerpted from “A Christian prayer in union with
creation,” in Laudato Si’, no. 246
Vatican
Information
Services
VAtICAN
news & notes
• The Pope's first visit in Paraguay
after his meeting with the
president, Horacio Manuel Cartes
Jara, was to the patients of the
Ninos de Acosta Nu paediatric
hospital. The Pope arrived at
8.30 a.m. (local time) and spent
around an hour with the inpatients,
including those who were in
the emergency room and the
oncology ward.
•The Pope visited the Santa CruzPalmasola penitentiary on July
11 where he met with various
groups of inmates – men, women
and young people imprisoned for
both petty and serious offences.
The men's Pavilion PS4, where
the meeting with the Pope took
place, is open for daily visits and
hosts around 2,800 detainees,
whose family members (around
1,500 per day) are able to live with
them in a sort of village protected
and managed by the inmates
themselves through a “General
Regency” led by State security
staff.
• The director of the Holy See Press
Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J.,
made the following statement
July 14 regarding the nuclear
agreement with Iran: “The
agreement on the Iranian nuclear
program is viewed in a positive
light by the Holy See. It constitutes
an important outcome of the
negotiations carried out so far,
although continued efforts and
commitment on the part of all
involved will be necessary in order
for it to bear fruit. It is hoped that
those fruits will not be limited to the
field of nuclear program, but may
indeed extend further.”
August 2015 27
around the DIOCESE
Hodge PSR Celebrates
P
arish School of Religion students
celebrated their end of the year
party at St. Lucy in Hodge,
Sunday, June 7, 2015.
Sister Marilyn Vassallo Celebrated Golden
Jubilee in Albany, New York
A
few of Sr. Marilyn Vassallo’s
closest friends traveled to
Albany, New York for her
50th Golden Jubilee Celebration as
a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet
on May 31. Sr. Marilyn served the
Diocese of Shreveport for many years
as the Director of Canonical Services.
Randy Tiller attended the celebration
on behalf of the diocese and had the
opportunity to visit with Srs. Marilyn
and Patricia Cairns, who also worked in
our diocese. The celebration was held
at the Provincial House of the Sisters
of St. Joseph of Carondelet in Latham
outside of Albany. Congratulations Sr.
Marilyn!
- Randy Tiller
Mission Choir
Sponsored Music Camp
S
t. John the Baptist and St. Terence
Mission Choir sponsored a music
camp entitled “The Music in
Me” July 13-16. Participants engaged
in a variety of musical experiences and
performed in a mini-concert on the last
evening of the camp.
Parents of the Year
Carmelite Priests Visit Toledo Bend
P
riests from the Carmelites of Mary
Immaculate in India recently
visited the Diocese of Shreveport.
Shown are visitors Fr. Thomas
Choolaparampil and Fr. Jacob Akkathara
enjoying Toledo Bend Lake with Fr.
Thomas Elavunkal, pastor of Saint John
the Baptist Parish in Many. Tiffany and
Michael Craig of Saint Joseph Parish in
Zwolle graciously took the priests on a
cruise of Toledo Bend Lake.
- Shirley Rivers
S
t. Helen Captain and Secretary,
Mary Remedies and Rose Procell
honored Lance Rivers and Delphia
Remedies as “Father & Mother of the
Year,”chosen for their dedication to their
faith and family by their peers. Pictured:
Lance Rivers, wife Lindsey and family.
Sacred Heart SVdP Honored by
Food Bank of Northwest LA
surrounding areas. Sacred Heart of Jesus has been
providing food to the hungry every Wednesday for
14 years.
As soon as you walk in the door of Sacred Heart,
you experience the hustle and bustle of a busy
operation helping those families in need, where
everyone always has a smile on their face. Bea
Cernigliaro and her team of gracious volunteers
serve 80 households and distribute 4,165 pounds of
food each month.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Food Pantry has always
been in good standing with the Food Bank from
whom it received a certificate of excellence. Both
organizations appreciate their partnership and
recognize the hard work and dedication of the
Sacred Heart Society of St. Vincent de Paul to
serving families in our community.
Pictured: Richard Guzman, Fay Cunningham,
Anna Skyles, Katy Randle (recipient of Sacred
Heart of Jesus SVdP help and speaker at banquet),
Bea Cernigliaro (President of SVdP Sacred Heart
and Secretary of SVdP Shreveport Chapter), Pete
Cernigliaro and Fr. John Paul Crispin.
- Libby Campbell
S
acred Heart of Jesus’ St. Vincent de Paul’s Food Pantry
was honored at a Banquet on June 4 by the Food Bank of
Northwest Louisiana as the 2014-15 Outstanding Agency.
Sacred Heart of Jesus SVdP has been open since 2001. They give
food and clothing to low income families in the 71109 zip code and
Four Generations in Ebarb
Youth Join Crossroads Pro-Life
T
hree students made their first communion at St. Ann
Church in Ebarb in May, and all three are fourth
generation St. Ann parishioners, which is especially
exciting as the parish celebrates its 80-year anniversary.
First communicant Rowan Drake Ebarb celebrated with
his father, Cody Ebarb, Grandmother Monica Ebarb and
Great Grandmother, Maudie Woodruff. First Communicant
Madelyn celebrated with her mother, Candice Wilson,
grandfather, Victor Sepulvado and great grandmother,
Maudie Woodruff (pictured). First communicant Claylee
celebrated with her mother, Ashley Rutan, grandmother,
Sherry Henry and great grandmother, Pearl Sepulvado.
S
t. Jude Youth Group joined Crossroads Pro-Life
Movement July 9 to walk a few miles through
Bossier on the groups’ pilgrimage across America.
These young people hope to impact others by witnessing
to the dignity and sanctity of all human life, from the
moment of conception to natural death.
- Brenda Lites
August 2015 29
mark your CALENDAR
8/3
Theology on Tap Featuring
Bishop Michael G. Duca
This event for young adults will feature
a presentation by Bishop Duca on
"Will Pope Francis' Climate Encyclical
Change the World?" The papal letter,
"Laudato Si" On Care for Our Common
Home, paints a bleak picture of Earth
as sick and poisoned at almost every
level. Bishop Duca will break open
Pope Francis' letter on the Earth and
invite a conversation about what
we can do locally to cultivate and
care for the planet. Join us at Nicky's
Mexican Restaurant in Downtown
Shreveport beginning at 7pm. For more
information, contact Kevin, Director
of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at
318-868-4441, or [email protected].
8/8
Diocese of Shreveport 2015
Catechetical Fair
The Diocese of Shreveport 2015
Catechetical Fair will feature "Fostering
Discipleship in the Domestic Church"
and will be hosted at the Shreveport
Convention Center. Keynote speaker
will be Jo Ann Paradise. There will be
Mass with Bishop Duca, music and
breakout groups. To register, visit tinyurl.
com/catfair2015
8/15
Magnificat NOWELA
Chapter Ladies Brunch
Ladies are invited to a brunch
sponsored by the NOWELA Chapter
of Magnificat. Guest speaker will be
Aggie Neck, a renowned speaker from
local and international conferences
and days of renewal. Saturday, August
15, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the
Catholic Center, 3500 Fairfield Avenue,
Shreveport, LA. For reservations, send
$15 checks made out to NOWELA
Magnificat, to Margerie Ainsworth,
1575 Parks Rd. Benton, LA, 71006,
before August 11. For questions call,
Sandy Chapman, 318-222-0007.
a.m. til 3:00 p.m. Our workshop clinician
will be Joanne Werner, a nationally
known and NPM-certified instructor
and clinician. The cost is $30, which
includes lunch and a music packet. The
workshop will include a master class as
well as sessions on the ministerial role of
the cantor. Please register in advance
by calling or e-mailing Suzan Atkins at
318-617-4933 or [email protected].
Participants do need to be active
members of NPM or affiliated with a
member church. We can assist you with
this if you are not currently a member.
8/21
10/24
14th Annual Blue Mass
at St. Mary of the Pines
The 14th Annual Blue Mass honoring all
law enforcement officers, firefighters
and emergency personnel will take
place on Friday, August 21 at 9:30 a.m.
at St. Mary of the Pines Parish, located
at 1050 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop in
Shreveport. All are invited to attend this
community event.
8/29
Cantor Intensive
Workshop at St. Elizabeth
Ann Seton
A Cantor Intensive Workshop is being
offered through the local chapter of
National Pastoral Musicians (NPM) on
Saturday, August 29th at St. Elizabeth
Ann Seton Parish, Shreveport, from 9:00
W
St. Paschal Catholic
Church Herbal Harvest
Arts & Crafts Festival
Enjoy live music at this FREE event
which will host more than 60 vendors
selling herb plants, original arts and
crafts and home prepared foods.
Delicious herbed chicken salad, taco
soup, grilled sausage, freshly baked
breads, cakes, cookies and sweets,
almond tea and cold drinks will be
available for purchase. Bring the entire
family for a fun time. This is the 24th
year for this event. 9:00am - 3:30pm at
St. Paschal Catholic Church located
at 711 N. 7th St., West Monroe, LA.
For more information, contact Pat
Regan at 318-801-9138, or patregan1@
bellsouth.net.
e invite you to join us in support of our seminarians and
future priests. The “I Will Give You Shepherds” campaign
is an opportunity to focus on the future of Notre Dame
Seminary and St. Joseph Seminary College and to help build a culture of
vocations throughout Louisiana.
For both St. Joseph Seminary College and Notre Dame Seminary,
the buildings are aging and there are serious needs we must address. It
is not enough to have quality education and formation when the living
accommodations are not adequate. Realizing this need, we have embarked
upon a historic capital campaign titled “I Will Give You Shepherds: The
Campaign for Priestly Formation.” Its purpose is to update both seminaries
enabling us to continue to provide the very best in priestly formation.
Currently ALL of our diocesan seminarians attend these two houses of
education. Learn more by visiting our website, www.dioshpt.org.
Please visit www.arch-no.org to donate online, or contact Peter Quirk
for other giving opportunities (504-596-3063 ot [email protected]).
AUGUST
2015
SUNDAY MONDAYTUESDAYWEDNESDAYTHURSDAY FRIDAY
SATURDAY
26 27282930 311
St. Martha
St. Peter
Chrysologus,
bishop & doctor
of the Church
St. Ignatius of
Loyola, priest
St. Alphonsus
Liguori, bishop
& doctor of
the Church
thEOLOGY on Tap /
AUG 3
2
3
Theology on Tap,
Nicky's Mexican
Resturant,
Downtown
Shreveport, 7pm
4
5
Priests Retirement The Dedication
of the Basilica of
Committee
St. Mary Major
Meeting,
Catholic Center,
11am
6
The
Transfiguration
of the Lord
7
St. John
Berchmans
School First Day
St, Sixtus II, pope
& companions,
martyrs; St.
Cajetan, priest
St. John
Vianney, priest
8
Diocesan
Catechetical
Fair,
Shreveport
Convention
Center, 9am
St. Dominic,
priest
Back to School!
9 10 1112131415
Loyola and St.
Joseph School
First Day
Protecting God's
Children, Catholic
Center, 6pm
Our Lady of
Fatima School
First Day
Deadline for
September
Catholic
Connection
Opening of
Schools Mass
for SJB School,
8:15am & Loyola,
9:30am, Cathedral
Sts. Pontian,
pope, and
Hippolytus,
priest, martyrs
St. Lawrence,
deacon &
martyr
St. Jane Frances
de Chantal
St. Clare, virgin
St. Maximilian
Kolbe, priest &
martyr
The
Assumption
of the Blessed
Virgin Mary
Assumption of the
BVM/ AUG 15
16 171819202122
St. John Eudes,
priest
Jesus the Good
Shepherd School
and St. Frederick
High School First
Day
St. Bernard,
abbot & doctor
of the Church
14th Annual Blue
Mass, St. Mary of
the Pines, 9:30am
Busqueda 6,
Scottsville Camp
and Conference
Cetner (thru Aug.
23)
The
Queenship of
the Blessed
Virgin Mary
Blue Mass/ AUG 21
St. Pius X, pope
23 24252627 2829
St. Bartholomew,
apostle
30 31
St. Louis'
St. Joseph
Calasanz, priest
St. Monica
St. Augustine,
bishop & doctor
of the Church
Encounter
Jesus Youth
Event, Catholic
Center,
8:30am
The Passion of
St. John the
Baptist
Encounter Youth
Event / AUG 29
August 2015 31
Connection
The Catholic
DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT
3500 Fairfield Ave.
•
Photo of the Month
Fairfield
Bishop Michael Duca
ordains Jerry Daigle, Jr.
to the priesthood at the
Cathedral of St. John
Berchmans

Catholic School - The Catholic Connection

Transcription

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