October 21 - The Catholic Commentator

Transcription

October 21, 2009
VOLUME 47 • NO. 18
TWO SECTIONS
inside
Another Perspective
4
Family Life
5
Our Catholic Community 6
Spirituality
9
Youth
10
Entertainment
12
Viewpoint
14
Prayers for Priests, Deacons
and Religious Women
and Men
15
Letter to the Editor
15
Coming Events
16
Classified Ads
16
St. Michael High
School celebrates
25 years page 2
Local CROP
Walk started
through initiative
of four women
page 3
Mystical Rose
Association
prays for priests
page 17
Special Section
Serving the Diocese of Baton Rouge Since 1962
www.diobr.org/tcc
Abortion survivor tells of God’s grace
BY
DEBBIE SHELLEY
Assistant Editor
Catholic recording artist
and pro-life activist Gianna
Jessen said she’s had to fight
for her life ever since she was
born alive during a saline
abortion 32 years ago at an
abortion clinic in Los Angeles
County in California.
She told people attending
an Oct. 8 Louisiana Youth
Pilgrimage to the March for
Life Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction at Our Lady of
Mercy Church in Baton Rouge
that she is alive and thriving
through God’s grace and the
strong will he instilled in
her.
While in the Baton Rouge
Diocese, Jessen also presented
her pro-life message at Redemptorist and St. Michael
high schools and Louisiana
State University.
When Jessen’s mother was
seven-and-a-half months
pregnant with Jessen, she
tried to have an abortion. The
abortion procedure failed,
and Jessen was born alive and
Speakers at the Louisiana Youth Pilgrimage to the March for
Life Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction are, from left, St. Michael
High School students and 2009 March for Life participants Jordyn
Riedmiller and Chelsea Weaver, who shared former St. Joseph’s
Academy student Valerie Rodriguez’ reflections on last year’s
March for Life; St. Michael High School chaplain and parochial
vicar at Immaculate Conception Church in Denham Springs
Father Paul Gros; keynote speaker Gianna Jessen; and St. Joseph
Seminary College seminarians Brad Doyle and Joshua Johnson.
Photo by Debbie Shelley
premature, with severe injuries that resulted in physical
atrophy and cerebral palsy.
Jessen’s biological parents,
each aged 17, put her up for
adoption.
Because of Jessen’s cerebral
palsy, her foster mother was
told that it was doubtful that
she would ever walk or crawl.
She could not sit up independently.
Through Jessen’s determination and the support and
prayers of her foster mother,
she was able to walk with leg
braces and a walker by the
time she was four years old.
She continued her physical
therapy, and after four surgeries, she walked without
assistance.
Jessen then became physically fit and began running
marathons to raise money for
awareness of cerebral palsy.
Audience members heard
about the highlight of Jessen’s
marathon experiences, which
is having run in the London
Marathon in 2006.
Stating that, “God is good
and looks after me,” Jessen
said he led her to a church
service at Westminster Abbey
the night before the marathon.
She found herself praising
God with a church full of believers from all over the world
until 2 a.m.
Sleeping for only a couple
of hours before the marathon,
Jessen was determined to
complete the 22-mile race. It
took her more than eight-anda-half hours to complete it.
“When I was at mile 22, I
was about to collapse for what
I thought would be the final
time,” said Jessen, who crossed
See LIFE page 3
Women’s contemporary roles affirmed
BY
DEBBIE SHELLEY
Assistant Editor
Approximately 450 women from
throughout the diocese filled Our Lady
of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge to hear
about contemporary issues from a Catholic perspective and about their roles as
biological and spiritual life givers during the Women’s Conference, “Woman,
God’s Treasure” on Oct. 17.
Anne Russo, Christian formation
director at Our Lady of Mercy, said
women need to be affirmed in their roles
as nurturers, supporters and leaders in
the community, home and church. She
stated that women are capable leaders,
but are unaware that they have this gift.
She and a committee of women from Our
Lady of Mercy spent over a year organiz-
ing this conference to encourage women
to develop their skills and talents in the
roles they do well and to confi dently
step into new areas in which God may
be calling them.
Johnette S. Benkovic talked to the
women about how her faith journey led
her to become founder and president of
Living His Life Abundantly, Inc., a Catholic evangelical apostolate with outreaches
in television, radio, print and Internet.
For many years Benkovic was a nonpracticing Catholic enjoying successful
careers in public education and insurance
sales. She was primarily concerned with
living the good life.
Sin works subtly on people through
small, seemingly innocent things and
encourages them to take small steps away
from God, according to Benkovic. She said
during one beautiful day, her dark interior
state of being made her realize she had
walked away from God. She asked God to
show her what he wanted for her life, and
he converted her and called her to share
the Gospel through media.
Benkovic emphasized that God is
faithful as she highlighted a passage from
Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has
blessed us in Christ with every spiritual
blessing in the heavens.”
God promises to bless women and be
with them through each moment and each
trial of their life, even if they don’t feel his
presence, according to Benkovic.
Several audience members wiped tears
from their eyes as Benkovic told them
about the struggles she faced over the
See CONFERENCE page 18
October 21, 2009 • The Catholic Commentator
news
St. Michael High School celebrates 25th anniversary
2
On Oct. 1, St. Michael the
Archangel Regional Catholic
High School celebrated its
25th Anniversary Mass and
Founder’s Brunch.
Bishop Robert W. Muench
celebrated the Mass. Concelebrating with him were Father
Jerry Martin and St. Michael
Chaplain Father Paul Gros
Deacon Frank Bains assisted.
Two of the original teachers, Jim Baldridge and Cathy
Brouillette, participated in the
Mass and the program that followed. Brouillette reminisced
on the first days of the high
school when there were only
147 students and just 20 faculty/staff members.
“The campus originally
included only the front administrative building and the
cafeteria; this gym and many
of our other fine additions did
not exist,” she explained. “As
things change and evolve, so
many things stay the same,
like our school mascot and
colors and the student uniform. In fact, St. Michael the
Archangel was the original
name for the school way back
in 1984.”
Brouillette recognized the
school’s many alumni who
have gone on to become pillars of our society: restaurateur Jim Urdiales ‘87; doctors
Stephen Ragusa ‘89 and Beau
Clark ’91; St. Jean Vianney
Principal Wendy Gilmore
‘89; professional basketball
player Titus Warmsley ’95; St.
Michael High School teachers
and coaches Drew Hart ’92
and Johnny Bernhard ’99; and
others.
Brouilliette and Baldridge
commented that they both
enjoy teaching children of
alumni and have both sent
their own children to St. Michael High School as well.
“This shows just how much
we believe in and value the
Together after the St. Michael High School 25th Anniversary Mass are, from left, St. Michael
High School Assistant Principal Ellen Lee; St. Michael High School Principal Myra T. Patureau;
Bishop Robert W. Muench; Superintendent of Catholic Schools Dr. Melanie Verges; and St.
Michael High School Assistant Principal Peter Fletcher. Photo provided by St. Michael High School
school,” attested Baldridge.
Dr. Melanie Verges, superintendent of Catholic Schools,
wowed the crowd and distinguished guests with her clever
speech which was in theme at
St. Michael the Archangel
High School
25 years in Faithful Pursuit of Excellence
17521 Monitor Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70817
225-753-9782 • www.smhsbr.org
Congratulations to Our Winners!
National Merit
Semifinalist
National Merit
Commended
Student
2009 AP Scholar
with Honor
Alex Holeman
Hunter Rouillier
Ana Estrada
Photos by Barberito Photography
just 25 words:
“Today is a great day. Twenty-five years of ministry – celebrating Catholic tradition,
striving for academic excellence and creating a caring
community. Thank you and
congratulations,” she said.
Verges’ words echoed the
mission and charisms of St.
Michael High School that Principal Myra Patureau spoke of
in her speech.
“Our mission of developing
young people as committed
disciples of Christ spiritually,
academically and personally
while living in faith, service
and truth is exactly how we
have been able to establish a
successful tradition over the
past 25 years,” said Patureau.
The ceremony ended with
the blessing of a special set of
25th anniversary coins that
were supposed to have been
designed in silver but erroneously arrived as gold. Bishop
Muench explained that this
metal was fitting in predicting that the school would be
around for a 50th anniversary
and beyond, and likened the
mixup to a story about a cross
medallion he wears around
his neck.
“This medallion of Jesus
with children that I wear came
in bronze,” he explained. “But
I had it plated in gold because
I believe that in the eyes of
Jesus, children are more gold
than bronze … just as I believe
that the past, present and
future children of St. Michael
High School are worth a gold
coin over silver any day until
your 50th anniversary and
beyond.”
Assistant Principals Ellen Lee and Peter Fletcher
presented the coins to many
of the distinguished guests
aforementioned as well as to
Dalton Ashworth from the
school’s advisory board and
parent representatives from
the Home and School Association, the Warrior Club and
Development Committee.
A brunch was served with
a special celebratory cake offered to the student body following their lunch hours.
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news 3
Local CROP Walk started through initiative of four women
The Catholic Commentator • October 21, 2009
BY
L AURA DEAVERS
Editor
“The journey of a thousand
miles begins with one step.”
Four Baton Rouge ladies have
taken to heart and acted on
this quote the philosopher Lao
Tzu made over 2500 years ago.
Tzu also advised, “Give a man
a fish and you feed him for a
day. Teach him how to fish and
you feed him for a lifetime.”
Last year, the four women –
Joyce Jackson, Mignon Bosse,
Melinda Sanford and Cindy
Murphy – brought the CROP
Walk to Baton Rouge to raise
awareness in the local community of the hunger that
exists throughout the world
and to raise money for Church
World Services, an international agency that works to
eradicate hunger and poverty
and to promote peace and justice around the world.
This year the CROP Walk
will be Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2:30
p.m. All walkers will register at Galvez Plaza, which is
at the intersection of North
Boulevard and Third Street.
Father Tom Ranzino will begin
the walk with an interfaith
prayer.
To accommodate all walkers, three walks: a one-mile,
a two mile and a 5-K, will all
start at the same time at Fourth
Street and North Boulevard in
Downtown Baton Rouge. The
routes for the walks are on the
Baton Rouge CROP Walk Web
site, brcropwalk.org.
There are many agencies
working to eliminate hunger in the world. So why did
these women choose Church
World Services and the CROP
Walk?
Sanford heard about the
CROP Walk from people in
North Carolina who work for
the same company she does.
For Sanford, the mission of
Church World Services sets
it apart.
CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome
Poverty. The walk strives to
bring together people from
different faiths, cultures and
ages to stand against hunger
in the world.
Sanford talked to other ladies about their desire to have
a CROP Walk in Baton Rouge.
Since they worked together
on other community projects,
they all committed to do what
they could, which meant they
would work tirelessly to make
sure the walk was a success.
Last year’s walk came together in about four months
and was able to raise $7000.
The success of last year’s
walk came from getting high
school service clubs involved,
said Murphy. She got her son,
who is a member of the Key
Club at Catholic High School,
interested. He got the Key
Club to put together a team
and challenged the Key Club
at St. Joseph’s Academy to
see who could raise the most
money.
The word spread among
area high school Key Clubs,
and clubs from Tara High
School and Episcopal High
School also participated.
From these two groups the
word spread to several church
youth groups, who also participated in the walk.
“The beauty is, anyone can
walk and raise money to eliminate hunger. You don’t have to
be a member of a team,” said
Sanford.
Barrels will also be put
out for people to bring nonperishable food items that
will be given to the Greater
Baton Rouge Food Bank. “Up
to 25 percent of all the money
collected will stay in the Baton Rouge area to feed the
hungry,” said Sanford. The
remaining money will be
used internationally. The local
money will go to food banks,
pantries, community gardens
and other local hunger-fighting projects.
On the international scene,
Church World Services teaches
The 2008 CROP Walk in Downtown Baton Rouge raised over $7000 to feed people in this
area and in other parts of the world. The 2009 walk will be Sunday, Nov. 1, with registration at
Galvez Plaza. Photo by Laura Deavers
people how to become selfsufficient. Sanford told of CWS
lending money to families to
buy a goat. The money made
from selling the goat’s milk
can be used to pay back the
loan and to provide milk and
income for the family.
CWS also supports community-based health, hygiene and
sanitation training; vocational
training so a person can support family members; and
literacy classes so people can
better their lives.
When the four organizers
were asked why this year’s
race is being held on a Sunday
afternoon, they said they were
asked to have it on a day and
time that would not interfere
with religious observances of
other faiths.
Anyone not able to participate in the walk, but who
would like to make a donation,
can send a check to the Friends
of the Crop, 10951 Stanley Aubin, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.
Life
From page 1
the finish line with bloody feet
and aching joints as marathon
organizers were taking down
the course.
Jessen talked glowingly
about being one of the few of
the hundreds of marathon participants who was invited to
meet Tony Blair, who was then
prime minister of England.
“The reason he talked with
me was because I came to his
country from another country
to participate in a marathon
on behalf of children with disabilities,” stated Jessen.
She said she has learned
to embrace her cerebral palsy
as a gift from God because it
increases her determination to
achieve her goals and dreams,
such as completing the London
Marathon.
She noted to the people attending the Louisiana Youth
Pilgrimage to the March for
Life benefit that God calls them
to greatness, and although the
world tries to snuff that call
out, it is still there. Using her
own life as an example, she
said God’s spirit cannot be
extinguished.
She also encouraged those
attending the benefit to “stir
things up,” to make society a
better place.
“Life is too short,” Jessen said. “I don’t want to sit
around making people comfy.
My heart is set on something
greater than myself.”
Since the four ladies have
worked closely with Catholic
Charities of the Diocese of
Baton Rouge (CCDBR) for the
walk and on several other
programs, they have arranged
that money raised by walk
participants can also be designated to go to Catholic Relief
Services, the official overseas
relief agency of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The CROP Walk literature
asks the question “What does
it take to hold a walk?” The
answer given is “A passion to
make a difference. A team of
three or four people. A willingness to invest the time to get
the community involved.”
This describes the four
women who have organized
t he CROP Walk i n Baton
Rouge.
invites you to breakfast 9 a.m. – 12 noon,
Saturday, Nov. 14 at Oak Lodge Reception
Center, 2834 S. Sherwood Forest, Baton Rouge.
Our speaker will be Gwen Gillis. Gwen was raised a devout Italian
Catholic and received a degree in nursing from Texas Christian
University. She is a member of Our Lady of Mercy Church and has
a special devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and
Our Lady Queen of Peace of Medjugorje. Come
hear about the miracles she sees in her life and
all lives around her. Reservations for the breakfast
are $15 each and can be purchased by mailing a
check to Kathy Hains, 2537 Berrybrook Dr., Baton
Rouge, LA 70816 Oct. 26 – Nov. 9. Your name will
be registered at the door.
4
commentary
Another Perspective
Women at synod urge
bishops to face reality
of discrimination
by Father John Carville
Of new things
The way Jesus inaugurates his public ministry in the Nazareth
synagogue is significant: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because
he has anointed me to preach good news to the
poor, to proclaim release to the captives, to set at
liberty the oppressed” (Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:1-2).
The struggle for justice today, as in Jesus’ time, is
an indispensable facet of the ministry of Christ’s
church.
But some ask, “Isn’t the church’s task a
spiritual one – to help men and women to know,
love and serve God in this life and to enjoy Him
forever in the next? What does the promotion of
justice have to do with this?” The most important
official church answer to this objection came in
Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical called “Rerum Novarum” (“Of New Things”), written in 1893. It
focused on the rights of the working man in the
midst of the industrial revolution and explained
why the church in following Jesus had to be
concerned with a person’s human welfare if it
was to protect his or her immortal soul.
In these past 106 years the church’s social
ministry has grown in vitality and strength. It
now involves the everyday reality of providing
homeless and hungry people with decent shelter
and needed help, of giving pregnant women and
their unborn children life-giving alternatives, of
offering refugees welcome, and so much more.
All of this began with the Catholic social
teaching of “Rerum Novarum.” Over the last
century papal encyclicals, counciliar documents
and episcopal statements have explored, expressed and affirmed the social demands of our
faith, insisting that work for justice and peace
and care for the poor and vulnerable are the
responsibilities of every Christian.
Our local bishops have sometimes been in the
forefront of this teaching. Archbishop Joseph
Francis Rummel of New Orleans led the fight in
the 1950’s against segregation. Time has proved
him to be a prophetic voice. Archbishop Rummel also spoke out against right-to-work laws.
On this issue, history may show him to be less
prophetic. His views on unionism were not accepted by many.
Today’s bishops have been deeply involved
in poverty issues and the fight against abortion.
Over a decade ago the American bishops published a statement, “Economic Justice for All,”
reminding us and the U.S. government of our
obligation to care for the poor. While the bishops drew criticism for some of their economic
solutions, their warning about the poor in our
country becoming poorer was unfortunately accurate. In its fight against abortion the Catholic
Church has achieved a greater consensus among
its members and other Christians as well. Our
bishops presently are championing the need
for health care to be seen as a human right and
guaranteed for all by universal coverage.
Why does Catholic social teaching enjoy consensus on issues like civil rights and abortion,
while it experiences some division on economic
issues? I believe it is because evils like segregation and abortion attack a person’s dignity more
directly. Even when some wanted to maintain
segregation for fear of the turmoil a change might
bring, there was a feeling of shame at the suffering it caused African-Americans. Likewise, even
those who find justifying reasons for abortion
must cringe when they think of the baby being
destroyed. Social, political and economic circumstances do not change our basic humanity.
The morality of economic issues is more
dependent on social and political reality. The
demands of justice change along with changes
in the economy, the world market and competition within industries. To apply Catholic social
teaching to changing economic reality is difficult.
However, before “Rerum Novarum” there were
no child labor laws, no minimum wage, no right
of labor to organize, no medical benefits, no disability or unemployment insurance. We have
come a long way. But every change creates a new
imbalance, a new need for justice. “If we want
peace, we have to work for justice” (Pope Paul
VI).
Father Than Vu
Associate Publisher
Laura Deavers
Exec. Ed./Gen. Mgr.
Debbie Shelley
Assistant Editor
Bishop Robert W. Muench
Publisher
The Catholic Commentator
(ISSN 07460511; USPS 093-680)
Published bi-weekly (every other week) by the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge,1800 South Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA 70808;
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by
Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY – The superior general of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of the
Apostles invoked something
at least one bishop thought
was a nightmare: She asked
members of the Synod of
Bishops for Africa to imagine
a church without women.
Sister Felicia Harry, the
superior general from Ghana,
told the synod Oct. 9 that
women are happy to “teach
catechism to children, decorate parish churches, clean,
mend and sew vestments,” but
they also want to be on parish
and diocesan councils.
Women want to collaborate
“not only when already-made
decisions are to be implemented,” but when the decisions
are being made, she said.
“We do not want to take
over the responsibility of the
parish priest; we just want to
be equal partners in the Lord’s
vineyard,” Sister Felicia said
before asking the bishops
to spend two minutes that
evening trying to imagine
what their churches would
be without the presence and
involvement of women.
“I am not even daring to
imagine” such a thing, Archbishop Charles G. PalmerBuckle of Accra, Ghana, told
the press after Sister Felicia
spoke.
“In Africa, 75 percent of
the churches’ population are
women – we have to be honest about that – and it’s not
only the Catholic Church; all
the Pentecostal churches and
all the rest acknowledge that.
Without the women, I think
most of the churches would
be boring and we would not
have prayers being offered seriously for issues that are very
relevant,” the archbishop said.
Archbishop Palmer-Buckle
said Sister Felicia was “dead
right” to call the bishops to
recognize the contributions
of women and to find better
ways to ensure their voices
are heard and talents used at
all levels of the church.
Sister Pauline Odia Bukasa, superior general of the
Ba-Maria Sisters from Congo,
told the synod that women
are “marginalized at every
level,” excluded from development programs and the
first victims of war.
“At this moment, when the
church in Africa is engaged
in working for the reconciliation of its sons and daughters,
women can no longer be
ignored,” she said.
“We, mothers and consecrated women, ask the fathers of this church-family
to promote the dignity of
women and give them the
space needed to develop their
talents in the structures of the
church and society,” she said.
Notre Dame de Namur
Sister Genevieve Uwamariya,
a survivor of the genocide in
Rwanda, told the synod that
her life was changed through
the work of a Catholic women’s group called the Ladies
of Divine Mercy.
Three years after most of
her family members died in a
massacre amid the Hutu-Tutsi
violence of 1994, the Ladies of
Divine Mercy came to town
telling those imprisoned for
genocide to ask forgiveness
from survivors in order to free
the survivors of the weight of
hatred and a desire for vengeance. The women asked
survivors to offer their forgiveness to free the accused of the
evil that dwelt within them.
When she agreed to go
into the prison, she said, “One
of the prisoners rose in tears
and fell at my knees, begging
out loud, ‘Mercy.’ I was petrified.”
Sister Genevieve said
she recognized the man as
someone she had grown up
with and was moved with
pity. She said she told him,
“You are and will remain my
brother.”
The wisdom of the Ladies
of Divine Mercy and the
institution of parish-based associations bringing together
survivors and those accused
of participating in the genocide demonstrate that “it is
possible to reestablish love
and begin the healing that
permits mutual liberation,”
she told the synod.
family life
5
Investing in grandparents helps children in the state
BY
DEBBIE SHELLEY
Assistant Editor
Many Louisiana grandparents are lovingly making sacrifices in order to raise their
grandchildren, but they are
overwhelmed and need assistance, those attending the
Oct. 13 Grandparents Raising
Grandchildren Prayer Breakfast at the Catholic Life Center
learned.
Dr. Linda Rhodes, director of the Hirtzel Institute on
Health Education and Aging in
North East, Pa., presented the
results of a study by Columbia University students titled
“The State of Grandfamilies in
Louisiana.”
She said the study, which
she led, had some startling statistics. Louisiana has the fourth
highest percentage in the nation of children living with
grandparents. One out of 10, or
118,000 children in Louisiana,
live with their grandparents.
There are 67,000 grandparents raising grandchildren in
this state. These numbers are
under reported, according to
Rhodes.
All races are impacted when
parents have little or no involvement in raising their children. Thirty-eight percent of
grandparents who are raising
their grandchildren are white
and 57 percent are black.
Rhodes said everyone must
help people raise their children
or these numbers will grow.
Two hundred grandparents
surveyed for the report responded that they are giving
up their jobs and retirement
to raise their grandchildren.
Many Louisiana grandparents
are above the national average
age of grandparents raising
their grandchildren, which
is 57.
Rhodes said the study highlights the importance of providing more assistance for
grandparents. She emphasized
that grandparents play the
biggest role in the state’s child
“welfare” system.
On any given day, there are
5,000 children in the state foster
care system, costing Louisiana
$53 million in core services
each year. If eight percent of the
grandparents become unable to
raise their grandchildren, the
number of children in foster
care would double.
Rhodes also pointed out
that every time the state places
children with their grandparents when they make an outof-home placement, tax monies
that would have been spent
caring for the child and the
administrative costs to do this
can be used elsewhere.
Rhodes highlighted several
recommendations that came
Your Family
by Bill and Monica Dodds
When a loved one
has depression
For someone with depression, there’s often
a feeling of hopelessness. For the loved one of
someone with depression, there’s often a feeling
of helplessness.
In its section on men and depression, the
National Institute of Mental Health says: “The
most important thing anyone can do for a man
who may have depression is to help him get to a
doctor for a diagnostic evaluation and treatment.
First, try to talk to him about depression – help
him understand that depression is a common
illness among men and is nothing to be ashamed
about. ... Then encourage him to see a doctor to
determine the cause of his symptoms and obtain
appropriate treatment.”
There’s no denying that any form of mental
illness still carries a stiff social stigma and that
may be especially true for men and teens. As the
spouse, sibling or parent of an adult child, it can
be tough to even raise the issue – the specter – of
depression. As the mother or father of a teen, you
know how hard it can be to get someone in that
age group to admit to any kind of vulnerability.
It can also be hard for you to consider that possibility. You don’t want your loved one to have
depression. You prefer to hope that maybe this
is something he or she will “just snap out of” or
just grow out of. But the more you learn about
this condition, the more you’ll come to realize
that, if it is depression, the odds of snapping out
of it or growing out of it are miniscule.
Learning about depression, as frightening as
that might be, is how you not only better iden-
tify it within your family but prepare yourself
to help your loved one get the diagnostic evaluation and treatment that the NIMH so highly
recommends.
These are other suggestions from the NIMH:
–Sometimes you may need to make an appointment for the depressed person and accompany him or her to the doctor. Once he or
she is in treatment, you can continue to help by
encouraging the person to stay with treatment
until symptoms begin to lift, or to seek different
treatment if no improvement occurs.
– Second only in importance to that evaluation
and treatment is offering emotional support to the
depressed person. This means not brushing aside
the feelings he or she may express, but pointing
out realities and offering hope. It also means not
ignoring remarks about suicide. Report them to
the depressed person’s doctor.
– You can help your loved one by not accusing
him or her of just being lazy or of faking illness,
and by not expecting him or her “to snap out
of it.”
The good news in all this, the great news in all
this, is that treatment can work really well. It can
make an incredible difference in the life of your
loved one, and in the relationship the two of you
share in your family and home.
Bill and Monica Dodds are editors of My Daily
Visitor magazine. Their Web site is www.FSJC.org.
They can be contacted at MonicaDodds@YourAg
ingParent.com.
Speakers at the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Prayer
Breakfast were, from left, Louisiana Grandparents Raising
Grandchildren co-founder Dot Thibodaux, Grandparents Raising
Grandchildren Information Center of Louisiana Project Manager
Patricia Robinson, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren board
member Dr. Sally Lindquist, Senator Sharon Weston-Broome,
Rev. Raymond Jetson, Senator Yvonne Dorsey, Catholic Charities
of the Diocese of Baton Rouge Deputy Director Todd Hamilton,
grandparent Louis McCray and Hirtzel Institute on Health Education
and Aging Director Linda Rhodes. Photo by Debbie Shelley
from the study on how the state
can help Louisiana grandparents raise their grandchildren.
One of the recommendations is relaxing child support
provisions when grandparents
apply for Kinship Care Subsidy
assistance.
Although a significant number of grandparents qualify for
benefits to help them raise their
grandchildren, they do not apply because they fear child support enforcement provisions
will create conflicts between
them and the children’s biological parents.
Lowering income eligibility
requirements for grandparents
and not counting their social
security as income when they
apply for benefits also help
them to better afford raising
their grandchildren.
Creating a Kinship Navigator Kinship Program helps
grandparents navigate through
the maze of services, benefits,
school program enrollments,
guidelines, application processes and the legal system so they
can raise their grandchilden.
Other recommendations
include: help area councils on
aging obtain federal funds so
they can provide grandparents a respite from taking care
of their grandchildren; assist
grandparents in establishing
custody of their grandchildren
when they informally raise
them; and pass legislation
which assists grandparents in
designating a guardian in case
of an emergency or death.
Final recommendations include creating a council on
grandfamilies and kinship
care, as well as involving
schools, judges, state policy
makers, civic and church leaders, advocates, social workers
and lawmakers in responding
to grandparents’ needs.
Senator Sharon WestonBroome, an advocate for grandparents raising grandchildren,
said she is currently working
on legislation to follow up on
the recommendations made in
the “The State of Grandfamilies
in Louisiana” report.
If you care,
join the
numbers
to help end
poverty.
Every Dollar Counts!
The Campaign for Human Development
Collection in your parish Nov. 21 & 22.
6
our catholic community
October 21. 2009 • The Catholic Commentator
Read
The Catholic Commentator on
the Web at diobr.org/tcc.
Mr. D’s
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6184 Florida Blvd. • Baton Rouge, LA 70806
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M-F: 9-5, Sat: 9:30-4:30
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CDA PROCLAMATION – Members of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas from
Court #1194, St. Rose de Lima in St. Amant and Court #1955, St. Theresa of Avila
in Gonzales join Ascension Parish President Tommy Martinez in proclaiming Oct. 18,
2009 as Catholic Daughters of the Americas Day. CDA courts work within the church
parish they are affiliated to promote justice, equality and the advancement of human
rights and human dignity for all. They serve Christ and others through charitable and
spiritual works. Participating in the signing of the proclamation are, from left, Lynn Keller,
Barbara Epstein, Myrtis Trabeau, Shirley Bourque, Katie Westerfield, Irene Lemaire,
Court St. Rose de Lima Regent Dawn Fortenberry, Diane Mayers, Ascension Civil Parish
President Tommy Martinez, Court St. Theresa of Avila Regent Diana DuBois, Lee Ella
Frederic, Bettye Lambert, Mary Savoy, Vivian Guidry, Gail Barter, Lisa Westerfield,
Crystal Holdridge, Edna Richard and Adeline Guidry. Photo provided the Ascension Catholic
Every day there
are people who are
praying for a miracle.
Just an everyday
miracle – like a hot
meal, a prescription
Àlled, a warm bed
or a decent pair of
shoes. You can help.
Volunteer Opportunities:
¾ Cooks for Christ – Help with food preparation at the St.
Vincent de Paul Dining Room.
¾ Pharmacy Volunteers – We need registered pharmacists
and general volunteers. We have a volunteer job for
you!
¾ Building Blocks Volunteers – Help read stories and
offer guidance to homeless children at the Bishop Ott
Sweet Dreams Shelter for women and children.
¾ Clothing Volunteers – Help us sort and organize
clothing/shoe donations for needy families at St. Vincent
de Paul Stores throughout our community!
Call us today at (225) 383-7837, ext. 201, for a
heavenly volunteer experience at St. Vincent de Paul.
Share the Gospel – Get Involved with St. Vincent de Paul!
St. Thomas More choir to sing
in Haydn concert Oct. 25
St. Thomas More Church
Choir in Baton Rouge will
participate in an ecumenical choir concert featuring
Franz Joseph Haydn’s “The
Creation” at 6 p.m. Sunday,
Oct. 25, in Broadmoor Baptist
Church on9755 Goodwood
Blvd., Baton Rouge.
The St. Thomas More Choir
joins the choirs of Broadmoor
Baptist and Broadmoor United
Methodist churches to perform the sacred work.
Directing the concert are
Paul Henderson, minister of
music at Broadmoor Baptist
Church, and David Shaler,
minister of music at Broadmoor
United Methodist Church.
Considered Haydn’s masterpiece, “The Creation” was
inspired by Handel’s “Messiah,” which Haydn heard
during visits to England in
the early 1790s. Haydn’s work
celebrates the beginning of the
world as described in the Book
of Genesis.
The eight choral movements in the piece will fill
the sanctuary with wonder
and delight at what God has
wrought.
During the oratorio, three
soloists weave their voices
in and out of the choral moments.
Soloists for the concert in-
clude soprano Jennifer Gee,
tenor Adam Holcomb and
bass Brandon Hendrickson.
Gee earned a master’s degree
in vocal performance from
LSU, and Holcomb and Hendrickson are working on doctorates in vocal performance
from LSU.
“Last spring the three choir
directors met to plan this joint
effort,” STM choir director
Janelle Couvillon said. “St.
Thomas More choir members
have enjoyed working with so
many other dedicated singers.” The combined chorus is
60-voices strong.
The concert is free and open
to the public.
Choir directors Paul Henderson, from left, Janelle Couvillon
and David Shaler during rehearsal of Haydn’s “The Creation” for
the Oct. 25 concert at Broadmoor Baptist Church. Photo provided
by St. Thomas More Church
C
news
Holiday Recipes &
Events Wanted
Question Corner
by Father John Dietzen
Consuming the host
at Communion and
the Communion fast
d
s & Fe
o
o
F
s
a
stiv
m
t
itie
is
r
h
s
Q. Recently I approached
the altar for Communion
at a local Catholic church. I
took the host in my hand and
turned to return to my seat.
An older woman in the front
pew grabbed my arm and
yelled at me to put the host
in my mouth. I always wait a
minute or so until I’m back at
my seat.
When I told my wife what
was said, she was angry and
asked the deacon for an explanation. He said some children
were throwing the hosts out
in the parking lot, others were
selling them to devil worshippers for $100. I’ve never
heard of such a thing. Was the
woman out of line to approach
me like that? (New Jersey)
A. If you describe the situa-
tion accurately, she was out of
line to be so violent with you.
But, in honesty, the message
she gave was one you needed
to hear.
For good reasons, Catholics
are always instructed to consume the Communion host
immediately after receiving it,
before returning to their seats.
A few Catholics, however,
seem to take it on themselves
to “express greater devotion”
to our Lord by keeping the
host until later, to consume in
their pews, sometimes even
taking it home for personal
adoration.
This is forbidden. First,
it is liturgically out of harmony with what is happening
symbolically as the gathered
Catholic community is formed
more perfectly by Jesus as his
body, through their communion with him in the Eucharist.
Furthermore, these peculiar
practices easily expose the
Blessed Sacrament to accidental, sometimes even deliberate,
mistreatment and abuse.
Rumors abound about desecration of the Blessed Sacrament, many of them unsubstantiated. I’ve never heard
of children throwing away
or selling a consecrated host.
In my experience, children, if
they have the faith to receive
Communion in the first place,
have more reverential fear
of unintentional insult to the
Eucharist than many adults.
It seems well established
over the centuries that the
eucharistic host has been obtained (surreptitiously or just
by not swallowing the host after it is received on the tongue)
for occult pagan or satanic
rituals, intending to dishonor
Jesus Christ by abusing his
presence in the host, perhaps
with a parody of the eucharistic sacrifice, a practice which
oddly acknowledges their
belief in the real presence of
our Lord in the sacrament.
Do such occult practices
continue today? If they do,
it is spiritually tragic, and
we should make every effort
to prevent it. But in the end
nothing we do can make it
impossible. As I said, rumors,
and some strong evidence, of it
happening have been floating
around for a long time.
for Christmas Foods and Festivities!
A special section of The Catholic Commentator
coming out November 18, 2009
been observed in the church
for many centuries to help
us prepare reverently and
thoughtfully to receive the
body and blood of our Lord.
Father Dietzen, a retired priest
living in Peoria, IL, answers questions from and about Catholics.
Questions may be sent to Father Dietzen at Box 3315, Peoria, IL 61612,
or e-mail: jjdi [email protected].
To advertise in The Catholic
Commentator email
[email protected].
We want your
holiday recipes and
events that will happen
in the Baton Rouge
Diocese during the
Christmas season by
Monday, November
9, to be published in
Christmas Foods and
Festivities. Recipes
should include your best
appetizers, meats, vegetables, casseroles, soups,
desserts or any other dish you are proud to serve.
Send to [email protected], FAX 225336-8710, or mail to The Catholic Commentator,
P. O. Box 14746, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4746.
Call 225-387-0983 for more information.
Catholic High Schools
Open Houses
For information: www.csobr.org
St. Michael Diocesan
Regional High School
Baton Rouge
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Open to 6th, 7th and 8th graders and their parents
Q. Is there a directive that
states Catholics should fast
one hour before Communion?
(Wisconsin)
Ascension Diocesan
Regional High School
Donaldsonville
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Open to 7th and 8th graders and their parents
A. At the end of the third
St. John High School
Plaquemine
Tuesday, November 11, 2009
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Open to 7th - 12th graders and their parents
Catholic High School
Baton Rouge
Thursday, November 12, 2009
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Open to 6th - 8th grade boys and their parents
session of the Second Vatican
Council, Pope Paul VI considerably simplified the eucharistic fast. According to his
1964 decree, persons should
fast one hour from food and
liquids, including alcoholic
liquids, before receiving Communion. Water and medicine
do not break the fast. The sick
and those who care for them
should fast 15 minutes before
Communion, if possible.
As older Catholics will
remember, fast was formerly
required from all food and
liquids, including water, from
the previous midnight. The
change was made partially because about that time Masses
began to be offered in the
afternoon or evening, making
fasting from midnight particularly difficult or injurious.
The Communion fast has
St. Thomas Aquinas
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Diocesan Regional High 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
School, Hammond
Open to 7th and 8th graders and their parents
Catholic Interparochial Wednesday, February 10, 2010
School of Pointe Coupée 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
New Roads
Open to Pre K - 12th graders and their parents
Catholic Schools Office • P. O. Box 2028 • Baton Rouge, LA 70821 • 225-336-8735
7
8
news
Diocese of Baton Rouge Seminary Scholarship Funds
What is a Seminary Scholarship fund?
A seminary scholarship fund is an invested sum of money, the
interest of which is used in perpetuity to help fund the education of
men to the priesthood.
How does someone establish a fund?
It is simple. A fund may be established and named for anyone
you choose – friend, family, bishop, priest, religious, etc. Anyone
can name or establish a fund.
July, August & September Contributions
Archbishop Antoine Blanc
In Memory of:
By:
In Memory of:
By:
In Memory of:
By:
Jared Jones
Antoine Blanc Assembly 2047 $25
Edna Lacour
Joseph and Linda Daigle
10
Abel Daigle
James and Mary Roberts
25
Joseph and Linda Daigle
10 $9,603.00
Brian Blanchard
In Memory of: His Father Buddy Blanchard
By: Wayne and Barbara Knotts $30
In Memory of: Wilton “Buddy” Blanchard
By: Dave and Myrt Blanchard
20
Larry and Carolyn Dominique 20
M/M Alvin Leblanc
25
Ruth and Stuart Stein
25
Jeanne Veron
10
Bertha Savoia
25
Larry and Evelyn Guillot
20
Ameila Lanoix
20
Alvin and Gail Campo
20
Myrtle Soniat
25
M/M Jerome Acosta
25
Carol and Coni Naquin
20
Sid and Sue Pujol
50
Betty Braniff
40
The Elmer Laird Family
135
Marian Blanchard
100
Bob and Susan Blair
50
The Albruge Guillot Family
85 $20,845.00
Father David M. Chauvin
By: Parishioners of St. Philip Church
$1,203 $2,503.00
Fathers Martens and Perino
In Memory of: Frances Reine
By: Pat and Retta Ramagos
$25
Ms. Judy Leblanc
25 $23,845.00
Father John Spriggs
In Memory of: Donald A. Sarradet
By: Rosemary S. Babin
$500 $9,272.58
Tomorrow’s Priests
In Honor of: The 60th Anniversary of
Holy Family School
By: Holy Family Catholic Church $100 $1,250.00
Father David Vavasseur
In Honor of: Rev. Henry C. Vavasseur’s Retirement
By: Mrs. Virgie G. Genre
$25
Holy Family Choir
220
In Thanksgiving
By: Rev. Henry C. Vavasseur
300
In Honor of: The Birthday of Mr. Philip E. Vavasseur
20
In Honor of: The Birthdays of Mr. Glen F. Vavasseur
and Mrs. Jeanne V. Brignac
40
In Honor of: The 25th Anniversary of Ordination
for Rev. Than Vu
25 $19,118.17
Who do I contact to establish or contribute to a fund?
To create a fund or to make a contribution to an existing fund,
please send it to the Vocations and Seminarians Department,
P. O. Box 2028, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-2028. For information
call 225-336-8778.
This is only a partial list of all Seminary Scholarship Funds.
Visit our Web site at www.diobr.org/vocations for a complete
list of Seminary Scholarship Funds.
Scholarship Funds
Balance
Father Gustave Dorval .................................... 20,000.00
Archbishop Drossaerts .......................................6,418.38
Floyd Stephen Dugas ........................................ 8,365.90
Oliver H. Engerran .......................................... 20,382.89
Eugene E. Esnault ........................................... 20,000.00
Father Matthew Fashan .....................................2,057.89
Monsignor James J. Finnegan ............................5,275.41
Monsignor Andrew Frey ................................. 77,800.00
Monsignor Leo Gassler .................................... 20,000.00
Monsignor Paul J. Gauci .................................. 20,000.00
Edward C. Gauthier .........................................20,940.16
Monsignor Patrick Gillespie ............................. 20,000.00
Monsignor Cage Gordon .................................. 20,000.00
Mr. and Mrs. A. X. Guillot ............................... 20,000.00
Kathlyn Elise Heroman ................................... 20,000.00
Father Salvador Impastato ................................ 20,000.00
Alene Kaylor ....................................................17,986.68
Deceased Members of KC Council #3298 ..........6,721.39
Deceased Members St. Alphonsus KC #3331 . 20,000.00
Deceased Members of KC #4030 .................... 20,000.00
Deceased Members of Pierre Part KC #5352 .... 1500.00
Rev. Vincent Kleinpeter .................................. 20,000.00
Father Wilfred Knobloch ................................. 20,000.00
Mr. and Mrs. Albert J. Koppel ......................... 20,000.00
Father John Koppel ..........................................20,115.00
Monsignor Paul Landsman .............................. 20,000.00
Gerald T. Leblanc .............................................20,475.00
Edith Louise Leonard ........................................ 10,000.00
Monsignor Louis E. Marionneaux .................... 20,000.00
Monsignor Louis E. Marionneaux #2 .............. 20,000.00
Thomas Beatty Mary ....................................... 18,483.63
Dr. McCaa and Monsignor Marionneaux ......... 20,000.00
Monsignor John Naughton .............................. 20,000.00
Father Aubry Osborn .......................................10,554.35
Bishop Stanley J. Ott ....................................... 26,539.50
The Ott and Berthelot Families ....................... 20,000.00
The Pioneering Fathers of Grosse Tete Ridge ...19,499.44
George R. Reymond ........................................ 20,000.00
Monsignor Leonard Robin ................................ 20,974.16
Father James Rodrigue ....................................20,105.00
Alphonse and Edna B. Rodriguez .................... 20,000.00
Michael Romano ...............................................13,310.27
William and Camilla Roszko ........................... 20,000.00
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Sarradet, Sr. ............... 20,000.00
Father Louis Savoure ...................................... 20,000.00
Serra Clubs Of Baton Rouge .................................5,725.00
Deceased Members of Ciro Spedale Family .... 20,000.00
Parishioners of St. Pius X ................................ 20,000.00
Stine Family .......................................................6,908.14
Bishop Joseph V. Sullivan ................................11,201.92
Father Adalbert Svreck ................................... 20,000.00
Bishop Robert E. Tracy .................................... 20,000.00
Vavasseur Family .................................................20,000.00
Albert J. Waguespack ...........................................15,199.41
Monsignor John A. Weber ....................................44,506.80
Mr. and Mrs. Weeks, Sr. and Dr. and Mrs. Wall, Jr. 20,000.00
Father Augustine M. Wyshoff ..............................20,000.00
Kay M. Acosta and Ann Marie ................................. 4,038.62
Father Thomas J. Allain ....................................... 22,872.39
Father J. D. Amedee ............................................20,000.00
Recipes need for Christmas Section
Send your holiday recipes by Nov. 9 to: [email protected] or mail to:
The Catholic Commentator, P. O. Box 14746, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4746
Statement of Ownership, Management and
Circulation (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685)
1. Publication title: The Catholic Commentator;
2. Publication No.: 093680; 3. Filing date: Oct.
1, 2009; 4. Issue frequency: Bi-Weekly; 5. No.
of issues published annually: 26; 6. Annual
subscription price: $12; 7. Complete mailing
address of known office of publication: 1800
South Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA
70808-1663; East Baton Rouge Parish; 8. Complete mailing address of the headquarters
or general business office of publisher: 1800
South Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA
70808-1663; 9. Full names and complete
mailing address of publisher, editor, and
managing editor: Publisher, Roman Catholic
Diocese of Baton Rouge, P.O. Box 2028, Baton
Rouge, LA 70821-2028; Editor/Managing
Editor, Laura Deavers, P.O. Box 14746, Baton
Rouge, LA 70898-4746; 10. Owner: Roman
Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge, P.O. Box
2028, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-2028; 11.
Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other
security holders, etc.: None; 12. For completion
by non-profit organizations authorized to
mail at special rates: Has not changed; 13.
Publication title: The Catholic Commentator;
14. Issue date for circulation data below: Sept.
23, 2009; 15. Extent and nature of circulation:
Average number of copies each issue during
preceding 12 months: A. Total number of
copies (Net press run): 60,099; B. Paid
Circulation (By mail and outside the mail):
1. Mailed outside-county paid subscriptions
stated on PS Form 3541: 59,599; 2. Mailed
in-county paid subscriptions stated on PS Form
3541: None; 3. Paid distribution outside the
mails including sales through dealers and
carriers, street vendors, counter sales, and other
paid distribution outside USPS: None; 4. Paid
distribution by other classes of mail through the
USPS: None; C. Total paid distribution: 59,599;
D. Free or nominal rate distribution (By mail and
outside the mail): 1. Free or nominal rate outsidecounty copies included on PS Form 3541: None;
2. Free or nominal rate in-county copies included
on PS Form 3541: None; 3. Free or nominal rate
copies mailed at other classes through the USPS:
None; 4. Free or nominal rate distribution outside
the mail (Carriers or other means): 200; E. Total
free or nominal rate distribution: 200; F. Total
distribution: 59,799; G. Copies not distributed:
300; H. Total: 60,099; I. Percent paid: 100.
Number of copies of single issue published
nearest to filing date: A. Total number of copies
(Net press run): 60,402; B. Paid circulation
(By mail and outside the mail): 1. Mailed
out-side-county paid subscriptions stated on
PS Form 3541: 60,402; 2. Mailed in-county
paid subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541:
None; 3. Paid distribution outside the mails
including sales through dealers and carriers,
street vendors, counter sales, and other
paid distribution outside USPS: None; 4. Paid
distribution by other classes of mail through the
USPS: None; C. Total paid distribution: 60,402;
D. Free or nominal rate distribution (By mail and
outside the mail): 1. Free or nominal rate outsidecounty copies included on PS Form 3541: None;
2. Free or nominal rate in-county copies included
on PS Form 3541: None; 3. Free or nominal rate
copies mailed at other classes through the USPS:
None; 4. Free or nominal rate distribution outside
the mail (Carriers or other means): 200; E. Total
free or nominal rate distribution: 200; F. Total
distribution: 60,256; G. Copies not distributed:
146; H. Total: 60,402; I. Percent paid: 100; 16.
This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the
Oct. 21, 2009 issue of this publication.
I certify that the statements made by me above
are correct and complete.
Laura Deavers, Exec. Ed./Gen. Mgr.
spirituality
9
Dominican Sisters invite people to “rediscover Rosaryville”
BY
DEBBIE SHELLEY
Assistant Editor
People come to retreat centers with different perspect ives and object ives. One
common need is to experience
God’s beauty and grace.
Rosaryville Spirit Life Center in Ponchatoula, known as
“God’s Kaleidoscope,” has
peaceful, tranquil settings,
faith formation programs,
a rich history and a prayer
ministry, all of which reveal
to people new insights about
God.
The Dominican Sisters of
Peace, who own Rosaryville,
invite people to “re-discover
Rosaryville” during an open
house on Sunday, Oct. 25,
from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
In 1882, Father Jean Baptiste
Bogaerts of the Archdiocese of
New Orleans was entrusted
with funds by the Sisters of
the Christian School in Belgium, who were experiencing
strong anti-Catholicism and
suppression of all religious
schools. The priest purchased
with the sisters’ funds a 1,700acre tract of land located in
Tangipahoa and Livingston
civil parishes.
Shor t ly a f ter t h is la nd
was purchased, Archbishop
Francis Janssens invited the
Benedictine Fathers of St.
Meinrad’s Abbey in Indiana
to found a seminary in conjunction with a home for boys.
The seminary, Gessen, was
opened in 1891 and served as
a preliminary seminary.
About ten years later, due
to a lack of financial support,
hardships in farming the land,
and the prevalence of malaria
in the area, the Benedictine
Fathers then built a seminary
at another site, the present St.
Joseph Abbey and Seminary
College near Covington.
Meanwhile, the Dominican
friars of Spain negotiated with
the Benedictine Fathers for
the purchase of Gessen, which
was reopened as a house of
philosophy called Rosaryville
in 1911.
When t he Spa n ish Do minican friars recalled their
priests, teachers and young
students during the Spanish
Civil War, the Dominican
Sisters in New Orleans purchased Rosaryville and its
land to establish a novitiate
in 1939.
While the novitiate was
closed due to a decrease in religious vocations, Rosaryville
remains in the Dominican
Sisters’ care.
According to LaVerne Parfait, program coordinator
and prayer ministry director
at Rosaryville, people often
comment to her that when
they enter Rosaryville, they
feel they have entered holy
grounds and into God’s embrace.
The people who come to
Rosaryville have different expectations. Some are looking
for silent retreats and others
are looking for a place to hold
Spirituality for Today
by Father John Catoir
Joy is a gift!
Joy is not merely a
matter of feelings. Joy
is the by product of a
strong faith in God’s love.
Joy is also the by product of a meaningful
life.
Studying for many years in school can be
a drag, but it all leads to a wonderful graduation ceremony. The whole process is part
of the joy of accomplishment. Perhaps the
preparation is painful at times, but it is always
full of hope. Feelings may flag at times, but
the will sets the goal.
The spiritual challenge of joy requires
long-term planning and requires an ability
to deal with your fears. The fear of failing,
for instance, can keep a person from actually
entering college in the first place.
The words “do not be afraid” are repeated
365 times in the Bible, but many of us haven’t
understood that we have the power to overcome fear. These words of wisdom come
directly from God, and they have to be taken
seriously.
If you act against your fears you will become a much happier person. All you need to
do is believe in the truth that God is unchanging love. Then feelings, which more often than
not lead you astray, can be of help once you
have the faith.
Here is the theological foundation of a
strong spiritual life: “For God so loved the
world that he gave his only Son, so that ...
the world might be saved through him” (Jn
3:16-17). Jesus spoke these words to reveal
the mystery of God’s love. He came to bring
joy and liberation. He came to unite us to the
Father, who possesses the fullness of joy.
Therefore, fear is the enemy of joy. God
wants us to banish unreasonable fear from our
lives. There are always some legitimate worries that we can never get rid of, but needless
fear needs to be banished.
When Pope John Paul II said that “Christ
came to bring joy: joy to children, joy to parents, joy to families and to friends, joy to ... the
sick and joy to the elderly,” he was telling us
not to be afraid either of God himself or of the
world around us. With God on our side, who
can be against us? All things are possible.
Franklin D. Roosevelt put it this way: “The
only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Truer
words were never spoken.
To overcome your fears, turn immediately
to the Lord. With God’s help you are never
left alone without protection.
Prayer will put you in touch with God’s
power, and he will do for you what you cannot
yet do for yourself:
“Dear Lord, take my fears away, and give
me the confidence I need to carry on with joy
and courage.”
Father Catoir, a canon lawyer, is chaplain of
an emergency assistance program and writes on
spirituality for Catholic News Service.
People who stroll the beautiful grounds of The Rosaryville
refer to the peaceful settings as “holy ground.” The Rosaryville
Spirit Life Center is located in Ponchatoula. Photo provided by
Rosaryville Spirit Life Center
conferences.
No matter what people’s
reasons are for coming to
Rosaryville, many of them
heal spiritually. Numerous
workshops, seminars and the
biannual retreat, “Healing,
Inner Healing and the Charismatic Gifts of the Holy Spirit,”
help heal people’s spiritual
wounds.
Names submitted to the
prayer ministry are entered
into a book, “The Rosaryville
Prayer Ministry Family Album,” and remain in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament
in the Rosaryville chapel.
People whose names are
entered into the prayer ministry book are remembered by
the Dominican Sisters at Rosaryville and during Masses
celebrated by Dom i n ica n
brothers.
Also available at Rosar y v i l le a re prayer ca rds,
which are designed with the
stained glass windows that
are in Rosaryville’s chapel.
Each window of the chapel
features a different mystery
of the rosary.
For youth, Rosaryville offers high school retreats and
seminars at Camp Kateri,
which has a gym, dormitories
and stables on the Rosaryville
property.
Aside from participating in
the prayer ministry and programs at Rosaryville, people
often walk its grounds and
find peace. While each prayer
garden has its unique beauty,
Rosaryville is known for its
welcoming atmosphere and
natural beauty, according to
Parfait.
She said many people come
to Rosaryville because they
want to step away from a busy
world, and connect with God
and rejuvenate their spirit.
She used the analogy that
people need a flashlight to
find their way in the dark, and
sometimes the flashlight’s batteries need to be recharged.
“Energ y can be so easily depleted,” Parfait said.
“Sometimes people need a
place to plug in. That’s what
we provide.”
One in every 200 Americans
lost their
job last
year.
You may know someone who did.
Please support
The Catholic Campaign for
Human Development
in your parish Nov. 21 & 22.
10
youth
St. Isidore sixth-graders
enlisted as role models
At the Sept. 18 Mass at St. Isidore
School, the sixth-grade students
were given the responsibility of being leaders and role models for the
other students in the school.
To impress upon the sixth-graders
the importance of their role as leaders in the school, the students had
the St. Isidore School crest pinned
on them by their parents or grandparents.
Father Fred Youngs, St. Isidore
pastor, Erica Walker, St. Isidore Associate Principal, and their teachers
Karen C. Williams and Sarah C.
Small explained to the students their
duty of being a role model to the
younger students and for maintaining the standards of the school.
Eartha Proctor pins the St. Isidore
School crest on her granddaughter,
Paige Proctor. Photo provided by St.
Isidore School
LIVING ROSARY – To
recognize October as the
Month of the Rosary, St.
Joseph School hosted a
living rosary on Oct. 7.
Selected students circled
the church as they took the
place of each bead of the
rosary while the rest of the
students and their teachers
joined in this devotion. From
left, St. Joseph School firstgrade student Alec Dufriend,
seventh-grader Kyle Tumulty
and first-grade student Jack
Brothers stand in place as
prayer beads. Photo provided
Six SJA seniors named semi-finalists
in National Merit Scholarship Program
Six St. Joseph’s Academy seniors
have been recognized by the National
Merit Scholarship Corporation as semifinalists in the 55th annual National
Merit Scholarship Program. These
academically talented seniors have an
opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,200 Merit Scholarship
awards, worth more than $36 million,
that will be offered next spring.
Sarah Clement, Olivia Gulino, Emily
Harb, Bonnie McLindon, Emily Seiter
and Taylor Turner were named semifinalists in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Competition. Less than 1 percent
of the nation’s high school seniors are
recognized as semifinalists.
Jordan Choptovy has been named a
semifinalist by the National Achievement Scholarship Corporation in
its 2010 scholarship program. She is
among the more than 1,600 scholastically talented African-American high
school seniors designated as semifinalists in the 46th annual National
Achievement Scholarship Program.
Five seniors have been named Commended Students in the 2010 National
Merit Scholarship Program. Jessica
Barrilleaux, Lucie Calderon, Lynne
Chapman, Katie Fredieu and Rachel
St. Joseph’s Academy seniors who
have been recognized as semifinalists
in the annual National Merit Scholarship
Program are, from left, front row, Emily
Harb and Bonnie McLindon; back row,
Sarah Clement, Taylor Turner, Olivia
Gulino and Emily Seiter. Photo provided by
St. Joseph’s Academy
Malhiet were named National Merit
Commended Students. They are among
approximately 34,000 commended
students from across the nation being
recognized.
by St. Joseph School
HONORING MARY –
St. Thomas More secondgrade students presented
a living rosary Oct. 2 during
an all-school celebration in
honor of the Month of the
Rosary. During the rosary,
students placed flowers
at the foot of the Blessed
Mother statue in the
sanctuary at St. Thomas
More Church. Students
served as individual beads
of the rosary and acted out
the Scripture stories that
comprise the mysteries of
the rosary. Photo provided by
St. Thomas More School
Look for the Christmas supplement in the Nov. 18 issue of
The Catholic Commentator
SENIOR ACADEMIC AWARD WINNERS – Ascension Catholic High
School recently held its academic award banquet. Senior Award winners are
seated from left, Jamie Boudreaux, Beth Breaux, Mary Claire Simoneaux
and Annie Ourso; standing are Brandon Burns and Charles Caballero. Photo
provided by Ascension Catholic High School
Y outh
Beat
St. Michael High School senior
Gabe Fuselier is the diocesan nominee for the United States Youth Senate Program. He is now eligible to
compete on the state level, where two
students will be chosen to participate
in Washington, D.C. next spring.
The Senate Youth Program was
established in 1962 to provide a
unique learning experience for
outstanding high school students
interested in pursuing careers in
public service.
“Regardless of the outcome at the
state level, we are honored to have
someone with Gabe’s abilities and
gifts in one of our Catholic schools,”
said Diocesan School Superintendent Melanie Verges.
youth
Hausknecht uses moral compass
BY
DEBBIE SHELLEY
Assistant Editor
St. Thomas Aquinas
High School junior Rebecca
Hausknecht has a strong moral
compass which guides her at
school, in social situations and
in her relationships.
Hausknecht was directed to
a place of deeper intimacy with
God during a reconciliation
service a couple of years ago at
St. Thomas Aquinas, when the
priest who was her confessor
encouraged her to spend time
talking to God. Her conversations with God made her realize
God is her best friend.
She also experiences God’s
friendship through relationships she has at school. She was
very shy when she first went to
STA, but the warmth of the students, faculty and staff helped
her feel comfortable. Now she
is a member of the school and
community drama clubs and
campus ministry.
Through campus ministry,
Hausknecht has participated
in several community service
projects. She stated animatedly
that campus ministry is helping
to fix plumbing in a school in
Uganda as part of the Invisible
Children’s Project.
“I like participating in cam-
Y outh
Focus
More American children live
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Won’t you Help?
Rebecca Hausknecht,
16
Support the Catholic
Campagin for Human
Development Collection in
your parish Nov. 21 & 22.
Hometown
Hammond
School
St. Thomas Aquinas
Church Parish
Holy Ghost
pus ministry the most because
I get to work and interact with
people with the same passion
and beliefs in religion that I
have,” Hausknecht said.
She also volunteers at North
Oaks Medical Center in Hammond each summer. She said
her favorite part of volunteering
is serving the patients to make
their lives better.
Among Hausknecht’s role
models is Jacqueline Kennedy
Onassis. Hausknecht became
stronger in her faith and more
anxious to serve others after she
wrote a report on the former
first lady for a world history
project.
“She (Jackie Kennedy) made
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an impact on me because she
always seemed so strong in her
faith and actions,” Hausknecht
said. She also likes the fact that
Kennedy-Onassis was very
family oriented.
St. Thomas Aquinas guidance counselor Mary Pellichino said qualities that makes
Hausknecht unique is her active
participation in community
outreach, with youth ministry
and encouraging younger students to get involved with their
faith community.
“Rebecca truly possesses
a sense of integrity that I feel
will serve our church and civic
community for years to come,”
Pellichino said.
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Students experience learning disabilities
Sacred Heart of Jesus School eighth-graders
experienced firsthand on Oct. 12 some of the
daily frustrations and challenges of those with
learning disabilities.
Georgann Mire, a Louisiana education solution consultant, led the students through several
hands-on exercises so they could better grasp
these challenges and frustrations.
According to Mire, the National Institute
for Child Health and Development identifies
20 percent of the population with learning disabilities (LD).
“It’s important for everyone to understand
the frustrations of students who suffer with
learning disabilities and look for ways to help
them,” she said. “LD students are very creative
individuals and have high IQs, but have trouble
learning through traditional methods.”
Mire’s exercises introduced the SHS students
to such learning disabilities as dyslexia (difficulty in recognizing and understanding written
language) and dysgraphia (difficulty translating what is seen or heard into writing).
To convey the problems associated with dyslexia, students read a short story in which symbols
that represent words were mixed into sentences
with recognizable words. Students learned what
the symbols mean, but they quickly realized how
hard it is to remember those meanings. The lesson
was made even more difficult as new symbols
were introduced throughout the story.
To simulate dysgraphia, students traced the
11
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Christopher Bordelon participates in an
exercise to simulate dysgraphia. Photo provided
by Sacred Heart School
lines of a star while covering their dominant
writing hand and followed the lines by looking
through a mirror. They also had to write with
their non-dominant hand.
“The exercises were hard, especially the reading exercises,” said eighth-grader Leslie Landry.
Classmate Brandi Lockett agreed. “I had a
hard time with all the exercises, and that really helps me to understand how the learning
disabled feel. I was so frustrated!”
“We want our students to be more aware of
the challenges of the learning disabled,” said
Lori Williams, SHS student services director.
“These exercises made those challenges ‘real’
to the students, which makes the students more
empathetic toward those who deal with this on
a daily basis.”
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BY
entertainment
When is a commercial not a commercial?
When it’s part of the show
MARK PATTISON
Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON — The Iraq War
introduced America to the concept of
embedded reporters. The TV networks’
continued thirst for revenue has led to
embedded advertising – more commonly known as “product placement.”
This is not your typical game-show
product placement, during which
the off-screen announcer intones, “A
promotional fee paid by ...,” but it is
reality-show participants and characters
in fictional series using brand-name
products.
You didn’t think it was pure coincidence that the judges on “American Idol”
were drinking Coca-Cola, did you?
The soap-opera spoof “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” was the first
scripted TV series to use brand-name
products in the script, although those
products were just as liable to be spoofed
as were the conventions of the soapopera genre.
Currently, the Federal Communications Commission requires that the
identity of the products’ sponsors appear
only once during a show and “remain on
long enough to be heard or read by the
average viewer,” according to Broadcasting & Cable, an industry journal.
But in June 2008, the journal reported,
the FCC unanimously proposed mandating that on-screen disclosures of
the sponsors of embedded products
be a certain size and duration, the way
disclosures of sponsors of political ads
are handled. The panel also considered
“extending product-integration rules to
cable and removing a waiver for identification of plugs used in feature films
aired on TV,” the journal said.
The FCC issued a notice of inquiry,
seeking comment from the public on its
proposals. The comment period ended
last November. The FCC took no action.
The one commissioner who championed
the cause, Jonathan Adelstein, now
works in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Fairness and Integrity in Telecommunications Media, a coalition made
up of 50 groups, asked the FCC in late
September to act on its proposal. Among
the groups are Consumers Union and the
American Academy of Pediatrics.
In its Sept. 23 letter to new FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, the coalition
said children are “particularly vulnerable to covert marketing,” and asked
the FCC to codify an existing ban on
embedded advertising in programs for
youngsters.
Such a proposal is “almost certainly
an unconstitutional requirement (and)
more extensive than necessary,” said a
statement from Dan Jaffee, executive vice
president of governmental relations for
the Association of National Advertisers.
The association is itself part of a coalition,
the National Media Providers, aligned to
fight against the FCC proposal. Members
of this coalition include TV networks, TV
station chains, advertisers’ organizations
and the Motion Picture Association of
America.
The most recent fight regarding advertising that targets children ended in
a defeat for the advertisers. Bus Radio,
which had hoped to air its ad-laced
M ovie
Reviews
Couples Retreat
(Universal/Relativity)
Mostly dull, sexually wayward comedy in which a suburban couple (Jason
Bateman and Kristen Bell) on the verge of
divorce convince a group of their friends
(most prominently Vince Vaughn and
Malin Akerman) to join them at a South
Pacific resort whose founder (Jean Reno)
specializes in marriage therapy. While
Peter Billingsley’s directorial debut
ultimately affirms marital fidelity, viewers have to endure waves of constantly
suggestive, occasionally smutty humor
and a tide of New Age psychobabble
– an obviously inadequate substitute
for faith as a basis for lifelong commitment – before reaching that safe shore.
Strong sexual content, including brief
but aberrant adulterous activity, fleeting
nongraphic sexual activity within marriage, a flash of rear nudity, many sexual
jokes, and some crude and much crass
language. L; PG-13
No Impact Man (Oscilloscope)
Thought-provoking documentary
charting a yearlong experiment by a New
York City couple, author Colin Beavan
and his journalist wife, Michelle Conlin,
during which they gradually give up
every aspect of their lifestyle that could
cause a negative environmental effect, a
formidable list of sacrifices that eventually includes all motorized transport,
even elevators, all food not grown locally, disposable diapers for their toddler
daughter, air conditioning, heating and
electric lights. While their undertaking
obviously carries conscientiousness to
an extreme unlikely to be imitated by
many, the pioneering experience does
have its potentially inspiring rewards in
the form of increased exercise, improved
diet and intensified family life, though
programming on school buses around
the country, pulled the plug after three
years.
Bus Radio’s business model was the
target of its own FCC inquiry after a
request was made earlier this year by
the Campaign for a Commercial-Free
Childhood. Before the FCC delivered
its findings in September, the campaign
mobilized parents and students to
monitor Bus Radio’s content and share
its findings with parent groups and
media. The effort got Bus Radio canceled
in large school districts in places such as
Louisville, Ky., and Montgomery County,
Md., a well-off suburban area bordering
Washington.
Pattison is media editor for Catholic News
Service.
A-I – general patronage; A-II – adults and
adolescents; A-III – adults; A-IV – adults, with
reservations; L – limited adult audience; O –
morally offensive.
G – general audiences, all ages admitted;
PG – parental guidance suggested, some
material may not be suitable for children; PG13 – parents are strongly cautioned to give
special guidance for attendance of children
under 13, some material may be inappropriate
for young children; R – restricted, under 17
requires accompanying parent or adult guardian; NC-17 – no one under 17 admitted.
the incidental portrait of a real-life marriage mixes mutual commitment with
sometimes misguided reproductive values. Some rough and crude language, a
half-dozen crass terms and birth control
references. A-III; Not rated by the Motion
Picture Association of America.
Toy Story (1995) (Disney)
Toys come to life when humans
aren’t looking in this animated fantasy
about the rivalry between a cowboy
doll (voiced by Tom Hanks) and a
flashy plastic spaceman (voiced by Tim
Allen), whose subsequent misadventures teach them a lesson in friendship.
Director John Lasseter makes good use
of computer animation in a slim but
imaginative tale featuring the frantic
antics of mischievous playthings,
though little ones may be frightened
by some scenes of a nasty child who
enjoys destroying toys. A-I; G
Toy Story 2 (1999) (Disney)
The animated adventures of toys that
come to life when humans aren’t looking continues as cowboy Woody (voice
of Tom Hanks) is stolen by a greedy
toy collector (voice of Wayne Knight),
sending Woody’s toy buddies, led by
Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen), to a
breathless rescue. Briskly directed by John
Lasseter with even better animation, the
lively cartoon sequel is a little less original
but, zippy action scenes and gentle humor
should amuse small fry. A-I; G
entertainment
On The Record
1
by Charlie Martin
2
3
4
5
OneRepublic has been on
a steady climb to recognition. Their current release
“Come Home” is off their 2007
“Dreaming Out Loud” disc. It
has gained special acclaim for
its poignant lyrics. I have read
some comments that the song
expresses the group’s feelings
about friends currently in
Iraq.
The song’s meaning can
also apply to anyone who
hopes that a loved one will
“come home,” regardless of the
reasons for being away. The
song’s character has been waiting for someone “for so long.”
He believes that his life is incomplete without this person,
and asserts, “Everything I can’t
be is everything you should
be, and that’s why I need you
here.”
Such waiting amid uncertainty is difficult to endure.
Perhaps one way to love a
person who has gone away is
to support the reason for the
departure — education, the
military or participation in a
service organization such as
the Peace Corps.
Whatever the cause for the
person’s separation from you,
it is important to recognize
that the reason for the absence
is very significant to him or
her. And when you choose to
support another’s passion, that
person feels loved.
When enduring a separation, pray that God will guide
your loved one in a way that
enhances his or her highest
spiritual good. Doing so shows
that your own needs are not
your first priority. Such prayer
also demonstrates a deep,
abiding love.
The most difficult separa-
Recipes wanted for our
Christmas Section
Send your holiday recipes
by Nov. 9 to:
[email protected]
or mail to The Catholic
Commentator, P. O. Box
14746, Baton Rouge, LA
70898-4746
Refrain:
Come home; Come home;
Cuz I’ve been waiting
for you; For so long; For
so long; And right now
there’s a war between
the vanities; But all I see
is you and me; And the
fight for you is all I’ve
ever known; So come
home
Ohhh
I get lost in the beauty;
Come home
Everything I can’t be; Is
everything you should be;
And that’s why I need you
here (yeah); Everything
I can’t be; Is everything
you should be; And that’s
why I need you here; So
hear this now
(Repeat refrain.)
Sung by OneRepublic
Copyright © 2007 by Interscope Records
tions involve the death of a
loved one. Even though we
know of death’s fi nality, the
feeling of wanting the person
to “come home” can remain. It
becomes part of one’s grief and
must be addressed with deep
compassion.
Do not be afraid of these
feelings that surface because
of death. Reach out to others
for support. Healing for this
type of suffering is the work
of God that comes through
human hearts.
Perhaps the best lesson
available from OneRepublic’s
“Come Home” is to always
cherish those times when we
are able to be with those whom
we love, thanking God for
making it all possible.
Martin is an Indiana pastoral
counselor who reviews current
music for Catholic News Service. Write to him at: chmartin@
swindiana.net or at 7125W 200S,
Rockport, IN 47635.
Copyright © 2009 Catholic
News Service/U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops
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Come Home
Of everything I see; The
world ain’t half as bad;
As they paint it to be;
If all the sons; All the
daughters; Would stop to
take it in; Well hopefully
the hate subsides and the
love can begin; It might
start now (yeah); Well
maybe I’m just dreaming
out loud; And until then
(Repeat refrain.)
8
15
45
Hello world; Hope you’re
listening; Forgive me if
I’m young; For speaking
out of turn; But there’s
someone I’ve been missing; I think that they
could be; The better
half of me; They’re in
the wrong place trying
to make it right; But I’m
tired of justifying; So I
say to you
7
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Cherishing times
of togetherness
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www.wordgamesforcatholics.com
ACROSS
1 A son of Jacob
5 Pass into disuse
10 Class or room follower
14 Comb. form of a type of acid
15 City in Nebraska
16 Mil. hookey
17 Frozen treats
18 Bundles of cotton
19 Back of the neck
20 Goddess of tillage
22 Describes a sudden rise
24 Jesus is the ___ of God
27 Type of contrition
28 Proposes
32 A tractor-trailer
33 Height (comb.)
34 Best of a group
36 Took the seeds out of an
apple
40 Daniel in the ____’s den
42 Repairs socks
44 Delude
45 Intense light beam
47 Prince of India
49 Certain time, in England
50 Road service org.
52 Refined
54 Goes hungry
58 Shout
59 Used a carpenter’s tool
61 Non-ordained members of
the Church
65 Sewing case
66 Regions
69 Madrid bull
70 Good Queen ____
71 Reformation-era Church
council
72 Pitcher
73 Greek god of war
74 Merits
75 “For our ___ He came down
from heaven…”
DOWN
1 Pertaining to 61A
2 _____ Homo
3 Change direction
4 Emphatic form of a certain
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
21
23
25
26
28
29
30
31
35
37
38
39
41
43
46
48
51
53
54
55
56
57
60
62
63
64
67
68
pronoun
Tennis term
Doctors’ org.
Certain Sunday
“Feed my ____” (Jn 21:17)
Central holy day of
Christianity
Clergyman
Alert
Theme
The task of the College of
Cardinals is to ____ the
pope
The banker hopes it doesn’t
get cracked
He’s the Red
Blend
Wild rose
Linen square that covers the
chalice
Religious instruction for
those wishing to become
Catholic (abbr.)
Precious metals, to Pedro
Leash
Take pleasure in
Ancestress of Jesus
Fencing sword
Sea of the Holy Land
Not a direct hit
Place to find a good buy
Rant’s partner
Small mountain
Charge with gas
Some are wiped clean
The queen from this country
came to hear Solomon
speak
Spud
Entertain
Explorer Father Junipero
Forest animal
State in central United
States
Migrate
Long ago
Mother of Mary
Holy ones (abbr.)
Solution on page 16
Terry W. Bennett, E.A.
Bennett’s Bookkeeping, Inc.
• Income Taxes
• Monthly Bookkeeping
• Payroll Preparation
3752 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Ph. 225-343-4715, FAX 225-343-4726
[email protected]
14
viewpoint
Consider This
by Stephen Kent
A lesson from defeatist obituaries
This year
the first Monday of November is yet another way that Catholics are able to show our way to the
world – by celebrating death.
This is indeed countercultural.
In today’s climate, death is a situation to escape, a topic to be avoided.
All Souls’ Day is more than a piety: It
is the public recognition that we not only
accept death but welcome it as the inevitable end of our earthly pilgrimage.
Current culture does not agree. Consider the language used in obituaries in
one edition of a daily newspaper:
“Valiant three-year battle with cancer.”
“Lost her courageous battle with
cancer.”
“Lost his courageous fight with
throat cancer.”
“Ending her long battle with Alzheimer’s.”
“Battle with cancer.”
“Fight against sarcoma.”
So we battle, fight and struggle,
yet inevitably lose. Death is a failure.
There is something off-putting about
this language, as though the deceased
are losers. If they had been stronger, the
doctors better, the surgery successful,
they would have lived.
The incessant attempt by human
beings to achieve longevity, if not immortality, has been the topic of legend
and amusement for centuries. Ponce
de Leon searched the New World for
the fountain of youth. Cryonics would
place human remains in deep freeze
until a cure can be found for what ailed
the body. There have been pseudoscientific attempts to send human remains
into outer space to await a more propitious time to return to earth.
Such explorations do harm by
advancing the concept that the human body is but one more machine.
Science and medicine can medically
(and morally) transplant organs from
one human being to another. They can
even substitute manufactured devices
– artificial hearts, knees and hips – into
the human body.
A quest for immortality, with science on its side, reduces the body to
a machine, wonderfully designed by
God, but still in need of upgrading by
humankind.
The human person, however, is cre-
ated by God as body and soul, and for
this reason has a dignity that cannot be
changed by anyone.
Death is inevitable, not to be feared
by those who have faith in the purpose
of creation and the goodness of its Creator.
Among that one day’s defeatist
obituaries, one stood out for containing
this thought: “He courageously won
his three-year battle with esophageal
cancer as his soul soared triumphantly
to its heavenly home.”
It is good we have a commemoration
of the departed and the opportunity to
reflect upon our own inevitable end.
Kent is the retired editor of archdiocesan
newspapers in Omaha and Seattle. He can
be contacted at considersk@com cast.net.
be good and religious persons, there is
a disturbing truth in Goethe’s words.
Are we living too safely? Do we
have the courage to look at our inhibitions, jealousies and religiously sanctioned angers with real honesty? Are
our lives driven more by fear than by
love? Can we enter the dance without
judgment and bitterness? Do others
perceive us as rigid? When is the last
time we could truly forgive someone
who hurt us? Are our lives really about
love and generosity rather than fear
and self-protection?
The danger in living too safely is
that sometimes when we think we are
defending life, we are really defending
the poverty of our own lives; sometimes when we think we are defending
virtue, we are really defending our
inhibitions and fears; and sometimes
when we think we are speaking for
God’s healthy concern for the world,
we are, like the older brother of the
prodigal son, really speaking of our
own hidden jealousy.
The hero of the movie “Chariots
of Fire,” Eric Liddell, a wonderfully
moral young man, was an Olympic
runner who because of religious sensibilities, refused to run an Olympic
race on Sunday, even though he was
heavily favored to win the gold medal.
It would be easy to judge his action as
stemming from moral and religious
rigidity. In somebody else’s case that
might be true. It wasn’t for Eric Liddell. Why? Because he wasn’t driven
by fear or rigidity. He was driven by
love. “When I run,” he famously said,
“I feel God’s pleasure.”
Sometimes I ask myself questions
in relation to my religious and moral
inhibitions: Does God take pleasure in
my caution? Does God take pleasure
in my sacrifices? Does God take pleasure in my anxieties about the world’s
moral failings? Or is the Father standing with me, outside the celebration,
pleading with me, as he once pleaded
with the older brother of the prodigal
son, to let up a little and come inside
and join the dance?
I am grateful for my upbringing,
despite the congenital reticence with
which it has left me. It’s good to be
careful. It’s a responsible and loving
way to live. But I am growing more
honest about its dangers. I am pretty
intact much of the time, but sometimes
I’m more fearful than generous, more
self-protective than loving, more jealous than healthily solicitous. Sometimes caution doesn’t leave me with a
big heart. Safety, too, has its dangers.
In Exile
by Father Ron Rolheiser
The perils of safety
I
w a s
raised to be
cautious,
physically
and morally: “Be careful! Don’t make
a mistake! Be safe! Don’t do anything
for which you’ll be sorry!” I inhaled
those words, literally, through my
years of childhood, my years of seminary training, and through most of my
years in the priesthood.
In fact they were the last words
that my father, one of the truly moral
men I have known, spoke to me. He
was dying of cancer in a hospital, and
as my brother and I left for the night,
not knowing that he would die before
morning, he cautioned us: “Be careful!” He was referring to our driving
on icy winter roads. But this caution
marked his character, his moral sensitivity, and his healthy solicitude
for us, his children, and it was meant
morally: “Be careful! Be safe!” This
was his habitual warning.
Those words are now part of my
genetic makeup. You inherit more
than simple biology from your father,
especially if you are lucky enough to
have one who was uncompromisingly
moral. And that caution has served
me well. I’m grateful for it. I’ve made
it through more than half a century
essentially intact, physically and morally. No small gift.
But that caution sometimes brings
with it other things for which I am
less grateful. One can be intact, but
so cautious and timid that fear rather
than love becomes the compass for
one’s life. The occupational hazard
in always being scrupulously safe is
that one can easily end up like the
older brother of the prodigal son: that
is, rigidly faithful in all things, but
judgmental, jealous and bitter of heart,
dogmatically and morally uncompromising, while envying the amoral and
being too paralyzed internally to truly
dance.
Sometimes a long, practiced caution in our actions makes for a heart
that is more cautious than generous,
more envious than affirming, and
more judgmental than forgiving.
Sometimes, too, it makes for a heart
that understands love and forgiveness as things that must be merited
rather than freely given and received.
Too often it results in a heart that is
secretly gleeful when things go wrong
for those who aren’t living as we are.
That isn’t always the case, but it can
easily be, and, speaking frankly and
humbly, it has sometimes been the
case in my own life.
The German poet Goethe once
wrote: The dangers of life are many,
and safety is one of those dangers.
For some people perhaps the reverse
warning might be more appropriate.
But for those of us who were raised to
Oblate Father Rolheiser, theologian,
teacher, and award-winning author, is
president of the Oblate School of Theology
in San Antonio, TX. He can be contacted
through his Web site www.ronrolheiser.
com.
viewpoint
L etter
Editor
Parish Diary
by Father Peter J. Daly
to
the
Pilgrimage for Life
changing teens’ lives
In our church we recognize that God created each
of us in his image, and because of that, all stages of
human life are sacred. On behalf of all who have no
voice, I would like to thank those priests, seminarians
and laity in our diocese who stand up for the helpless
and who make clear the fact that an unborn baby is a
live human whom God has planned.
The priests in our diocese have a sacred duty to
speak the truth. Priests who explain that legal is
not the same as moral help save innocent lives. My
husband and I were born in 1973, the anniversary of
Roe vs. Wade. Why is that significant? We were both
“unplanned” by our parents, and legally they could
have killed us. Gianna Jessen also wasn’t planned by
her parents. She was aborted and lived to tell about it.
She has a book by that title and online talks.
She and many priests, seminarians and young
women spoke at a benefit dinner for the Louisiana
Youth Pilgrimage to the March for Life. I applaud their
efforts and those of the Knights of Columbus and Peter
Fletcher, assistant principal of religious education at St.
Michael the Archangel High School. Together they are
sending hundreds of local teens to Washington, D.C.,
for the March for Life in January.
After attending their presentation and benefit dinner, I am astounded at the fruits of this pilgrimage,
from priestly and religious vocations to deepened
faith of our local youth. This trip is changing lives. If
you want to promote pro-life vocations in our diocese,
I ask you to donate toward the March for Life Scholarship Fund. There is a growing number of teens and
seminarians who want to attend the march but who
will be unable to do so without financial support from
our community.
Please make checks payable to St. Michael the Archangel High School, 17521 Monitor Ave., Baton Rouge,
LA 70817. Indicate “March for Life.”
I am so proud to be an alumnus of St. Michael the
Archangel.
Aimee Guidry Marlborough
Baton Rouge, La.
Letters to the Editor should be typed, limited to
350 words and contain the name and address of
the writer, though the address will not be printed.
We reserve the right to edit all letters. Send to:
Letters to the Editor, The Catholic Commentator,
P. O. Box 14746, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4746,
or to [email protected].
T
he mission of The Catholic Commentator is to provide news, information and commentary to
the people of the diocese of Baton Rouge,
Catholics and their neighbors alike. In
doing so, The Catholic Commentator
strives to further the wider mission of the
Church: to evangelize, to communicate, to
educate and to give the Catholic viewpoint
on important issues of the present day.
15
Memory of a prayer
despite dementia
Growing old is hard.
Gradually we surrender our abilities. We make
fewer plans and we look more to the past.
Eventually we have only our memories to comfort
us.
Growing old is especially hard when we are aware
that we are losing even our memories. There is a sense
of urgency. We want to pass our memories along to
others so that these memories will live on for a while
after our own minds have gone dark.
Recently I received a letter from a lady in my parish
who has progressive dementia. Let’s call her Mary.
Every day Mary feels some bit of her mind slipping
away. Even though she is still relatively young, she
knows that she is losing her memory and it won’t be
long until she cannot recall even simple things.
Mary’s anguish is compounded by the fact that she
watched her husband die from Alzheimer’s only a few
years ago.
Over the years I have received thousands of letters
from parishioners and readers. But few letters have
touched and encouraged me like the one I received
from Mary on the feast of St. John Vianney, the patron
saint of our parish. I thought I should share it:
“Dear Father Daly,
“It is the feast of St. John Vianney (our parish patron), and I believe it’s more than appropriate to tell
you how much I appreciate all that you bring to the
parish. At the same time, I want to share with you a
prayer/poem that I wrote in my early teens and have
used over the years as a Communion offering to our
Savior. I do this because many times I have heard you
describe your love for the Eucharist with words that
articulate my own feelings and belief. Your homily a
week or so ago exemplifies this.
Communion Prayer
I have prepared my heart as a palace
For you, my King, to stay.
And when I receive you, sweet Jesus,
Reign in my heart through the day.
I have prepared you a throne of repentance.
With love I shall make you a crown.
With a heart full of prayer I shall praise you.
Love greater than yours can’t be found.
“I pass this on with the hope that you might wish
to keep my prayer alive after dementia precludes my
ability to remember it.
“With heartfelt prayers for your intentions,
“Mary.”
Mary does not have to worry. Her prayer will live
on with me. Maybe others will pick it up, too, so that
it will become part of the collective memory of the
church and be prayed by many minds.
Prayer is powerful. It is also persistent.
I have been with many dying people over the years.
Even when they can no longer remember the faces of
their children or their own names, they can remember
the words of prayers they have used since their childhood to call upon the Lord.
If any memory will live on within Mary’s mind,
it will be the memory of the words of this prayer she
composed. She has recited it with fervor thousands of
times as she joined herself to the presence of God in
the Eucharist.
Don’t worry, Mary. The memory of your prayer is
safe. It will live on with me. What is even more significant is that it lives on already in the mind of one
who cannot forget. It lives on in the mind of God, the
eternal Word.
Father Daly, pastor of St. John Vianney Church, Frederick, MD, writes on parish life for Catholic News Service.
Please pray for the
priests, deacons and
religious women and men in the
Baton Rouge Diocese
Oct. 25 .....Rev. Vincent J. Dufresne
..................Deacon Larry J. Melancon
..................Sr. Leyla Cerda CSJ
Oct. 26 .....Rev. Jerome A. Dugas
..................Deacon James J. Morrissey
..................Sr. Joseph Charles SSF
Oct. 27 .....Rev. Thomas P. Duhé
..................Deacon Jodi A. Moscona
..................Sr. Maria Christy MC
Oct. 28 .....Rev. Matthew C. Dupré
..................Deacon Donald J. Musso
..................Sr. M. Romuald Cormier SSF
Oct. 29 .....Rev. Ayo Emmanuel Efodigbue MSP
..................Deacon Roger A. Navarra
..................Sr. Judith Couturie CSJ
Oct. 30 .....Rev. William Egedegbe MSP
..................Deacon Angelo S. Nola
..................Br. Eldon Crifasi SC
Oct. 31 .....Rev. Edward E. Everitt OP
..................Deacon Curles P. Reesom Jr.
..................Sr. Mary Ann Culotta OP
Nov. 1 .......Rev. Francis V. Ferrier SJ
..................Deacon Frank W. Rhodes Jr.
..................Sr. Reneé Daigle MSC
Nov. 2 .......Rev. Msgr. Andrew F. Frey
..................Deacon Alfred J. Ricard Jr.
..................Br. Ramon Daunis SC
Nov. 3 .......Rev. Michael A. Galea
..................Deacon Bruno Rizzo
..................Sr. Micha DeHart MHS
Nov. 4 .......Rev. Henry W. Gautreau Jr.
..................Deacon Thomas M. Robinson
..................Sr. Therese Dinh ICM
Nov. 5 .......Rev. Ramon Gonzalezn OP
..................Deacon Tommy J. St. Pierre
..................Sr. Audrey Ruth Donnenfelser MSC
Nov. 6 .......Rev. Msgr. William L. Greene
..................Deacon Eliazar Salinas Jr.
..................Sr. Diane Dornan MHS
Nov. 7 .......Rev. Henry (Hank) B. Groover OP
..................Deacon Milton J. Schanzbach
..................Sr. Paulette Ducharme OSU
coming events
16
OLOM Church Youth Group Reunion – Our
Lady of Mercy Church is hosting a Youth Group
Alumni party for former youth group members on
Saturday, Nov. 21, at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Parish Activity Center, 444 Marquette Ave., Baton Rouge.
Anyone who was involved in the OLOM youth group
when it was under the direction of Linda Dimattia,
Tara Herrera or Barbara Dimattia is invited for an
evening of reconnecting. The event is free. RSVP for
the event by calling the Our Lady of Mercy Church
office at 225-926-1883, Herrera at 225-293-4883, or by
signing up on the OLOM Youth Group Facebook page
no later than Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Discalced Carmelites – The Secular Order of
Discalced Carmelites welcomes those who are interested in developing their prayer life according to the
teachings of the Carmelite Saints. Meetings are held
on the second Sunday of each month at Our Lady of
Mercy Parish Activity Center in the St. Gabriel Room,
444 Marquette Ave., Baton Rouge, at 1:30 p.m. The
next meeting will be Sunday, Nov. 8. For information
call 225-774-8413 or 225-926-6962 or e-mail halbrig@
aol.com or [email protected].
Feast on the Levee – St. John the Baptist
Church, 402 S. Kirkland Dr., Brusly, will host its Feast
on the Levee on Sunday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. The
event will feature contests, raffles, a silent auction,
kids activities, entertainment and a Cajun food fest.
For information call the St. John the Baptist Church
office at 225-749-2189.
ning the New Human Person: Christ’s Gift of
Freedom,” Nov. 9-12 at St. Thomas More Church,
11441 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge. There will be
morning sessions at 9:30 a.m. and evening sessions
at 7 p.m. Babysitting will be available for children,
from infants to four year olds. A children’s mission
for children ages 5-12 will be held in the preschool.
Preregistration is required for people who will need
babysitting services. For information and to pre
register call the St. Thomas More Church office at
225-275-3940.
Class of 1971 Reunion – Class of 1971 alumnae of St. Joseph Academy in New Orleans are asked
to contact Janelle Foltz (LeBlanc) in preparation
for the class’ 40th reunion and pre-reunion minigatherings. Send contact information, including
maiden name, to [email protected] or Fax to
504-596-3020.
TGIF Event – St. Aubrey Ladies’ Auxiliary No.
119 will host a “Thank Goodness It’s Friday” event
on Friday, Nov. 6, at 5 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of
Mary Church, 11140 La. Hwy. 77, Maringouin. There
will be food, bingo and other activities. For information call the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church office
at 225-625-2438.
St. Michael Golf Classic – St. Michael High
School will host its 20th annual Golf Classic on
Monday, Nov. 2, at Santa Maria Golf Course, 18460
Santa Maria Pkwy., Baton Rouge. The four-person
golf scramble will begin at 10:30 a.m. with registration and warm up. Players will receive tournament
favors, prizes, snacks and beverages throughout the
day. Lunch and dinner will be served at the club.
The cost is $150 per player, or $100 for alumni. For
information and to register call the St. Michael High
School development office at 225-755-3618 or e-mail
[email protected].
Lobster Bash – St. Thomas Aquinas High
School, 14520 Voss Dr., Hammond, will host its ninth
annual Lobster Bash Fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 14,
at 7 p.m. in the school gym. There will be silent and
live auctions and a raffle during the event. People
must be at least 21 years old to attend. Tickets are $25
each and can be purchased at the school or by calling
the school’s development office at 985-542-8941.
St. Thomas More Mission – Father Simeon
Gallager OFMCap will present a mission, “Begin-
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news
17
Mystical Rose Association
prays for priests
BY
DEBBIE SHELLEY
Assistant Editor
During this Year for Priests,
the Blessed Mother strongly
urges people to honor priestly vocations through their
prayers and support. Barbara
Fisher, director of the Mystical
Rose for Priests Association,
talked about Mary’s emphasis on praying for priests to
keep the foundation of the
church strong during an Oct.
1 program on Our Lady Rosa
Mystica at Immaculate Conception Church in Denham
Springs.
Fisher and a group of women formed the Mystical Rose
for Priests Association in the
Archdiocese of New Orleans
on Sept. 27, 2004, the feast day
of St. Jean Vianney, patron
saint of priests, for the purpose of praying for priests.
The women were concerned
because many of the priests in
the archdiocese were ill.
After Hurricane Katrina
hit the Gulf Coast in 2005,
this ministry became very
active and grew as its members provided material and
moral support for the many
priests who had to evacuate
the archdiocese because of the
flooding and damage.
The Myst ic a l Ro s e for
Pr ie st s A s s o c i at ion pr o vides spiritual motherhood
for priests and seminarians,
Fisher explained. Members of
this ministry pray for priests,
send special cards for priests
recognizing their ordination
day and anniversaries and attend their special occasions.
Another way in which the
Mystical Rose for Priests Association encourages people to
pray for priests is by traveling
to church parishes throughout
the state with a Rosa Mystica
pilgrim statue.
The history of the Rosa
Mystica statue is based on the
appearances of the Blessed
Mother as the Rosa Mystica to
Pierina Gilli, a nurse, beginning in 1947 in Montiachiari,
Italy. The Blessed Virgin continued to appear to Gilli until
her death in 1991. In each of
her appearances, the Blessed
Mother requested that people
pray for the sanctification of
priests and religious.
Fisher said the idea of trav-
eling with a Rosa Mystica
pilgrim statue, which was
made i n Germa ny, bega n
when the ministry’s secretary, Cindy Garrett, said she
had read about Rosa Mystica
pilgrim statues housed by
different Marian-based prayer
organizations as they pray for
priests.
Garrett suggested that their
association travel with a Rosa
Mystica statue throughout the
Archdiocese of New Orleans
and promote the prayerful
support of priests. Fisher
agreed after she had a vision
during Eucharistic adoration of Our Lady traveling
throughout the archdiocese.
In presentations about the
Rosa Mystica, the association members talk about the
importance of praying for
priests, attending daily Mass
and participating in Eucharistic adoration for the sanctification of priests.
The ministry currently has
two prayer cenacle groups
and two perpetual adoration
chapels.
Fisher said the program
at Immaculate Conception
was special for her because
she was able to teach about
the history of the appearance of the Rosa Mystica and
reconnect with Immaculate
Conception Parochial Vicar
Paul Gros, whom she spiritually adopted when he was a
seminarian at Notre Dame
Seminary in New Orleans.
Fisher met Fr. Gros during
his senior year at Notre Dame,
when Fr. Gros gave a reflection on divine mercy during
a day of Eucharistic adoration
and prayer for vocations at the
seminary. The Mystical Rose
for Priests Association was
sponsoring the hour of prayer
in which Fr. Gros spoke.
Fisher told Fr. Gros she
would pray for him and that
she was going to attend his
ordination. She also promised
to send him a card recognizing his ordination. He said
he would mail her three holy
cards. During the flurry of
activity that day, Fisher did
not get Fr. Gros’ full name
and address or information on
where he would be assigned,
which unfortunately caused
her to miss his ordination in
May.
Fisher continued to pray
for Fr. Gros and eventually
learned of his whereabouts
from the mother of a seminarian who knows Fr. Gros’
mother, Susan Gros. Mrs.
Gros is a member of the Marian Servants of the Eucharist
in Baton Rouge.
Fr. Gros attended the Oct.
1 program, where Fisher presented him with an ordination
card. He in turn gave her three
holy cards. “He hadn’t forgotten,” Fisher said joyfully.
She said people attending
the program at Immaculate
Conception expressed a lot of
interest in the Rosa Mystica’s
call for prayers for priests and
asked her for more informa-
Barbara Fisher, director of the Mystical Rose for Priests
Association, and Father Paul Gros, parochial vicar of Immaculate
Conception Church in Denham Springs, stand next to a Rosa
Mystica pilgrim statue following a talk Fisher gave about the
Blessed Mother’s desire that people pray for priests. Photo
provided by Immaculate Conception Church
tion on the subject.
Fr. Gros said he is thankful that the people in Fisher’s
ministry and others are fol-
lowing a divine call by dedicating their lives to supporting priests throughout the
world.
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deaths of her husband and son.
Her son, Simon, had served in
Iraq, and survived over a half
dozen fire fights, missions and
a stabbing only to be killed in
a car accident in 2004, a few
months after he came home.
Her husband, Anthony, who
strongly supported her after
their son’s death, died from
brain cancer in 2007. The couple
had worked together on plans
concerning Anthony’s death.
Benkovic shared with audience members an important
insight she gained from the loss
of her husband and son, which
is people must trust God and
move toward his will whether
they feel like it or not. She said
people are made holy through
trials. After Benkovic turned
over her pain to God, her hope
built.
Benkovic’s talk was followed
by a presentation by Christian
musician Anne Trufant about
how fear can keep people from
following the will of God.
People often engage in a “tug
of war” with God, which only
makes them angry, depressed,
anxious and prone to addictions, said Trufant.
She stressed that the Bible
frequently instructs people, “Do
Nicholas
age 4
cancer patient
Johnette Benkovic, founder
and president of Living His Life
Abundantly talks about the
role of women as biological
and spiritual life givers at the
Women’s Conference.
Christian musician Anne
Trufant sings after speaking
to the women attending the
Women’s Conference. Photos
not be afraid.” She recounted
how Peter tried to walk on
water from his boat to Christ,
but sank when he took his eyes
off him. She talked about how
King David defeated Goliath in
his youth because he believed
God would help him.
Trufant continued that when
people do not forgive, they create a black hole in their heart,
which allows anger, fear and
other emotions to take control
of their life.
“Forgiving others is a decision one must make,” said
Trufant.
Before the event’s closing
prayer service, Benkovic talked
about the role of women as
biological and spiritual bearers
of life.
Benkovic said many different
factors come together when that
person is conceived that makes
them unique. Reading passages
from Pope John Paul II’s encyc-
lical “Evangelium Vitae,” Benkovic noted how technology
used wrongly threatens life and
insisted that all life has dignity
and must be protected.
She concluded by telling
women that they have a special
role as physical and spiritual
life givers.
The church honors women,
Benkovic pointed out, as she
referred to the closing remarks
of Vatican II by Leon Cardinal
Duval of Algiers.
“But the hour is coming, in
fact has come, when the vocation of woman is being achieved
in its fullness, the hour in which
woman acquires in the world an
influence, an effect and a power
never hitherto achieved. That is
why, at this moment when the
human race is under going so
deep a transformation, women
impregnated with the spirit of
the Gospel can do so much to
aid mankind in not falling.”
by Debbie Shelley
Make Believe:
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October 21 - The Catholic Commentator

Transcription

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