Connection. The Catholic. Ordinations. Preparing for June. Kevin Mues to be Ordained to the. Transitional Diaconate Deacon Duane Trombetta to be

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1 The Catholic Vol. 27, No. 10 May 2018 Connection Ordinations Preparing for June Kevin Mues to be Ordained to the Transitional Diaconate Deacon Duane Trombetta to be Ordained to the Priesthood

2 The Catholic Connection Publisher Bishop Michael G. Duca Editor Jessica Rinaudo Lisa Cooper Bishop Michael Duca Anthony Fabio Donna Frasier Kim Long Lucy Medvec Fr. Rothell Price Rosalba Quiroz Contributors Editorial Board Lisa Cooper Kim Long Fr. Matthew Long Kelly Phelan Powell Dianne Rachal Deacon Mike Whitehead John Mark Willcox Mission Statement The Catholic Connection is a monthly publication funded by your Diocesan Stewardship Appeal; mailed to every known Catholic household in the Diocese of Shreveport. Our Mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of our Catholic Faith among the faithful. We seek to foster the application of Christ s teachings and our Church s mission in our daily lives and to encourage our sense of Catholic identity within our family, parish, and diocesan faith community. Subscriptions & Address Changes Contact: Jessica Rinaudo, Editor jrinaudo@dioshpt.org Write: Catholic Connection 3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA Call: Fax: Dianne Rachal Sr. Martinette Rivers Mary Simpson Katie Sciba L'Anne Sciba Courtney Smith Kelby Tingle Mike Van Vranken Website: The Catholic Connection is a member of the Catholic Press Association. The Diocese of Shreveport complies with Virtus s Protecting God s Children program. Classes are offered every second Wednesday of the month at the Catholic Center in Shreveport. To report child sexual abuse by a cleric or church worker in the Diocese of Shreveport, call Glennda Lawson. Hotline is and your local law enforcement agency. Bishop s May Calendar MAY 1 Priests Retirement Committee Meeting; Catholic Center; 11:00 a.m. MAY 2 St. Francis Medical Center Board of Directors Meeting; Monroe; 11:30 a.m. Confirmation; St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Ruston; 6:00 p.m. MAY 4 Annual Red Mass; Holy Trinity Parish, Shreveport; 9:00 a.m. MAY 5 Confirmation; St. Jude Parish, Benton; 5:00 p.m. MAY 6 Confirmation; St. Mary of the Pines Parish, Shreveport; 9:00 a.m. Confirmation; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 5:30 p.m. MAY 10 Lights of Broadway (Catholic Charities of North Louisiana Fundraiser); East Ridge Country Club, Shreveport; 6:00 p.m. MAY 11 University of Dallas Board of Trustees Meeting; Dallas MAY 12 Confirmation; St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport; 4:00 p.m. MAY 13 Confirmation; St. Paul Parish, Minden; 11:00 a.m. MAY 14 St. Frederick High School Baccalaureate Mass; Chapel of St. Mary & St. David, St. Frederick High School, Monroe; 6:00 p.m. Bishop s June Calendar JUNE 9 Rev. Mr. Duane Trombetta s Ordination to the Priesthood; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 10:00 a.m. Heather Marie Sikes First Profession (Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows); St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Shreveport; 4:00 p.m. JUNE 10 Confirmation; Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Shreveport; 9:00 a.m. JUNE United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Spring Meeting; Ft. Lauderdale, FL JUNE 20 Confirmation; St. Joseph Parish, Zwolle; 5:30 p.m. MAY 15 St. Frederick High School Graduation; Msgr. Marsh Memorial Gymnasium, St. Frederick High School, Monroe; 6:00 p.m. MAY Bishops of Region V Episcopal Support Days; Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center, New Orleans MAY 17 Loyola College Prep Baccalaureate Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 6:30 p.m. MAY 18 Loyola College Prep Graduation; RiverView Theater, Shreveport; 6:30 p.m. MAY 19 Confirmation; St. Paschal Parish, West Monroe; 5:30 p.m. MAY 20 Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 8:00 a.m. Confirmation; St. Pius X Parish, Shreveport; 11:00 a.m. MAY 26 Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Commencement Ceremony; Centenary College s Gold Dome, Shreveport; 10:00 a.m. Confirmation; St. Lucy Parish, Hodge; 5:00 p.m. MAY 27 Mass; St. Clement Parish, Vivian; 9:00 a.m. JUNE 21 Investment Committee Meeting; Catholic Center, Shreveport; 10:00 a.m. JUNE 23 Kevin Mues Transitional Diaconate Ordination; Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Monroe; 10:00 a.m. JUNE 24 Confirmation; St. Matthew Parish, Monroe; 10:30 a.m. JUNE 26 Catholic Charities of North Louisiana Founders Reception; CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier, Shreveport JUNE 27 Diocesan Finance Council Meeting; Catholic Center, Shreveport; 12:00 p.m. 2 Catholic Connection

3 contents May 2018 columns Don t Allow Pessimism to Rob You of the Joy of the Gospel by Bishop Michael Duca Mike's Meditations: Process of Discernment by Mike Van Vranken... 6 Faith in Action: The Light of Christ by Donna Frasier... 7 Faithful Food: Summer Recipes for Life by Kim Long... 8 Domestic Church: Finding the Divine Plan in Grief by Katie Sciba... 9 From the Pope: Pope Francis' Easter Message from Vatican Information Services...10 Navigating the Faith: Memorial of Mary - Mother of the Church New Feast Day by Dianne Rachal...11 Second Collections for May by Fr. Rothell Price...12 Vocations View: St. Joseph Seminary Youth Events by Kelby Tingle Kids' Connection: Saint Florian...26 features Duane Trombetta and Kevin Mues: Preparing for Ordination Q&A with the Candidates news Behind the Scenes of the 2018 Pro-Life Reception by L'Anne Sciba...16 St. John Berchmans School Reigns as 10 Time Science Olympiad Champs by Mary Simpson...17 Catholic Camps for Teens...18 Grant Brings Money School to Rural Community by Lucy Medvec...19 Louisiana Tech's ACTS Spring Retreat Builds Community by Courtney Smith...20 Diocesan Pro-Life Oratory Contest Winners Announced by Anthony Fabio...21 Celebrating Senior Month and Aging Beauty by Sr. Martinette Rivers...22 Hispanic News by Rosalba Quiroz...23 School News Across the Nation: President of USCCB Welcomes Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation on Holiness in the Contemporary World from the USCCB Around the Diocese Mark Your Calendar May & June Calendars on the cover The Catholic Vol. 27, No. 10 Connection May 2018 PreParing for June OrdinatiOns Kevin Mues to be Ordained to the Transitional Diaconate Deacon Duane Trombetta to be Ordained to the Priesthood Seminarian Kevin Mues and Deacon Duane Trombetta. May

4 la reflexión DEL OBISPO por Obispo Michael G. Duca No Permitan al Pesimismo Robarles su Alegría en el Evangelio No podía creer lo que veían mis ojos al leer durante la Semana Santa que el Santo Padre había dicho que el infierno no existe. Pensé que era un error, pero inmediatamente comencé a recibir llamadas y preguntas al respecto. Los medios de comunicación, por su puesto estaban bombardeando al público con videos, opiniones y aún más preocupante, críticas condenando los comentarios de los que se dicen comentaristas Católicos disque tratando de salvar la Iglesia. Me sentí presionado a decir algo porque los medios de comunicación han estado frenéticos con este tema, sin embargo esto!esto ES UNA TRAMPA! Es solo una ola de humo y espejismo para distraernos de la belleza de nuestra fe. No escribiré todo el artículo sobre esto porque la respuesta Católica debe ser clara y simple. Porque mucha gente asume que este titular es verdadero? El Vaticano negó este encabezado inmediatamente. El según periodista que lo publicó no tomó notas de la entrevista con el Papa sino más bien aceptó que en una entrevista previa con él, tomo libertad de interpretar solamente las palabras del Papa. También, si ustedes escuchan regularmente las palabras directas del Papa, se darán cuenta que él habla más sobre el demonio que sus predecesores. O si necesitan más pruebas, escuchen lo que dijo a la Mafia de Italia, Conviértanse, aún hay tiempo, para que no terminen en el infierno. Eso es lo que les espera si continúan en este camino. (Iglesia de San Gregorio VII, Roma, Viernes 21 de Marzo del 2014); o en su Comunicado cuaresmal a la Iglesia en el 2016 cuando dijo, Y el peligro siempre permanece, de que si los orgullosos, ricos y poderosos continúan rehusándose a abrir las puertas de sus corazones a Cristo quien toca por medio de los pobres, terminarán condenándose ellos mismos y sumergiéndose en el abismo eterno de solitud que es el Infierno. Porque le damos a esto tanta atención? Tenemos tan poca fe en nuestra Iglesia y en nuestra creencia de que es el Espíritu Santo quien nos guía en la Iglesia? Es Cristo quien es la fuente de la verdad y no la prensa o el internet. Lo más triste es que las críticas más duras vinieron de los comentaristas Católicos. La trampa es darle credibilidad a estas noticias falsas, le permitimos voz al mundo y al pesimismo de otros y nos roban la ALEGRIA del evangelio que se derrama sobre nosotros en estas fechas del año cuando nos rodeamos de la renovación de la iglesia. Esta alegre renovación empezó en el camino a la Semana Santa cuando conmemoramos que la sangre del Cordero, Jesucristo, nos salvó y que por lo tanto todos los que murieron con El Señor en el bautismo renacerán a la vida eterna. El Sábado Santo le damos la bienvenida a todos los bautizados en la Iglesia y la Iglesia se vuelve a renovar. Conoces los nombres de los nuevos miembros en tu parroquia? Pensaste en enviarles a estos nuevos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo una postal o tarjetita de Pascua para darles la bienvenida? En esta primavera estaremos preparando a nuestros niños al Sacramento de la Reconciliación en el cual ellos sabrán por el resto de sus vidas del amor misericordioso de Dios. Después ellos recibirán el segundo sacramento de iniciación por primera vez, la Sagrada Comunión. Estos hermosos sacramentos nuestros los nutrirán en su camino de la fe, así como lo hacen con nosotros. Tengo la maravillosa oportunidad de celebrar el Sacramento de la Confirmación con nuestros jóvenes en toda la diócesis. Con este sacramento, ellos se llenan del Espíritu Santo para llevar la misión de la 4 Catholic Connection iglesia; ir y proclamar la Buena Nueva con vidas de servicio y amor hacia los demás. Esta primavera también tenemos una Ordenación sacerdotal y una al diaconado para nuestra diócesis. Las historias del Diacono Duane Trombetta y Kevin Mues pueden encontrarlas en la publicación de la Catolic Connection (página 14) y también hay historias de como Dios llama a las siguientes generaciones de sacerdotes al servicio en nuestra diócesis. Esta primavera tenemos una gracia mas con el regalo del Santo Padre de su Exhortación Apostólica al llamado a la Santidad (Gaudete et Exsultate) (página 27). No permitan que otros les digan que pensar sobre esta enseñanza, mejor lean las palabras del Papa Francisco con el corazón alegre, sabiendo que es la voz del Espíritu Santo que le habla a la Iglesia a través del Sucesor de Pedro. Léanlo con el propósito de encontrar sabiduría y una visión clara de un discípulo verdadero de Jesús. Si lo toman solo para criticar, eso es lo único que encontrarán, se darán cuenta que cayeron en la TRAMPA, y que esta hermosa invitación a la santidad y alegría que debería ser una fuente de gracia se convertirá en fuente de limitación y división. No busquen su alegría en el mundo o en aquellos que no tienen alegría en su mensaje. Oren por una fe inquebrantable en la gracia y poder de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, que quiere que encontremos alegría en su palabra. Así creyendo en la verdadera Iglesia guiada por el Espíritu Santo quien otorga los Sacramentos de la Iglesia, formar y renovar el Cuerpo de Cristo en unidad y amor. Tengan cuidado de aquellos que quieren robarles su Alegría Confíen en el Señor.

5 bishop s REFLECTION by Bishop Michael G. Duca Don t Allow Pessimism to Rob You of the Joy of the Gospel Icould not believe my eyes when I read during Holy Week that the Holy Father had declared that Hell does not exist. I assumed it was a mistake of some kind, but immediately I received calls and questions. Social media, as they say, was blowing up with videos, opinions and, most distressingly, critical and condemning comments by so-called Catholic commentators who are trying to save the Church. I felt pressured to say something because of all the media frenzy, then thought, THIS IS A TRAP! It is all smoke and mirrors Bishop Duca to distract us from the beauty of our faith. I am not going to spend my whole article on this because the Catholic response should be clear and simple. Why did so many people assume this headline was true? The Vatican immediately denied the statement. The so-called journalist took no notes of the interview and admitted that in a previous meeting with the pope he freely interpreted the pope s words. Also, if you listen regularly to the pope s actual words, you will know that he speaks of the Devil more than his predecessors. Or if you need more proof, listen to what he said to the Mafia in Italy, Convert, there is still time, so that you don t end up in Hell. That is what awaits you if you continue on this path. (Church of San Gregorio VII, Rome Friday, 21 March 2014); or his 2016 Lenten Address to the Church when he said, Yet the danger always remains that by a constant refusal to open the doors of their hearts to Christ who knocks on them the poor, the proud, rich and powerful will end up condemning themselves and plunging into the eternal abyss of solitude which is Hell. Why did we give this so much attention? Do we have so little faith in our Church and in our belief that it is the Holy Spirit who guides us in the Church? It is Christ who is the source of truth and not the press or the internet. The greatest sadness is that it was Catholic commentators who were the harshest critics. The trap is that by giving this truly fake news credibility, we allowed the voice of the world and the pessimism of others to rob us of the JOY of the gospel that cascades over us this time of year when we are surrounded by the renewal of the Church. This joyful renewal began in the journey of Holy Week when we commemorated that we have been saved by the blood of THE Lamb, Jesus Christ, and that all who have died with the Lord in Baptism will be reborn to eternal life. On Holy Saturday we welcomed the newly baptized into the Church and the Church was renewed again. Do you know the names of the new members of your parish? Did you think to send to these new brothers and sisters in Christ an Easter card of welcome? In this springtime we will be initiating our children into the Sacrament of Reconciliation through which they will now know, for the rest of their lives, of the forgiving love of God. They will then receive their second Sacrament of Initiation, Holy Communion, for the first time. This beautiful sacrament of ours will nourish them, as it does all of us, on their journey of faith. I have the wonderful opportunity during this time to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with our youth throughout the diocese. With this sacrament, our young people are filled with the Holy Spirit to carry out the mission of the Church; to go out and proclaim the Good News with their lives of service and love for others. This spring is also the time of ordinations to the priesthood and diaconate for our diocese. The stories of Deacon Duane Trombetta and Kevin Mues can be found in this issue of The Catholic Connection (page 14) and are stories of God calling the next generation of priests to serve in our diocese. As an added grace, our Holy Father has also given us this month an Apostolic Exhortation on our call to Holiness (Gaudete et Exsultate) (page 27). Don t let others tell you what you should think about this teaching, but rather read Pope Francis words with a joyful heart knowing that this is the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to the Church through the ministry of the Successor of Peter. Read it looking for wisdom and insight from a true disciple of Jesus. If you pick it up looking to be critical, that is what you will find. You will have put your foot into the TRAP, and this beautiful invitation to holiness and joy that should be a source of grace will be a source of contention and division. Do not seek your joy from the world or from those who have no joy in their message. Pray for an unshakable faith in the grace and power of our Lord Jesus Christ who wants us to find joy in his words, to believe in his true Church guided by the Holy Spirit, and who gives us the Sacraments of the Church to renew and build up the Body of Christ in unity and love. Beware of those who would rob us of our joy Trust in the Lord. May

6 mike s MEDITATIONS by Mike Van Vranken Process of Discernment If you have begun your study of Pope Francis new papal teaching on God s universal invitation calling each of us to be holy, Gaudete et Exsultate, you have certainly noticed the pope s frequent mention of the process of discernment. Surely, he is referring to the ways God respects our diversity and so calls each of us to respond in a unique and personal manner. Discerning how we must answer the calling becomes a necessary part of our daily prayer life. Even in a more magnified way, however, Pope Francis reminds us that once we believe we know how God wants us to respond, we must ask ourselves: How do we know Van Vranken it s God who has given us this information? In very clear terms, he reminds us that what we hear might be from God, but it could also be something from our own consciousness (ego), or our message may have come from the spirit that is not of God; in other words, the devil, Satan, the enemy whatever name we use. Francis is teaching us of our obligation to always be discerning to discover the origin of the movements going on within us. How do we accomplish this discernment? One of the best ways I know is through the help of a trained and experienced Spiritual Director. Your Spiritual Director will assist you in recognizing when you are being internally moved by something or someone, and then point you back to God to determine if those movements are His or are they coming from something or someone else. The Director will help you develop a real and continuous union with God in prayer. What might this process look like? It could take various forms, but would always include a consistent 20 to 30 minutes each day dialoguing with God about what s happening within you. I use the word dialogue, because it implies an intense listening by both parties. Yes, we must spend a good portion of our prayer period sitting still, being quiet and listening to God s communication back to us. This may sound foreign to you, but again, your Spiritual Director will gently and patiently work with you until this becomes part of your daily prayer practice. St. Ignatius of Loyola left us two different guides for what he called Discernment of Spirits. These 22 rules, as he calls them, are extremely helpful ways of identifying where our thoughts and especially our feelings might be coming from. As you may have guessed, your Spiritual Director knows how to help you apply these rules to your specific situation. Pope Francis reminds us in his new teaching, we must be open and allow ourselves to be confronted by the freedom of the Spirit, who acts as he wills. He also wants us to know that an essential condition for progress in discernment is a growing understanding of God s patience and His timetable, which are never our own. In other words, we won t always get answers as quickly as we would like. Each day this month, read the following excerpt from our pope s most recent teaching and pay attention to how God might be moving within you as you prayerfully absorb each word and make it a part of who you are. Then, take whatever you notice within yourself to dialogue with the God of the universe who loves you more than you can think or imagine. From Pope Francis in Gaudete et Exsultate: When, in God s presence, we examine our life s journey, no areas can be off limits. In all aspects of life we can continue to grow and offer something greater to God, even in those areas we find most difficult. We need, though, to ask the Holy Spirit to liberate us and to expel the fear that makes us ban Him from certain parts of our lives. God asks everything of us, yet He also gives everything to us. He does not want to enter our lives to cripple or diminish them, but to bring them to fulfillment. Discernment, then, is not a solipsistic self-analysis or a form of egotistical introspection, but an authentic process of leaving ourselves behind in order to approach the mystery of God, who helps us to carry out the mission to which He has called us, for the good of our brothers and sisters. Mike is a spiritual director, author, speaker and teacher. You can contact him at mikevanvranken@comcast.net 6 Catholic Connection

7 FAITH in action by Donna Frasier The Light of Christ No matter what we face, by rejoicing together and enabling God's will to be done, we can be united in the Light of Christ. I love the Easter Vigil Mass. It is very beautiful, and like many, one of my favorite Masses of the year. There is so much validated over the course of the evening, but the light of Christ has an especially significant meaning The service begins in darkness, which represents all darkness, void of light in our lives. A new sacred fire is built and serves as an image of the Resurrection; usually outside the sanctuary, from which the Paschal candle is lit first and all other candles from its flame. This candle will be used over the course of the year for Frasier every Baptism and special liturgical ceremonies. The Paschal candle is brought into the church. Everyone holds a candle as the light of Christ is passed from person to person. We are reminded throughout the Easter Vigil Mass, as Catechumens are welcomed into the fold and our baptismal vows renewed, how important it is to reject evil and remain focused on the light that brings us together. Imagine what it would be like if only one person had a candle, or just a few people; the light would be dim. I can t help but think when things were not going well among Jesus flock; he gave his disciples what was needed at the Last Supper (the Eucharist) to share and spread his Spirit (at Pentecost) to others. During Jesus Passion when his light seemed the bleakest, as he was denied and abandoned by many of those he loved and was inevitably crucified; through it all he prayed with great fortitude (Luke 22:24), showing mercy and forgiveness to everyone (Luke 23: 34). He kept the light alive through the hardest of times and gave his followers the means needed to allow His light to shine brighter. He knew that in the end, it would mean salvation for all of mankind. He remained steadfast and resilient in carrying out God s divine plan. There may be times when we feel that Christ is not with us in the darkness, but he is always there. The beloved Psalm 23 is often noted during times of death and despair; and through Christ s death and resurrection we are one with all who have lived and died through Him. No matter what we face, by rejoicing together and enabling God s will to be done, we can be united in the Light of Christ. No amount of hopelessness can extinguish His wondrous love. The love of Christ heals us, and we should never let go of that which brings us together. Jesus did not turn away from those who abandoned him. He showed his love conquers all. It is as simple, and as complex as that. We are called to show love, forgiveness and mercy in order for his light to shine bright; and in doing so, we are able, through the Church and our God, to be prepared for anything. However, we are not asked to stand alone, we should be joined in the love and light of our Risen Lord. As Jesus, we too must remain steadfast and resilient in God s plan for us by living through the Holy Spirit; enabling Him to strengthen, protect and guide us. Donna Frasier is a retired Director of Religious Education and Family Activites for St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Ruston, LA. May

8 faithful FOOD by Kim Long Summer Recipes for Life Birthdays when I was a child were a Real. Big. Deal. What exactly do I mean when I say that? My birthday, which falls in the later part of June is hot - no way around that meteorologic certainty. Sweat, mosquitos, Long school break, and my birthday all shared a particular season. On most all other days, life was pretty ordinary, but on our birthdays all bets were off. Our backyard was green, cool and lush. The thick carpet of St. Augustine grass cushioned our bare feet. In the evening it became our outdoor living room as my birthday celebration drew nigh. The picnic table, longish with a redwood stain, was covered with a paper tablecloth which caught wind better than any ready sail, and a huge cake truly a baker s creation topped always with a ballerina, though dance lessons had long since ceased. All my closest school mates gathered with me as candles and barbecue pit were simultaneously ignited. Everyone was on their best behavior and it showed. I went to bed thinking how wonderful the day had been, reveling in my gifts and the joy this day always delivered. I was home. I was safe. I belonged. I felt cherished. These are things, in my opinion, we should all be able to feel at least once a year. Pentecost approaches and we prepare for this celebration of God s outpouring by wearing red, eating special foods and giving serious consideration to a different kind of birthday gift: those gifts of the Spirit, freely given with the desire that we make use of them as often as we are able. And while we may or may not eat cake to commemorate this day, which has become known as the birthday of the Church, we certainly acknowledge that we still long for a place to fit, a place to belong. In short, this birthday, like all those which have gone before it, can be seen as a type of homecoming, a return to what holds us together as a family, a community of faith and a time to celebrate and revel in the uniqueness within each of us. However just as when I was a child and the birthday revelry came to a close, so it is with our celebratory season of Easter and it s grand finale, Pentecost. As we drift back into Ordinary Time and tasks, how do we maintain some of that joy when ordinary things bombard us? How do we recall and remember the love of God we saw so clearly in the empty tomb on any given Thursday when there just isn t enough of anything to go around? Well, I have been giving that some thought and here is what I came up with not a recipe exactly, but some food for thought. If you want to feel you belong in a family, do family things! Go visit your relatives rather than just send an odd text. Be interested, genuinely interested, in what is happening with your own relatives: praying for them, communicating with them, being there for them. Bake a batch of cookies for a relative who isn t expecting it; make a calendar with birthdays; keep stamps on hand and send a card. No matter how tech savvy we are, most people love mail in their box. If you want to feel Catholic, do Catholic things! Many of my teacher friends look forward to attending daily Mass during the summer break. Follow their lead! Pray a rosary as you walk in the good weather summer brings. Help an elderly neighbor by purchasing a fan; better still do it quietly and offer prayers for them. Consider helping in an outreach group in your parish. Pray a novena. Start a study group to learn more about the faith. And above all, know that there will be challenges and ask God to help you meet them with grace and peace. There will be loss know that up front. Know that in the ensuing sorrow there will be, as the Psalmist says, Joy in the morning. Laugh, pray, love and forgive one another in imitation of God s example! It is in these moments that we feel that wonderful sense of belonging, purpose and oneness. Kim Long is the Director of Religious Education at St. Mary of the Pines Parish in Shreveport. 8 Catholic Connection

9 domestic CHURCH by Katie Sciba Finding the Divine Plan in Grief I lost my dad in the fall of After dodging more adventurous deaths in his youth, he met his match in cancer. He fought for two-and-a-half years before passing away the day our oldest started preschool. He was 60, much too young to die. My dad s illness, decline and passing of course took a toll on my mom. She wore herself to Sciba the bone wearing hats of caregiver, wife and mom to three adult children, not to mention her career in parish ministry. In the time after losing her husband, her voice seemed lifeless and her heart was heavy. My mom, who was typically quick-witted and up for anything, was bereaved and weary. My world and faith came crashing down. I was furious with God for allowing my personal Superman to be defeated and for my mom to be left alone. I was 27 when my dad died, and I felt too young to lose a parent. I wanted I couldn't imagine how so much pain could be part of the divine plan, much less divine mercy. him to be around to know my kids personally and be part of my adult life. I still ached for his approval and pride. This wasn t supposed to happen, according to me at least, and there was no sense to it that I could perceive. I couldn t imagine how so much pain could be part of the divine plan, much less divine mercy. Then my mom met someone - a good, true, holy man who in time vowed to love, honor and cherish her unto death. The spark returned to my mom s voice; and, in the light of their new life together, any confusion that surrounded my dad s death was lifted. I realized that just as it was the Lord s will for my parents to marry, it was also His will for my step-dad s life that he would marry my mom. It s my step-dad who will be present in my adult life and who will be grandfather to my kids. The life my family gained through the addition of my dear stepfather brought meaning to the sorrow we experienced before; and not just that, but it opened my eyes to a much bigger picture. In the middle of suffering any kind of loss, there s little that makes sense. Grief brings on anger, confusion and sorrow strong enough to blind us to hope. It s in new life, in change and in seeing a bigger plan, that our joy is made new. Here we are, the beginning of May, and it is still the Easter season. Jesus intense suffering and crucifixion at the time seemed only unfair in the eyes of his followers, and rightly so. How could death be part of the divine plan? But it was from his death that Jesus rose, achieving a more glorious life for not only himself, but also making that same glory available to every soul. Katie Sciba is married to Andrew and together they have five children. She is the author of thecatholicwife.net. Patron Saints of Loss The saints in heaven are some of the greatest allies we souls on earth have. They re normal people who lived through pain and loss who, in spite of, or perhaps because of their experiences, presently behold the face of God. Just as we would ask intercessory prayers from family and friends, we can ask the saints intercession for our needs. The perk? Their closeness to the Holy Trinity and desire for our salvation makes them powerful prayer warriors. Speak to them with the same ease and confidence you would your closest friend. Bl. Margaret of Castello Patroness of Disabilities St. Jude Patron of Impossible Causes St. Juliana Falconieri Patroness of Chronic Illness St. Peregrine Laziosi Patron of Cancer St. Catherine of Sweden Patroness of Miscarriages St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Patron Saint of Grief St. Rita Patroness of Loneliness St. Joseph, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Maximillian Kolbe Patrons of Family Matters St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Patroness of Parent Death St. Felicitas of Rome Patroness of Child Death St. Maria Faustina Kowalska Patroness of Mercy May

10 from the POPE from Vatican Information Services Pope Francis' Easter Message Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter! Jesus is risen from the dead! This message resounds in the Church the world over, along with the singing of the Alleluia: Jesus is Lord; the Father has raised him and he lives forever in our midst. Jesus had foretold his death and resurrection using the image of the grain of wheat. He said: Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit (Jn 12:24). And this is precisely what happened: Jesus, the grain of wheat sowed by God in the furrows of the earth, died, killed by the sin of the world. He remained two days in the tomb; but his death contained God s love in all its power, released and made manifest on the third day, the day we celebrate today: the Easter of Christ the Lord. We Christians believe and know that Christ s resurrection is the true hope of the world, the hope that does not disappoint. It is the power of the grain of wheat, the power of that love which humbles itself and gives itself to the very end, and thus truly renews the world. This power continues to bear fruit today in the furrows of our history, marked by so many acts of injustice and violence. It bears fruits of hope and dignity where there are deprivation and exclusion, hunger and unemployment, where there are migrants and refugees (so often rejected by today s culture of waste), and victims of the drug trade, human trafficking and contemporary forms of slavery. Today we implore fruits of peace upon the entire world, beginning with the beloved and long-suffering land of Syria, whose people are worn down by an apparently endless war. This Easter, may the light of the risen Christ illumine the consciences of all political and military leaders, so that a swift end may be brought to the carnage in course, that humanitarian law may be respected and that provisions be made to facilitate access to the aid so urgently needed by our brothers and sisters, while also ensuring fitting conditions for the return of the displaced. We beseech fruits of reconciliation for the Holy Land, also experiencing in these days the wounds of ongoing conflict that do not spare the defenceless, for Yemen and for the entire Middle East, so that dialogue and mutual respect may prevail over division and violence. May our brothers and sisters in Christ, who not infrequently put up with injustices and persecution, be radiant witnesses of the risen Lord and of the victory of good over evil. We invoke on this day fruits of hope for those who 10 Catholic Connection Pope Francis yearn for a more dignified life, above all in those areas of the African continent deeply affected by hunger, endemic conflicts and terrorism. May the peace of the risen Lord heal wounds in South Sudan and open hearts to dialogue and mutual understanding. Let us not forget the victims of that conflict, especially the children! May there be no lack of solidarity with all those forced to abandon their native lands and lacking the bare essentials for living. We implore fruits of dialogue for the Korean peninsula, that the discussions underway may advance harmony and peace within the region. May those who are directly responsible act with wisdom and discernment to promote the good of the Korean people and to build relationships of trust within the international community. We also beseech fruits of peace for Ukraine, that the steps taken to favor harmony may be consolidated, and facilitated by the humanitarian initiatives needed by its people. We also invoke fruits of consolation for the Venezuelan people, who, as their bishops have written, are living in a kind of foreign land within their own country. May that nation, by the power of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, find a just, peaceful and humane way to surmount quickly the political and humanitarian crises that grip it. May welcome and assistance not be wanting to its sons and daughters forced to abandon their homeland. May the risen Christ bring fruits of new life to those children, who as a result of wars and hunger, grow up without hope, lacking education and health care; and to those elderly persons who are cast off by a selfish culture that ostracizes those who are not productive. We also implore fruits of wisdom for those who have political responsibilities in our world, that they may always respect human dignity, devote themselves actively to the pursuit of the common good, and ensure the development and security of their own citizens. Dear brothers and sisters, The words heard by the women at the tomb are also addressed to us: Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen (Lk 24:5-6). Death, solitude and fear are not the last word. There is a word that transcends them, a word that only God can speak: it is the word of the resurrection (cf. John Paul II, Conclusion of the Way of the Cross, 18 April 2003). By the power of God s love, it dispels wickedness, washes faults away, restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to mourners, drives out hatred, fosters concord and brings down the mighty (Easter Proclamation). Happy Easter to all!

11 navigating the FAITH by Dianne Rachal, Director of Worship Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church New Feast Day The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued a decree signed by Robert Cardinal Sarah, Prefect, on March 3, 2018, announcing that Pope Francis has added the Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church, to the universal calendar of the Church. The memorial will be celebrated on the Monday following Pentecost Sunday, which is May 21 this year. The decree begins: The joyous veneration given to the Mother of God by the contemporary Church, in light of reflection on the mystery of Christ and on his nature, cannot ignore the figure of a woman (cf. Gal 4:4), the Virgin Mary, who is both the Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church. The decree goes on to reference St. Augustine and St. Leo the Great who taught that Mary is the mother of the members of Christ, and mother of the members of his Mystical Body, which is the Church. Mary stood at the foot of her Son s cross as he founded the Church and entrusted its members to her tender care. The Magisterium of Popes Benedict XIV and Leo XIII honor Mary with the title Mother of the Church. At the conclusion of the Third Session of the Second Vatican Council, Blessed Pope Paul VI declared the Blessed Virgin Mary as Mother of the Church on November 21, A votive Mass in honor of Beata Maria Ecclesiae Matre was added to the Roman Missal in 1975, the Holy Year of Reconciliation. Some countries, dioceses and religious orders already had a memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church on their particular calendars. In adding this memorial to the Roman calendar, Pope Francis hopes this celebration will promote a growth of genuine Marian piety: This celebration will help us to remember that growth in the Christian life must be anchored to the Mystery of the Cross, to the {PD-1923} oblation of Christ in the Eucharistic Banquet and to the Mother of the Redeemer and Mother of the Redeemed, the Virgin who makes her offering to God. From the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments: Decree on the Celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of the Church in the General Roman Calendar Celebrate May "The Month of Mary" Looking for ways to celebrate the Blessed Mother this month? Here are a few to honor the Mother of Jesus. 1. Say the Rosary every day, or pick a day of the week and commit to saying it that day every week. 2. Wear blue! Blue is Mary's color. Every time you catch a glimpse of your outfit, say a "Hail Mary." 3. Learn about some forms of Mary, including the history behind them: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of Good Help. 4. Hang an image of the Blessed Mother in a location you see often. May

12 second COLLECTIONS by Fr. Rothell Price, Vicar General Second Collections for May DIOCESAN RETIRED PRIESTS FUND Collection Dates: May 5th & 6th Thank you for your thoughtful and generous support of our Diocesan Retired Priests Fund. I am grateful to have this opportunity to express gratitude for your past and on-going support of our retired diocesan priests. With the passing of Fr. Walter Ebarb last All Saints Day, and the retiring of Frs. James McLelland, Phil Michiels and Pike Thomas last year, we now have eight faithful servants of God in their jubilee years. Frs. John Kennedy, Richard Lombard, Joseph Puthuppally, Patrick Scully and Kenneth Price Williams are lovingly housed and cared for because of your tender kindness. These men of God and sons of the Church have labored long and fruitfully for the Lord Jesus and his people. Fr. Patrick Madden plans to join that esteemed company of men this summer. Our Diocesan Retired Priests Fund is supported solely by you, the faithful of our diocese. Your gift funds our retirement plan for the exclusive pension benefit of the priests of our diocese. Thank you for helping us take care of our own. Thank you for assuring their peace of mind, joy of heart and transition to a new phase of Christian witness. You are supporting them when they need it the most. Please be generous in giving to our Diocesan Retired Priests Fund. (from April 2017 Catholic Connection) Thank for your contribution to last year s Trinity Dome National Shrine Collection. In May of 2017, the Bishops of the United States approved a special one-time second collection to take place in the parishes across the nation to support the mosaic ornamentation of the Trinity Dome, the crowning jewel of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Thank you for your donation which has brought that project to a joyful conclusion. CATHOLIC COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN Collection Dates: May 12th & 13th Our second collection for the Catholic Communication Campaign falls on Mother s Day weekend this year. I find this so appropriate because our mothers were our first and enduring communicators. Our mothers communicated love, encouragement, challenge, correction, sympathy, support, faith and inspiration to us throughout our lives. Through the Catholic Communication Campaign collection, our Holy Mother the Roman Catholic Church, communicates with her children at home and worldwide. Our Holy Bible, says, But how can they call on him who they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news! Romans 10: This campaign connects people with Jesus Christ and his Holy Catholic Church. The Catholic Communication Campaign gives you and your parish family the opportunity to spread the Gospel message. Half the funds collected in this collection remain here in the Diocese of Shreveport so that we can reach souls through the internet and print media. Our Catholic Connection is a prime example of the fruit of this collection. Your support helps spread the gospel message. Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17. Be a part of this campaign to spread the gospel message. Please generously support the Catholic Communication Campaign. THROUGH THE INTERNET, PRINT MEDIA, TELEVISION, AND RADIO... CONNECT WITH CHRIST SUPPORT THE CATHOLIC COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN Copyright 2017, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Photo: CNS/Cindy Wooden. Fr. Rothell Price, Vicar General, is the Director of Second Collections. 12 Catholic Connection

13 vocations VIEW by Kelby Tingle, Diocese of Shreveport Seminarian St. Joseph Seminary Youth Events Seminarian Kelby Tingle (left), with youth from the Diocese of Shreveport at Abbey Youth Festival. Throughout the course of the academic year, there are many exciting events that take place within the seminary community at St. Joseph Seminary College. The spring semester, in particular, is extremely busy with many events that we joyfully look forward to. In March, the seminary hosted Abbey Youth Festival and the Come & See Retreat which has become very special to me throughout my time in formation. Abbey Youth Festival is planned and organized by the seminarians. The festival is blessed to welcome approximately 3,000 youth and young adults to the seminary campus. During the festival, there are many well-known speakers who tell their personal stories as well as offer ways for those in attendance to deepen their faith. Throughout the festival, there are also bands and musicians who play. The climax of the event is the beautiful Vigil Mass celebrated by Archbishop Gregory Aymond of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. A candle-lit adoration and benediction, which many participants often refer to as the most powerful spiritual moment of the day, is the conclusion of the event. Ultimately, this festival is a special day in which we all gather in Christian stewardship to express our love and longing to live lives dedicated to our Savior. One week later, the seminary hosted the Come & See Retreat which is a discernment retreat. Over 150 young men from various dioceses of the south, including 13 men from our diocese, came to the seminary in order to see the life of the seminarians. This weekend offers the opportunity for young men to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, attend Mass, interact with the seminarians and priests, listen to mock philosophy lectures, and bond with other men who are also striving to listen to God s voice in their lives. It is awe inspiring to see the bright future and dedication that these young men have for the Church. One of the best parts of these events was having the opportunity to see many youth groups and parishioners from my home, the Diocese of Shreveport. I always enjoy the opportunity to welcome those from my home diocese to my place of formation. I was thankful to be able to talk with and get to know all of them during these events. The Abbey Youth Festival and the Come & See events are important to the seminary community as they assist in forming us pastorally. These events generate a great amount of excitement at the seminary as we anticipate them. They revitalize and inspire the community in the months that follow. At the same time, it is our belief that these events assist the youth and young adults of the Church in deepening their authentic relationship with Christ. I thank all of those from the Diocese of Shreveport who supported the seminary by attending the Abbey Youth Festival and Come & See Retreat. In addition, I invite all of the youth from our diocese to consider coming to these events in the coming years. Please continue to pray for all of those discerning God s call in their lives, especially the seminarians of our diocese and the seminarians at St. Joseph Seminary! Attendees at the annual Come & See discernment retreat at St. Joseph Seminary College. If you would like more information about the priesthood, contact Fr. Jerry Daigle, jdaigle@dioshpt.org, or call May

14 Kevin Mues to be Ordained to the Transitional Diaconate June 24 10:00 a.m. Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Monroe 14 Catholic Connection Preparing for June Ordinations Q&A with the Candidates What are you most looking forward to about being ordained to the Transitional Diaconate? The transitional diaconate is a period of about a year. A man is ordained to the diaconate before priesthood. Every priest still retains his diaconal ministry once he s ordained, but the diaconal ministry is really a call to service. It s a call to serve at the altar and assist. As deacon you re supposed to serve. It s a beautiful ministry. I m really excited. To me the image of the servant is the most important image, at least in my experienced reality, for the priests. So the role of the deacon, stepping into that role of service at the altar, is going to be the first step. What moments in seminary or summer assignments have helped prepare you to be a deacon and a priest? For the last two years I ve had an assignment outside of school here in New Orleans where I taught CCD. Being a part of that classroom setting, helping the ninth graders have that first encounter with Christ, being able to teach the faith to kids who may or may not want to learn, but being able to teach them the faith, has been really beautiful. It s really put me in that mind set of someone who will one day teach and preach from the ambo, from the pulpit. When I was at St. Ben s [St. Joseph Seminary College], we went on a mission trip to Guatemala and then in our first year here at seminary we went to Nicaragua. I got to see both of those countries and the people there that had encountered the faith. It impressed on me more of the need to learn Spanish. So I ve been working on that, too. This past semester I did volunteer hours at the nursing home that s connected to our campus. I visited the people. It was my first encounter with knocking on the door of a stranger and going in there and seeing where they re at spiritually. It better prepared me for the summer when I worked in a hospital for two months and I got to be with families in very dire situations be with them in times of death, in times of mourning and loss. To some extent, it was a beautiful thing to learn because I d encountered death before, but I hadn t walked with a family through that process and it was a real eyeopening experience of how God works even in tragedy. Has there been a moment that has helped you discern that becoming a priest is God s plan for you? During Holy Week this year, when I served at Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish (Monroe), I got to be around the families. The altar society was helping get the altar ready and the other groups were the active side of ministry, preparing for the liturgy, and participating in the liturgy with the altar servers. The choir was singing, and I was amazed by the whole action of the Church during the Triduum. It really made me realize that there s nothing else I feel like I m called to do and that I feel like I d be happy doing, other than serving at the altar of God as a priest one day.

15 Are there any particular moments of seminary that have helped you discern that priesthood was the right path for you? The process of developing a healthy life of prayer and spirituality has been the primary factor in my priestly discernment. However, I call to mind one distinctly academic factor that played a part as well. During my first year of theology studies at Notre Dame Seminary, I received an assignment to draft a model letter to an incoming seminarian, giving an introduction to seminary life, and offering guidance on how to rightly align academic studies toward effective pastoral leadership. That assignment was challenging, but rewarding. It compelled me to consider those principles in my own seminary studies and priestly discernment. Since then, I have occasionally referred back to that assignment, and found myself reassured that my early advice was well worth following. That memorable assignment played a small but influential role in my discernment that priesthood was the right path for me. What moments in your ministry or missionary work have stood out for you? Of all the works of ministry I have experienced, some of my most memorable have occurred during my summer assignments. For example, during my 2013 summer at Holy Trinity Parish in Shreveport, I learned the diversity of works of parish priests, including sacramental ministry, hospital visits, home visits and prison ministry. During my 2014 summer at the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha, I learned the unique spirituality of diocesan priesthood. During my 2015 summer at Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish in Monroe, I experienced the dynamic workings of Christ in the young and old. During my 2016 chaplain internship at Florida Hospital in Orlando, I experienced the grace of God from the moment of birth to the moment of death. And during my 2017 diaconate internship at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, I experienced the dynamics of a lively parish that features a grade school, a college prep next door, and a diverse array of ministries. What does being ordained to the priesthood mean to you? The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that through the Sacrament of Holy Orders and by the Anointing of the Holy Spirit, priests are signed with a special character and are configured to Christ in such a way that they are able to act in the person of Christ, the head. What an awesome responsibility! To me the priesthood is a gift, an opportunity and truly a vocation. In what ways has your time as a transitional deacon prepared you for priesthood? During my year as a transitional deacon, I experienced such a wide array of spiritual, pastoral and sacramental ministries. I believe the Sacrament of Holy Orders truly imparts the graces necessary to reach and help Christ s faithful. Last summer, I particularly enjoyed serving as an ordained deacon for the Diocese of Shreveport s Mission Possible outdoor adventure retreat at King s Camp in Mer Rouge, Louisiana. Throughout the school year, I was honored to minister at many churches in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, including St. Rita Parish, Mater Dolorosa Parish, and the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France. Most recently, I enjoyed serving during the Masses and special services of Holy Week 2018 back home in the Diocese of Shreveport. I believe that each of these uniquely contributed to my preparation for receipt of the Sacrament of Holy Orders and ordination to the priesthood. Duane Trombetta to be Ordained to the Priesthood June 9 10:00 a.m. Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport May

16 local NEWS Behind the Scenes of the 2018 Pro-Life Reception by L'Anne Sciba Abby Johnson addresses attendees at Mary's House Pro-Life Reception. March 20, the day of the 2018 Pro-Life Reception benefiting Mary s House, dawned as a perfect first day of Spring! Decorating the Bossier Civic Center was complete, only Vivian and I were still there when Trisha, Mary s House Clinic Director, called me to say Abby Johnson was in the Emergency Room in Austin, Texas, and might not make it to Shreveport. I thought Trisha was joking. She was not joking. I asked Vivian to sit down with me and we prayed remembering that this was an opportunity to trust God. In the end, Abby was determined to make it to our reception. She was released from the ER and she and her traveling companion, rented a car, drove five-and-a-half hours, making it to the event only 10 minutes late for her presentation. When I compare what I would have done, it looks like this: Worn out from the stress of passing out in the airport, being transported by ambulance to the ER, going through three hours of medical tests and waiting at the hospital. I would have gone home and said I m sorry this happened, I can not make it to the event. Abby did not do that. That action alone, made me think about how I handle difficulty. 16 Catholic Connection What happened in Shreveport was this: The Reception team made alternative plans in case Abby didn t make it in time, keeping trust in God, His peace and patience in the forefront of their minds. That evening, some things did not go according to our plans, we made changes as it seemed best. Abby Johnson showed up. She gave an amazing, inspiring presentation that each one of us can do something to end abortion in Shreveport. What I learned AGAIN was never give up or give in. Always try to do God s will and trust in Him. Mary s House continues to spread that confidence to every young woman who comes to us. Volunteers, donors, the prayer team, churches, doctors and hospital staff who work with us all have the goal of helping young women in unplanned pregnancies. The 2018 Pro-Life Reception was another way God showed me that He is God and His grace is always with us. I love this quote from Pierre de Caussade: Sanctity (holiness) is fulfilling faithfully and accepting lovingly whatever this paternal providence ordains we should do or suffer. What an adventure!

17 St. John Berchmans School Reigns as 10 Time Science Olympiad State Champions! by Mary Simpson The St. John Berchmans Science Olympiad team won the State Science Olympiad competition held in Hammond, LA in March of this year in fact, they have won it 10 times in a row! The team will represent the state of Louisiana when they head to Ft. Collins, CO, to compete in the National Science Olympiad Competition in May. The National Science Olympiad was started 30 years ago as a grassroots gathering of science teachers. The short version of their mission is Improve the quality of K-12 science education, increase interest in science, create a technologically literate workforce and provide recognition for outstanding achievement by both students and teachers. The achievement of that mission is through the tournaments, incorporating Science Olympiad into classroom curriculum and attending professional development workshops. Over 7,800 teams from across the country compete in invitational, regional, state and national tournaments. Each team consists of 15 members. Teams compete in 23 STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) events. St. John Berchmans School (SJB) began Science Olympiad 12 years ago with Jo Cazes, principal at the time. Along with the late Norma Waters and Amy Knight, they coached and developed student skills to compete in Science Olympiad. This commitment to STEM was pervasive throughout the whole school. SJB not only became a STEM school, but it is now a STREAM school (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math). When Cazes came to SJB, it was a time of transition. She brought the Science Olympiad program to give the students a win. That win began the second year they competed and has not stopped since. Amy Knight is one of the coaches who started as a parent, and then not only became involved with Science Olympiad, she became the middle school science teacher at SJB. For her, the best thing about Science Olympiad is, Being able to expose our students, from our small school to a nationally recognized program. She went on to say, the material they learn is at the high school level. Many of the students take the knowledge and skills they learn and receive college scholarships. Knight added, I am proud of how much effort our students put in to win medals and State Championship titles. They earn that trophy every year. It isn t just given to us. Students have to try out for the Science Olympiad team. They join Science Olympiad for many reasons. Reese Mekelburg, a sixth grader, who is new to Science Olympiad, wanted to join the team as soon as he was old enough. He loves science. He loves to tinker and figure things out. His mother, Rene, loves the experience of the kids creating friendships through the different age groups. Seeing the mentors guide and help these kids is a wonderful experience. They give up so much of their time to help these kids. As a parent, this is a great benefit not only educationally, but socially as he learns to work with others. SJB reaps the benefits of Science Olympiad through the implementation of STEM curriculum. Students who participate have much to offer in the classroom. Since middle school science is collaborative, other students get to share in the knowledge and skills of the Olympians. While the competition outside of school is done by the middle schoolers, the elementary students participate in a mini Science Olympiad in the spring. Third, fourth and fifth grade students create projects in various STEM areas and compete in an afternoon full of science. Students learn how to collaborate and solve a multitude of scientific challenges. SJB proudly displays 10 banners as state Science Olympiad state champions in the school s multi-room. Students who have graduated from SJB have continued studying science in many areas, including graduating college with engineering degrees, attending medical school and conducting research in other scientific fields. Students are prepared academically to work hard and implement the Scientific Method. The SJB Science Olympiad team will be travelling to the national tournament on May 17, Please keep this team in your prayers for a safe journey. There is a current fundraising drive as parents pay the cost of travel for their children. If you would like to contribute to this program, please send donations to the school office at St. John Berchmans School, 947 Jordan Street, Shreveport. May

18 BeLoved Mission Possible TEEN GIRLS JULY TEEN BOYS JULY AGES Rising Freshman through Graduating Seniors LOCATION King s Camp in Mer Rouge, near Monroe (Transportation from Shreveport available) COST $50.00 (scholarships available) CATHOLIC CAMPS FOR TEENS Experience an unforgettable, life-changing camp packed with awesome activities and authentic Catholic spirituality! Two camps, one for girls and one for boys, are held at the rusticbut-comfortable King s Camp, where a top-notch ropes course is flanked by the bayou and a picturesque pond. The days include games and activities, great food, Catholic devotions, and down time at the pool. Don t miss these three days of faith-filled fun! DETAILS AND REGISTRATION AT DEEPEN YOUR FAITH: Priests, sisters, and seminarians share their stories and wisdom. You ll learn how to pray from the heart, serve God, and be open to His will for your life, whatever it may be! AWESOME ACTIVITIES: Terrific line-up of activities includes zip line, canoing, climbing wall, fishing, swimming pool, capture the flag, basketball, disk golf, Catholic trivia, earth ball, and more. 18 Catholic Connection

19 Grant Brings Money School to Rural Community by Lucy Medvec Carl Piehl teaches The Money School class in Ringgold, LA. Catholic Charities of North Louisiana (CCNLA) recently took its financial education class, The Money School, on the road to Ringgold and it was all made possible by a grant from Jonesboro State Bank. The Pledge 10 Grant Program is Jonesboro State Bank s pledge to invest 10% of their profits in Jackson Parish and the surrounding areas (Bienville, Winn and southern Lincoln parishes) in order to create a better community. Through the Pledge 10 Grant, CCNLA employees Joe Bulger and Carl Piehl recently held The Money School for citizens in Ringgold (Bienville Parish) in Volunteers David Feming, Martha Grigg, Steve Young and Alonzo Alford. order to teach them financial literacy and provide assistance with their rent and utility bills. CCNLA was first approached by David Saucier, retired educator and a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church in Ringgold. After observing a Money School class in Shreveport, Saucier wanted to bring its message to the people of Ringgold because he felt that it could improve their lives. CCNLA worked with Saucier and a dedicated group of volunteers to present two weeks of Money School classes and then meet with clients to assess their financial situations. Volunteers worked alongside CCNLA case managers to interview clients, provide financial coaching and then help determine which clients would receive financial assistance. Pledge 10 Director Christie Weeks was able to observe one of The Money School sessions in Ringgold and was extremely pleased with the results. Bringing The Money School to a rural community like Ringgold is important because many people have limited access to transportation and cannot travel to one of the Catholic Charities offices, said Weeks. The clients seemed to really enjoy the class and it was a great atmosphere. Weeks was also pleased to see local students who were studying for their General Educational Development (GED) sit in on The Money School. We can all learn something from The Money School and it is never too early to start. Funds from Catholic Charities Pledge 10 Grant were used to provide emergency financial assistance towards the clients rent and utility bills, with a small percentage used for travel expenses and outreach supplies. With the success of the Ringgold Money School, Catholic Charities will continue to reach out to other rural communities throughout the diocese to bring The Money School to their residents. As long as there are people in Bringing The Money Schools to a rural community like Ringgold is important because many people have limited access to transportation and can not travel... need, CCNLA s Director of Financial Stability, Carl Piehl, is up for the trip. There are many people in our area who need help and need someone to listen, said Piehl. Through the lessons we provide through The Money School, we can continue to reach those who are willing to change their financial situations and improve their lives. To attend a Money School class (as a participant or observer), please visit for days and times. For more information about Jonesboro State Bank s pledge to the community, visit www. jonesborostatebank.com/pledge10 May

20 SEMINARIAN BURSES Louisiana Tech's ACTS Spring Retreat Builds Community by Courtney Smith THANKS TO OUR RECENT DONORS (007) Friends of Dr. Christopher - ($100) (009) Friends in Faith ($100) COMPLETED BURSES (001) Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse ($10,000) (010) Memory of Rita Scott from the John Scott Family ($10,000) INCOMPLETE BURSES (002) Joseph & Antoinette Bakowski Memorial Burse ($2,100) (003) Sam R. Maranto Memorial Burse ($1,200) (004) Kathryn Atherton Cook Memorial Burse ($350) (005) Cathedral of St. John Berchmans ($250) (006) Bishop s Burse ($250) (007) Dr. Carol Christopher Memorial Burse ($1,000) (008) St. Jude Parish ($5,718) (009) St. John Berchmans Knights of Columbus Council #10728 ($450) (011) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse ($1,000) For more information on donating to seminarian burses for the support of educating men in formation for the priesthood for our diocese, contact Fr. Jerry Daigle , or jdaigle@dioshpt.org. 20 Catholic Connection The Association of Catholic Tech Students (ACTS) of Louisiana Tech in Ruston recently retreated to Gospel, Inc., for their annual Spring Retreat. The entirely student-planned weekend focused on the theme the JOY of the Lord is our strength, from Nehemiah. The retreatants explored this theme through building, which resonated with the students who were mostly engineering majors. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem after the Exile, and on the retreat, the students built wells and in the process, their community. The retreatants were gathered into small discussion groups who met throughout the retreat for reflection. Each time they met, they lit sanctuary candles (the candles next to the tabernacle, reminding us of Jesus presence in the Eucharist). During their first meeting, each group got to build. The groups each built a panel of Styrofoam bricks, which were assembled to make a larger well that served the whole community for the weekend. Retreatants took blue paper, symbolizing water, from the well to write affirmations of one another throughout the retreat.... retreatants brought their JOY and the strength they had gained from all their building, both physical and spiritual, back to the larger church community. In addition to small groups, the students met to reflect with prayer partners, and they too got to build. They built small wells that doubled as votive candle holders, which they lit each time they met for reflection. The retreat ended at the 7:00 p.m. student Mass at St. Thomas Parish, where the retreatants brought their JOY and the strength they had gained from all their building, both physical and spiritual, back to the larger church community.

21 Diocesan Pro-Life Oratory Contest Winners Announced by Anthony Fabio Bishop Michael Duca gives 1st place winner, Celeste Lirette, her prize money. Pictured with them is Contest Coordinator Anthony Fabio. The Shreveport-Bossier Pro- Life Oratory Committee has announced the local winners of its high school oratory contest. Celeste Lirette, a junior at Loyola College Prep, won first place with her insightful presentation about Pope Paul VI and his encyclical Humanae Vitae. He predicted 50 years ago that artificial contraception would lead to a devaluation of human life, which unfortunately has come true beyond anyone s wildest imagination. In some countries, China for example, the government has tragically mandated forced contraception, abortion and sterilization. Celeste was awarded $500 for her speech and will advance to the State Finals in Baton Rouge in May. Second place honors were captured by Zaige Wills, a junior at Byrd High School. Zaige pointed out that the babies who are aborted could have been adopted and gone on to have happy and productive lives. He said a baby who was aborted could have discovered a cure for cancer. God has placed each child here for a reason and each one deserves the right to life. Zaige was awarded $200 for his stirring presentation. The competition was held April 10, 2018, at the Catholic Center in Shreveport. Now in its 30th year, the contest challenges students to consider the bioethical issues of abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, and fetal stem cell research from a pro-life perspective. The contest is non-denominational and was sponsored locally by the Catholic Diocese of Shreveport. Bishop Michael G. Duca considers the contest an important component of the whole spectrum of respect life and encourages all young people to make their voices heard on these important issues. State and National sponsors are the Louisiana Right to Life Federation and the National Right to Life. For more information, contact Anthony Fabio, awfabio2@hotmail. com. Visit their Facebook page: SBProLifeOratoryCommittee/ Vacation Bible School St. John the Baptist, Many May 28 - June 1 8:30am - 11:30am "Shipwrecked - Rescued by Jesus" Mary, Queen of Peace Bossier City June :30pm - 8:00pm "Shipwrecked - Rescued by Jesus" Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport June :00am - 12:05pm "Shipwrecked - Rescued by Jesus" Jesus the Good Shepherd, Monroe June am - 12pm "Up Up and Away" St. Paschal, West Monroe June am - 11am "Shipwrecked - Rescued by Jesus" St. Joseph, Shreveport June "All Aboard the Queen of Heaven" St. Joseph, Mansfield June :30am - 1pm "Jesus the First Action Hero" St. Thomas Aquinas, Ruston June am - 12pm "Birthday Blast" Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Farmerville June Sacred Heart, Shreveport July pm - 8pm St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Shreveport July :45am - 12pm "Shipwrecked - Rescued by Jesus" St. Joseph, Zwolle July am - 1pm "Shipwrecked - Rescued by Jesus" May

22 Celebrating Senior Month and Aging Beauty by Sr. Martinette Rivers As the world celebrates an Ode to Elders during this month dedicated to us, I think this lovely song is a great beginning. In the song, Get It Together by India Aire, she says You ll never be happy and you ll never be whole until you find the beauty in growing old. Aging is a universal condition. But the way we try to hide it, you would think it was a plague. Everyone knows that we are growing older. I don t ever remember being afraid of oldness. In a youth-oriented society, we do not see the old as models of success. Rabbi A. Heschel, in his book, The Insecurity of Freedom, calls aging people the true gold mines of a culture. Most societies struggle with how they are to treat their elders. What do we do with those declining in years? With age comes maturity and wisdom. As we read in Leviticus 19:32, You shall rise before the aged and show deference to the old. As we treat another may we be treated as well. Researchers find that the effect of a person s attitude about aging has a lasting impact on how long they live. Attitude can be a problem if we think that we get worse as we become older and that we have less pep and feel less useful. Those oldsters need an attitudinal change before it s too late. Getting older is not a negative experience for me, but it s difficult to 22 Catholic Connection escape negative stereotypes about aging in our society. The more I read, and even at times experience this as I grow older, I reflect on The Seven Wonders of Aging that I wrote when I was in my sixties. They are still my suggestions for people to age gracefully, with an open mind, heart and spirit. They have helped me to create a stage where I feel comfortable aging with God, as the producer and we as the actors and actresses. It is on that stage that we will learn the mystery, the unseen beauty and the joy in aging. They are the motivating forces for me as I grow older, day by day. Finding the beauty in growing old not only helps us, but rejuvenates the spirit of others in some way. My plan was and is to help others to savor and enjoy the best of their years. It can be a period of new vision. The blessings we have received we must also share with others. Without a spiritual purpose we can easily slip into ageist attitudes which can rob us of our joy and purpose in life as we age. There is no one way, right or wrong, to grow older. Why should growing older be such a big deal? Grey hair, wrinkles and smile lines are beautiful accessories, according to Naomi Wolf. I tend to agree with her. She reminds us oldsters how futile it is to try to remain ageless and focus all our attention on our exterior looks. Regardless of our outward appearance as we grow older, we are beautiful at our very core. We can t stop our inner beauty from glowing forth. Beauty is found in respecting the needs of others, as well as in our response to their needs. Beauty is found in humor, the honor of giving and goodness in compassion. These are found more often than not in nursing homes. Consider this during the Senior Month of May, an older person you know who is attractive and beautiful because of their age. Beauty is certainly in the eyes of the beholder, and therefore beauty comes in many, many forms. Psychiatrist Gerald May in Additions and Grace. The moment an aging person begins to delight in beauty, their mind, body and spirit are beginning to see with the heart. As we each spend time Without a spiritual purpose, we can easily slip into ageist attitudes which can rob us of our joy and purpose in life as we age. reflecting on our age, we might ask ourselves this question: What kind of badges of aging do we have? Wrinkles, thinning grey hair, gnarled knuckles, shaky hands, smiles on our faces, wobbly knees all genuine tales of our lives, work, joys and struggles which become more beautiful each passing day. What shape and form our future will take on, only God knows. Truly aging is a great art! When will God s masterpiece of us be finished? Let s go out dancing, laughing and smiling. In spite of the mystery in our aging, our beauty will live on in the hearts of others.

23 hispanic NEWS por Rosalba Quiroz María, Nuestra Madre Mes de Mayo, el cual dedicamos con mucho amor y cariño a todas las madres que día a día nos regalan su incondicional entrega y servicio. Aunque a muchos se nos hace difícil celebrar este día por el hecho de no tener a nuestra madre con vida, de la misma manera las recordamos y honramos. Cada una de ellas representa algo muy importante en nuestras vidas, ya que sin ellas y su regalo de procrear vida, no estaríamos aquí. Así como honramos a todas las madres en este mes también honramos a la Virgen María, quien fue elegida por Dios para ser la Madre de Jesucristo. María entregó su vida al cuidado y servicio de Jesucristo nuestro Señor. Su humildad, devoción, y fortaleza son un modelo ejemplar para todos los cristianos. Al morir, Jesús mismo nos dejó como regalo especial a María, al entregarla como madre a Juan y a todos nosotros. Juan 19: Y así como Juan, discípulo de Jesús, acogió a María como madre en su casa, así nosotros la acogemos como nuestra Madre celestial. Este mes también la Iglesia lo dedica a María, Madre de Dios y Madre nuestra, quien nos acompaña en nuestras alegrías y pesares. Recibámosla con los brazos abiertos como lo hizo Isabel y el bebé que llevaba dentro. Y sucedió que, en cuanto oyó Isabel el saludo de María, Salto de gozo el niño en su seno, e Isabel quedo llena del Espíritu Santo Lc 1:41. Al igual que el bebé, saltemos de gozo sabiendo que con ella entra Jesucristo a nuestras vidas y derrama el Espíritu Santo sobre nosotros. Proclamemos como lo hizo Isabel al verla llegar, Bendita tu entre las mujeres y bendito el fruto de tu vientre Lc 1:42. Como mujer, no hay regalo más grande que ser madre y para María así lo fue. Su sacrificio y humildad han quedado inmortalizados de generación en generación. Dios mismo quiso sentir el amor de una madre, por eso la eligió. Este mes de Mayo dediquémosle nuestro amor María en gratitud por todo el amor que entrega al mundo entero. En sus apariciones María manifiesta su amor incondicional a todos los que creemos en ella como Madre de Jesús. Una de las maneras de acercarnos a María en la oración es meditando el Santo Rosario. Artículo parcialmente editado de www. forosdelavirgen.org Calendario del Mes Mayo Reunión de Búsqueda, Cristo Rey, 11am-4pm Reunión de coordinadores de Ministerio Hispano de Louisiana, Grand Coteaux 19. Escuela de Liderazgo Pastoral, parroquia de Cristo Rey de 9am 5 p.m. 20. Reunión de jóvenes de Experiencia Cristo Parroquia de Cristo Rey 9am-12pm MINISTERIO HISPANO CATOLICO - DIOCESIS DE SHREVEPORT Rosalba Quiroz, Directora (318) ; rquiroz@dioshpt.org Melina Sanchez, Secretaria (318) ; msanchez@dioshpt.org Cristo Rey, Bossier City 425 McCormick Street P. Rigo Betancurt P. Mark Watson (318) Domingo-3:00 pm Lunes y Martes-7pm Santo Tomás Aquino, Ruston 810 Carey Avenue P. Luis Jost (318) Domingo-1:30pm San Juan Bautista, Many 1130 San Antonio Ave. P. Michael Thang wa (318) er Domingo de Mes-5pm Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro, Farmerville 600 East Water Street P. Luis Jost (318) Sábado-7:00 pm Sagrado Corazon, Oak Grove 201 Purvis St. P. Joseph Kallookalam (318) Domingo-5:00 pm San Pascual, W. Monroe 711 North 7th Street P. Luis Jost (318) Domingo-4:00 pm Sta Maria de los Pinos, Shreveport 1050 Bert Kouns Ind. Loop P. Fidel Mondragon (318) Domingo-11:30 am San José, Mansfield 305 Jefferson Street P. Juan Garcia (318) Domingo-3:00 pm May

24 school NEWS Jesus the Good Shepherd School Celebrated Holy Week Community Members Share Professions at SJS Career Day Jesus the Good Shepherd School 5th and 6th grade classes carried on the tradition of performing the Stations of the Cross during Holy Week in JGS Gym. The reproduction of the Passion of Jesus Christ was reenacted with great reverence, Dismuke Selected for Summit at John Hopkins University St. Frederick High School student, Alyssa Dismuke, has been selected to participate in a Student Leadership Summit at John Hopkins University this summer. Alyssa was nominated by Mr. Dan Lindow because of Alyssa s academic dedication and interest in neurosurgery. Alyssa was 1 out of a 140 plus students selected from spirit and devotion by our JGS students. JGS is extremely proud of their students and teachers who put so much time and preparation into the production each year! They are thankful to be able to share this blessing with the rest of the school and community. around the world to attend this summit. Recently, Alyssa won an Oratorical Speech contest hosted by the City of Monroe. Alyssa was invited by Mayor Jamie Mayo to recite her speech at a Black History Month Program in Monroe. Her award winning speech is titled, Stop the Violence. Dr. Steven Boniol, Oncologist/Hematologist at CHRISTUS Cancer Treatment Center, shows students some of the imaging he uses to diagnose and treat patients. On April 6, St. Joseph middle school students spent their morning learning about various careers. Doctors, dentists, construction managers and bankers to name a few were on hand to present to groups of students, giving them a glimpse into the life of each presenter. Our students loved the career day event. We are so grateful to all the community members who took time to be here and open our students eyes to so many potential careers, said Principal Dr. Judith McGimsey. It is important that middle school students are thinking about the future and planning for the path they want to take. Students rotated to different stations; at each they were informed about the education requirements, day-to-day tasks, and some interesting things about each career. The adults encouraged students to ask questions, and many brought props that students enjoyed. Dr. Angela Cush- John, pediatrician at Mid-City Pediatrics in Shreveport, brought x-rays of a broken arm. Dr. Jennifer Henley, D.D.S., walked students through the rigors of dental school and showed off several tools and instruments she uses in her daily practice. SJS is so thankful to all the professionals who were there to share their specialties with our students. 24 Catholic Connection

25 Loyola s Villalba Brings Faith to Life by Lisa Cooper Villalba says, I can use even a small thing to teach students to respect God s word. The students favorite perk of Villalba s class is his willingness to recognize their ideas and input on how to make the class engaging. Every class has a president and vice president that they elect, Villalba explains. They are responsible for coming up with ideas about how we can learn God s word without having to be confined to the classroom. His students have participated in potluck Bible studies, gone together to see Paul, Apostle of Christ at the theater, and enjoyed class at various locations on and off campus. Students also participate Often referred to as the happiest place on campus, the classroom of religion teacher Marcos Villalba is where freshman Flyers are learning to ARISE. An acronym Villalba has taught his students from their first day, it represents the life and conduct of a true follower of Christ. Each day, Villalba inspires his students to Aspire for greatness in all they undertake, offering each thought and deed to the Lord; Respect the dignity of all by treating each other as divinely created and worthy of that honor; Interact with courage and joy by heartily participating in class discussions without fear of criticism; Serve out of love by helping each other and completing service hours in the spirit of humility and charity; and Edify one another in Christ, serving as a witness of Christ by building each other up instead of tearing others down. Each semester, classes vote and award five students with an award for those who best exemplify the virtues of ARISE. To help each student on this journey, Villalba uses the YouBible and YouCat daily, having students read, take notes, and, most importantly, ask and answer questions. The innovation and inspiration in Villalba s classroom don t stop there. He has instituted a class-ranking system through which classes compete against each other for the highest average in order to win a pizza party at the end of each semester. I knew that to get guys involved, there must include some level of competition, says Villalba, and I wanted a way to get the students to work together for the greater good of them all. In addition to the class average, students compete for the highest number of golden crosses. Just like a teacher may put a golden star on a paper, I put golden crosses on the tests of students who make 100 percent. The winning class gets a dessert party at the end of the semester. A glance at the board where class rankings and golden crosses are listed indicates that students have enthusiastically embraced this challenge. What may be most impressive about Villalba s teaching style is his ability to take even the mundane tasks like cleaning up the classroom after each period and infuse them with purpose. Each class gets a participation grade, and any student who leaves books out of place or trash on the floor loses points for his class. What s more is that the Bibles in Villalba s class are treated with particular honor. By ensuring that they are never left under other books or on the floor, in a unique way by contributing to a class music play list that Villalba allows during certain times during Each day Villalba inspires his students to aspire for greatness in all they undertake, offering each thought and deed to the Lord... class. During Lent, students opted to give up their play lists to learn more about the saints a practice that has been so well received it has continued through Easter. Instead of their music, students eagerly listen to audio-dramas depicting the lives of the saints in real stories about their lives. Villalba s credits his love for Christ and his desire to communicate that love to students for his success in the classroom, and students recognize and appreciate his passion. Finding freshmen who are eager to talk about how much they are learning from Villalba is easy, but one statement reoccurs among them all: We just love Mr. Villalba he s the best. May

26 Who was he? Florian was born in what is now Austria in 250 AD. He became a Roman soldier, and eventually became a commander in the imperial army for Rome. He was known for being a firefighter and leading brigades of soldiers to stop fires. When Christians were being persecuted, Florian did not take part. He was found out and told to sacrifice to Roman gods to atone. When he refused, he was ordered to be burned. Some stories say he was burned, while others say that in his defiance, Floian said he would climb the flames to heaven. Instead, he was weighted with a stone and drowned. His remains were eventually recovered and buried at a monastery. This Month We Learn About Saint Florian INteresting Facts The word Florian has become interchangeable for the word firefighter in German. Many Catholic families in Bavaria and Austria name their sons after Florian as a sign of protection from fire. Florian is the patron saint of firefighters, drowning, chimney sweeps, brewers and Austria. He is often invoked against fire, flood and lightning. St. Florian s cross is used in firefighters medals across the country. AUSTRIA BRIGADES CHIMNEYSWEEPS COMMANDER Word Find DROWNING FIREFIGHTER FLORIAN FLORIAN CROSS MARTYR POLAND PROTECTOR SOLDIER 26 Catholic Connection

27 across the NATION from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops WASHINGTON Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston- Houston and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, is welcoming the release of Pope Francis apostolic exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad), subtitled On the Call to Holiness in the Contemporary World. In his statement, Cardinal DiNardo expresses his deep gratitude to the Holy Father for the exhortation and the call for each Christian to acknowledge and be open to what God wants them to be. In the introduction to the exhortation, the Pope emphasizes that the goal of his exhortation is to repropose the call to holiness in a practical way for our own time, with all its risks, challenges and opportunities. An apostolic exhortation is considered the second-highest form of papal teaching after an encyclical letter. Since his election, Pope Francis has issued two other exhortations: Evangelii Gaudium I encourage every Christian to rekindle their baptismal call to be holy by reading this wonderful exhortation by Pope Francis, especially the beautiful section the Beatitudes. photo by Zebra48bo [CC BY-SA 4.0 ( from Wikimedia Commons President of USCCB Welcomes Pope Francis s Apostolic Exhortation on Holiness in the Contemporary World (Joy of the Gospel) in 2013 and Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love) in Cardinal DiNardo s full statement on Gaudete et Exsultate follows: I want to personally express my deep gratitude to the Holy Father for his powerful, straightforward words in Gaudete et Exsultate. In this exhortation, Pope Francis is very clear he is doing his duty as the Vicar of Christ, by strongly urging each and every Christian to freely, and without any qualifications, acknowledge and be open to what God wants them to be that is to be holy, as He is holy (1 Pet 1:15). The mission entrusted to each of us in the waters of baptism was simple by God s grace and power, we are called to become saints. Do not be afraid of holiness (no. 32). These words of the Holy Father jumped out at me when I first read them. In a way, each one of us has a fear of striving for holiness a fear that we would be mocked, ignored, or even hated by others because we would stand out. Yet that is what the Lord has called each and every person to! Pope Francis calls us out: A Christian cannot think of his or her mission on earth without seeing it as a path of holiness, for this is the will of God, your sanctification (I Thess 4:3) (no. 19). The Holy Father describes how holiness comes through the daily struggles each of us face. In the ordinary course of each day, the pope reminds us, We need to recognize and combat our aggressive and selfish inclinations, and not let them take root (no. 114). Yet, he says, this battle is sweet, for it allows us to rejoice each time the Lord triumphs in our lives (no. 158). One paragraph in particular points out the continuing need we have for civility in all our interactions, especially in the media. Christians too, the Holy Father writes, can be caught up in networks of verbal violence through the internet and the various forums of digital communication. This can be true even in Catholic media (no. 115). Even in our heated disagreements with one another, we always need to remember that it is God who judges, not man (James 4:12). In the light of Easter joy, as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, I encourage every Christian to rekindle their baptismal call to be holy by reading this wonderful exhortation by Pope Francis, especially the beautiful section on the Beatitudes. Through an exploration of the Beatitudes, and by offering examples of how to live out our call to holiness in everyday life, the Holy Father has given us a wonderful tool for renewing our love for God and for each other. The USCCB has made the exhortation available for order online at usccb.org/rejoice-and-be-glad-p/ htm. The Vatican has also posted the exhortation online at content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/ documents/papa-francesco_esortazioneap_ _gaudete-et-exsultate.html. May

28 around the DIOCESE St. Lucy's Foot Washing St. Joseph Receives 11 Into the Catholic Church These five students had the honor of being part of the foot washing during Holy Thursday at St. Lucy Parish in Hodge. Easter Vigil at St. Jude St. Joseph Parish in Shreveport received 11 new members into the Catholic Church through the R.C.I.A. program on March 31, Parishioners Donate to OLF Students Fr. Karl Daigle celebrated St. Jude s Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday, March 31. Bingo on the Delta Our Lady of Fatima parishioners donated uniforms and snacks to Our Lady of Fatima School students. Our Lady of Fatima School is so thankful for the generosity of their church family. Pictured left to right: Frances Sampognaro, Monica Addison, Stephanie Haney, Gaye Craig, Margaret Horne, Pat Joseph. Not pictured: J.J. Johnson, Karen Siegal, Sheri Letlow, Kathy Gilstrap, Elynee Rojas. Catholic Charities of North Louisiana hosted the Bingo on the Delta fundraiser at the West Monroe Convention Center with clergy and religious callers and fun prizes! 28 Catholic Connection

29 Living Stations at St. Mary of the Pines Black History Month Celebration Rock Chapel Way of the Cross St. Mary of the Pines Parish hosted Living Stations of the Cross with Hispanic parishioners on Good Friday. Pictured: Fr. John Paul Crispin, FMH plays the role of Jesus. St. Joseph Parish in Bastrop held its annual Black History Celebration with Fr. Rothell Price as the guest speaker. Pictured: Deacon Marc Vereen assists Fr. Price at Mass in Bastrop. A special Way of the Cross was held on Good Friday at the Rock Chapel in Rambin, a mission of St. Joseph Parish, Mansfield. Fr. James Moran, CO and Deacon Bill Kleinpeter are in front of the chapel. Rayville Parishioners Serve During Holy Week Door Decorating Contest at St. Paul Raises Funds Adult and youth altar servers of Sacred Heart Parish in Rayville assisted Fr. Philip Pazhayakari, CMI during Holy Week. Shown are: (Front row left to right) Sharon Chaney, Caitlyn Middleton, Fr. Philip, Georgia Mae Gray and Ruthie Coenen. (Back row left to right) Rachel Gray, Joe Zarro, Mike Cooper and Billy Coenen. Absent from the picture are adult servers Camille Barham and Joe Bruyninckx. The PSR program of St. Paul Parish in Minden held a door decorating contest and Mardi Gras luncheon after Mass for the parishioners. Everyone was asked to vote on their favorite door by making a monetary contribution to the door they liked the best. The First Communion class won! In return for participating, the church members enjoyed taco soup. The program raised $840! A fun time was had by all. The funds will be used to buy new furniture for classrooms. Send submissions to "Around the Diocese" to Jessica at jrinaudo@dioshpt.org. Please include a photo that has not been re-sized and a brief description. May

30 mark your CALENDAR The Feeding Your Family s Soul: Bringing the Family Back to the Table to Teach the Faith event has been rescheduled from April 28, to September 8, It will be at St. Mary of the Pines Parish in Shreveport. 5/5 Magnificat Brunch with Dr. Barbara Golder Men and women are invited to Magnificat s Brunch on May 5 from 10:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. at the Catholic Center, 3500 Fairfield Ave., Shreveport. Dr. Barbara Golder, will be the guest speaker. A physician, attorney, bioethicist, award-winning author and editor of the bioethics journal, Linacre Quarterly, Golder brings together her front-line experiences with law and medicine and her Catholic faith. Tickets are $15 per person. Checks should be mailed to Magnificat Nowela Chapter, 1575 Parks Road, Benton, LA Please include the name of attendees with your check. Contact Linda Balistrella at with any questions. 5/7 Franciscan Sisters to Present Paving Paths for Peace & All Good We are able to recognize suffering when reading about it, but are we aware of the suffering of our own neighbors? How can we deepen our relationships with them? The Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help are inviting the public to a special presentation from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., May 7, at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. This program is free to the public, and no reservations are required. For more information, visit or call /10 Catholic Charities of North Louisiana Lights of Broadway Dinner and Fundraiser On Thursday, May 10, Catholic Charities of North Louisiana presents its annual dinner fundraiser, Lights of Broadway, at East Ridge Country Club. Featuring singers from Shreveport Opera Xpress, this fun-filled evening always delights! Tickets are $100 and are available at Proceeds benefit the programs of Catholic Charities of North Louisiana. Call , ext. 101 for more information. 5/10 Fr. Donald Calloway at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Fr. Donald Calloway will speak on The Rosary: The Spiritual Sword of Mary. The presentation will begin with a rosary at 5:30 p.m., followed by the talk. Tickets may be purchased online, in the Cathedral office, or at the door. $10 adults/$5 for students. For more information, visit the Cathedral s website at or call the office at /2 Christ the King Parish Rummage Sale The rummage sale will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Hot dogs, chips and drinks will also be sold. This will benefit the parish s PSR program. The sale will take place at 425 McCormick Street, Bossier City. For more information, call the church office at DIOCESAN STEWARDSHIP APPEAL I / We would like to contribute to the Diocesan Stewardship Appeal with a total yearly pledge of: $10,000 $7,500 $5,000 $3,500 $2,500 $2,000 $1,500 $1,000 $800 $750 $650 $500 $400 $350 $300 $250 $200 $150 $100 $ Please send monthly reminders to: At this time I / we are enclosing: $ Print Name Address City State Zip Code Diocese of Shreveport The Catholic Center 3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA My / Our Church Parish Signature You may make a credit card payment online at: (Click on Stewardship) You can also text "duca" to to donate to the Stewardship Appeal 30 Catholic Connection

31 MAY 2018 MAY 1 - Confirmation, Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, 6pm Priests Retirement Meeting; Catholic Center; 11am St. Joseph the Worker MAY 2 - Confirmation, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 6pm Sts. Athanasius, bishop & doctor of the Church MAY 3 - St. Philip & James, apostles MAY 4 - Red Mass, Holy Trinity Parish, 9am MAY 5 - Protecting God's Children, St. Matthew Parish, 9am Magnificat Brunch, Catholic Center, 10:30am Confirmation, St. Jude Parish, 5pm 2nd Collection: Diocesan Retired Priests Fund MAY 6 - Confirmation, St. Mary of the Pines Parish, 9am 2nd Collection: Diocesan Retired Priests Fund Confirmation, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, 5:30pm MAY 8 - Theology on Tap, Fieldhouse Bar & Grill, 6:30pm MAY 9 - Protecting God's Children, Catholic Center, 6pm MAY 10 - Catholic Charities of North Louisiana Lights of Broadway Dinner and Fundraiser, East Ridge Country Club, 6pm St. Damien de Veuster, priest MAY 12 - Confirmation, St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport, 4pm St. Nereus & Achilleus, martyrs St. Pancras, martyr MAY 13 - Confirmation, St. Paul Parish, 11am The Ascension of the Lord Mother's Day MAY 14 - St. Frederick High School Baccalaureate Mass, Chapel, St. Frederick High School, 6pm St. Matthias, apostle MAY 15 - St. Frederick High School Graduation, St. Frederick High School, 6pm MAY 17 - Loyola College Prep Baccalaureate Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, 6:30pm MAY 18 - Loyola College Prep Graduation, RiverView Theatre, 6:30pm St. John I, pope & martyr MAY 19 - Confirmation, St. Paschal Parish, 5:30pm MAY 20 - Pentecost Sunday Confirmation, St. Pius X Parish, 11am MAY 21 - Mary, Mother of the Church St. Christopher Magallanes, priest, & companions, martyrs MAY 22 - St. Rita MAY 25 - Last Day for Catholic Schools St. Bede the Venerable, priest & doctor of the Church St. Gregory VII, pope; St. Mary Magdalen de' Pazzi, virgin MAY 26 - Confirmation, St. Lucy Parish, 5pm St. Philip Neri, priest MAY 27 - The Most Holy Trinity MAY 28 - Memorial Day Catholic Center Closed MAY 29 - Protecting God's Children, Catholic Center, 9am MAY 31 - The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary JUNE 2018 JUNE 1 - St. Justin, martyr JUNE 2 - Sts. Marcelinus & Peter, martyrs JUNE 3 - The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ JUNE 5 - St. Boniface, bishop & martyr JUNE 6 - St. Norbert, bishop JUNE 7 - Protecting God's Children, Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, 6pm JUNE 8 - The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus JUNE 9 - Ordination of Deacon Duane Trombetta to the Priesthood, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, 10am Heather Marie Sikes First Profession (Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows); St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 4pm The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary JUNE 10 - Confirmation; Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, 9am JUNE 11 - St. Barnabas, apostle JUNE 13 - Protecting God's Children, Catholic Center, 6pm St. Anthony of Padua, priest & doctor of the Church JUNE 17 - Father's Day JUNE 19 - St. Romuald, abbot JUNE 20 - Confirmation; St. Joseph Parish, Zwolle; 5:30pm JUNE 21 - Investment Committee Meeting; Catholic Center, 10am St. Aloysius Gonzaga, religious JUNE 22 - St. Paulinus of Nola, bishop; Sts. John Fisher, bishop, and Thomas More, martyrs JUNE 23 - Ordination of Kevin Mues to the Transitional Diaconate, Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, 10am JUNE 24 - Confirmation; St. Matthew Parish, 10:30am The Nativity of St. John the Baptist JUNE 27 - Finance Council Meeting; Catholic Center, 12pm St. Cyril of Alexandria, bishop & doctor of the Church JUNE 28 - St. Irenaeus, bishop & martyr JUNE 29 - Sts. Peter and Paul, apostles JUNE 30 - The First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church May

32 The Catholic Connection DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave. Shreveport, LA Fairfield Photo of the Month Sisters of the Destitute help carry the cross in downtown Shreveport during the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's annual Good Friday Way of the Cross event. 32 Catholic Connection