Acadiana Catholic

AcadianaCatholic

January 2012 Volume 28 No. 1

Recognizing the Celebration ofCatholic Schools Week

January 29-February 5, 2012

FAITH

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The Official Monthly Publication of the Diocese of Lafayette

AcAdiAnA cAtholic January2012 Volume28 Number1

InsidethisissueFather Dan Mahan returns to Lafayette for Stewardship Day .............5

Bishop Jarrell’s Christmas and New year’s message ..........................8

Mass of Healing and Anointing of the Sick to be offered ...........................12

Mass for Survivors of Violence offers comfort to participants ....................16

Anniversary year brings blessings to Discalced Carmelites .....................18

Three seminarians admitted to candidacy for Holy Orders ...................26

Catholic Schools Week is Jan. 29 - Feb. 5 .......27-40

St. Edmond Church to hold day of recollection..........45

Icon painting bonds together three generations of one family ..................46

ByCindyWoodenCatholicNewsServiceVATICANCITY(CNS)

Godsenthissonintotheworldtosaveitfromevil,prideandvi-olence, Pope Benedict XVI saidinhisChristmasmessage“urbietorbi”(tothecityandtheworld).

“Thechildwhomwecontem-plate is our salvation! He hasbrought to theworldauniversalmessage of reconciliation andpeace,”thepopesaidDec.25ashestoodonthecentralbalconyofSt.Peter’sBasilicaandgavehissolemnChristmasblessing.

Tens of thousands of peoplewere gathered in St. Peter’sSquarefor thenoonaddressandblessing. Under bright sunnyskies, they listened to the mu-sic of military bands, admiredtheVatican’s Nativity scene andsnapped pictures of the SwissGuards,whowerewearingarmorovertheircolorfulmedievaluni-forms.

InhisChristmasmessage,likein his homily at Mass the nightbefore, Pope Benedict spokeabout God’s desire to save hu-manityandhisdecisiontodothatbybeingborninBethlehem,liv-ingamongpeople,dyingforthemandrisingfromthedead.

“Cometosaveus!This is thecry raised by men and womenin every age, who sense that bythemselves they cannot prevailover difficulties and dangers,” thepopesaid.Jesus“isthehandGodextendstohumanitytodrawusoutofthemireofsinandtosetus firmly on rock, the secure rock ofhistruthandlove.”

PopeBenedictsaidmostoftheworld’s problems are caused byhumansin,“theevilofseparationfromGod,thepridefulpresump-tion of being self-sufficient, of

trying tocompetewithGodandtotakehisplace,todecidewhatisgoodandevil,tobethemasteroflifeanddeath.”

Jesus came to earth to bringpeoplebacktoGod,toturnthemfromtheirsinandtopromoterec-onciliation,dialogueandcooper-ation,hesaid.

Asiscustomary,PopeBenedictused his message to ask Chris-tians to pray and offer concretehelptopeoplewhoaresufferingthisChristmas:fromfamineintheHorn of Africa; flooding in Thai-

InChristmasmessagePopeBenedictXVIsaysChristmasshowsGod’swilltosavepeoplefromsin,violence

landandthePhilippines;tensionsbetweenIsraelisandPalestinians;violenceinSyria;alackofpeaceandsecurityinIraqandAfghani-stan; thestruggle fordemocracyandhumanrightsinacrossNorthAfricaand theMiddleEast;andforthepeopleofMyanmar,SouthSudan andAfrica’s Great Lakesregion.

Justbefore thepopeappearedatthebalcony,newsagenciesre-portedabombblastataCatholicChurchontheoutskirtsofAbuja,Nigeria.Initialreportssaidthereweremorethan10dead.

Jesuit Father Federico Lom-bardi, Vatican spokesman, said

Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd after delivering his Christmas message “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 25. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) (Continued on page 4)

Patriarch’sChristmasmessageoffershopetoMiddleEastChristiansByJudithSudilovskyJERUSALEM(CNS)

Amid continuing turmoil in theMiddleEast,LatinPatriarchFouadTwalofJerusalemsentamessageofhopeandsupporttoChristiansoftheregion.

“It is a very difficult situation. We havetosupportthem.Theymustnotlose hope,” the patriarch said at aDec.21newsconferencewherehedelivered his Christmas message.“Wearenotalone,manypeople,in-cluding the Vatican, are concernedabout the situation and this givesmorehope.”

Thoughhesaidhewasconcernedabout the continuing struggle andbloodshedinEgypt,Syriaandelse-

where, in his message, PatriarchTwalexpressedsupport for thepo-liticalchangesoccurringandurgedChristians in the region to becomeinvolved so they are not excludedfromthemovements.

Hedefended“thechangestakingplace in favor of freedom and de-mocracy.”

“We want our Christian faithfultobe involvedandnot feel foreignin this movement,” he said. “Theyhavefullcitizenship.Itistheirland,theircountry,theirpresent,theirfu-ture.”

Inhismessage,thepatriarchem-phasized the need for the protec-tionofhumanrightsandrespectfor

the dignity of people during thesetimes.

“I alsohope andpray that com-petentauthoritiesmakeeveryefforttocalmthespirits,withoutviolence,andtoprotecttheminoritieswhoareanintegralpartofthepopulationinthe region.” Patriarch Twal’s mes-sagesaid.“Wemustgraspthismo-mentofopportunitytobuildanewsociety based on equal citizenshipforall.”

“We know how the change hasstarted. But we don’t know how itwill be finished,” he added, charging that purely political interests werefanning the flames in Syria, Libya, andelsewhere.

Page 4 January 2012 Acadiana Catholic

ACADIANA CATHOLIC (ISSN0888-0247) (USPS507-760) ispublishedmonthly for$12peryearby theSouthwestPress,1408CarmelAve.,Lafayette,LA70501-5306.PeriodicalpostagepaidatLafayette, LA and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER:SendaddresschangestoAcadianaCatholic,1408CarmelAve.,La-fayette,LA70501-5306

Official Monthly Newspaper for the Diocese of Lafayette, LouisianaCopyright2012

PublisherMost Rev. Michael Jarrell, D.D.

BishopofLafayette

Marketing DirectorBusiness Mgr / Advertising Director

Patrick Breaux(337) 261-5518 or (337) 235-7704

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Staff WriterStephanie R. Martin

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Contributing WriterKathleen Toups

Theological ConsultantsMsgr. H.A. Larroque, J.C.D.Father Curtis Mallet, J.C.L.

Vicars General

TheDioceseofLafayetteserveseightcivilparisheswithpopulation of 331,000 Catholics. Published monthly.Deadlinefornewsandadvertisingcopyisnoonofthe15thdayofthemonthprecedingpublication.Forrenewalsub-scriptions, the name of your church parish and your ad-dresslabel(ifavailable)arerequested.Thepublisherandeditor reserve the right to reject, omit or edit any articleor letter submitted forpublication. TheRomanCatholicDioceseofLafayetteand/ortheAcadiana Catholiccannotbeheldliable,orinanywayresponsibleforthecontentofanyadvertisementprintedinthispaper.

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AcAdiAnA cAtholic

the blast, “precisely on the occasion of thecelebrationofChristmas,unfortunatelyonceagain isasignof the ruthlessnessofablindandabsurdhatred thathasno regard forhu-manlifeandtriestocreateandincreasemorehatredandconfusion.”

“Weareclosetothesufferingofthechurchand the entire Nigerian people so harshlytriedbyterroristviolence,eveninthesedaysthatshouldbedaysofjoyandpeace,”FatherLombardisaid.

AtmidnightMassDec.24inSt.Peter’sBa-silica,thepopesaid,“Godhasappeared--asachild.Itisinthisguisethathepitshimselfagainstallviolenceandbringsamessagethatispeace.”

At the beginning of the two-hour liturgy,childrenfromItaly,Guatemala,Gabon,Burki-na Faso, South Korea and France broughtwhite flowers up to a statue of the baby Jesus

nearthealtar.The84-year-oldpopeprocessedinonamo-

bileplatform.Childrencarriedthegiftsofbreadandwine

to the pope during the offertory. The pro-cession was led by two very young Koreanboys,andthepope,withabigsmile,watchedthemapproach,blessedthemandpattedtheirheads.

AttheendoftheMass,thechildrentooktheflowers to the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Ba-silica,whereadeaconplacedthestatueofbabyJesus.Thepopefollowedbehindthemonhismobileplatformandwheneverythingwasinplace,fakesnowbegantofallonthescene.Itwas the first time, according to L’Osservatore Romano,theVaticannewspaper.

Inhishomily,PopeBenedictsaidthebirthof Jesus was something completely new insalvationhistory:Godbecamevisible.

“Nolongerishemerelyanidea,nolongerdowehave to formapictureof himon thebasisofmerewords,”hesaid.

BeforeChrist’sbirth,ancientpeoplefearedthatGodmightbe“cruelandarbitrary,”andinstead, Christmas proves that “God is puregoodness,”thepopesaid.

“Atthishour,whentheworldiscontinuallythreatenedbyviolenceinsomanyplacesandinsomanydifferentways,”hesaid,theworldcriesouttoGod.

TheypraythatGod’s“peacemaytriumphinthisworldofours,”hesaid.

PopeBenedictsaidChristmasisaboutthebirthofthesavior,theprinceofpeace,andnotsomesappysentimentality.

“TodayChristmashas becomea commer-cialcelebration,whosebright lightshide themysteryofGod’shumility,whichinturncallsus tohumilityandsimplicity.Letusask theLord to help us see through the superficial glitterof thisseason,and todiscoverbehinditthechildinthestableinBethlehem,soastofind true joy and true light,” he said.

InChristmasmessagePopeBenedictXVIsaysChristmasshowsGod’swilltosavepeoplefromsin,violenceContinued from page 3

From the diocesan newspaper, The Morning Star, April 10, 1985 — NORTHEAST DEANERY LEADERS – Representatives of Immaculate Conception Parish, LeBeau, received congratulations from Bishop Gerard L. Frey for achiebving 250 percent above the minimum goal for the BSA campaign in the Northeast Acadiana Deanery. They are (from the left) Jeanette St. Romain, co-chairman,; Bishop Frey; Leonard Tanner, co-chair-man.-

January 2012 Page 5Acadiana Catholic

LAFAYETTEFather Daniel Mahan, a priest

oftheArchdioceseofIndianapolisreturns to the Lafayette DioceseonWednesday,February29,2012as Keynote Speaker for the 8thAnnual Stewardship LeadershipDay. Back by popular demand,FatherMahanwill talk about thetruemeaningofCatholicSteward-ship, the spirituality of steward-shipandhowstewardshipasawayof life (discipleship)has renewedandreinvigoratedparishesanditspeople.

Michael Murphy, former 20yearStewardshipDirectorfortheArchdioceseofDetroitandPresi-dentof the InternationalCatholicStewardship Council will deliverthe topic “Everything you want-

FatherDanMahanreturnstoLafayetteforStewardshipDay

ed to know about Fund-Raisersbutwere toopious toask.” Thispresentationwillhelpparishlead-ersunderstandhowatypicalpar-ishcapitalcampaignisconductedandreceivetipsonidentifyingandscreening professional fund-rais-ing firms.

Pastors, priests, deacons, reli-gious, parish administrative per-sonnel, stewardship committeemembersandanyoneinterestedinfosteringstewardshipformationintheparishsettingareurgedtomarktheircalendarsforFebruary29th.Registration will begin at 8:30a.m.andtheprogramisscheduledto conclude between 1:30-2:00p.m. Formore informationor toregister,[email protected].

Michael MurphyFather Daniel Mahan

Children carry flowers to place around the figurine of baby Jesus at the start of Christ-mas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 24. (CNS photo/Paul Har-ing)

Children carry flowers in procession during ChristmasEveMassatVatican


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ByKathleenToupsLAFAYETTE

Thenewchangesintheliturgypresent a challenge to be moreaware of the Lord’s presence,Bishop Michael Jarrell of La-fayettesaidinhishomilyfortheFirstSundayofAdvent.

Bishop Jarrell was principalconcelebrant of the 11:00 a.m.MassfortheFirstSundayofAd-ventattheCathedralofSt.JohntheEvangelisthere.

TakinghisthemefromtheGos-pelfortheday(Mark,13),“MayHe not come suddenly and find you sleeping...” Bishop Jarrellnoted the reference to sleepingin scripture often means we are“distracted, not aware of God’spresence.“

Noting there were previouschanges in the liturgy, “we sawthevernacular, that is theuseofEnglishintheMass,thecelebrantbegan saying Mass facing thepeopleandthere-introductionofthesignofpeace,”BishopJarrellsaid.

“Itisgenerallyacknowledged,”he continued, “that at that time

BishopJarrellsaysMissalchangesareachallengetwo mistakes were made. Thefirst was a lack of preparation of thepriestsand thepeople. ThistimeIthinkweareprepared.Un-lessyouhavebeeninacomaforthepasttwelvemonths,youhaveheardaboutthismanytimes.SoIthinkindeedwedidaddresstheneeds and give attention to ad-equatepreparationofpriestsandpeople.

“The second mistake regard-ingthepreviouschangeswasanassumption that a change in theliturgy would bring about spiri-tualrenewalinandofitself.Ofcoursechangesintheliturgycanbehelpful. It isimportant. ThechangetoEnglishinthecelebra-tionoftheMasshasindeedbeenvery helpful in spiritual lives ofCatholics.

“Thenewtranslationwebeganusing today has untold benefits,” he pointed out,” but we shouldbeawareitisjustatranslation....Theyarearenewedeffort tofo-cus our attention and participa-tionintheMass,anawarenessofGod’s presence,” Bishop Jarrellsaid. “The translation is not an

endinitselfOurspiritualrenew-aldependsonourloveforChrist,to wake up and cooperate withGod’s grace, our willingness tobeattentivetoit.

IntheCreed,wearereminded,“He (Jesus) will come again inglorytojudgethelivingandthedeadandHiskingdomwillhavenoend,” thebishopnoted,“It isthesametoday. ItwassowhenJesus warned His disciples towatchandbealert. Itwassointhetimeoftheapostles,itwassoin 325AD when the Creed wasformally adopted at the CouncilofNicea.Itissotoday.

“Letusnotbesodistractedthatthe Lord finds us sleeping and un-aware of His presence,” BishopJarrellconcluded.

Concelebrating with BishopJarrellwereclergyoftheCathe-dral, Father Chester Arceneaux,pastor; Father Kevin Bordelon,associate, with Msgr. RichardMouton assisting in the sanctu-ary.

After the homily, candidatesand catechumens of the RCIAclassparticipatedintheriteofac-ceptanceandwerewelcomedbyFatherArceneaux, with RichardChiasson,director,assisting.

The first eucharistic prayer is seen on a page from a copy of the new Roman Missal in English published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The introduction of the new English translation of the missal was the top Catholic story of the year, acco rding to editors’ picks in annual poll by Catholic News Service. (CNS photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec)


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Guest EditorialTotheyouthoftheCatholicChurchinAcadiana,

PeacebewithyouandgreetingsfromSt.JosephSeminaryCollegenearCovington,Louisiana!MynameisMichaelRichard.Iamasemi-narianfromourdiocese,andIwouldliketoextendtoyouaninvitationtoAbbeyYouthFest,ayouthrallycoordinatedbymyseminary.

OnMarch10th,2012,St.JosephAbbeySeminaryCollegewillhostitstwelfthannualAbbeyYouthFest,whichisafulldayofcontempo-raryCatholicmusic,inspiringkeynotespeakers,andthecelebrationoftheMass.Asthesunsets,weunitewiththeBenedictinesinVespers,theEveningPrayeroftheChurch,andweendthenightwithcandlelightAdorationoftheBlessedSacrament—allunderneaththestars.Through-outthefestival,youwillhavetheopportunityforpersonalprayerinanoutdoorchapel,confessionwithvisitingpriests,atourofSt.JosephAb-bey,andexposuretoseveralreligiousordersandvariousministrieswhosetupinformationboothstosharetheircharismswiththethousandsofCatholicyouthinattendance.

After attending my first Abbey Youth Festival as a teen, I came away withatruesenseofwonderandaweatthebeautyoftheChurch.Isawdozensofreligious,priestsandseminarianswhowerefullofjoyastheywalked around the field. I saw that the Church is bigger than just my hometownandthattheChurchisyoungandalive.Inthetalksthrough-outtheday,IwaschallengedtogrowinmyfaithandtostartthinkingaboutwhatGodwasaskingforme todowithmylife. Afterseeing3,000teenskneelinginsilentcandlelightadorationoftheBlessedSac-rament,IleftfromtheAbbeytrulyencouragedtogoforthandlivemyfaithasGodiscallingmeto.Now,asaseminarian,IknowIamtrulyblessedtohelpputthisamazingeventtogetherfortheyouthofthelo-calChurch.

ThethemeforAbbeyYouthFest2012is,“Restless,”whichistakenfromSt.Augustine’s,Confessions:“Myheartisrestlessuntilitrestsinyou,OLord.”TheeventwillfeatureMarkHart,Vice-PresidentofLife-Teenandyouthspeaker. CatholicmusiciansL’AngelusandAyleron,will provide a rockin’ good time! The event will provide reflections uponandanexperienceofthebeautyofGod.Ihopethatyouwillbeabletojoinme,80otherseminarians,theBenedictinemonksofSt.Jo-sephAbbey,severalpriestsandreligiousfromalloverthecountry,andthousandsofCatholicyouthinworshippingourLordandsearchingforthevocationtowhichHecallsus.

While the first Benedictine monastery dates to around 530 AD, Saint JosephAbbeywasfoundedin1889onover1200acresoflandinSouth-ernLouisiana.Themonksusedthelandtoraisecattleandgrowtheirownfood.Now,thewoodedareasareusedforpeacefulwalksonthetrails and some of the fields are used to host events like Abbey Youth Fest.Inour11yearhistorywithAbbeyYouthFest,wehavehostedover25,000teens.Currently,SaintJosephSeminaryCollegehas80semi-nariansenrolled—allrepresenting19differentdioceses.Thisyearwehopetoseeyouandseveralthousandmoreofyourbrothersandsistersinourbackyard!

Formoreinformationandpicturesfrompreviousfestivals,checkoutour website at www.AbbeyYouthFest.com and find us on Facebook. You are in my prayers; may our hearts, like St. Augustine’s, find eternal restintheheartofGod.

In the peace of Christ,Michael Richard

LAFAYETTEDeaconCodyMiller,fromSt.

Joseph Church, Milton, will beconducting a 5-week course onthe total consecration to Jesusthrough Mary according to St.Louis de Montfort at Our LadyOf Fatima Church, Lafayette,beginningonJanuary9,2012at6:30p.m.

ClasseswillbeeveryMonday

Deacon Cody Miller

Five-weekcourseontotalconsecrationtoJesusthroughMary

for 5 weeks until the Consecra-tionMassonSaturdayFebruary112012at10:00a.m.atFatimaChurch.

Deacon Cody says, “Comelearn more about your faith andwhyJohnPaulIIlovedthewrit-ingsofSt.LouisdeMontfortandhowwecanfullyliveourBaptis-mal promises through Jesus andMary.Thiswill be a life-chang-ingeventandallareinvited.”

For more information contactDeaconCodyMillerat(337)849-7963(cell)337-856-5936(work)or e-mail [email protected]

‘The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particu-lar man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective. Unless a man starts on the strange assumption that he has never existed before, it is quite certain that he will never exist afterwards. Unless a man be born again, he shall by no means enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.’

G. K. Chesterton


DeaconCharlesOrtego Jan.2 DeaconHarrisSoileau Jan.4 FatherJosephStemmann Jan.4 FatherClairCazayoux,SJ Jan.5 FatherJeromeNeyrey,SJ, Jan.5 FatherPaulOnuegbe Jan.5 DeaconMichaelYenik Jan.6 DeaconWayneBoudreaux Jan.7 FatherC.NicholasTrahan Jan.7 FatherRichardKalinowski,SVD Jan.8 FatherMartinC.Leonards Jan.8 FatherMikelPolson Jan.8 FatherDonovanLabbe Jan.9 DeaconAlbertMarcel Jan.10 DeaconAlvinDejean Jan.12 DeaconSamuelHenry Jan.15 DeaconTimothyLedet Jan.18 FatherDonaldPousson Jan.18 FatherL.AllenBreaux Jan.20 FatherDonaldPelous Jan.20 Msgr.KeithDeRouen Jan.21 FatherGregoryS.Chauvin Jan.22 FatherNeilMcNeill Jan.23 FatherGlenM.Meaux Jan.26 FatherJuanLuisGandara Jan.27 FatherCyprienEze Jan.27 FatherRichardVidrine Jan.27 FatherJohnDeLeeuw Jan30 FEBRUARY FatherT.J.Hebert Feb.2 FatherMichaelSucharski Feb.5 FatherMichaelJ.Arnaud Feb.5 FatherJamesLambert,SJ Feb.11 FatherMichaelKeithLandry Feb.11

JanuaryBirthdays

BishopJarrell’sChristmasandNewYear’smessageLAFAYETTE

BishopMichaelJarrellissuedhisChristmasandNewYear’smessagetothepeopleofAcadiana.

Reflecting on St. John’s Gospel, Bishop Jarrell said the most sublime description of the Christmas event was expressed in the first verses of John’sGospel.

Bothmessagesfollow:“Saint John the Evangelist, after years of reflection, gave the most ac-

curateandmostsublimedescriptionoftheChristmasevent.Hewrote,“InthebeginningwastheWord…HewasinthebeginningwithGod,…andthe Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1.12,14) The eternal word took on human flesh in the womb of the Blessed Vir-ginMaryandallmankindwasenlightenedandennobledandmadeholy.Thisisindeedareasontocelebrateandbemerry.But,wealsotaketimetobendourkneesinhumbleadorationandtoofferheartfeltprayerstoChristOurKing,forhelivesandreignsforeverandever.IpraythatyouandyourfamilymayenjoyaveryMerryChristmas.

“Saint John the Evangelist, after years of reflection, gave the most ac-curateandmostsublimedescriptionoftheChristmasevent.Hewrote,“InthebeginningwastheWord…HewasinthebeginningwithGod,…andthe Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1.12,14) The eternal word took on human flesh in the womb of the Blessed Vir-ginMaryandallmankindwasenlightenedandennobledandmadeholy.Thisisindeedareasontocelebrateandbemerry.But,wealsotaketimetobendourkneesinhumbleadorationandtoofferheartfeltprayerstoChristOurKing,forhelivesandreignsforeverandever.IpraythatyouandyourfamilymayenjoyaveryMerryChristmas.”

NewYear’sMessage“Reflecting on the New Year, American poet, Edith Lovejoy Pierce

wrote,“Wewillopenthebook.Itspagesareblank.Wearegoingtoputwords on them ourselves. The book is called “Opportunity” and its first chapterisNewYear’sDay.”

“Thereare365pagesaheadofuswaitingforwordsanddeeds.Inthecomingyear,weintheUnitedStateswillmakechoicesthataffectpeaceintheworld,thewelfareofthepoor,theprosperityofthenationandthehealthofourplanet.Letusprayfordivineguidanceinmakingnobleandprincipledchoicesforthecommongood.MayGodstandbesideusandguideustoallthatisgoodandrightintheyearthatliesbeforeus.Onceagain,weopenthebookcalledOpportunity.Maythewordsthatwewritethisyearbearfruitintimeandineternity.

“HappyNewYeareveryone!”

AnnualClergyOpenGolfTournamentsetforMay16,2012LAFAYETTE

Bishop Michael Jarrell andtheclergyof theDioceseofLa-fayette announce that the 37thannual Louisiana Clergy OpenGolf Tournament will be heldonWednesday,May16,2012atSquirrelRunGolfClub,500Dar-byLane,NewIberia.

ThetournamentwillbeplayedinhonorofretiredFatherFloydJ.Calais.Participationinthetour-nament and/or lunch are free ofchargetoallpriestsanddeaconsofallLouisianadiocesesaswellasallof theLafayetteDiocese’sdiaconate formation participantsandseminarians.

A “putt-off” tournament at1:00 p.m. and a nine-hole teamscramble (“Best Ball”) at 1:30p.m.willalsobeplayedforthosewishingtomakeitadayofgolf.Toreceivearegistrationformforgolf and/or lunch, phone (337)261-5613oremail:[email protected].

Deadline for registration are:golfers no later than Monday,February 27, 2012; non-golfersfor lunch – Monday, April 16,2012.

For additional information,please contact Msgr. Richard

Greene, VE, at (985) 518-7124,orbyFaxat (985)395-9129,orby email at [email protected].

Toreporttheabuseofchildrenandyoungpeople,contacttheDioceseofLafayette

Victim-AssistanceCoordinator,SisterKathleenFarrelly,O.Carm.,LCSW

1001WestPinhookRoad,Suite205Lafayette,LA

(337) 322-7255


Januaryscheduleofpro-lifeactivitiesLAFAYETTE

As the notorious anniversaryofRoev.Wadeapproaches,pro-life citizens throughout the na-tionwillonceagainassembleinpeacefulprotestoftheSupremeCourt ruling which legalizedabortioninthiscountry.Severallocal communities and organi-zationswillbehostingsuchac-tivities, and all pro-lifers in theAcadianaareaareencouragedtoattendandshowtheirsupportfortheministry.

On January 11, the LafayetteDiocesewillhostitsannualPro-Life Oratory Contest for highschool juniorsandseniors. Forfurther details regarding thisspecialevent,pleasecontacttheoffice at (337) 261-5607.

On January 14, the SacredHeart of Jesus Knights of Co-lumbusCouncil7557 inBrous-sardwillhostaPro-LifeMarch/Rally.MarcherswilldepartfromSacred Heart Church at 8:30a.m. and proceed to BroussardMiddle School before returningtothechurch.Refreshmentswillbeserved,andaguestspeakerisalso to be announced. For fur-ther information, please contactMike Malagarie at (337) 344-4701.

OnJanuary17,theSouthRe-gion March for Life and SilentProcessionwillbeheld inNewIberia. Theprocessionwillde-part from the Lourdes Grottoat5:30p.m.andcontinueon tothegroundsofSt.PeterChurch,where Mass will be celebrated.Also in conjunction with themarch, St. Peter Church willhost a five-day, 24-hour Rosary CongresswithEucharisticAdo-ration. The pro-life rosary willbe recitedeveryhour followingthe Mass on January 17. Forfurther information, please call(337)369-3816.

On January 18, St. CeciliaSchool in Broussard will spon-soraPro-LifeSchoolWalk im-mediately following the 8:30a.m. school Mass. For details,please contact Glenda Serio at(337)837-6363.

From January 21-24, severalrepresentatives of the LafayetteDiocesewill travel toWashing-ton,DCinordertoparticipateintheNationalMarchforLifeout-sideournation’scapital.Pleaseremember these individuals inyourprayers.

Several local events havealso been scheduled for Janu-ary 21, including the “Right toLife” walk in Lafayette, the St.Landry“Right toLifeWalk” inOpelousas, and the LouisianaLifeMarchinBatonRouge.

In Lafayette, the St. EdmondKnights of Columbus #10293willbeginitseventat8:30a.m.withpraiseandworshipatSt.Ed-mondChurchonWestCongress.Participants will then depart at9:00a.m.andmarchtoSt.MaryChurch on Doucet Road beforereturning toSt.Edmond’s. Forfurther details, please contactPatsyandNorrisThibodeauxat(337) 984-9947 or (337) 962-6208, or Pat La Borde at (337)988-5580or(337)298-3586.

In Opelousas, the St. LandryRight will begin its “Right toLife”walkbydepartingfromOurLady Queen of Angels Churchat 10:00 a.m. Participants willproceedtotheNewLifeCenter,whereaspecialblessingandre-freshmentswillbeoffered.Forfurther information,pleasecon-tactJeriandJohnMillerat(337)948-9559.

InBatonRouge,theLouisianaLifeMarchwillstartwithat9:00a.m. gathering behind the oldstate capitol at 100 North Bou-levard;themarchitselfissched-uled for 10:00 a.m. This eventissponsoredbyLouisianaRightto Life, Louisiana Baptist Con-vention, Louisiana ConferenceofCatholicBishopsLife/JusticeCommittee, Louisiana FamilyForum, the Knights of Colum-bus,andLouisiana’sConcernedWomenforAmerica. Formoreinformation, please visit www.LALifeMarch.com or call 1-866-463-5433.

LocalindividualsshouldnotethatAcadiana RightTo Life ischartering a CALCO/HOTARDBUS to go to Baton Rouge forthemarch.ThebuswillbeattheLouisianaAvenueMall near I-10forpickupat8:00a.m.Park-ingwillbeavailableintheTargetparking lot, closer to LouisianaAvenue.ThereturntoLafayettewill be no later than 2:30 p.m.Thecosttorideis$12perpersonand$25perfamily.Pleasecon-tact: Suzanne Tierney at (337)235-4327 or Jackie Richard at(337) 981-1596 for further de-tails.

OnJanuary22,theVillePlattePro-Life Walk will depart fromOur Lady Queen of All SaintsChurch immediately following

Rev.Dr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.MasstobecelebratedJan.13LAFAYETTE

The Lafayette Diocese’s Of-fice of Black Catholic Ministries would like to invite everyone totheannualRev.Dr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.MassonFriday,January13. TheMass, tobeheldat theCathedralofSt.JohntheEvange-listinLafayettewillbeginat7:00p.m.,withBishopMichaelJarrelltoserveascelebrant.ThehomilywillbeofferedbyFather Ches-terArceneaux, and all priests ofthedioceseareinvitedtojointhebishopinconcelebratingthisspe-cialMass.

TheMasswillalsoincludetherecognitionofallthosewhohavebeen nominated this year to re-ceivetheRev.Dr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.Award.Churchparishesthroughout thediocesearegiventheopportunitytonominateindi-vidualsfortheaward,andallre-cipientswillbegivenaplaqueinhonorof theirachievement. Forfurtherdetails,pleasecontacttheOffice of Black Catholic Minis-triesat(337)261-5694.

MassfortheUnbornLAFAYETTE

TheCathedralofSt. John theEvangelist inLafayettewill cel-ebrate a special Mass for theunborn at 5:30 p.m. on Janu-ary9.PriortotheMass,peopleare asked to gather in front oftheCathedral (near thegrottoatL’Evéché) to join in theprayingofthepro-liferosary.Allarein-vitedtoattend.

10:30 a.m. Mass. Walkers willproceedtoSacredHeartChurch,whereaspeaker(TBA)willad-dressthecrowd.Forfurtherde-tails,pleasecontactStephanieAn-drusat(337)831-0638orPitchyTuminaroat(337)363-4533.

Also on January 22, pro-lifewalkersmaydepartat10:00a.m.fromSt.AnnChurch inMamouand proceed to the parish’s re-ligious education building. Forfurther information, please call(337)468-3159.

On January 31, Notre DameHighSchoolinCrowleywillhosta Pro-Life March & Rally. Fordetails,pleasecontactMaryAnnHadawayat(337)783-3849.


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FatherArockiam,SVD,tospeakatFebruary2012“FoodfortheJourney”LAFAYETTE

TheCentralRegionoftheDio-ceseofLafayettepresents“FoodfortheJourney,”amonthlylunch-

timespeak-er seriesdesigned tohelpCatho-licsliveouttheir faithintheirdai-lylives.

Speakerfor Febru-ary7,2012,will be Fa-

ther Arockiam Arockiam, SVD,pastor of St. Joseph CatholicChurch, Broussard, and its mis-sion,St.AnthonyChapel,Cade.

“FoodfortheJourney”isheldeach month at Crowne PlazaHotel, 1801 W. Pinhook Road,beginningat12:00noon.Anop-tional buffet lunch is availablebeginningat11:30a.m. Cost is$12.00andincludesmeal,drink,dessertandtip.

Allarewelcometocome“eatand be fed”. Pre-registration isnot required. For more informa-tion, please call Mary Bergeronat(337)654-8682orvisitwww.centralregiononline.org

Listed below are the priests for whom Catholics are asked to pray daily. The calendar is sponsored by the Serra Club of Lafayette.Jan.l PopeBenedictXVIJan.2 BishopMichaelJarrellJan.3 FatherBrianGarry,SJJan.4 FatherWillianGearheardJan.5 FatherJosephGillespie,LCJan.6 Msgr.RichardGreene,VEJan.7 FatherMichaelGuidryJan.8 FatherMitchellGuidryJan.9 FatherBradGuilloryJan.10 FatherJoshuaGuilloryJan.11 FatherThomasHabetzJan.12 FatherJudeHalphenJan.13 Msgr.RussellHarrington,VEJan.14 FatherDavidHebertJan.15 FatherT.J.HebertJan.16 Msgr.MichaelHerpinJan.17 FatherMatthewHigginbothamJan.18 FatherKennethHoward,SSJJan.19 FatherGodwinImoruJan.20 FatherThomasJames,SVD,VEJan.21 FatherJohnathanJaniseJan.22FatherBartlomiejJasilek,SVDJan.23 FatherStanleyJawa,SVDJan.24FatherRyszardKalinowski,SVDJan.25 FatherDonavanLabbeJan.26 FatherKeithLaBoveJan.27 FatherPaulLaFleurJan.28 FatherJamesLambert,SJJan.29 FatherKeithLandryJan.30 FatherOneilLandryJan.31 FatherRalphLandryEternal Father, we lift up to You these and all the priests of the world. Sanctify them. Heal and guide them. Mold them into the likeness of your Son, Jesus, the Eternal High Priest. May their lives be pleasing to You. In Je-sus’ name we pray. Amen.

Prayforourpriests

Father Arockiam

‘SpiritualSpaDay’atSt.JosephSpiritualityCenterBATONROUGE

The St. Joseph SpiritualityCenter will host a Spiritual SpaDay. The event will be present-ed by Patti Clement on January14,2012from9:00a.m.–12:00noonintheSt.Joseph’sAcademyDiningHall,3080KleinertAve.,BatonRouge,LA. The feewillbe$35.

This morning of reflection

is designed to pamper the soul.Therewillbeaseriesof3practi-calpresentationstoassistallpar-ticipants in finding rest in the love of God. The session will closewith a sharing session for all togiftoneanotherwithinsights.

To register for this programpleasecalltheSt.JosephSpiritu-alityCenterat225-383-3349.

Blessed Marianne Cope of Molokai is pictured in an undated file photo. The path to sainthood for the Franciscan nun, who ministered to people in the leprosy colony on the Hawaiian island of Molokai, has been advanced by Pope Benedict XVI. The church has recog-nized the second miracle needed for her canonization. (CNS photo)

CauseforBlessedMariannaCopeadvances

CathedralemployeehonoredLAFAYETTE

Mrs.MarellaWilkerson,whois retiringat theendof theyearaftermanyyearsasanemployeeand volunteer at the Cathedralof St. John the Evangelist, washonoredatthe11:00a.m.SundayMassonDecember18.

Mrs. Wilkerson received theParishMedalofSt.JohnandtheBishop’sMedalforDevotedSer-vice.FatherChesterArceneaux,pastor, who made the presen-tations, cited her “faithful and

deserving” service over twentyyears as receptionist, secretary,manager of the cemetery office andgiftshop. Shewasalso thefounder of the French rosarygroupandservedasaEucharisticminister.

Bishop Michael Jarrell, whowas principal celebrant of theMass, offered his congratula-tions. Concelebratingwithhimwas Father Arceneaux, FatherKevinBordelon,associatepastor.Msgr. Richard Mouton, in resi-dence,waspresentinthesanctu-ary.

PercentageofAmericanswhoaremarriedreachesall-timelow,PewsaysWASHINGTON(CNS)

With cohabitation, single-per-sonhouseholdsandsingleparent-hoodon the rise, thepercentageofAmericans who are currentlymarried has reached an all-timelow.

A new report from the PewResearch Center analyzing Cen-susBureaudata found that only51percentofAmericans18andoverweremarriedin2010,com-pared with 72 percent in 1960.Among Hispanics and African-Americans, the decline is evenmore steep. “If current trendscontinue,theshareofadultswhoarecurrentlymarriedwilldroptobelow half within a few years,”said the report by Pew seniorwriter D’Vera Cohn, senior de-mographer JeffreyS.Passel andresearchassociateWendyWang.

Fifty-five percent of white Americansweremarriedin2010,down from 74 percent 50 yearsearlier. But among Hispanicsand blacks, married people arealready in the minority. Forty-eight percent of Hispanics and31percentofAfrican-Americansweremarriedin2010,comparedwith 72 percent and 61 percent,respectively,in1960.

The authors said it was “be-yond the scope of this analysistoexplainwhymarriagehasde-clined,” but they noted that itspopularityhasfallenlesssharplyamong college graduates. Theysaidarecentdropinthenumberof new marriages could have todowith theeconomic recession,but the linkage “is not entirelyclear.”

ThePewreportfoundthatthemedian age at first marriage has beensteadilyrisingforbothmenand women over the past five de-cades,from22.8formenand20.3forwomenin1960.Themedianagein2010was26.5forwomenand28.7formenin2010.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday SaturdayFriday1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors

Diocesan Offices closed, New Year’sHoliday

DivineMercyNight,St.PeterChurch,NewIberia

6:30p.m.

The Most Holy Name of Jesus

LIMEXClass,ImmaculataCenter,

Levasseur,Room#2215:00-9:30p.m.

TheHolyFather’sPrayerIntentionsJanuary general intention:

Thatthevictimsofnaturaldisastersmayreceivethespiritualandmaterialcomforttheyneedtorebuildtheirlives.

Mission intention:ThatthededicationofChristianstopeacemaybearwitnesstothe

nameofChristbeforeallmenandwomenofgoodwill.

PRAY FOR YOUR DEPARTED CLERGY FatherSimonCatherin,Jan.1,1955Msgr.JulesO.Daigle,Jan.2,1998FatherWayneRichard,Jan.4,2005FatherJohnSpekschate,Jan.5,2010FatherHughesDandurand,Jan.6,1973Msgr.JohnA.Vigliero,Jan.8,1968FatherOrisBroussard,Jan.8,2006

FatherAlfredJ.Dupret,Jan.9,1934FatherOscarJ.N.Drapeau,Jan.12,1958FatherArnoldVerheem,Jan.16,1959Msgr.WilliamFrantzen,Jan.17,1970FatherGusJ.Johnson,Jan.17,1988FatherDesireSenneville,Jan.19,1977FatherJohnP.Ferret,Jan.20,1936FatherLouisEspitallier,Jan.20,1954

FatherJulesSpeyrer,Jan.21,2010BishopMauriceSchexnayder,Jan.23,1981FatherOdilionBrise,Jan.26,1952FatherLloydHebert,Jan.28,2004DeaconHectorNaquin,Jan.29,1993FatherWillisA.Petteault,Jan.29,1968FatherPeterBlom,Jan.30,1993FatherRoyEdwards,Jan.30,2006

11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30

St. John Neumann, BishopSt. Elizabeth Seton, Religious

Christmas Weekday Christmas WeekdayPermanentDiaconateClass,

ImmaculataCenter,JohnXXIII,

7:00a.m.-5:30p.m.

Epiphany of the Lord Baptism of the LordRosaryMakersMeeting,

KatharineDrexel,ImmaculataCenter,9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.

Weekday (First Week in Ordinary Time)

CommissionPastoralCarefortheElderly,Immaculata

Center,2:00p.m.

WeekdayCompanionsAlongtheJourney(BereavementSupportGroup)

KatharineDrexelRoom,ImmaculataCenter,

6:00-8:00p.m.

WeekdayPro-LifeOratoryContest,

ImmaculataCenter,6:00-9:00p.m.

Weekday Weekday

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

WeekdayMartinLutherKingDayDiocesan Offices Closed

WeekdayLCCBCatechist

CommitteeMeeting,ImmaculataCenter,8:00a.m.-1:00p.m.

MarchforLifeSilentEucha-risticProcession&MassforLife,fromMainSt.GrottotoSt.PeterChurch,NewIberia,

5:30p.m.

WeekdayCouncilofPriests’Meeting

ImmaculataCenter,9:30a.m.

DiocesanPastoralCouncilMeeting,ImmaculataCenter,

6:30p.m.

WeekdayLCCBLife&JusticeCommitteeMeeting,ImmaculataCenter,

10:00a.m.-2:00p.m.

WeekdayGuidanceCounselors’Meet-

ing,ImmaculataCenter,8:45a.m.-12:00p.m.

St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

RCIAWorkshop,Topic:InterviewsontheRCIA,St.EdwardChurch,NewIberia,

9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekday(Day of Penance)

DevelopmentDirectors’Meeting,ImmaculataCenter,

9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.

St. Francis de Sales, Bishop and DoctorReligionAdministrators’

Meeting,ImmaculataCenter,9:30a.m.-12:00p.m.

Sts. Timothy and Titus, Bishops

WestRegionAdvisoryCouncilMeeting2011atRayneCatholicEllementarySchoolTeachers’

Lounge,6:30p.m.

Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle

TechnologyCoordinators’Meeting,

ImmaculataCenter,9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.

Weekday

Weekday

St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor

PermanentDiaconateClass,ImmaculataCenter,

JohnXXIII,7:00a.m.-5:30p.m.

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

CatholicSchools’WeekbeginsJanuary 201231

St. John Bosco, PriestRetresatMinistry/YouthMinistryNetworkingat

RayneCatholic,6:00-8:00p.m.


The enchanting Charles Mouton Plantation Home has 9 bedrooms, 8½ baths, and 7 fireplaces. The home also includes a carriage house, a large

workshop, and triple car covered parking nestled among centuries oldoaks on over 1.5 acres. This 8,800 sq. ft. home was built in 1820 and is listed on the Nation Register of Historic Places. It has been successfully operated as Bois

Des Chenes Bed and Breakfast for nearly two decades.

Listing by J. Alfred Mouton, Inc. 547 Jefferson Street Downtown Lafayette 70501

Phone: (337) 235-8561 | Fax: (337) 235-8562 After 5pm & Weekends: (337) 233-4336 | 298-1885

LAFAYETTEWith a pontifical letter in 1992,

Pope John Paul II instituted aWorld Day for the Sick. In hiswords, he stated it should be “aspecial time of prayer and shar-ing, of offering one’s sufferingfor the good of the Church andof reminding everyone to see inhissickbrotherorsisterthefaceof Christ who, by suffering, dy-ing,andrising,achievedthesal-vation of mankind.”This globalobservanceoftheRomanCatho-lic Church is celebrated everyyearonthefeastofOurLadyofLourdes,February11th.

Withthisinmind,theknightsanddamesoftheoftheOrderofMaltainLafayettearesponsoringthesecondannualMassofHeal-ing and Anointing of the Sick.TheMass is tobecelebratedonSaturday, February 11, 2012, atOurLadyofFatimaChurch, lo-catedat2319JohnstonSt.Doorswillopenat9:15a.m.withMassstartingat10:00a.m.

AbbotPlacidSolari,OSB,theChancellor of Belmont AbbeyCollege, will be the celebrant.FatherHamptonDavis,chaplain

MassofHealingandAnointingoftheSicktobeofferedof the Lafayette Order of Maltaand Father Michael Russo, pas-torofOurLadyofFatima,alongwith several other local priestswillbeconcelebrants.

In the 1960s, Vatican II re-newedthesevenSacramentsandrestoredtheoriginalintentoftheAnointing of the Sick, (Latin:Unction Infirmatis), which wasintended to pray for healing forthesickwhowerenotneardeath.The revision’s intent, said PopePaulVIin1975,was“toleadtoawideravailabilityofthesacra-ment and to extend it—withinreasonable limits—even beyondcases of mortal illness.” Thisshouldnotbeconfusedwith theLastRites,(Latin:Unction in Ex-tremis)whichisthelastanointingandisindeeddoneonlyforthosewhoareatthepointofdeath.

What is the Anointing of theSick?

The Anointing of the SickproperlyunderstoodistheSacra-mentwhichasksGodforhealingofbody,mindand/orsoulwhichis reserved to a priest to confer.It is intended for those baptizedpersons who are seriously ill,

chronically ill, or weakened byold age. For the healing of thesoul,thesacramentforgivessinsandrestoressanctifyinggrace.

For healing of the body andmind, the sacrament places thecondition of the sick person inthehandsofGodforacure.Godwillhealeverypersonaccordingto His divine will and wisdom.Weparticipateinthatdivinewill,through this Sacrament. Manytimes healing is accelerated bythepowerofthissacrament,giv-entotheChurchforourgoodandtheupbuildingofthefaithful.

The Sovereign Military Hos-

pitaller Order of St. John of Je-rusalem,ofRhodesandofMaltais the oldest lay religious orderintheCatholicChurch.TheOr-derofMaltahasprovidedcaretothesickandservedasdefendersof the Faith since 1099AD. Inthe daily prayer of the Order ofMalta,animportantversestates:“Beitminetopracticecharityto-wards my neighbors, especiallythe poor and the sick.” One oftheways theknights anddamesoftheOrderputthisconceptintopractice by sponsoring MassesofHealingandAnointingof theSick in most major cities wheretheyarelocated.

To learn more, please call(337)837-6079 or email [email protected]

Chrism oil sits near the altar during the chrism Mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. Chrism is used in baptismal anointing, confirmation, priestly and episcopal ordinations, and during the dedication of churches. The other holy oils are used in the anointing of the sick and for catechumens. (CNS photo/Kar-en Callaway)



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Por Obispo Michael Jarrell

La semana pasa-da recibí una cartade su Eminencia, elCardenal TarciscioBertone, Secretariode Estado para LaSanta Sede. Decía:“El Santo Padre meha solicitado que déaconocerlaofrendade $55,770.11, queusted envió de la

Diócesis de Lafayette como Óbolo deSanPedroporelaño2011.Leagradeceaustedyasucomunidadporestaexpre-sióndesudevociónalSucesordePedroysudeseodecooperarenlostrabajosdesu ministerio.” Pienso que todos esta-moscomplacidosdehacernuestraparteyagradezcoatodoslosbenefactoresquecontribuyenalÓbolodeSanPedroquesellevaacaboenJunio.

En las próximas semanas tendremosdoseventosquereclamaránnuestraaten-ciónacercadelasvocacionesreligiosas.La Semana Nacional sobre la Concien-

ciacióndeVocaciones(NationalVocationsAwarenessWeek)tendrálugardel9al14deenero.SellevaráacaboenconexiónconlaFiestadelBautismodeNuestroSeñorquemarcóelcomienzodesuministeriopúblico.EsteañolaFiestasecelebrael9deenero.UnaMisaespecialsobrelaconcienciacióndeVocacionessecelebraráelDomingo,8deenero,enlaCatedralSaintJohntheEvan-gelist. Lasemanaestáorientadacomountiempodecatequesisyoraciónparafomen-tarunaculturadevocacionesen loshog-aresyenlasparroquias.Enrelaciónconlasvocacioneshaciaelsacerdocio,laDiócesistieneactualmente33seminaristas.Noses-tamospreparandoparalaordenacióndeunsacerdoteenelaño2012,seisenel2013yseisenel2014.Senecesitanlaoraciónyelalientodetodos.Yocreoquerealmentees-tamosdesarrollandounaculturasobrevoca-cionesatravésdelaDiócesisdeLafayette.

ElDíaMundialparalaVidaConsagradasetendráendosdías,el2yel5defebrero.El 2de febrero indica laFiestade laPre-sentacióndelSeñor.Sinembargo,lamay-oríadelascelebracionessellevaránacaboel Domingo, 5 de febrero. Oremos todospor los hermanos religiosos, hermanas enlavidaconsagradaquieneshanhechotanto

paraconstruirlaIglesiaennuestraDióce-sisyquienestodavíasonunapartemuyimportantedenuestravidadiocesana.

No debemos olvidarnos que el 22 deenero indicará el 39oAniversario de latristedecisióndeRoeversusWadedelaCorteSuprema,unadecisiónquelegalizalaprácticadelabortoyqueabriócaminoaladestruccióndemillonesdevidashu-manas.LossentimientosdePro-Vidapa-recenestarcreciendoenestepaís.Cadaañohaymásymásmarchasydemonstra-cionesdepro-vida. Muchassonapoya-dasporparroquiasygruposenlaDióce-sis.ExistehoyendíaunaDemonstraciónanualenelCapitoliodeBatonRouge.Elrespetoporlavidahumanaesunacausabuenaysagrada,unaquemerecenuestrotiempo,energíasyoración. Paramayorinformación, llamar a la oficina diocesa-nadelApostoladodePro-Vida,337-261-5607,ovisitelapáginawebwww.diolaf.org

Cadaañoamedidaqueelañoserenue-va,nosotrosrenovamoselsentidodees-peranzaparaelfuturoconoracionesporlapazylajusticiaportodoelmundo.Fe-lizAñoNuevoatodos.

Dospróximoseventosparapromovervocaciones

Countrystarwantednewestalbumtosound‘likeyouwereinchurch’WASHINGTON(CNS)

CollinRaye,theCatholiccoun-trysingerwhohadastringofhitsin the 1990s, said he wanted tomake his latest album “feel likeyouwereinchurchforanhourorso.”“HisLoveRemains,”thetitleof Raye’s new release, containssome familiar church melodies,like “LetAll Mortal Flesh Keep

Silence”and“HereIAm,Lord.”Inthelinernotestothealbum,

Raye,51,saidhewasinspiredtomake thealbumfromwitnessinghis granddaughter Haley’s strug-glewithadiseasethatultimatelyclaimedher life.Haleywouldbe10were she still alive,henoted.“AnyangerorfrustrationIhadfortheLordnotgettinginvolvedthewayIwantedhimtogetinvolvedwentawaythemomentshepassedaway,”he said. “Hegaveus thispeacethatwashisfromthebegin-ning.”

Makinga religiousalbumwas

“somethingI’dbeendreamingofdoing for over 20 years,” Rayeadded.“SoIsaid,‘Let’sdoit,let’sdoit,let’smakethebestonepos-sible.’ I’m thinking maybe Godhas given me a new niche here.IfIdidnothingbutthesekindsofrecordstherestofmylife,I’dbehappy.”

AfteracareerwithNo.1singlesand platinum albums, “I wouldbethrilledtohaveahitrecordoncontemporaryChristianradio,be-causethat’scrossingthebarriers,”Raye said. “That’s a primarilyProtestantfanbase.

RayebecameaCatholicintheearly1980s. After a show whenhe was chatting with a marriedcouple who were fans of his, henoticed thewifewearinganeck-lace bearing a crucifix. Before the conversationended,RayesaidheaskedthecoupleifhecouldgotoMasswiththem.Raised“aheavy,heavyBaptist,”byhisownreck-oning,inTexarkana,Texas,Rayesaidhefelthealwayshadagoodrelationship with God. “I have aprettygoodBibleknowledge,”headded.“ButIalwaysfelttherehadtobesomethingmoretoit.”


By Bishop Michael Jarrell

Last week I re-ceived a letter fromHisEminence,Tarcis-cioCardinalBertone,SecretaryofStatefortheHolySee.Itsaid,“TheHolyFatherhasaskedmetoacknowl-edge the offering of$55,770.11, whichyousentfromtheDi-oceseofLafayetteas

Peter’sPencefortheYear2011.HethanksyouandyourpeopleforthisexpressionofyourdevotiontotheSuccessorofPeterandyourdesiretocooperateintheworksofhisministry.”IthinkweareallpleasedtodoourpartandIthankalldonorstotheannualPeter’sPenceCollectionwhich is held inJune.

Inupcomingweeks,twoeventswillfo-

cusourattentiononreligiousvocations.Na-tionalVocationsAwarenessWeekisobservedonJanuary9-14.Itisheldinconnectionwiththe Feast of the Baptism of the Lord whichmarked thebeginningofhispublicministry.ThisyeartheFeastiscelebratedonJanuary9.AspecialVocationsAwarenessMasswillbecelebratedonSunday,January8,attheCathe-dralofSaintJohntheEvangelist.Theweekisenvisionedasatimeofcatechesisandprayerto foster a culture of vocations in the homeand parish. With regard to vocations to thepriesthood,theDiocesenowhas33seminari-ans.Plansaretoordainonepriestin2012,sixin2013andsix in2014. Everyone’sprayerandencouragementareneeded.IbelievethatwearetrulydevelopingacultureofvocationsthroughouttheDioceseofLafayette.

TheWorldDayforConsecratedLifewillbeobservedontwodays,February2and5.Feb-ruary2markstheFeastofthePresentationoftheLord.However,mostcelebrationswilltakeplaceonSunday,February5. Letusallprayforreligiousbrothers,sistersintheconsecrated

lifewhohavedonesomuchtobuilduptheChurchinourDioceseandwhoarestillverymuchapartofourdiocesanlife.

WeshouldnotforgetthatJanuary22willmarkthe39thAnniversaryoftheinfamousRoeversusWadedecisionoftheSupremeCourt, the decision which legalized thepracticeofabortionandpavedthewayforthedestructionofmillionsofhumanlives.Pro-lifesentimentseems tobegrowing inthiscountry.Eachyeartherearemoreandmorepro-lifemarchesandrallies.SeveralaresponsoredbyparishesandgroupsintheDiocese. ThereisnowanannualRallyattheStateCapitolinBatonRouge.Respectfor human life is a good and holy cause,onewellworthourtime,energyandprayer.For information, call our diocesan Office ofPro-LifeApostolate,(337)261-5607,orvisitonlineatwww.diolaf.org.

Aseachyearrenewsitself,werenewoursense of hope for the future with prayersfor peace and justice for all in the world.HappyNewYeareveryone.

Twoupcomingeventsforfosteringvocations

BishopshopeNorthKorea’sregimechangewillbringpeace, unificationVATICANCITY(CNS)

ThedeathofNorthKoreanleaderKim Jong Il hasopened awindowofopportunityforreneweddialogueand possible reunification of the peninsula, said two South Koreanbishops.

Bishop Peter Kang U-il of Che-ju, president of the Catholic Bish-ops’ConferenceofKorea, said theleader’sdeathDec.17“maybethebeginningofaturningpointforthepath of the reunification of the Ko-reas.WehopethattheLordgivesthe

lightandstrengthto theNorthKo-reanbrotherssothatthereisareturnfor a policy focused on dialogue,peaceandreconciliation,”hesaidinaninterviewDec.19withFides,theVatican’smissionarynewsagency.

Bishop Lazzaro You Heung-sikof Daejeon, South Korea, told theRome-basedAsiaNewsDec.19that“wemustfocusondialogueforpeacebutremainalert.”Hesaidhefearedtheleader’sdeathwouldprompt“aperiodofgreatconfusion.Insidetheregime, there will (be) a clash be-tween the party and the army.Theyoungageof theheirwillnothelpa smooth transition,” said BishopYou. Kim’s youngest son, 27-year-oldKimJong-un,wasdeclared thecountry’snextleader.


FatherNeilMcNeill Jan.2,2001 Msgr.DouglasCourville Jan.3,1976 FatherMichaelS.Guidry Jan.8,1971 FatherEdwardDegeyter Jan.24,1970

JanuaryOrdinationAnniversaries

byStephanieR.MartinLAFAYETTE

Nearthestartoftheholidaysea-son,theLafayetteDiocesehosteditsannualMassfortheSurvivorsof Violence at the ImmaculataChapelinLafayette. Celebratedby Bishop Michael Jarrell, theMassservesasaspecialoccasionduring which people can honorthememoriesoflovedoneswhowerelostthroughviolentactions.IthasbeenatraditionintheLa-fayetteDiocesesince1985,whenthe Office of Justice & Peace or-ganized the first Mass in response toarequestfromLloydLeBlanc.LeBlanc’sonlysonwasmurderedin1977byElmoSonnier,themanuponwhomSisterHelenPrejeanbasedherbookDeadManWalk-ing,whichisnowwellknownforitsstrongstanceagainstthedeathpenalty.

PriortoSonnier’seventualex-ecution in 1984, he asked LeB-lanc to forgive him for his ac-tions.ThoughLeBlancdidgrantthatforgiveness,healsoinvestedmuch time in petitioning thosewho so adamantly opposed thedeathpenaltyonSonnier’sbehalftoalsoacknowledgethepainand

MassforSurvivorsofViolenceofferscomforttoparticipants

suffering he and his family en-dured because of his son’s mur-der.HeattendedtheMassfortheSurvivorsofViolenceeveryyearuntilhisownpassingin2008.

The death of a loved one isalways sorrowful, but violentdeathsseemtorippleevenmoreresoundinglywithinacommuni-ty. We are all horrified when we hear of or read the tragic head-linesinthelocalnews,butoften-

times our sympathies fall shortof actually comprehending thegriefsufferedbythefamiliesandclose friends of those who havelost their lives in such a man-ner.TheMassfortheSurvivorsofViolenceisanopportunityforthosefamiliesandfriendstoseekcomfortamongotherswhohaveexperienced similar sorrows.Many,likeLindySoileauandherson Matt, also find solace by ac-tively participating in the Mass.Ms. Soileau’s brother Tim Fal-goutwasmurderedin2010—oneday before his 51st birthday—whilehewasworkingasapizzadeliverydriver inLafayettePar-ish. After attending last year’sMass in honor of his memory,shevolunteeredthisyeartoserveasareaderwhileMattservedasCrossBearer.

The Mass is traditionally fol-lowedbyaprivate reception in-sidethechapel’sadjoiningMari-anHallsothatBishopJarrellmaypersonallyvisitwithall those in

attendance. Being so close toChristmas, this year’s recep-tion also provided a special op-portunity to commemorate theirdeparted lovedones in thespiritof the season by writing theirnames on a tag and attaching itto a decorative “gift” box. Theboxeswerethenplacedbeneathatabletoptree,symbolizingwhatagifttheirlivesweretothosewholoved themduring their timeonearth.

The Office of Justice & Peace would like to recognize to Dea-cons Ken Soignier and FrankCormierforassistingBishopJar-rell with the celebration of theMass. The office also extends its appreciationtotheSt.JudeMenofWorshipChoirforitsmusicalcontributions, as well as to theLadiesofGraceKnightsofPeterClaverFourthDegreeofSt.PaulChurchinLafayetteforprovidingrefreshmentsforthereception.

Lindy Soileau served as one of the readers for this year’s Mass for Survivors of Vio-lence. Ms. Soileau, whose son Matt also served as Cross Bearer, participated in honor of her brother Tim, who was murdered just one day shy of his 51st birthday. Photo by Ed Boustany

At the reception that followed the Mass, participants were encouraged to write the names of their departed loved ones and attach it to a “gift” box. The boxes were placed on a special table in honor of their memories. Pho-to by Sally Segura


A Vacation with the LordOurLadyoftheOaksRetreatHouse,GrandCoteau,La.(337)662-5410

www.ourladyoftheoaks.com

TheIncarnationJohn Schexnaildre

Adult Faith Formation: Holy Cross Church, Spiritual Director“And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and

wesawhisglory,thegloryasoftheFather’sonlySon,fullofgraceandtruth”(John1:14).

TheincarnationisthegreatmysteryofGodhumblingHimselfbybecomingoneofus.It’sabouttheincrediblejourneyfromheaventoearth,evenfartherthanthetwomillionlightyearstothenearestgalaxy.InhisbookThe Holy Longing,Fr.RonaldRolheisersaysthattheIncarnationisnotonlythecentralmysteryofourfaithbutalsothemysterythatisthemostmisunderstood.Ofcoursewecanneverfullyunderstandamystery,butthatdoesn’tmeanwecannotknowsome-thing about it. A mystery is something that is infinitely knowable.

Sowhatcanweunderstandabouttheincarnationandwhataretheimplicationsoftheincarnationinourlives?Isitsomethingthathap-pened two thousandyears agoandendedwith thedeathof Jesus?Fr.Rolheisersaysthattheincarnationneverendedandthatitisstillgoingontodayinus.Jesusshowedustheway,thewaytobecomehuman.NowwearecallednotonlytobelieveinHimbuttobeHisongoingpresenceintheworld.WeareHismysticalbody.WearetheongoingmysteryofdeathandresurrectionofChrist.WhathappenedtoHimcontinuesinus.

InourliturgywegatherasthebodyofChristtoreceivetheBodyofChrist.St.Augustinesayswearetobecomewhatwereceive.WearetobecometheverypresenceofChristintheworld.

DuringtheseasonsofAdventandChristmas,howcanwebecomethatpresenceinourworld?Itseemsthattheseasonofbuy,buy,buycanburythespirituallifeofanyChristianunderthedeadnessofsecu-lar compulsions. Perhaps we are called to the small sacrifices that define compassion as we wait in line, drive through heavy traffic, or deal with a difficult relative. Christ incarnates himself within us when wespeakwithkindnessinsteadofhostility,showpatienceinsteadofcompetitiveness,offerunconditionalloveintheplaceofjudgmentsandcondemnationofanother.Thenit ishis light thatshines in theworld,soneededasweseeandunderstandhowgreatadarknesshasyettobeovercome,evenwithinourselves.

Fr.RolheiserconcludeshischapterontheIncarnationinhisbookThe Holy Longing with these words: “The fire energy of God that so burnsinsideuswillcometomaturity,creativity,andcalmwhenweshapeourlivesandourbodiesinthewaythatJesusshapedhis,whenwehelphimcarrytheincarnationforward.”

“Whatcametobethroughhimwaslife,andthislifewasthelightofthehumanrace.”(John1:4-5)

PlantoattendretreatatOurLadyoftheOaksintheNewYear.Be-comeapartofChrist’slightbroughtforthtoadarkenedworld.Cometomaturity,compassion,creativity,andcalminChrist.

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LAFAYETTEAttentionallmarriedcouples!The Acadiana Catholic is pleased

toannouncethatanewcolumnwillbecomingtoitspagesbeginningwiththeFebruary2012edition.“Marriage101:Essential Tips for a Happy, Healthy,Holy Marriage” will be dedicated tolending reliable, spiritually based in-formation that supportsmarriageandfamilylife.Thecolumnwillbewrit-tenbyKelleyChapman,ProgramCo-ordinatorwiththeLafayetteDiocese’sOffice of Marriage & Family Life.

Mrs.ChapmanisagraduateoftheUniversity of Louisiana at Lafayette,where sheobtainedaBachelor’sDe-gree inLiberalArts,concentrating intheareaofChildandFamilyStudies.Sheisawifeandmotheroftwo,andinaddition to her duties with the Office ofMarriage&FamilyLife,sheiscur-rentlystudyingTheologythroughtheAquinas Institute. Mrs. Chapman isalso working toward her certification as a Natural Family Planning (NFP)instructorthroughtheNorthwestFam-ilyServices.

“I’m excited about this opportu-nitytosupportcouplesindevelopingahealthymarriage,and tohelp thembuild a strong family structure,” saidMrs.Chapman.“Mygoalforthecol-umnistoprovideaquick,usefultoolforthispurpose.”

The mission of the Office of Mar-riage&Familyistoconductprogramsand activities which strengthen mar-riageandthefamily,andtoprovidere-liableresourcestohelpCatholicsedu-cate themselves on all issues relatedtothesanctityofmarriageandfamilylife.Whileseveraloftheseresources

can already be accessed through theMarriage & Family Life section ofthe diocesan website (www.diolaf.org),the“Marriage101”columnwillnowofferindividualsyetanotherwayto keep up with the latest news anddevelopments regarding a number offamily-orientedtopicssuchas:

•ThePowerBehindaFamilyDinnerTable•EffectiveUseofFamilyTime•KeepingtheFamilyTogetherWhileDealingwithTeenagers•PlanningYourChild’sFinancialFuture•HowtoManageEmptyNest•Infertility&OptionsWithintheCatholicFaith•DealingwithStressorsatWork&atHome•NaturalFamilyPlanningAwarenessThe Office of Marriage & Family

Lifewouldalso like to invitereadersto suggest other potential topics forthisongoingcolumn.Anyonewithaparticular question or idea they wishto see addressed may submit the [email protected].

“Marriage101”comingtothe Acadiana Catholic

Kelley Chapman



Blessings of a jubilee yearcouldverywellbe theway theDiscalced Carmelite nuns de-scribe some special events of2011.

ThenunsarrivedinLafayettein 1936 and celebrated this an-niversary year in appropriateevents.

On the75thanniversaryday,May16,BishopMichaelJarrellof Lafayette was the celebrant

oftheMasswith thir-teenpriestsas concel-e b r a n t s .Msgr. Ro-bie Ro-b i c h a u xchose thetheme forhis homily

“love is repaid by love alone,”words inscribed on the muralwhichdominatesthewallofthesanctuaryofthemonasterycha-pel.

Oneofthenuns,SisterMari-ette,celebratedhergoldenanni-versary,50yearsasaDiscalcedCarmelite.

TwonunscamefromVietnamon“apilgrimageoflove.”Sis-ter Josephof theEucharist andSisterCamilleofJesus,hadtheirformation inVietnam and havegivengenerouslyoftheirtalentstothecommunity.

Theymadetheirsolemnvows

AnniversaryyearbringsblessingstoDiscalcedCarmelites

onJuly16,feastofOurLadyofMountCarmel.

“Newest bloom on the vineofCarmel,”aswasdescribedonthe Christmas card is BrittlynSonnier of Eunice. On October15,thefeastofSt.TeresaofAvi-la,BrittlynbecameSisterTeresaofJesus.SheisthedaughterofJohnandthelateMoniqueSon-nier.

Newest postulate is DanielleViellonofEunice,whoenteredontheanniversaryday,May16.

TheDiscalcedCarmelitenuns

cametoLafayetteat theinvita-tionof the lateBishopJulesB.Jeanmard, first Bishop of Lafay-ette.HehadservedaschaplaintotheCarmelitemonasterywhenhewas ayoungpriest in NewOrleans. AfterhisappointmentasBishopofLafayettein1918,heaskedthenunstoestablishamonasteryhere. Buttheywerenotabletodosountil1936.Thefirst location was a former resi-denceonCollege(nowUniver-sity)avenue.

The community flourished andanewandlargermonasterywasneeded.

The present location on Car-mel (named for the nuns)Ave-nuewascompletedin1957andblessed by Bishop Jeanmard,one of his last official functions.

On this year’s Christmascard,thenunsreviewtheirjubi-leeblessings,asoutlinedabove,“You have crowned the yearwithyourblessings”(Ps.65).

For seventy five years, their missionhasbeen,“proclaimingHis mercy at dawn and His fidel-ityeverynight.”(Ps.92).

Discalced Carmelites of Mary, Mother of Grace Monastery, Lafayette gather for the Divine Office.

Sister Teresa of Jesus

“Believe and be Blessed”

Limited Edition Print 17”x11” • $40.00

Cal l [email protected]

Commissioned charcoal drawingsby Louisiana artist


“BEFIRE!”S o m e

writerssaythat themost terri-fyingthingthey en-counterisablankpage(or blanks c r e e n ,n o w a -d a y s ) .

That’s because everything theywrite has to come from inside.What if there’s nothing thereworthwritingabout?

Sometimestheytalkabout“in-vokingthemuse,”amythologicalgoddesswho,itwassaid,inspiredcreativeartists.Idon’tthinkany-onereallybelievesthatanymore,butit’sobviousthatsuddeninspi-rationcomesfromsomewhere.

OrfromSomeone.God created us and gave us

thetalentsthatwebringtowrit-ing,sculpture,painting,orwhat-ever else we create. So, whenIwrite thiscolumn,I’mprayingandtrustingthattheHolySpiritisstandingbehindit.

Ifyouhaven’t tried that,giveitawhirl!

OK,ready?Tearofftheold2011page.Newstart,newsto-ry.

Putatthetop“WhatIwanttodoin2012.”Sincewe’retalk-ingaboutbeing ledby theHolySpirit,maybeabettertitlewouldbe“WhatI thinkGodwantsmetodoin2012.”

Toknowthat,wehavetoask,andwehave to seewhat’sbeenhappeninginourlivesandwhereTheLordhastakenussofar.

For those who don’t remem-ber this from earlier columns,I’m a convert who’s married toa“cradleCatholic.”IcameintotheChurchin1991afteralotofprayerandsearching.Oneoftheways that prayer was answeredwas during a conversation overlunch with a Protestant pastorfriendwhodidn’tknowwhatI’dbeen praying about. Suddenly,hesaid,“Ithinkyouneedtolookat where God has put you andwhereyourministry is. You’resurroundedbyCatholics.Ithinkyou shouldbecomeaCatholic.”I’d had another conversation afewmonths earlierwith a priestfriend who also didn’t knowabout my prayers but suddenlysaid,“IfeelinthestrongestwaythatIneedtoinviteyoutocome

into the fullness of the Faith.”Atthatpoint,IrealizedthatGodwaspointingmeintotheChurchandIobeyed.

That’sjustoneexample.I’dbet that if you sit and reflect on your life, you’ll see time andagainplaceswherethere’vebeenHoly Spirit “road signs” thatyou’veseenandfollowed.

Chances are pretty good thatwe’ll see more of those “roadsigns” if we’re actively askingtheHolySpirittoleadusandifwe’reexpecting thatHe’sgoingtoshowuswheretogo.

Looking at my new page,here’s how I think God’s 2012“wishlist”formebegins:

1) Getmorebalance inmylife.Thereareonly24hoursinmy day, and every one of themis a precious gift. However,I’mnotsupposedtospendeverymoment working. I need timealonewiththeLordatthetopofmyschedule.I’mthinkingthatIreallyneedtobeworkingtoward“tithing”mytimetoHim.Thatmeansalittleovertwohoursofprayeraday.Idon’tknowthatIwillevergetthere,butit’sworthtrying.PeterKreeft,inhisbook“MakingChoices,”observedthatwemaynotthinkwehavetimetopray,butthatifwestartourdaywith a good prayer time we’llfind we have more than enough timetogetdonewhatneedsdo-ing.

2) Spend more time look-ing for God’s Kingdom aroundme,inhowHeismovinginmylife and the lives of others, andin how He makes provision forthings that we often don’t evenknowwe’regoing toneeduntilsuddenlytheneedisthere.

3) Doabetterjoboflettingthe Love of Jesus flow out from me to others so that they willknow that God loves them andvaluesthemmorethantheycanimagine.

4) Stop worrying and trustGodmore.Jesussaid,“Fearisuseless;whatisneededistrust.”(Lk.8:50)Or,asSt.PadrePioputit,“Pray,hopeanddon’twor-ry.”

5) Get more rest and takebetter careofmyself. Anxietygeneratesbusyness. Jesus toldus,“Donotworryabout tomor-row.Tomorrowwilltakecareofitself.”(Mt.6:34)

6) Putupasignonmycom-puterthatsays,“God’sincharge.I’mnot.”

That’sthestartofmylist.How’syourscoming?

Happy2012!

By Graham N. Smith

LifeintheSpiritseminarLAFAYETTE

A“LifeintheSpirit”Semi-nar will be offered at St. Ed-mond Church in Lafayettebeginning on Wednesday,January 11. The seminar,scheduled for 7:00 p.m., willcontinue for six consecutiveWednesdays. A local prayergroup will be facilitating thesessionsandallagesareinvit-ed. Thepresentationswillbedesignedtohelpfosterafull-er spiritual life in accordancewith the Holy Spirit becom-ingmoreactive in all aspectsoflife.Formoreinformation,please contact Dell Trahan at(337)984-6091.

Notanabstractidea,evangelizationcallsforrealwitness,popesaysVATICANCITY(CNS)

New evangelization is not anabstractideatopitch,butratheracalltoauthenticallylivetheGos-pelmessage,PopeBenedictXVIsaid.

“Christianfaithprovidesasur-er basis for life than the secularvision;for‘itisonlyinthemys-tery of the Word made flesh that the mystery of humanity trulybecomes clear,’” he said quot-ingfrom“GaudiumetSpes,”theSecond Vatican Council docu-mentonthechurchandsociety.

The pope was speaking Dec.17tobishopsfromNewZealandand the Pacific Islands who were makingtheir“adlimina”visitstotheVatican.Hesaidhewasawareof the challenges they facedbe-causeofincreasedsecularizationsuchas“aweakenedappreciationforthesacrednatureofChristianmarriageand the stabilityof thefamily.

In suchacontext the struggletoleadalifeworthyofourbap-tismalcallingandtoabstainfromtheearthlypassionswhichwagewar against our souls becomesevermorechallenging,”hesaid.Thepopeaddeditwaspreciselythese challenges that promptedhim to establish the Pontifi-cal Council for Promoting NewEvangelization.

“Since the Christian faith isfounded on the Word made flesh, JesusChrist,thenewevangeliza-tionisnotanabstractconceptbuta renewal of authentic Christianlivingbasedon the teachingsofthechurch,”hesaid.


RegistrationsoonopeningforCycle2ofVLCFFLAFAYETTE

Registration for Cycle 2 oftheVirtualLearningCommunityforFaithFormation(VLCFF)isscheduled to open on Tuesday,January10andcloseonFebru-ary22.CourseswithinCycle2will be conducted from Febru-ary 26-March 31, and residentsof the Lafayette Diocese mayparticipateatthecostof$40percourse. Successful completionmay be applied toward a Certifi-cateinCatechesis,ortowardthecontinuing education hours re-quiredbytheLafayetteDiocese’sOffice of Catholic Schools.

Courses being offered duringCycle 2 will include: Collabo-rationandCommunity;Evange-lization and Discipleship; His-tory of Catholic Social Action,PrayingwithChildren, andRo-manMissal.Acompletelistingof courses for Cycle 2, as wellas the other remaining cyclesscheduledfor2012, isavailablethrough www.vlc.udayton.edu.Individual course descriptionsare also accessible through thesite.

ForfurtherinformationonthepartnershipbetweentheUniver-sityofDaytonInstituteforPas-toralInitiativeandtheLafayetteDiocese, please contact the Of-fice of Christian Formation at (337)261-5550.

PREPARE/ENRICHtrainingseminarLAFAYETTE

The Lafayette Diocese willhostaPREPARE/Enrichtrainingseminarfrom9:00a.m.until4:00p.m.onSaturday,February18attheImmaculataCenterinLafay-ette. Theseminar isopen toallpriests,deacons,andlayfacilita-torswhowishtobetrainedintheutilizationofthePREPARE/EN-RICHpremaritaland/orcounsel-ingassessmenttool.Thedioceseisworkingtowardthefullimple-mentationof this tool to replacethe previously used FOCUSmodel. The trainingseminaronFebruary18doesqualifyascon-tinuingeducation,andthosewhoare interested may contact theOffice of Marriage & Family for furtherdetailsandregistrationin-formation.

HolySpiritwomen’sretreatbyFatherRichardMcAlear,OMILAFAYETTE

FatherRichardMcAlear,OMI,willpreachtheannualHolySpiritWomen’sRetreat,January27-29,2012,at theHiltonHotel inLa-fayette.

He has a worldwide ministryof preaching and healing and ishighly sought after as a retreat

master.Womenofallagesarein-vitedtothisweekendofspiritualrefreshment,healingandinspira-tion.

FatherMcAlearwillbejoinedin ministry by Deacon LarryOney of New Orleans, MarilynQuirk, foundress of Magnificat and Patti Mansfield, author and internationalspeaker.

Hundredsofwomen from theGulf South have been attendingthisretreatforovertwentyyears.Itfeaturesachapelwithcontinu-ousEucharisticadoration,uplift-ing music, inspiring teachings,livelyworshipandwarmfellow-ship.

TheHolySpiritWomen’sRe-treat is sponsoredby theCatho-licCharismaticRenewalofNewOrleans. For more informa-tion and to register visitwww.ccrno.org.Commutersare alsowelcome.http://www.ccrno.org/CallCCRNOat(504)828-1368.

MonthlyMannacomestoacloseFRANKLIN

Withmixedfeelingsofgrat-itude and sadness, the SouthRegion Pastoral Council haselected to cease the gather-ingsknownasMonthlyMan-na.TheecumenicallunchtimespeakerseriesbeganinFebru-ary2005andhassincehostedmore than70differentspeak-ersduringitsexistence.

ThelastmeetingofMonthlyMannawasheldonDecember14andfeaturedFatherEugeneTremie (Pastor, St. Marcel-lus Church, Rynella) as thespeaker. He focused on therelationship between religionand science, referencing abook by Edward Fischer en-titled Everybody Steals FromGod, which refers to scienceas revealing the face of God.FatherTremiealsomentionedthehopethatscienceandpro-fessors of science will cometoshowanewrespectforthefaith of young people, ratherthan trying todeconstruct thefoundationsoftheirfaith.HenotedAntony Flew, a Britishphilosopherbornin1923whofoundGodaftersixdecadesofatheism.

The South Region Pasto-ral Council would like to ex-tendaspecialthank-youtoallthosewhohaveparticipatedinMonthly Manna throughout

thelastsixyears.Thecouncilalsothanksallofthechurchesthat so faithfully supportedand promoted the event eachmonth. Last but not least, athank-you is extended to AlKuhlmanoftheForestRestau-rantinFranklinforthefreeuseofhisfacilitytohostthegath-erings, and to all those whocooked and served the deli-ciousmeals.

As one door closes, so an-other will open. The councilis certain that God will di-rectthemtoanothermeansofbringing His Word, love andfellowship to the faith-filled community of the LafayetteDiocese’sSouthRegion.

During the last gathering of Monthly Manna, Father Gene Tremie (left) took time to visit with local astronomer Francis Todd (right). Father Tremie’s presenta-tion focused on the relationship between religious and science. Photo submitted by Deacon Gerald Bourg


WASHINGTON,D.C.The National Black Catholic

Congress, Inc. (NBCC) releasedan unprecedented national studyofAfricanAmericanCatholics.

The study, commissioned byNBCC in collaboration with theUniversityofNotreDame’sInsti-tute of Church Life and the Office of thePresident.NotreDameso-cialscientistsDr.DarrenW.DavisandDr.DonaldB.Pope-Davisco-authoredthereport.

TheNBCCaimstousethissur-veytobetterserveAfrican-Ameri-can Catholics and their religiousneeds.

ThedatafromthestudywillbeusedbytheNationalBlackCatho-

licCongressas itprepares tode-velop its five-year plan for pastoral prioritiesat themeeting in India-napolisJuly19-21,2012.Aboutathousandparticipantsareexpectedtoattendthenationalconvention.

According to Bishop John H.Ricard,presidentofNBCC,“Thestudy includes important findings aboutAfricanAmericanCatholicstoday. It also provides directionfor setting pastoral priorities na-tionally and also in dioceses andparishes. The survey is a superbresource for improving evangeli-zationefforts.”

“Close to 900 Black Catholicswere surveyed which makes thisahistoric study,” saidDr.Darren

NationalBlackCatholicCongressreleases“NationalBlackCatholicSurvey”Davis.“AfricanAmericansingen-eralarerarelysurveyedandtradi-tionallyaren’tstudied.Thissurveyis the first of its kind and the larg-estsamplingofAfrican-AmericanCatholicsinacademichistory.”

ThesurveywasconductedJuly7,2011-August1,2011, and thereportwaspresentedtotheNBCCboardonNovember11,2011.

The survey compares the re-ligious life of African-AmericanCatholics, white Catholics, Af-rican-American Protestants andwhiteProtestants.Areasexaminedwere parish engagement, reasonsof faith and satisfaction with theChurch.

For additional informa-tion, contact Daniel Medinger,NBCC Media Representative,410-740-5077.

The National Black Catholic Congress, Inc. is an umbrella of support for organizations that share the same purpose of providing spiritual guidance to African-American Roman Cath-olics. They represent African-American Roman Catholics for the purpose of the evangeliza-tion of African Americans, and are committed to the freedom and growth of African Ameri-cans as full participants in church and society.

ByCatholicNewsServiceWASHINGTON(CNS)

Hereisabrieftimelineofkeyevents related to Blessed KateriTekakwitha.PopeBenedictXVIclearedthewayforhercanoniza-tionDec.19byapprovingamira-cleattributedtoherintercession,but no date has been set for thecanonizationceremony.

--1656:BorninavillageontheMohawk River nearAuriesville,N.Y. Her father was a MohawkchiefandhermotheraChristianAlgonquin.

-- 1660: Orphaned at age4 when a smallpox epidemicclaimedherparentsandherbabybrother.

--1676:BaptizedonEasteratage20.

-- 1677: Fled to Canada, tak-ing refuge at St. Francis XavierMissionintheMohawkNationatCaughnawaga. Reportedly made

her first Communion on Christ-mas.

--1680:Diedatage24,isbur-iedatCaughnawaga.

--Late1800s:AmericanIndi-ansbeganmakingappealstotheCatholicChurchthatsheberec-ognized forherdeep spiritualityanddevotiontotheBlessedSac-rament.ª 1932: Documentation for

her sainthood cause was sent totheVatican.ª1939:NationalTekakwitha

Conference started to promoteevangelizationamongindigenousCatholics who are members ofmorethan300tribesandnationsintheUnitedStatesandCanada.ª June 22, 1980: Beatified by

PopeJohnPaulII.ªDec.19,2011:PopeBene-

dictXVIapprovesmiracleattrib-utedtoherintercession.

TimelineofkeyeventsrelatedtoBlessedKateriTekakwitha

A prayer for the canonization of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha is seen behind a statue of her July 4 inside St. Peter’s Chapel on the grounds of the shrine dedicated to the 17th-century Indian maiden. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)


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Concerns for a younger gen-erationwhichseemstobefallingaway from theChurchwere ex-pressedbyFatherJerryMesleyattheDecember6meetingofFoodfortheJourney.FatherMesleyisinresidenceatSt.GenevievePar-ish,Lafayette,andhasservedinseveralparishesinthediocese.

HenotedinthescriptureswhenChristuses theword“faith,”Heisnot speakingofdogmabutoffaithasanexperience,asarela-tionship.

FatherMesleyrecalledtheex-ampleofhisfatherwhohadashedescribedit,“aquietfaith,recit-ing the rosary andother prayersprivately...He was very privateabouthisfaith.”

In contrast, his mother was“more outward, led the familyrosary,addingendlessspecialin-tentions,mybrotherandIthought‘whenisthisgoingtoend?’

“We went to a rural church,”heremembered,“mybrotherandIkneltoneithersideofmymoth-erandwaitedforhertopray.”

Intheseminary,FatherMesleysaid,hebegantorealizehisfaith

was “boxed in.” He describedtheboxes,“Godislove,Jesusisourbrother,Maryisourmother.This impedes our relationships,our faith journey, to have JesusandMaryinabox,”FatherMes-leypointedout.“Afterall,Jesushasnoboundaries.”

Looking at current events, hecitedanationalpollwhichreport-ed large numbers of fallen-wayCatholics,citingsuchreasonsas“themessageisstale,pastorsareinsensitive,toomanyregulations,peoplefeltunwelcome.

“People are leaving thechurch,” he said, “because theydon’t experience God in yourfaith. Too many churches arefilled with only the older genera-tion.Whatexampleareyougiv-ing?” he asked his audience atFoodfortheJourney.

FatherMesleyisoptimisticthattoday’s children are open to thefaith experience and we shouldreachouttothembyexampleandproperinstruction.

“You must be examples toothers,” he emphasized, not-ing “Catholics who join otherchurchesfrequentlyboastoftheirnew‘faithexperiences.’

FatherMesleyexpressesconcernforyoungergeneration

“We must do the same,” hesaid, “After all, we have beenbaptizedinChrist,Heisalreadyinus.WehaveacallingtobeallHewantsustobe.

“Adventisagreattimetolookat your faith experience, say toJesus‘atYourcomingIamopenforYoutoworkinmylife,’”Fa-therMesleyconcluded.

FatherMesleywasintroducedbyMaryBergeron,executiveas-sistant to FatherThomas James,

S.V.D. vicar for the Central Re-gion which sponsors Food fortheJourney.RepresentingFatherJames,whowasabsent,wasFa-therAndersondeSouza,S.V.D.,associate pastor of ImmaculateHeartofMaryParish,Lafayette.

Guest speaker for theJanuary3 Food for the Journey will beFather Kevin Bordelon, directorofVocations,whowillbebring-ingsomeseminariansashisspe-cialguests.

Father Jerry Mesley, cenmter, was guest speaker at the December “Food for the Journey” Speakers’ Series at Crowne Plaza in Lafayette. Introducing Father Mesley was Mrs. Mary Bergeron, left, executive assistant to the Central Region Vicar, Father Thomas James, SVD (not pictured). Representing Father James was Father Ander-son de Souza, SVD, right.

Catholicpapers’deadlinescouldshiftifPostalServicedownsizesWASHINGTON(CNS)

AproposalbytheU.S.PostalServicetoclosemorethanhalfofitsmail-processing facilitiesaround thenationcouldmeanearlierdead-linesforCatholicpapers.

Another potential change affecting all mail delivery would be theendofSaturdayservice.Aftercomplaintsfrom22senators,though,thePostal Service issued a five-month moratorium on the plans Dec. 13. ThePostalServicehasbeenshowingredinkinthebillionsinrecentyears.

WhilesomeofthelossesaretheresultofchangesCongressinstitutedin 2006 on the agency funding future retirees’ health care benefits in advance,itispossiblethePostalServicemaynothaveenoughcashonhandsometimein2012tomeetitspayroll.“ForCatholicnewspapers,ifthey’vebeentargetingSaturday(delivery),they’llhavetotargetFri-day,” said Tony Conway, executive director of the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers.

“There’ll be some sacrifice,” Conway added, but the sacrifices are morepalatablethanahikeinpostagerates.“Wethinkthat’stheworstofallpossibleworlds,”hesaid.

ThechangessuggestedbythePostalService,whichhaveyettobeactedonbyCongress,wouldvirtuallyeliminatenext-daydeliveryforfirst-class mail sent by 5 p.m. “There’s no advantage to being in a big city”ifthechangestakeeffect,Conwaysaid.ConwaysaidthePostalService’s excess capacity is in the processing of first-class mail, which in termsofvolume isdownclose tohalf fromadecadeago, largelybecauseofemailandotherformsofdigitalcommunication,with thevolumeexpectedtodeclinebyhalfagainby2020.

Theclosingofmore thanhalfof its461processingplantsand theeliminationofSaturdaymaildelivery,proposedearlier,wouldcutintothePostalService’sworkforce;Conwayestimated that80percentofthePostalService’scostsarelabor-related.


OBITUARIES

ZerbenH.Bienvenu,Jr.,M.D.LAFAYETTE

A Mass of Christian BurialforDr.ZerbenH.Bienvenu,wasconcelebratedintheCathedralofSt.JohntheEvangelistbyBishopMichaelJarrellandBishopGlenJohn Provost of Lake Charleswithareaclergyasconcelebrants.These included Father ChesterArceneaux, pastor; Msgr. KeithDeRouen, former pastor; Msgr.Robie Robichaux, judicial vicar,andothers.

Bishop Jarrell in his homilynoted“Hewasagoodman,andhewouldwantthisfuneraltobeanexpressionoffaith,areminderof the faith that was at the verycore of his being....”a challengeto all of us to put Christ at thecenterofourlives.”

“He gave so much” BishopJarrellcontinued. “TheChurchofLafayetteowesmuch tohim,his devotion was inspiring, hisgenerosity, his joy. The bishopconcluded,“Restwell,servantofGod.Wewillmissyou,remem-beryou,prayforyou,restwell.”

LectorswereRobertBienvenuandEdwardLandry.TheprayerofthefaithfulwasreadbyNata-lieBienvenu.Specialmusicwasprovided by Raymond Hebertand Karen Melancon, vocalistsandTomNiel,organist.

Ascriptureserviceontheeveof the funeralwasconductedbyMgr.Robichaux.

AnativeofSt.Martinville,Dr.BienvenuwasthesonofZerbenBienvenuSr.andtheformerZoeHoffman. He attended South-westernLouisianaInstitute(nowU. of L.L) and graduated fromLSUMedicalSchool.HebeganpracticeinLafayettewithDoctorsHamilton,DavisandBreaux.Hetook leave to serve twoyears intheNavyduringtheKoreanwar.ReturningtoLafayettetojointheHamiltonMedicalGroup.

HealsoservedaschiefofstaffatLafayetteGeneralHospital.Heleftprivatepracticein1989tobe-comehousephysicianatCypressHospital and also worked withthe Tyler Mental Health Clinicand Lafayette Substance AbuseClinic,retiringin2001.

He was a member of theKnights of Columbus Council1286 for 50 years and an activemember of St. John Cathedral

parishwherehewasatrusteefor15 years, helped organize andserve as president of the first par-ishcouncil, servedas lectorandEucharistministeralongwithhiswife.Healsoservedaspresidentof the Mount Carmel parentsclub,wasteamphysicianfortheCathedral athletes. He was co-founderoftheAcadianaRighttoLifeorganization,servedaspres-ident and district deputy for theLafayette Serra Club, officer and committee member for the La-fayetteChamberofCommerce.

For all of these activities hewas received the HumanitarianAward of the HCA/Columbia;theServicetoMankindawardofSertoma;AcadianaRighttoLifecitedhiswork.Hewashonoredby the Catholic Church beingmadeaKnightofSt.GregorybyPopePaulVI.

Heissurvivedbyhiswifeof64yearstheformerGertrudeNatalieGauthier; seven children, PhilipM.Bievenu,Boulder,Colo.;ReneC. Bienvenu, Lafayette; NatalieG.Bienvenu,Lafayette;GregoryStephen Bienvenu, MD, LittleRock,Ark;StephenF.Bienvenu,JamesC.Bienvenu,MD,bothofLafayette; Robert M. Bienvenu,BatonRouge;nineteengrandchil-dren;13greatgrandchildren;onesisterDr.CharmaineMamantov,Knoxville,TN.

IntermentwasintheCathedralcemetery.

PopetovisitMexicoMarch23-26,spokesman confirmsByCatholicNewsServiceMEXICOCITY(CNS)

AspokesmanfortheMexicanbishops’ conference confirmed details of Pope Benedict XVI’supcoming visit to Mexico origi-nallypublishedbythenewspaperReforma,whichreportedthepa-palvisitwouldoccurMarch23-26.

Thespokesman,FatherManuelCorral,stressedthatdetailsofthevisit “are not official,” although hesaidthepopewouldonlyvisitthe state of Guanajuato and itsenvironsinwest-centralMexico.Father Corral said specific details ofthevisitwouldlikelybemadepublicbeforetheendoftheyear.

Reforma, citing commentsfromthepresidentofthebishops’conference, Archbishop CarlosAguiarRetesofTlalnepantla,re-

portedthatPopeBenedictwouldcelebrate Mass March 25 at theParque Guanajuato BicentenarioinSilao,nearthecityofLeonand220 miles northwest of MexicoCity.

PopeBenedictalsoisexpectedtovisitCubaduringhis trip, thefirst to both countries since he waselectedin2005.

Pope,ataudience,encouragesparentstoteachchildrentoprayByCindyWoodenVATICANCITY(CNS)

Ifchildrendonotlearntoprayfromtheirparents,itwillbedif-ficult for them to ever learn to communicatewithGodnaturally,simply and deeply, Pope Bene-dictXVIsaid.

“In the family, children fromthetenderestagecanlearntoper-ceivethesenseofGodthankstothe teaching and example theirparentsgiveoflivinginthepres-ence of God,” the pope said athisweeklygeneralaudienceDec.28.

Continuing a series of audi-encetalksonprayer,PopeBene-

dictlookedattheHolyFamilyasamodeloffamilylifemarkedbyfaith,workandregularmomentsofprayertogether.

“TheHolyFamily is the iconof thedomesticchurchcalled topray together. The family is thedomesticchurchandmustbethefirst school of prayer,” he said.

WhiletheGospelsdonotgivemany details about Jesus’ child-hood, he said, the Bible is clearthat Mary and Joseph were ob-servant Jews, which means theyprayedat regular times through-out the day and before meals.Theywent toJerusalemtopres-ent Jesus in the templewhenhewas40daysoldandjourneyedtoJerusalem to celebrate the Pass-over.

“An authentically Christianeducation cannot lack the expe-rienceofprayer,” thepopesaid.“Ifonedoesnotlearntoprayinthe family, it will be difficult to fill this void, so I want to invite you to rediscover the beauty ofpraying together as a family inthe school of the Holy Familyof Nazareth and, in that way, tobecome truly one heart and onesoul,atruefamily.”


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LAFAYETTETheJuniorLeagueofLafayette

recentlyselectedTheFamilyTreetoreceivea$5,000grant tosup-port the organization’s Parentingthrough the Arts workshops inpartnershipwithTheCompound.

The workshops will provideparentinghealtheducationthroughculturalartstoTheFamilyTree’sHealthy Start participants andtheirchildren,aswellasmothersandchildreninthecommunity.

ParentingthroughtheArtsisa12monthprojectdesignedtopro-videaservicetoapopulationthatmaynototherwisehavethemeanstoparticipateinanartsprogram.

The grant from the JuniorLeague of Lafayette will pro-vide a cultural experience andparentingeducationforapproxi-mately50womenwithchildren(birthto12years).“Theartsaresuchanimportantcomponentof

TheFamilyTreereceivesgrantfromtheJuniorLeagueofLafayette

our culture. Through this pro-gram,motherswillhaveanop-portunity to creatively expressthemselves and model this be-haviorfortheirchildrenleadingtoself-growthanddeeperbond-ing,”statedDr.JessicaBaudoin,Chief Executive Officer of The FamilyTree.Allworkshopswillfocus on personal storytellingwith an emphasis on buildingself-esteem and personal char-acter.

Datesandtimesforthework-shops will be released in early2012.

TheFamilyTreeisanonprof-it center designed to enhancethe quality of life for individu-als, families, youth and futuregenerations through education,counselingandinformationser-vicesthataredeliveredinapro-fessional, accessible and com-passionatemanner.

Themythof“EveryoneElse”By Roy Petitfils

One evening lastweekmywife,Mindi,wasfranticallysearch-ing for a “paper” thatneeded to be signedandreturnedtoschoolwithour1stgradesonMax.Afteranexasper-ated,resignedsigh,shesaid “Why can’t wegetittogether?What’s

wrongwithus?Itseemslikeeveryoneelsehasitalltogetherexceptus.”

“Ihearya.”Isaid.“Ifeelthatwaytoo–alot. But I know for a fact that everybodydoesn’thaveitalltogether.”

Despite well maintained homes, ve-hicles,clothing,shinycreditcards, trendyChristmas cards, the latest in Halloweendécor,andthesmilesnoonehasitall to-gether.Therealityisthatonanygivendaymostpeople….

…feel stuck in the quicksand of griefwatchinglifepassthemby

*…puttheirlivesonholdinordertotakecareofasickrelative.

*…watchurgent itemson their“todo”list fall through the cracks because lifeserved them up something critical whichdemandedalltheirattention.

*…worry they are not doing enough,

sayingtherightthingsordoingtoomuchfortheirkids.

*…feel as though they should be doingsomething more meaningful, “purpose driv-en”withtheirlives.

*…regret not spending enough time withor saying I loveyouenough to a lovedonebeforetheydied.

*…livebeyondtheirmeans*…getbehindontheirtaxes.*…regretmakingpoordecisions.*…sleep,eat,drink,spend,talk,surf,play

toomuch.*…praytoolittle,notwellenough.*…put off important things to play with

theirkids.*…putofftheirkidstogetimportantthings

done.*…feelamixtureofguiltandanxietyabout

bothoftheprevioustwo.*…don’t exercise—orat least asoftenas

theyshould.*…don’t follow their doctor’s, therapist’s

advice.*…feel that they’re not getting anything

outofMass.*…believeeveryone’sholierthanthey.*…wishtheirkidswouldeattheirvegeta-

bles.*…wishtheyatetheirvegetables.*…see the connectionbetween theprevi-

ous two but don’t feel like doing anythingaboutit.

*…have messy houses which theyscramble to clean (throw stuff in closetsand under beds) or have cleaned beforeguestsarrive.

*…putoffvisitingoursickoragingrela-tive.

*…don’tgotothegraveyard.*…don’tvisitrelativesorfriendsinthe

nursinghome.*…forgettosendthankyounotes.*…have to borrow money from rela-

tives,friendsandinstitutions.*…havehaddayswhentheydon’twant

togetoutofbed.*…wonderifGodhearstheirprayers.*…wonderifGodcares.St. Paul said it best: we all fall some-

where short of God’s glory. This isn’t apasstobea“slacker”,butdoeshelptoex-plainwhynoonehasnoreverwillhaveitalltogether.ItinvitesustotrustaGodwhodwellswithinandamonguswhodoesholditalltogether.Itpointstothecounterintui-tive loveof aGodwhocaresmore aboutbeing together with us than us holding ittogetherforhim.

Prayer:God,giveusthegracetoallowyou to be the Lord of the Messiness andUntogethernessofourLives.Amen.

Roy Petitfils is a speaker, author and counselor practicing at Pax Renewal Cen-ter in Lafayette, LA. Contact him at [email protected].



Photos by Paul Kieu, photo of

Alex LeBlanc furnished

219 Msgr. Wm. J. Teurlings Burse #1 13,417.00236 John E. Lee Jr. Burse 9,324.60 239 St. Joseph Burse 9,076.48242 Lee C. Lavergne Burse 7,079.73244 Rev. Julian Van Exem Burse #2 12,524.06248 Msgr. Alphonsus Martel Burse 11,000.00253 Serra Club Burse 15,534.49254 Rusty Randol Burse 1,742.76260 St. Theresa Burse #2 5,697.46266 Paul and Mary Karre Burse 2,105.00268 M/M Willie Fournet Burse #2 570.65271 Msgr. Joseph Van Brero Burse 710.00272 Msgr. P. Alexandre Borel Burse 1,625.00274 Msgr. Emery Labbe Burse 6,310.00278 Msgr. Daniel Bernard Burse 3,674.64281 Rev. Harry Van Tiel Family Burse 3,969.00283 Noemie L. Petitijean Burse 2,000.00284 Msgr. Daniel Habetz Burse 6,590.00286 P.J. Reiners Burse #2 9,500.00288 Rev. Oscar Drapeau Burse 2,000.00290 Rev. P.G.J. Kemps Burse 1,000.00291 Lucille M. Griffin Memorial Burse 5,000.00292 Anonymous Burse 10,470.00293 Msgr. Fernand Gouaux Burse 4,770.00294 Robert A. Frey Memorial Burse 7,360.00297 “A Priest” Burse #2 7,400.00308 Harold/Ruby Moreau Family Memorial Burse 5,000.00309 Libby Holcombre Memorial Burse 2,000.00318 Msgr. Marcel Murie 5,260.00319 Rev. Marcel & Alfred Gaudet #5 1,942.80 322 Rev. Jean Fidele Paradis #2 5,000.00323 Charlene Richard 3,030.00326 Fr. Raphael Gauthier #2 3,757.17327 Msgr. Albert Bacque #2 325.00330 Rev. Verbis Lafleur #3 100.00332 Ben & Louisa Larriviere #2 3,750.00337 Colonel, Chaplain Kenneth A. Bienvenu, USAF, Burse #2 14,814.99340 Rev. James Doiron 2,272.17346 Msgr. Alexander O. Sigur Memorial 2,250.00348 Rev. J. Wilson Matt & Mire Families 450.00351 Rev. Alcide Sonnier Burse #2 11,300.00352 St. Edmond Church Parish (In memory of Frs. Dowling & Murray, SM) 9,000.00354 Catholic Daughters #3 10,200.63355 Gabriel Lucas Seminary Memorial Fund (Morse) 15,194.21356 Mrs. Louise L. White Memorial Fund 10,110.00358 Therese Esteves #5 7,516.49359 St. Peter’s Parish – New Iberia 10,422.35363 Ramona Crosby Bennerfield Burse 2,155.52364 St. Jude Burse #2 8,030.00366 A. Otis and Etta B. Hebert Memorial Burse 5,000.00367 Bishop Edward J. O’Donnell Burse 3,545.00368 Rev. J.C. Speyrer Burse 10,000.00370 Msgr. C. Burton Mouton Burse 10,700.00375 Msgr. Charles Marin 100.00376 Bishop Jeanmard Burse 5,464.00377 Marie Louise Franques- Kenneth N. LaCaze Burse 3,000.00378 Bishop Gerard L. Frey Memorial Burse 12,522.00379 Rev. Moise Hebert #2 3,403.61380 Lay Honorees #7 3,974.50381 In memory of Mrs. Dorphi Duhon 2,181.50382 Anonymous 11,000383 James Kerney Bourque Memorial Burse 3,930.00384 Bishop Schexnayder Mem. Vurse #3 940.19385 Rev. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse 3,200.00386 Coignard/Gremillion Burse #2 2,000.00387 In memory of Mr. & Mrs. Scranton Mouton 3,000.00

DECEMBER DONORS283 Georgie M. Petitjean 1,000.00330 Carrol/Richard Lafleur 100.00386 Charles Coignard 500.00

IncompleteSeminaryBursesYour Contributions HelpEducate Future Priests

MATTHEW HEBERT, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hebert, is in his third college year at St. Joseph Seminary College, St. Benedict, La. He is sponsored by St. Mary Magdalen Church, Abbeville.

MAX HARRINGTON is the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Harrington. He is presently serving his pastoral year. He is sponsored by Our Lady of Fatima Church, La-fayette.

SAL ISTRE is the son of Mr. Miguel Alejandro Alcocer and Mrs. Lin-nea Christine Istre. He is in his first college year at St. Joseph Seminary College, St. Benedict, La. He is sponsored by Our Lady of Fatima Church, Lafayette.

QUINN HEBERT, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Eric Hebert is in his first college year at St. Joseph Seminary Col-lege, St. Benedict, La.. He is sponsored by Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Lafayette.

ALEX LeBLANC, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Steven C. LeBlanc, is in his first college year at St. Joseph Seminary College, St. Benedict, La. He is sponsored by St. Theresa Church, Abbeville.

LAFAYETTEThreeseminarianswereadmit-

tedtoCandidacyforHolyOrdersin a ceremony at ImmaculataChapel, Diocese of Lafayette,on December 20, 2011. BishopMichaelJarrellconferredCandi-dacyonAndreRobertMetrejean,Mark Hugh Miley, and GarrettBrianSavoie.

Metrejean and Savoie are inThird Theology at Notre DameSeminary in New Orleans, andMileyisinThirdTheologyatSa-credHeartSchoolofTheologyinHalesCorners,Wisconsin.

ThreeseminariansadmittedtocandidacyforHolyOrders

Mark Miley

Andre Metrejean Garrett Savoie


FAITHAt St. Francis School in Iota, Advent is recognized each morning when a student lights a candle on the Advent wreath. Advent prayers are recited, fol-lowed by mornings prayers in which the entire student body participates. With Advent being the season to prepare for Jesus’ birth, this is truly a time for all to examine their lives and actions. Photo submitted by St. Francis School ACADEMICS

Students at Trinity Catholic School in St. Martinville take advantage of the school’s library facilities. Photo submitted by Trinity Catholic School

SERVICEOpelousas Catholic School sophomores recently participated in a parish clean-up on the grounds at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church as part of their Jour-ney with Jesus program. Each high school class at OCS adopted a Catholic church parish within Opelousas to serve. Photo submitted by Opelousas Catholic School.

FAITHIn an annual tradition at Cathedral-Car-mel School in Lafayette, students par-ticipate in the sacredness of the May Crowning. Photo submitted by Cathe-dral-Carmel School

ACADEMICS(At Left) Junior high students at Caren-cro Catholic School enhanced in-classroom learning with an immersive overnight field study to NASA and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Participating students are pictured with a rocket booster at NASA’s Space Center Houston. Photo submitted by Carencro Catholic School

SERVICEThe Honor Society of St. Genevieve School in Lafayette recently held a coat drive in conjunction with its an-nual Christmas dance. Students were asked to bring a coat from home that was gently used or outgrown as their ad-mission into the dance. All of the coats collected were donated to the Coats for Kids drive. Photo submitted by St. Gen-evieve School

byStephanieR.MartinTheLafayetteDiocese’sOf-

fice of Catholic Schools would like to invite everyone to jointhem in recognizing the at-tributes of Catholic eductionthrough the annual celebrationofCatholicSchoolsWeek.Thisyear,Catholicschoolsthrough-outthenationwillparticipateinthecelebrationduringtheweekofJanuary29-February5,2012.The theme of the celebrationhonors three elements that arestrongly embraced byCatholiceducation: Faith, Academics,Service.

Accordingtothewebsiteforthe National Catholic Educa-tionAssociation (NCEA), “thetheme focuses on three priori-ties that Catholic schools es-tablish that make them standout from other educational in-

stitutions. Children are taughtfaith--not just the basics ofChristianity,buthowtohavearelationshipwithGod;academ-ics, which in Catholic schoolsareheldtoveryhighstandards,helpeachchildreachhisorherpotential; and service, the giv-ing of one’s time and effort tohelp others, is taught both asanexpressionoffaithandgoodcitizenship. In honor of thistheme,theAcadianaCatholicispleasedtoshowcaseasamplingoffaith,academics,andservicein action among the Catholicschoolsofthediocese.


SERVICEIn Franklin, seniors from Hanson Memorial High School’s Touch Class visited the nurs-ing home to deliver Christmas wreaths to the residents. The school’s seniors adopted residents for the holiday season, visiting them weekly, decorating their doors, and rais-ing money to purchase Christmas gifts for them. Photo submitted by Hanson Memorial High School

FAITHAt Maltrait Memorial School in Kaplan, parents created unique stations designed to help the students learn more about patron saints. Pictured above is one parent rep-resenting St. Elizabeth, patron saint of bakers. Other saints who were represented during this activity included St. Brendan (sailors) and St. Appollonia (dentists). Photo submitted by Maltrait Memorial School

SERVICEInteract Club students at Ville Platte’s Sacred Heart High School work together to sponsor a monthly BINGO event at the local nursing home. In addition to providing refreshments and monetary prizes, most of the students also l“buddy-up” with the resi-dents to assist them with BINGO while they visit. Photo submitted by Sacred Heart High School

ACADEMICSWith the help of the Education Excellence Fund, St. Ignatius School in Grand Coteau is moving through the 21st century with unsurpassed technology. Promethean Boards are in all classrooms Prek–8th grades with student response systems. Prek–2nd classes have I-Touches and grades 4th–8th have a 1:1 computer/student ratio. Photo submitted by St. Ignatius School

Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated nationwide from January 29-February 5, 2012.



FAITHOne of the most beautiful times at St. Edward School in New Iberia is Friday Mass, when students lift their precious voices in worship and praise. They continue to grow in their faith formation by serving the Lord, carrying the gifts, reading, as altar servers, liturgical dancers and music ministers. Photo submitted by St. Edward School

SERVICEIn December, girls from Grand Coteau’s Academy of the Sacred Heart 7th grade class participated in a service project with the Cerebral Palsy Clinic of Opelousas. The girls sang carols and performed a fun holiday skit at the clinic’s Christmas party and also learned about careers in the fields of occupational and physical therapy. Photo submit-ted by the Schools of the Sacred Heart

ACADEMICS(Left) Students get a jump start on col-lege careers at Teurlings Catholic in La-fayette by earning college credit while still in high school. Eligible students can graduate with as many as 27 hours of college credit at Louisiana Tech and South Louisiana Community College. Teurlings Catholic has the state’s largest dual enrollment program. Photo submit-ted by Teurlings Catholic School

FAITHIn Lafayette, senior ministers of St. Thomas More High School will administer the Eu-charist to patients at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. In addition, as part of their service project, these seniors will volunteer to help with clerical work at the St. Bernadette Clinic. Photo submitted by St. Thomas More High School

There are nearly 7,000 Catholic schools in the U.S., with more than 2 million students.


FAITHIn Abbeville, Vermilion Catholic practice their faith in and out of the classroom setting. Pictured above is Coach Trev Faulk along with players and fans as they bow their heads in prayer following a play-off game. It is tradition at VC to gather in the middle of the football field and join in prayer following football games. Photo submitted by Vermilion Catholic School

SERVICEAs part of their community service project, 4-H Club members at St. Francis School in Iota met to help with cleaning of local graves. Preparing for All Saints’ Day, they placed flowers on forgotten graves, removed faded flowers, and pulled grass along the edges of the graves. Members stopped to say a prayer by each gravesite. Photo submitted by St. Francis School

ACADEMICSA kindergarten student in Mrs. Courville’s class at Rayne Catholic demonstrates a Promethean Board lesson to parents. The integration of technology into the Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms has enhanced our academic program. Photo submitted by Rayne Catholic School

ACADEMICSAs a SACS accredited school, St. Michael’s in Crowley strives to provide an academic education of the highest quality for its students. Through active learning techniques that include critical thinking, problem solving and decision making skills, students will be prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of a changing society in the light of Christ’s teaching. Photo submitted by St. Michael School

At the college level, 234 Catholic institutions enroll more than 700,000 students

Enrollment continues on a downward trend for U.S. Catholic elementary and high schools, while Catholic colleges and universities are taking in more students. (CNS graphic/Emily Thompson)


ACADEMICSStudents at Sts. Leo-Seton Catholic School enjoyed taking a recent science experiment to new heights. The objec-tive of this 6th grade experiment was to determine how many planners they could stack on a paper cylinder before it collapsed. Photo submitted by Sts. Leo-Seton School

FAITHIn Ville Platte, Sacred Heart Elementary students take a break from their classroom activities to offer prayers. Our commitment to our faith begins every day and the begin-ning of each class with prayer. Photo submitted by Sacred Heart School

ACADEMICSIn Lafayette, Holy Family School’s newly formed 7th grade class participates in the Accelerated Reading program. The curriculum for the 7th grade is advanced with high expectations that will assist the students in advancing to high school. Photo submitted by Holy Family School

SERVICESophomore Rebels share holiday happiness as they gather at school to cook and prepare, package and deliver a Thanksgiving Day feast to others less fortunate. De-liveries are made from Teurlings Catholic in Lafayette to area apartment dwellings for the elderly & handicapped, and churches. Food supplies are shared with St. Joseph’s Diner. Photo submitted by Teurlings Catholic School

ACADEMICSAt Cathedral-Carmel School in Lafayette, each grade level from PreK-8th interacts and learns with state-of-the-art technology. Photo submitted by Cathedral-Carmel School

The Lafayette Diocese proudly supports a total of 34 Catholic schools throughout Acadiana.


STATEMENTOF

ADMISSION POLICYSCHOOLSOFTHE

DIOCESEOFLAFAYETTE

TheDioceseofLafayette, theDiocesanSchoolsAdvisoryCouncil, and the Diocesan Office of Catholic Schools reiterate theirpolicyofnondiscriminationinadmissiontotheCatholicschoolsoftheDioceseofLafayette.

Thereistobenodiscriminationonthebasisofrace,color,nationalorethnicorigininacceptingapplicationsforstudentadmissions, as well as in the administration of educationalpolicies,ofscholarshipandloanprograms,andofathleticandextracurricularprograms.

Thispolicyappliestoallschoolsunderdiocesanauspices.

ACADIA PARISH9-12Notre DamePre-K–8Our Mother of PeacePre-K–8Rayne CatholicPre-K–8RedemptoristPre-K–8St. FrancisPre-K–8St. Michael

EVANGELINE PARISHK-12Sacred Heart

IBERIA PARISH4-12Catholic HighPre-K–3St. Edward

LAFAYETTE PARISHPre-K–8Carencro CatholicPre-K–8Cathedral-CarmelPre-K–7Holy FamilyPre-K–8Immaculate Heart of MaryPre-K–8Our Lady of FatimaPre-K–8St. PiusPre-K–8St. CeciliaPre-K–8St. GenevievePre-K–8Sts. Leo-Seton9-12St. Thomas More9-12Teurlings CatholicNursery–Pre-KSt. Mary Early Learning CenterPre-K–6Sts. Peter & Paul

ST. LANDRY PARISHPre-K–12Schools of the Sacred HeartK-12Opelousas CatholicPre-K–12 St. EdmundPre-K–8St. Ignatius

ST. MARTIN PARISHPre-K–8St.BernardPre-K–8TrinityCatholic

ST. MARY PARISH6-12Hanson MemorialPre-K–5St. John

VERMILION PARISHPre-K–8–Maltrait MemorialK-8Mt. CarmelPre-K–8St. Peter9-12Vermilion Catholic

Most Rev. Michael JarrellBishop,DioceseofLafayette

Greg LandryPresident,DiocesanSchoolsAdvisoryCouncil

Anna LarriviereDiocesanSuperintendentofCatholicSchools

SERVICESts. Peter & Paul Catholic School’s 4-H Club collected canned goods from students and provided over 20 families in the Scott community with ingredients for Thanksgiving meals. Photo submitted by Avin Domingue, 4-H Reporter

SERVICEMaltrait Memorial 4-H Members ser-viced the needy of our community with Food Drive collections. Pictured above are club members Ethan Zaunbrecher, Kaitlyn Bertrand, Lori Lange, Wyatt Broussard, Aimee’ Bourque, Mary Mar-garet Meaux, Jessica Jarred, Zanesia Bernard, and Bella Doucet. Photo sub-mitted by Maltrait Memorial School

SERVICEAt St. Ignatius School in Grand Coteau, we strive to teach our students that “giving is more gratifying than receiving” by participating in various non-profit organizations. One of our service projects this year is raising money for the Dreams Come True Or-ganization. Baked goods were sold to students after lunch. Photo submitted by St. Ignatius School

FAITHThe St. John Elementary third graders portrayed the saints on the Feast of All Saints at Church of the Assumption in Franklin. Elijah Fitch is pictured as St. Thomas the Apostle. Photo submitted by St. John Elementary School

Catholic Schools WeekJan. 29-Feb. 5, 2012


FAITHIn St. Martinville, Trinity Catholic students dressed like saints for All Saints’ Day. Photo submitted by Trinity Catholic School

ACADEMICSAt Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, boys are challenged with academics that are taken outside of the textbooks and outside of the classroom. Here, a math lesson comes to life as Prep students tried their hands at archery, involv-ing calculations of arc and distance. Photo submitted by the Schools of the Sacred Heart

450 E. Farrel Road Lafayette, La 70508(337) 988-3700 stmcougars.net

SERVICESts. Leo-Seton Catholic School 7th graders partnered with LARC for their annual com-munity service project. During a monthly visit to the LARC facility, students (L/R) Tyler Bruno, Hunter Mouton, Logan Guillory, Morgan Dohmann and Gabbi Castille priced creative Treasures merchandise to sell in the Acadian Village General Store.

FAITHStudents, Faculty and Parents at Hanson Memorial High school gathered together at the Grotto to pray the rosary. Photo submitted by Hanson Memorial High School


New FAMILY RegIstRAtIoNthursday, February 9, at 7:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

805 e. Northern Ave. • Crowley, LA • 783-1410 • www.stmike.net

SERVICEIn Abbeville, Vermilion Catholic students dressed in VC aprons provided service to their school by serving the attendees at the 2nd Annual VC Scholarship Dinner. Each table had its own friendly waiter/waitress for the evening. Shown carrying plates out of the kitchen are Caleb Zaunbrecher and Mark Laporte. Photo submitted by Vermilion Catholic School

SERVICEFollowing the school’s annual Thanksgiving food drive, members of the Holy Family School’s student council delivered food for the poor to St. Joseph’s Diner in Lafayette. The entire student body participated by bringing in food during the drive. Photo submit-ted by Holy Family School

Last year in the United States, Catholic schools were responsible for the education of 2,065,872 students throughout the

country.

In the Lafayette Diocese, a total of 14,854 students were enrolled for the 2010-2011

academic year.


FAITHWhile on retreat, juniors at Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish participated in a bonding exercise, solidifying their commitment to class unity. Photo submitted by Notre Dame High School

FAITHEducation at St. Michael School in Crow-ley is steeped with teachings in faith and morals, inspiring students to live as Je-sus commanded. The school strives to instill in its students a lifelong commit-ment to the hallmark of a St. Michael education–Faith, Scholarship, Leader-ship, and Service. Photo submitted by St. Michael School

ACADEMICSIn Franklin, St. John Elementary fifth grade student Aleksandra Adams has read over 3,000,000 words in Acceler-ated Reader books this academic year. Congratulations, Allee! Photo submitted by St. John Elementary School

ACADEMICSOpelousas Catholic School English V seniors are pictured focusing on the class Promethean Board as they work with their new laptops this year as part of the school’s inaugural VTEC program. They use these laptops for their daily les-sons, taking notes and surfing the web. Photo submitted by Opelousas Catholic School

FAITHCarencro Catholic School recognized All Saints’ Day with a school procession to St. Peter Church for the celebration of Holy Mass. Students dressed as their favorite saint as a reminder of the sacrifices it takes to become a saint in heaven. Photo submitted by Carencro Catholic School

ACADEMICSThe faculty at Mt. Carmel demonstrate their talents by using the new Promethean boards that have been placed in their classrooms. Students have responded to these new boards in a very positive way. The boards have helped the teachers work in a more efficient setting and has also helped the students attain a better view of each subject. Photo submitted by Mt. Carmel School

A Tradition In Excellencesince 1967


ACADEMICSSt. Thomas More is the first co-ed high school in the Lafayette area to provide a one-to-one laptop program. Every teacher and student works on a Fujitsu tablet for continu-ous use both in the classroom and at home. STM principal, Dr. Audrey Menard says, “with our one-to-one tablet program and the infrastructure to support it now in place, our students will have the world in their hands. We will no longer be limited to a cur-riculum defined by the textbook. We will be able to offer a truly 21st century education taking advantage of the unlimited resources now available.” Photo submitted by St. Thomas More High School

St.Edmundseventh-graderadvancestoEagleScoutEUNICE

John Hull, a 7th grader at St.Edmund High School in Euniceand member of Troop 425 re-centlyreceivedtherankofEaglefromtheBoyScoutsofAmerica.

HebeganScoutingasaTigerCubandworkedhiswaythroughscouting, earning his Arrow ofLight.HethenproceededthroughtheBoyScoutsranksofTender-foot, 2nd Class, 1st Class, Star,LifeandnowEagle.

Hullhasheldleadershipposi-tionssuchaschaplain’saide,denchief,patrolleaderandseniorpa-trolleader.HehasalreadyearnedenoughbadgestoqualifyfortheBronze, Gold and Silver ArrowAward.

He has spent countless hoursofcommunityserviceaswellasservicetothelocalBoyScouts.

JohnhasrecentlyjoinedVen-ture Crew 425, a co-ed 14 – 21yearoldhighadventureprogramalsothroughtheBoyScoutsandhasearnedtheBronzeandRang-erAward.

HullhasbeentherecipientoftheYoungChristianAwardeveryyearthathehasattendedSt.Ed-mundandisalsoanall-starbase-ball player who enjoys fishing andhunting.

From the left, St. Edmund teacher Rikki Martin and Eagle Scout John Hull. Pho-to submitted by St. Edmund Catholic School

Tasters’dinner&auctionatOCOPELOUSAS

Opelousas Catholic Schoolwillholdits13thannualTast-ers’ Dinner, Auction andCulinary Competition onWednesday, February 8 at theOpelousas Civic Center (lo-cated off the Creswell LaneExtension). Doors will openat 6:00p.m., and several areachefswillsharetheirdeliciousdishes in a friendly “people’schoice”competition.

A silent auction will pres-entavarietyofuniqueoffers,whilealiveauctionisalsoontheagenda.Ticketsareavail-able in the O.C. Develop-ment Office, Piggly Wiggly on Heather Drive, St. LandryHomestead Bank, and Bode-muller the Printer; the cost is$30 per person. For furtherinformation,pleasecontacttheschool’s development office at (337)942-5404,ext.105.

Statistics prove that Catholic high

schools have a 99.1% graduation

rate.


FAITHRedemptorist Catholic School is pleased to announce a new school club. Raider Ath-letes for Christ (RAC) is a club for athletes to practice their faith and share the Gospel of Christ through sports. The club’s mission is to build the kingdom of Christ through athletics by inspiring athletes to share the Gospel of Christ. Club Sponsors are: Mrs. Tonya Nolan (8th Grade Teacher) & Ms. Christy Olivier (PE Coach/Religion Teacher)Pictured are the RAC Officers: Captain- Damon Guidry, Co-Captain- Michael Thibodeaux, Sports Analyst- Abbie Simon, Team Publicist- Luke Stutes, Financial Ad-visor- Tabitha Leonards, and Team Publicist- Mallorie LeBoeuf. Photo submitted by Redemptorist Catholic School

Popesaysteachingyoungabouthumandignitypromotespeace,justicebyCindyWoodenVATICANCITY(CNS)

Whenyoungpeoplerecognizethedignityandbeautyof everyhumanlife,includingtheirown,andaresupportedintheirnaturaldesire tomake theworldabet-terplace,theybecomeagentsofjustice and peace in the world,PopeBenedictXVIsaid.

Peaceandjusticearebuilton“a profound respect for everyhuman being and helping oth-erstolivealifeconsonantwiththis supreme dignity,” the popesaidinhismessagefortheWorldDayofPeace2012. TheCath-olic Church celebrated WorldPeaceDayonJanuary1,butthepope’smessagefortheoccasionwasreleasedonDecember16attheVatican.ItwassentthroughVaticanambassadorstothelead-ersofnationsaroundtheworld.Thethemethepopechoseforthe2012 celebration was “Educat-ingYoungPeopleinJusticeandPeace.”

Heaskedparentsandteacherstobemoreattentivetothehopesandfearsofyoungpeopletodayand to their search for trueval-ues, and asked governments toput more resources into educa-tionandjobcreation.Thepopealso asked young people them-selves to take their schoolingseriously and to be open to theexample and knowledge theireldershave to share. Heaskedthem“tobepatientandpersever-inginseekingjusticeandpeace,in cultivating the taste forwhatisjustandtrue,evenwhenitin-volves sacrifice and swimming againstthetide.”

Adultshaveaseriousrespon-sibility to help the young fulfill

theirpotential,not justbyshar-ing information with them, butby being examples of what itmeans to live lives marked bythe joyof faith,charity,andre-spectforothers,herelated.

“Today more than ever weneed authentic witnesses, andnot simply people who parceloutrulesandfacts.Weneedwit-nessescapableofseeingfartherthan others because their life issomuchbroader,”thepopesaid.Educatingpeople in justice andpeacebeginsinthefamily,wherethey learn to value the gift oflife,solidarity,respectforrules,forgiveness,andhospitality.

Toomanyyoungpeopletodayaremissingthatbasichumanfor-mationbecause“wearelivinginaworldwherefamilies,andlifeitself, are constantly threatenedand not infrequently fragment-ed.”

Pope Benedict appealed toparents to give their children“themostpreciousoftreasures,”which is the gift of their time.The pope also urged govern-ments to make it possible forparentstochoosethetypeofed-ucationtheywanttheirchildrentoreceiveandtoenactimmigra-tionreformsaimedat“reunitingfamiliesseparatedbytheneedtoearnaliving.”

Presenting the message at aVatican news conference, Car-dinalPeterTurkson,presidentofthe Pontifical Council for Justice andPeace,saidthepope’smes-sage highlights the fact that hesees young people not only ashope for the future, but as “anactive part, the most vital partofthehumanfamily”inaworldthatneedsenergyandnewideasnow.

BishopMarioToso,secretaryofthejusticeandpeacecouncil,said the young people who en-ergized the Arab Spring move-ments toward democracy thisyear illustrate the fact that theyoung have a positive role toplayinsocietytoday.Theypro-claimedtotheworldthat“therecanbesocialjusticeintheirso-cietiesifthereisdemocracyand,viceversa,thatifthereisdemoc-racy,therecanbesocialjustice,”

“In order to be true peacemakers, we must educate our-selves in compassion, solidarity, working together, frater-nity, in being active within the community and concerned to raise awareness about national and international is-sues and the importance of seeking adequate mechanisms for the redistribution of wealth, the promotion of growth, cooperation for development and conflict resolution.”

hesaid.The heart of the pope’s mes-

sage focused on what he calledthe “integral formation of theperson, includingthemoraland

spiritual dimension. . .Man is abeingwhobearswithinhishearta thirst for truth—atruthwhichisnotpartial,butcapableofex-plaining life’s meaning—sincehewascreatedintheimageandlikenessofGod,”thepopewroteinhismessage.

Acknowledging God as cre-ator leads torecognizing“one’sown profound dignity and theinviolabilityofeverysingleper-son,”PopeBenedictsaid.Basedon that dignity, people come tounderstand that there are cer-tainthingsthatalwaysareeitherrightorwrong.“Deepwithinhisconscience,mandiscoversalawthathedidnotlayuponhimself,butwhichhemustobey.Itsvoicecallshimtoloveanddowhatisgood, to avoid evil and to takeresponsibility for the good hedoesandtheevilhecommits.”

Pope Benedict said peace isnotsimplyagift tobe receivedfromGod;it isataskpeopleofgoodwillmustundertake.

“Inordertobetruepeacemak-ers, we must educate ourselvesincompassion,solidarity,work-ing together, fraternity, inbeingactive within the communityand concerned to raise aware-nessaboutnationalandinterna-tionalissuesandtheimportanceofseekingadequatemechanismsfor the redistribution of wealth,the promotion of growth, co-operation for development andconflict resolution.”



Schools of the Sacred Heart accepts students of all races, religions, national or ethnic backgrounds who meet the admission criteria.

Two schools, one campus

Wednesday Walkabouts Each Wednesday in February, 9-11 am

For more information, contact Admissions.

www.sshcoteau.org 337.662.5275

Your Journey begins at...

SERVICEU.S. Navy Veteran and member of the Crowley VFW Post 6720, Mr. Charles J. Spaet-gens, taught Redemptorist Catholic School Student Council members how to raise the American Flag & fold it properly. Mr. Spaetgens shared with them his appreciation and respect for the American Flag. This was a very important lesson for these students be-cause it will help them with their new responsibility of raising the flag each morning and putting it away each afternoon. Photo submitted by Redemptorist Catholic School

JohnAngottitoappearinOpelousasOPELOUSAS

OpelousasCatholicSchoolwill host a special perfor-mance for internationallyknownChristianmusicartistJohnAngotti asapartof itsCatholic Schools Week fes-tivities.Angottiwillperformand speak at the school onMonday and Tuesday, Janu-ary 30 and 31, from 1:15-2:30p.m.insidetheschool’sgym.

Toaccommodatethecom-munity, St. Landry CatholicChurch will hostAngotti onthese Monday and Tuesdayeveningsfollowing6:30p.m.Mass. The program will beentitled“Believe,BelongandMakeaDifference.”

OpelousasCatholicSchoolwillalsohostafaithrallyandconcert with Angotti for itsstudentsonWednesday,Feb-ruary1.Thatevening,therewillbeacommunityconcertwithAngottiintheOpelousasCatholicSchoolgym.Allareinvitedtoattend.

A PRAYER FOR CHILDREN & TEACHERSGodoflifeandlove,

Openmyheartandmindtotheabundanceofyourblessings.Openmyeyestoyourpresenceamongus.Openmyearstothesoundofyourvoice.

OpenmyhandssoIcanserveothers.Openmymindtolearningandknowledge.

OpenmyimaginationsoIcangrowinwisdomandjoy.OpenmyheartsoIcangrowinfaith,

Helpmetorespondtothegiftofyourlove.Amen.

A PRAYER FOR OUR SCHOOL

God, our Father and Creator,

be with us in our school.Help us to treasure your gift of life and treat one another

with care.Let us always remember that we are all created in your im-

age.

Come, Lord Jesus, and be with us in our school.

Guide our teachers, guide our parents, and lead our stu-

dents to recognize you in all people.

Come, Holy Spirit, and be with us in our school.

Give us a vision for the fu-ture,

and the determination for shaping a faith-filled future.

Amen.




BIBLE ACCENT: The readings from the Scriptures during Mass are

planned over three years, called cycles A, B and C. Over these three years, much of the Bible is read. There are

readings from the Old Testament, the New Testament and one of the Gospels, and very often a psalm. The Gospel is read

by either a priest or a deacon, and the other Scriptures are usually read by a volunteer called a lector.

The church year is the basis of the readings and is planned around the celebration or remembrance of important events in the

life of Jesus Christ, and divided into periods of time called seasons. These seasons are Advent (leading up to Christmas), Christmas, Lent

(leading up to Easter), the Easter triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday), Easter and Ordinary Time. The year begins with Advent and

the last Sunday of the year is the feast of Christ the King.

READ MORE ABOUT IT:Matthew 2 Q&A1. What three gifts did the Magi giveto Jesus?2. Why did Joseph take Mary and Jesus to Egypt?

PUZZLE:Circle the name or word that makes the following statements true. Some hints have been provided:

1. The first book of the New Testament. (Genesis, Matthew)

2. Number of Gospels. (seven, four)

3. Peter's occupation. (fisherman, carpenter)

4. City where Jesus was born. (Jerusalem, Bethlehem; see Luke 2)

5. Last book of the Old Testament.(Malachi, Isaiah)

6. Earthly father of Jesus. (John, Joseph; see Matthew 1)

7. The apostle who betrayed Jesus. (James, Judas)

KIDS’ CLUB:Share your thoughts on this week’s Bible story with family and friends by writing an essay in response to this question:

What do you think is the most important part of the Mass?

4650 Amb. Caffery Parkway, Suite 105Lafayette, LA 70508

337.989.8080General Pediatrics CO

LOR

ME

St. Adrian Adrian (d. 710), who had been born in Africa, rose to the position of abbot of Nerida, near Naples, Italy. After the death of the Archbishop of Canterbury in England, Pope St. Vitalian wanted Adrian to become archbishop, but he said no. He said that St. Theodore should become archbishop, and Adrian agreed to be Theodore’s assistant and adviser. Theodore made Adrian abbot of the monastery of Sts. Peter and Paul in Canterbury, where he taught languages and set an example of a holy life. Adrian’s reputation as a man of God and as a teacher attracted some of the finest students from the European continent. We honor him Jan. 9.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Answers: 1. Genesis, 2. four, 3. fisherman, 4. Bethlehem, 5. Malachi, 6. Joseph, 7. Judas.


ByCatholicNewsServicePHILADELPHIA(CNS)

U.S. Cardinal John P. Foley,longtime Catholic journalist andadvocate of Catholic communi-cation,wasbeingfondlyremem-bered after his Dec. 11 death asa friend to the Catholic pressaroundtheworld.

The cardinal, a Philadelphianative, was residing at Villa St.Joseph in Darby, the home forretiredPhiladelphiaarchdiocesanpriests,whenhediedofleukemiaatage76.

ArchbishopCharlesJ.ChaputofPhiladelphiadescribedCardi-nalFoleyas“amanofgreatap-ostolic energy” and said anyonewho met him “was immediatelyawareofhisintenseloveforthechurchandhiszealforcommuni-catingtheGospel.”

“Bythesheerforceofhisper-sonality, he drew people to thefaith and to himself,” he said,addingthatthecardinal’s“charis-maandgentlespiritwillbesorelymissed throughout the universalchurch.”

CardinalFoleywasknownforhis many different roles: editorof Philadelphia’s archdiocesannewspaper, The Catholic Stan-dard & Times, 1970-1984; headof the Pontifical Council for So-cial Communications, 1984 to2007; and most recently, grandmasteroftheKnightsoftheHolySepulcher, a chivalric organiza-tion dedicated to supporting theLatin Patriarchate of JerusalemandtorespondingtotheneedsofCatholicsintheHolyLand.

Tomany,hewasknownastheVatican’s “Voice of Christmas”in his role as English-languagecommentatorforthepope’smid-

nightMassfor25years.ArchbishopEdwinF.O’Brien,

apostolic administrator of Balti-more, similarly praised the car-dinal’swork,sayinghehas“longbeenregardedasthepatriarchoftheAmericanCatholicpress.”

The archbishop said CardinalFoley’s“professionalismandin-tegritywasuniversallyrespectedamong his peers. For membersof the press and for the Eng-lish-speaking public around theworld, in press conferences andradio and television commentar-ies, hewas agifted evangelizer,explainingCatholicteachingandpractice clearly and thoroughlyandoftenwithaself-deprecatinghumor.”

ArchbishopO’Brien,whowasrecently appointed pro-grandmaster of the Equestrian OrderoftheHolySepulcherofJerusa-

lem, praised the cardinal’s workwith that organization, notingthat it grew significantly under hisleadershipbecauseofhis“de-votedcommitmenttothechurchintheHolyLandandhisconstanttravel.”

He also noted the cardinal’slove for the priesthood and saidhe faced “impending death withremarkableserenity.”

The cardinal stressed the im-portance of the Catholic press,saying it “continues to have avery important role to play intheworkof thechurch inNorthAmericatoday.”

“Like the crucifix above the bed in every Catholic home, aCatholicpublicationinthelivingroomorthefamilyroomisacon-tinuing reminder of our identityasCatholics,”hesaid.

Tony Spence, director and

editor-in-chiefofCatholicNewsService,saidtherewas“nogreat-er friend or advocate for” CNSthanCardinalFoley,whowasal-ways“achampionofprofessionalchurchnewsserviceand,indeed,ofaprofessionalCatholicpress.”

Msgr. Philip Cribben, also aseminary classmate and lifelongfriend, described the cardinal assomeone who “never took him-selfseriously.Hewasgenuinelyhumble,evenrecentlyinthefaceofdeath.Hewasabrilliantmanandamanofgreatfaith.”

CardinalFoleyrememberedasfriendtoCatholicpressaroundtheworld

U.S. Cardinal John P. Foley sits among other cardinals after receiving his red biretta from Pope Benedict XVI during a consistory in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican in this Nov. 24, 2007, file photo. Cardinal Foley, a dean of the Catholic press in the United States, died Dec. 11 in Darby, Pa., after a battle with leukemia. He was 76. Cardinal Foley spent more than two decades leading the church’s social communications coun-cil and later worked for the church in the Middle East. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

PaulaD’ArcytoappearinLafayetteLAFAYETTE

The Friends of Rox Rich-ard and Crossroads CatholicBookstore are pleased to an-nouncethatPaulaD’Arcywillbe visiting in two LafayetteappearancesscheduledforlateJanuary.

On Thursday, January 26,Ms. D’Arcy will be at Cross-roads Bookstore for a booksigning and brief presentationfrom 5:30-7:00 p.m. Severalof Ms. D’Arcy’s books willbeavailableforpurchase,andindividuals are welcome tobringtheirowncopiesforhertosign.

OnFriday,January27,HolyCrossChurchinLafayettewillalso host Ms. D’Arcy as shedelivers her presentation enti-tled“HowWeLove.”Thepre-sentationisscheduledtobeginat7:00p.m.,andfurtherinfor-mationisavailablebycontact-ing Maggie Baudoin at (337)988-3755.


LAFAYETTEBishopMichaelJarrellwillbe

the celebrant for the 12:10 p.m.Mass for the St. Edmond AltarSociety day of recollection onThursday,February23,2012.Thechuerch islocated at4131 W.CongressinLafayette.Donuts andcoffee willbeservedinthe atriumat9:00a.m.Recitationof the Ro-sary beginsin the church immediately afterthebreak.

FatherClintTrahan,pastorofImmaculate Conception Churchin Morse, St. John the Baptist,Lyons Point and St. Aloysius,Midland will be retreat master.In addition to the conference,Mass and Rosary, BenedictionandStationsoftheCrosswillbecelebrated.

Tickets are $10 each and in-clude lunch. Tickets must bepurchasedinadvanceinorderto

Father Clint Trahan

St.EdmondChurchtoholddayofrecollection

makeadequatearrangements.For ticket information please

contact RaNelle Simon at (337)232-2849. To purchase tickets,please send check by February16,2012toSt.EdmondAltarSo-ciety, 116 Delmar Lane, Lafay-ette,LA70506.

Father Trahan is a native ofKaplan, the son of Bonnie andBennyTrahan.Hehasonebroth-erandtwosisters.HegraduatedfromKaplanHighSchoolandat-tendedSt.JosephSeminaryCol-lege , graduatingwithhonors in2004inLiberalArtsandPhiloso-phy.

HeattendedNotreDameSem-inaryinNewOrleans,graduatin,again with honors, with a mas-ter’sdegreeinDivinity.

He has had pastoral assign-menmtsatSt.JohnBerchmansinCankton, St. Peter in Carencro,St.Marcellus,Rynella;hestudiedSpanish in Pueblio, Mexico for15 weeks, St. Thomas, Eunice;chaplain at Carolina’s MedicalCenterinCharlotte,NorthCaro-lina; and St. Landry in Opelou-sas. HewasordainedadeacononJanuary12,2008andpriestonJune7,2008.

Pictured above are, seated, Judy Dixon, St. Edmond Altar Society president and gen-eral chairman. Standing, from the left, RaNelle Simon, co-chairman and ticket sales; Father Gilbert Dutel, pastor of St. Edmond Church; Elaine Prather, speaker and in charge of getting priests for the Sacrament of Penance and Judy Nelson, food and arrangements. Not pictured: Pat Hebert and Alverta Hasling, in charge of decorations and doorprizes.

TosubscribetotheACADIANA CATHOLIC

PleasecallConnieat(337)261-5650


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The Lafayette Diocese’s Of-fice of Worship is pleased to have anopportunitytoshowcasease-riesoficonscreatedbythreegen-erationsofwomenfromasinglefamily. The icons, currently ondisplay inside the lobby of theImmaculataCenter inLafayette,are the works of Barbara Wiltz,her daughter Bonnie Fairbanks,andhergranddaughterAliceFair-banks.Barbaraisalocalwomanfrom the Opelousas area, whileBonnieandAlicecurrentlyresideinHouston,Texas.

Barbara’s artistic backgroundextends to the1970’s,when shepursued an interest in oil paint-ing.Sheeventuallysettheabil-ityasideinfavorofotherrespon-sibilities and interests, but latersought to renew her artistic en-deavors tohelpoccupyher timefollowing the death of her hus-band. InJanuary2006,Barbarasigned up for a week-long iconpainting workshop at the JesuitSpiritualityCenterinGrandCote-au.Itwasthesecondsuchwork-shopsponsoredbytheLafayette

Iconpaintingbondstogetherthreegenerationsofonefamily

Diocese’s Office of Worship, al-lowingparticipants to study thisdeeply spiritual art form undertheguidanceof instructors fromNewYork’sProsoponSchoolofIconology.

Icons have a long establishedhistory in Christian art, particu-larlyintheeasternchurches,butinrecentyearsthewesternchurchhasalsorevivedagreatdealofin-terestinthetradition.PopeJohn

Paul II even stressed their im-portancein theareaofauthenticChristianartinhis1987apostolicletterwritten incommemorationof the1200thanniversaryof theSecondCouncilofNicaea:

“Artforart’ssake....doesnothaveitsplaceintheChristiancon-ceptoftheicon.Nomatterwhatstyle is adopted, all sacred artmust express the faith and hopeof the Church. The tradition of

theiconshowsthattheartistmustbe conscious of fulfilling a mis-sionofservicetothechurch.”

Barbara Wiltz did indeed find her experience to be fulfilling, somuchsothatsheinspiredherdaughter and granddaughter tojoinherfortheworkshopthefol-lowing year. Although neitherBonnienorAlicehadmuchofanartisticbackground,theytoocon-nected with the overall processinvolved in iconography so thatnow,threegenerationsofwomenfrom one family have strength-enedthebondsoftheirfaithandwith one another through thisspiritualmedium.

Barbara, Bonnie, and Alicecontinued to attend the annualiconworkshopsinGrandCoteauuntil2009,whenthelastonewasheld.Thethreehavealsoattend-edadditionalworkshopstogetherinAustin, Texas, and Bonnie ispleased to have helped stoke agreater interest in the art formwithinherownHoustoncommu-nity.Sheisalsohappytowitnesstheprayerfulandartisticconnec-tionsthatherdaughterAlice,whois developmentally challenged,has been able to make throughtheirstudiesoficonography.

“One does not have to be aprofessional iconographer inorder to appreciate or embracethe art form, or everything thatit entails,” noted Faye Drobnic,Assistant to the Director of theLafayette Diocese’s Office of Worship.Ms.Drobnicisherselfdeeply involved in iconographyandplayedacrucialroleinintro-ducingtheiconworkshoptothediocese. “The process of creat-inganiconisjustasspiritualasitisartistic,andsotheChurchhasroomforbothamateursandpro-fessionalstobeinvolved.”

Tolearnmoreabouticonogra-phy and possible workshop op-portunities, please contact Ms.Drobnic through the Office of Worshipat(337)261-5554.

This icon exhibit, which is currently on display inside the Immaculata Center in Lafay-ette, represents the artistic endeavors of three generations in a single family--mother, daughter, and granddaughter. Photo by Stephanie R. Martin

Barbara Wiltz, a resident of Opelousas, first became interested in iconography through a workshop hosted by the Je-suit Spirituality Center in Grand Coteau and sponsored by the diocese’s Office of Worship. She enjoyed the experience so much that she inspired her daughter and granddaugther to join her for the workshop the following year. Photo by Stephanie R. Martin



The Lafayette Diocese’s Office of Justice&Peace recentlyhostedaspecialgatheringforprisonmin-istry volunteers. Approximately30 volunteers attended the annualeventtoenjoyaneveningoffellow-ship and to share a gumbo dinnerwithoneanother. ThisChristmas-timesocialservesasathank-youtothe volunteers who dedicate them-selvestoprisonministrythroughouttheyear.

Altogether, there are roughly100volunteers involved invariousaspects of prison ministry in theLafayetteDiocese.Thatmayseemlike a large number, except whenoneconsiders that thesevolunteersaredividedamongatotalof13cor-rectional facilities located through-out the eight civil parishes of thediocese; basically, this means anaverage of about seven volunteersper facility. Some of these facili-ties can house as many as 950 in-mates,whichisaverylargenumbertodividebyseven.ThatiswhytheOffice of Justice & Peace provides constant encouragement and sup-porttoanyonewhoisinterestedin

Chaplain Katherine Alex, Religious Coordinator for the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center, expressed her gratitude for the faithful service of the prison ministry volunteers during a gumbo social hosted by the diocese’s Office of Justice & Peace. Photo sub-mitted by the Office of Justice & Peace

Office of Justice & Peace shows appreciation for prison ministry volunteers

joiningthisspecialministry.“The purpose of prison minis-

try anywhere in the diocese is toreach out to as many incarceratedindividualsaspossiblebygrantingthem opportunities to receive thesacraments or simply participatein scripture studies and spiritualformation,” said Ed Boustany, of-fice director. “The Diocese’s goal forthisministryistoonedayofferweekly Mass or Communion ser-

vices toall the incarceratedwithinour boundaries, in order to servethatpurpose.”

Ofcourse, therearepriestswhovolunteer in prison ministry, butmuchoftheirtimeduringvisitsisin-vestedinhearingconfessionssinceonlytheycanadministerthesacra-ment of reconciliation. DeaconsandEucharisticministersareabletoofferCommunionservices,andanyindividualwhoiswillingmaylead

inmatesinascripturestudy.Bibles,daily devotional books, rosariesandother suchmaterials areavail-able through the Office of Justice & Peaceforthatpurpose;thegreatestneedissimplyforvolunteerstohelptheinmatesutilizetheseresources.

At the Lafayette Parish Cor-rectional Center, prison ministryvolunteers work together to coor-dinatea totalof eightCommunionservicesfortheinmateseveryweek.Thiscenteristhelargestwithinthediocese,but theneedsof theotherfacilities are just as great, and Mr.Boustanyishopingtorecruitmorevolunteers inorder tominister justaseffectively ineverycorrectionalfacility within the diocese, includ-ingthoseinmoreruralareas.

Anyone who wishes to becomeinvolved in prison ministry willhave to obtain security clearancefromanyandall facilities they in-tend to visit. Procedures for thisdovaryfromfacilitytofacility,butthosewho are interestedmay con-tact the Office of Justice & Peace torequestguidancefortheprocess.Furtherinformationregardingpris-onministryingeneralmayalsoberequested by contacting the office at (337)261-5545.


OurLadyoftheLakeChildren’sHospitalphotoselectedforNACHRIphotoexhibitionBATONROUGE

One Our Lady of the LakeChildren’s Hospital photographsbyElizabethGuidryBadeaux,se-nior graphicdesigner,OurLadyoftheLake,wasselectedbytheNational Association of Chil-dren’sHospitalsandRelated In-stitutions(NACHRI)forits2011travelingexhibitionof50photo-graphs,thatareondisplaynowatOurLadyoftheLakeChildren’sHospitalinBatonRouge.

The local photo selected byNACHRI for this display is ofDaytonSuireofEunice.

Dayton was five when he was airliftedtoOurLadyoftheLakeChildren’s Hospital with severeheadtraumaafterbeingacciden-tally run over by a truck in hisdriveway. Doctors said he hadonlya3%chanceofspeakingorwalkingagain.

The photo was taken in Sep-temberof2010,afterDaytonhadcompleted several surgeries andtherapy.Heissevennow–walk-ing,talkingandexcitedtoplayT-ballinthespring.

TheOurLadyoftheLakeChil-dren’sHospitalphotoofDaytonwaschosenfromnearly250pho-tographs submitted to NACHRIbychildren’shospitalsacrossthecountry. The photo was on dis-playatOurLadyof theLake in

BatonRouge,alongwith49otherphotos from children’s hospitalsacrossthecountry.

TheNACHRI travelingphotoexhibitionisdesignedtoillustratethevitalrolechildren’shospitals,includingOurLadyof theLakeChildren’sHospital,playinchil-dren’s lives through compellingvisual images of child patientsatchildren’shospitals,theirfam-ily members and the caring andcompassionatestaff.

ByMarkPattisonWASHINGTON(CNS)

The need for media literacymay be no more evident thanwhenitcomestorealityTV.

Reality TV may show realevents, but it’s a director’s andeditor’s version of events. Itcanbethevisualequivalentofanewspaperstorywhere thesub-jectcomplainsthathewasinter-viewed for a half-hour, but theonlythingthatappearsisaquotetakenoutofcontext.

Ofcourse,realityshowsbindtheir subjects to nondisclosureclausesuntilitsuitsthenetwork–likehavingthemappearonthenetwork’s morning news pro-gramthedayafterthey’revotedofftheisland.

ButthereisemergingevidencethatrealityTVcanbedamagingtogirls–notthattheyhadbeenconsideredanymoreorlessim-munetothegenrethanotherde-mographicgroups.

TheGirlScoutscommissionedastudy,releasedinOctober,thatdemonstratedtheimpactofreal-ityTVongirls.

Oneofthemoreeye-openingfindings is that girls who view reality TV regularly are morefocusedonthevalueofphysicalappearance. Seventy-two per-centsaytheyspendalotoftimeontheirappearancecomparedto42percentofnonviewers.

Thestudy,“RealtoMe:Girlsand Reality TV” by the GirlScout Research Institute, alsofound that 78 percent of theviewers vs. 54 percent of thenonviewers believe that “gos-sipingisanormalpartofarela-tionshipbetweengirls.”

Thenewsisn’tnecessarilyallbad. The study also disclosedthat68percentofgirlsagreethatrealityshows“makemethinkIcanachieveanythinginlife”and48 percent said that they “helpme realize there are people outtherelikeme.”

“Girls today are bombardedwith media – reality TV andotherwise–thatmorefrequent-ly portrays girls and women incompetition with one anotherratherthaninsupportorcollabo-ration.Thisperpetuatesa‘mean-girl’ stereotype and normalizes

thisbehavioramonggirls,”saida statement byAndrea BastianiArchibald,adevelopmentalpsy-chologist for the Girl Scouts.“We don’t want girls to avoidrealityTV,butwantthem,alongwiththeirparents,toknowwhatthey are getting into when theywatchit.”

Archibald’s remark about“girls and women in competi-tion” is borne out in anotherstudy, released inNovemberbythe Parents Television Council,which examined the four top-ratedrealityshowsontheMTVcablechannel.

Thestudy,“RealityonMTV:GenderPortrayalsonMTVRe-ality Programming,” looked at“JerseyShore,”“TeenMom2,”“16 and Pregnant” and “TheRealWorld.”

According to the study, thereality shows do women no fa-vors.

“Overall, women were moredisparaging than men whenspeakingofthemselvesorsome-one of their own gender,” thestudysaid.

“Females talked about sexactsmorethanmen,talkedaboutsexmoregraphically thanmen,mentioned sexual body partsmorethanmen,andtalkedaboutintercourse andpreliminaries tointercourse more than men,” itadded, noting, “Females werethe recipientsofan ‘F-word’or‘S-word’662timesoronceeveryfourminutesand10seconds.”

Another common word usedby women to describe otherwomen: the B-word, “b---h,”alongwith“stupid”and“dirty.”Thesethreerankedasthemost-usedderogatorywords.

What may be the least sur-prising statistic is that “JerseyShore”accountedfor59percentof all of the sexual referencesusedonthefourMTVrealityse-riessurveyed.

Perhapsthesaddeststatofall:When all the shows’ dialoguewas taken into account, only24percentofwhatfemalessaidaboutthemselveswaspositive.

And to think that the mu-sicvideos thatwerea stapleofMTV30yearsagocausedsuchafuss.

Analternate,distortedviewofrealityonTV

N.J.nursesdon’thavetoassistinabortioninnewhospitalagreementNEWARK,N.J.(CNS)

A group of 12 nurses who suedthe University Hospital in Newarkoverapolicyrequiringthemtocarefor patients before and after abor-tionscannolongerbecompelledtoassistintheseprocedures,underanagreementreachedinfederalcourt.

Thenurses in the same-day sur-geryunitoftheUniversityofMedi-cine and Dentistry of New Jerseycanremainintheircurrentjobsandwillonlyberequiredtohelppatientswith abortions in a life-threateningemergencywhennoothernonobject-ingstaffmembersareavailableandonlyuntil someonecanbebroughtintorelievethem,accordingtotheDec.22agreement.

U.S. District Judge Jose Linares,whomediatedtheagreement,saidthenurseswouldbeallowedtoremainintheunitandwouldnotbediscriminat-edagainstbecauseoftheirstanceonabortion.Hedeclinedtoruleonhowthe hospital would configure its nurs-ingstaff,callingthatacontractissue.Linares will retain jurisdiction overthe case to rule on its enforcementor any disputes that arise becauseof it.TheAssociatedPress reportedthatthejudgepraisedbothsidesforreachinganagreementonacasethatwasnotaneasyonetoresolvesinceitconcernedahighlyemotionalissueand the complexities of a hospital’sobligationstoitspatients.


ByGEORGEGURTNERSpecialtoAcadiana CatholicNEWORLEANS

In a city of monuments likeNew Orleans, you’ve got to besomething special to have thedesignation of “national” placedbefore your name. Such is thecase of the “National Shrine ofOurLadyofPromptSuccor.”

Whatmakesthisshrine,locatedon the uptown campus of Ursu-lineAcademyonStateStreet,sospecialisthatMasshasbeencel-ebratedeachJanuary8,thefeastdayofOurLadyofPromptSuc-cor,forthepast197yearsbytheArchbishopofNewOrleans.Theyearly mass is the fulfillment of apromisemadeby theUrsulinenunsasGeneralAndrewJacksonanda smallarmyof1,000men,supplemented by a ragtag bandof about 3,000 pirates led bythe infamous Jean Lafitte, along with various and sundry othercitizensofNewOrleans,tookon8,000crackBritishtroopsintheswampsofChalmettesomesev-enmilesdownriverfromthecity.

Onacold,mistyJanuarymorn-ing in1815,Jackson’scomman-dos engaged in what was calledthe “key battle of the War of1812.”NevermindthattheTrea-ty of Ghent, supposedly endinghostilities,wassignedtwoweeksearlier.WordwasslowingettingtoGeneralJacksonandhis lieu-tenants in the field.

Still,byallodds,Jacksonandhis men didn’t stand a chanceagainst the polished, hardenedBritish troops who were led byGeneralEdwardPackenham,oneof Britain’s top military com-manders. The British marchedsmartlythroughtheswampsjustsouth of the city in their brightred uniforms heading for whatthey figured would be a ‘quick dustup’beforemoving intoandcapturing the city of New Or-leansitself.

In the face of those seem-ingly insurmountable odds, theUrsuline sisters began a nightofprayer at their convent in theFrenchQuarterasking“OurLadyofPromptSuccor”forvictoryforGeneral Jackson and his men.The full night of prayer endedwithMassatsunriseandaprom-

NationalShrineofOurLadyofPromptSuccorwillcelebrate197thanniversaryMassJanuary8,2012

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor is a haven of hope for thousands each year.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor is the pa-troness of the State of Louisiana

isemadetocelebratetheFeastofOurLadyorPromptSuccoreachyearinThanksgiving.

DuringtheMass,arunnercamefrom the battlefields at Chalmette and burst into the ceremony tothankthesistersfortheirprayersand to announce that GeneralJackson’s forces had thoroughlyvanquished theBritish andNewOrleanshadbeensaved.

Jackson, of course, becamePresident of the United States.After he left office, “Old Hick-ory,”as Jacksonwasknownbe-cause of his toughness, visitedthequietconventoftheUrsulinesisterstothanktheminpersonfortheirprayersforwhathecalleda“miracle victory” on the Chal-mette battlefield.

“AsanativeofNewOrleans,this story, this miracle, is espe-ciallypoignanttome,”saysSisterCarla Dolce, O.S.U. Prioress ofthe Ursuline Sisters of New Or-leans.“Ican’tbegintocountthenumberofpeoplewhohavesentpetitionstoOurLadyofPromptSuccorovertheyearsaskingforher intercession in sickness andin financial distress and family matters. The stories are heart-breaking,butthefaiththeyshowisheartwarming.Itallgoesbacktothatbattlesolongago,andtoGeneral Jackson and his brave,determinedmen.Theenemyputits faith in weapons. GeneralJacksonandthosemenunderhiscommand put their faith in GodandinHismother.”

The shrine where so manythousands of men, women and

children come from all over theworldeachyeartoplacepetitionsand topraywillbe the siteof amajorcelebrationin2015–TheBicentennialoftheBattleofNewOrleans.

“Itwillbeagreatcelebration,but theremustbemajor renova-tions first,” Sister Carla says. “The ravages of time and oursub-tropicalclimate,nottomen-tion so many storms and hur-ricanes,have leftagreatdealofdamage over these many years.We must first replace the roof and dosomanyrepairstotheinteriortomake theshrinereadyfor thebicentennial and beyond. When2015isover,thefaithfulwillstillcome to petition Our Lady ofPromptSuccor.Ifwedon’tmakethese repairs now, the damagethatisalreadytherewillonlygetworse.Wecan’t let thathappen.Thisshrinerepresentsmorethanjustmemoriesofabattlefought.Thisshrineisanationaltreasure.AlandmarkoffaithofthepeopleofNewOrleans.Somany,manytroubledandhurtingpeoplecometo the Shrine of Our Lady ofPrompt Succor filled with faith. Theyleavewithhope.”

SisterCarlasaysthecostofre-storing the shrine will run about$2millionandthatacampaigntoraisefundshasalreadybegun.

Donations and petitions maybesentto:

NationalShrineofOurLadyofPromptSuccor

Preservingourheritage!Prom-isingourfuture!

2734NashvilleAve.NewOrleans,La.70115

Tours of the Shrine at 2701StateSt.maybearrangedbycall-ing(504)975-9627.Massiscel-ebrated each weekday at 5 p.m.Saturday Mass is at 11:30 a.m.andSundayMassisat9:30a.m.

Information about annuities,wills and long-term support forthe restoration and maintenanceof the National Shrine of OurLady of Prompt Succor may beobtained without obligation bycontactingPeterQuirk,executivedirector of the Catholic Founda-tion of the Archdiocese of NewOrleansat:

1000HowardAve.Suite700NewOrleans,La.70113or by calling (504)-596-3063.

e-mail [email protected].

For more information on thehistoric National Shrine of OurLady of Prompt Succor, pleasecontacttheshrinewebsite:www.shrineofourladyofpromptsuccor.com.


St. Paul Assembly & Chapter #3 recently held its annual Day of Recollection and Me-morial Mass at St. Joseph Church in Maurice. The day began with a welcome address by Gracious Lady Hilda Wiltz and also included scripture sharing and reflection by Gracious Lady Mary Darby, along with words from guest speaker Sir Knight Father Michael Sucharski, SVD (pastor, St. Joseph’s). A reception was held before the start of the Memorial Mass, which honored deceased Sir Knights Opehelius Menard, Louis Guidry, and Joseph Wilson Thomas, Sr.. Photo submitted by Grace Hebert

St.PaulAssembly#3DayofRecollection

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Sacre’ Coeur #2572, recently held its Christmas meeting, but instead of exchanging gifts among themselves, the group brought gifts to be distributed to various charities. This included food for an emergency aid center, household items for an organization that aids battered women, and toys for Toys for Tots. Photo furnished by Court Sacre’ Coeur #2572

Court#2572holdsChristmasmeeting

SistersofBonSecourschartthefuturewithInternationalVocationandFormationSummitMarriottsville, Maryland, De-

cember21,2011—WhilemostofushavebeenbusilypreparingforChristmas,twentyoftheSistersofBonSecourshavealsobeenbusyplanning future efforts for voca-tion and formation. The first inter-nationalCongregationofSistersofBonSecoursVocationandForma-

tionSummit,December10-14,washeld at their US headquarters inMarriottsville, Md. This Summitover five days brought together sis-tersrepresentingtheUnitedStates,Peru,Ireland/GreatBritain,FranceandSouthAfricatofocusontheirministries with vocation and for-mation areas of the congregation.

“TheSistersheldtheinternationalSummitinresponsetotheCongre-gation’s priority to invite womentoconsideravocationtoreligiouslifeandtoaddresshowwecanbet-teraccompanywomenduringtheirinitialformativeyears,”notedSis-ter Patricia Dowling, CBS, chair-personoftheCongregation’sInter-nationalMembershipCommittee,.

Thesistersmetasalargegroupeachdayforprayerandthenbrokeintotwoworkgroupstofocusspe-cifically on either vocations or for-mationefforts.Thesisterssharedtheir experiences from their owncountry and learned that thoughculturallytherearedifferencestheyshare similar successes and chal-lenges. Theyformedplansbasedontheseexperiences,research,andauditsoftheirvocationandforma-tion programs. They developed aCongregation-wide vocation planwith goals that can be rolled outacrosscountriesanddevelopedan

action plan to better prepare newmembers for full incorporationassisters. “It’s time for us to focusour resources and our own inten-tions and believe that there arepeople who want to do the samething we’re doing with our lives.Theneedsofourworldaresoin-credibly great…for healing, com-passion and liberation…the giftsthatIthinkwecanbring,”Sr.FranGorsuch,CBScommented.

Despitethenaturallanguageandmulticulturalchallenges,thesistersshareacommonbondoftheirCon-gregation’scharismandmissionasreflected by the amazing spirit, en-thusiasm and energy amongst thegroup. “Beingheregivesme theopportunity tobecomemore inte-gratedwithothersistersandwhattheyareactuallydoingandfamil-iarizing myself with their prac-tices,” said Sister Fedelina BerrúPeña,CBS,ofPeru.“Thatexcitesme.”

The Sisters of Bon Secours, an international community of Catholic women religious (sisters) with ministries in healthcare, human and social services, education and spiri-tual retreats, recently gathered for the first international Vocation and Formation Sum-mit. Sisters from the United States, Peru, Ireland, Great Britain, South Africa and France gathered to form congregation-wide plans to strengthen efforts to invite women into religious life and accompany them on their journey through formation.




St. Joseph Church in Maurice recently hosted an evening with Sarah Brabant, PhD., Professor Emeritus of Sociology at ULL. Dr. Brabant spoke on the topic of grief, bas-ing her presentation on the book she has written entitled Mending the Torn Fabric: For Those Who Grieve and Those Who Want to Help Them. Pictured above from left to right are Msgr. Jefferson DeBlanc (Vicar of the West Region), Dr. Sarah Brabant, and Janeth Harrington (Executive Assistant to Vicar of the West Region). Photo submitted by Janeth Harrington

Dr.SarahBrabantoffersgriefpresentation

LAFAYETTEThe41stAnnualThanksgivingBallwasheldat theMartinLuther

King Center recently hosted by the Knights and Ladies of St PeterClaver,ImmaculateHeartofMaryCouncilandCourt76.

The Knights and Ladies have made a commitment to support Im-maculateHeartofMarySchool,soeachyearpartoftheproceedsfromthisannualfunctionisdonatedtotheschoolinhopesthatthefundswillprovidethepropertoolstopreparetheyoungpeopleforthefuture.

KnightsandLadiesofSt.PeterClaverhostThanksgivingBall

Standing: Brothers Earl Angelle, Terry Godfrey, Lady Yvonne Wilkins, Brother Danny Hebert, Lady Brenda Andrus (co-chair), Brothers Eldra Boudreaux, Andrew C. Sen-egal, Lady Betty Alexander and Brother Anthony Cormier. Seated: Brother John Ben-jamine (Chair), Lady Mildred Taylor, Grand Knight Royal Colbert, Grand Lady Mary Elair and Lady Mary Cormier. Photo furnished by Brenda Andrus

LAFAYETTEFatherMannyFernandez,pas-

tor of St. John Parish in Henryand St. James Parish in Esther,will be the featured guest at theFebruary 2, 2012, “Parents forLight” gathering at St. ThomasMore Catholic High School inLafayette. Theeveningwillbe-gin at 6:30 p.m. with refresh-ments and fellowship, followedby Father Fernandez’s healingserviceat7:00p.m.TheBlessedSacrament will also be exposed

FatherMannyFernandeztovisitSTMHighSchool

2012RCIAworkshopsThe Lafayette Diocese’s Office

ofChristianFormationhassched-uled four RCIA training work-shops for the year 2012. Theseworkshops will address severalof the questions that constantlyarisefromvariousparishesinthediocese and will thus provide aforuminwhichtheymaygatherand discuss common problems,andalsolearnfromoneanother’sexperiences. All parishes thatconducttheRCIAprocessareen-couragedtoattend.Therewillbenochargefortheworkshops,but

beginning at 7:00 p.m. and willremain exposed throughout theentire evening. The event willconcludewithBenediction.

TheSTMParentsforLightisamonthlyspeakerprogramhostedby parent volunteers in order tofostertheparent-studentrelation-ship in Spiritual Formation. Inaddition to STM students, par-ents, and faculty, guests fromthroughoutthedioceseareinvit-ed to attend. For more informa-tion,[email protected], “like” the group onFacebook at Parents4LightSTM,or follow at twitter.com/Parent-4LightSTM.

those who are interested shouldcontactLynneBroussardat(337)261-5674inordertoregister.

The first workshop is sched-uled for January 21 (9:00-10:30AM) at St. Edward Church inNew Iberia. The topic will be“Interviews of the CandidatesPriortoBeginningtheProcess&BeforeEachRite.”

The second workshop will beheldonApril21(9:00-10:30AM)

atSt.MaryChurchinLafayette.Thetopicwillbe“Annulments.”

The third workshop will beheldonJune16(9:00-10:30AM)atSacredHeartChurchinBrous-sard.Thetopicwillbe“PrayerintheRCIA.”

ThelastworkshopisscheduledforAugust 25 (9:00-10:30AM)atHolyGhostChurchinOpelou-sas. The topicwillbe“Rites intheCatechumenate.”


CARA at Georgetown to con-duct nationwide survey of young people. Previous studies find Asians strongly represented in U.S. seminaries, novitiatesWASHINGTON

The Secretariat of Clergy,Consecrated Life and Vocationsof the United States Conferenceof Catholic Bishops (USCCB)has been awarded a grant fromtheConradN.HiltonFoundationthat largely underwrites a com-parativeculturalsurveyofCatho-licyouthintheUnitedStates.

The survey aims to identifycommon and distinctive culturaltraitsthataffecttheopennessandability of Catholic youth to re-spondtoacalltoavocationtothepriesthood or religious life. TheSecretariat has commissionedtheCenter forAppliedResearch(CARA) at Georgetown Univer-sitytoconductanationalsurveyofnever-marriedCatholics,ages14andolder,tostudytheirviewsabout vocations and their ownconsiderationofavocation.

Statistical data found in two

reports commissioned by theSecretariat, “The Class of 2011:Survey of Ordinands to thePriesthood”and“TheProfessionClassof2010:SurveyofWomenReligious Professing PerpetualVows,” indicate fewer than ex-pectedreligiousvocationsamongtheHispanicandLatinoCatholicpopulationintheU.S.

Father Shawn McKnight, ex-ecutivedirectoroftheSecretariat,said that Hispanics/Latinos con-stituted15percentoftheordina-tion class and 10 percent of thereligious profession class, whileconstituting34percentoftheto-taladultCatholicpopulation.

“Thereisnotenoughobjectivedata to explain the reasons fortheir underrepresentation,” Fa-therMcKnightsaid.

TheSecretariat seeks to iden-tify specific reasons for their un-derrepresentation, to guide theeffortsbydiocesesandreligiouscommunities to promote voca-tions.

Inthesamereports,othercul-turesshowastrongerrepresenta-

tion. For example, Asians con-stitute four percent of the adultCatholic population in the U.S.,yet10percentof thepastyear’sordinationclasswereAsian.Thisisaconsistenttrendoverthepast15 years. In the 2010 class ofwomenwhomadetheirreligiousprofessionofperpetualvows,19percent of the entire class wasAsian.Furtherstudyisneededtoexplorewhy there is suchadif-ferenceinrepresentation.

The identification of cultural elements that support and chal-lenge a culture of vocationsamong Asian, Latino and thegeneral youth population wouldbe helpful information for col-laboratingorganizations,suchastheNationalReligiousVocationsConference and the NationalConference of Diocesan Voca-tionDirectors.Theresultsofthisstudy would also benefit those involvedwiththeevangelizationofyouth,as theywould indicatehow the influences of culture im-pacttheabilitytoreachouttoallCatholicyouth.

“This study will aid in theNew Evangelization by servingas a helpful resource in deter-mining emerging needs withinthe Church as well as assistinginthedevelopmentoftimelyandeffective responses,” said PeterMurphy, PhD, executive direc-torof theUSCCBSecretariatofEvangelization and Catechesis.“ThesuccessofministryamongagrowingnumberofHispanics/Latinosrequires leadershipfromthe Hispanic/Latino community

itself,especiallyinthepriesthoodandreligious life,”addedFatherAllan Deck, former head of theUSCCB Secretariat for CulturalDiversity in the Church. “Thisproposalisthesinglemostimpor-tant effort to find the best ways toprovidethepriestlyleadershipnecessary for Hispanics/Latinosto flourish in the Church.”

BishopsawardedgranttostudyLatinovocationsGrant to explore why Hispanics underrepresented among clergy, religious

NewPewstudyestimatesglobalChristianpopulationat2.18billionWASHINGTON(CNS)

Accordingtoanewstudy,thereare currently 2.18 billion Chris-tiansinmorethan200countriesaround the world, representingnearlyathirdoftheestimated6.9billion2010globalpopulation.

The study, conducted by thePew Research Center’s ForumonReligion&PublicLife,foundChristianstobesogeographical-lywidespreadthatnosinglecon-tinentorregioncanindisputablyclaim to be the center of globalChristianity.

ThePewstudy,“GlobalChris-tianity: A Report on the Sizeand Distribution of the World’sChristian Population,” cites that100years ago, two-thirdsof theworld’s Christians lived in Eu-ropebuttodayonlyaboutaquar-terofallChristianslivethere.

More thanone-thirdofChris-tians reside in the Americas;aboutaquarterliveinsub-Saha-ranAfricaand13percentliveinAsia and the Pacific.


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