CHURCH TODAY

Volume LI, No. 12 www.diocesealex.org Serving the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana Since 1970 December 28, 2020

Pride in our Catholic school students! St. Frances Cabrini School’s 8th grade Physical Science class launched a weather balloon on Friday, Dec. 4. Science teacher, Father Taylor Reynolds, spent the last few weeks teaching about astronomy and the planets. The students then worked to prepare the payload, predicted where the balloon would land, and how fast it would travel.

See page 20 for more pictures and information from this exciting class project!

INSIDE

Year of Saint Joseph proclaimed Cause opens for Louisiana priests who Looking for the Holy Family today sacrificed their lives Marking the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph in the 1873 pandemic As we savor the celebration of the Christmas being declared patron of the universal church, season, the Holy Spirit seems to be nudging Pope Francis recently proclaimed a yearlong The sacrifice of five Catholic priests who gave each of us to recognize the Holy Family not celebration dedicated to the foster father of their lives ministering to the people of Shreveport in their perfection, but in their flesh, giving us Jesus. See pages 3, etc. for the full text of the during the 1873 yellow fever pandemic will now opportunities for life-altering, unscripted, living apostolic letter. be widely known in the Catholic Church and nativity moments. See page 14 for how we can beyond. See page 8 for this important first step. look for, and serve the Holy Family in our own lives. PAGE 2 CHURCH TODAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 INDEX Ringing in the new year with St. Joseph

Letter from the Editor ...... 2 “Joseph, son of David, do not be USCCB Statement ...... 2 afraid...”- Matthew 1:20 National / World News ...... 3 Diocesan News...... 5 On the feast of the Immaculate Letter from the Editor Feature Story...... 6 Conception, Pope Francis ushered Feature Story ...... 8 in the year of Saint Joseph. Mrs. Cari Terracina Our world and our Church Burses / Vocations ...... 9 Publications Manager for the Diocese of Alexandria need Saint Joseph’s paternal Parish Spotlight ...... 10 intercession, and I’m so thankful Picture Spread...... 12. for this upcoming year. I can’t Feature Story ...... 14 wait to witness all the grace that • Consecreate yourself to him. centuries, artists have rendered the baby into his care. Following Parish Events ...... 15 the Lord will pour out through There are two primary countless portrayals of Saint Joseph’s example, let’s lay down Feature Story ...... 16 His foster father’s example and consecrations to Saint Joseph Joseph. Do a quick Google search our vision in exchange for our Schools / Youth...... 20 intercession. (Consecration to St. Joseph: for pictures of Saint Joseph or the Father’s. Ask yourself what you Diocesan Briefs...... 22 If you want to dive into a The Wonders of Our Spiritual Holy Family. Save a few to pray might need to surrender or see Calendar...... 23 friendship with Saint Joseph Father and Consecration to Jesus with. What do you notice about differently as we walk into the during this upcoming year: through St. Joseph; both can be Joseph’s posture? What is he new year. • Tuck under his cloak. found on Amazon). Both are wearing? What is he holding? Friends, in all matters, go to The Holy Cloak of St. deep and spiritually edifying. Where do you see symbolism? Joseph. What a joyful year this Joseph 30 day Novena is a This year, consider consecrating Allow sacred art to move you will be under his special care! CHURCH thorough and breathtaking time of yourself to Jesus through Joseph! closer to Jesus through meditation Protector of the Holy Family, contemplation on Saint Joseph’s • Pray with sacred art. on Joseph. pray for us! TODAY virtue. In it, we place ourselves No words of Saint Joseph • Surrender your vision. under the holy cloak of Joseph, are recorded in Sacred Scripture. Maybe your vision for the To the waiting, entrusting him with our most While that alone is enough food new year is a bit blurred right now Cari pressing needs (and Saint Joseph for meditation, it’s also spiritually - just like Joseph’s vision for his is a mover and shaker, so be beneficial to pray with sacred art life was blurred when he heard Follow Cari on Instagram specific about what you need!). depicting him. Throughout the God’s calling to take Mary and @cariterracina Volume LI, No. 12 December 28, 2020

P. O. Box 7417 Statement on COVID-19 Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines Alexandria, LA 71303 Our national and [email protected] Louisiana Conference of international news continues 318-445-6424 Catholic Bishops to be filled with reports Publisher: surrounding the approval, Board of Directors Most. Rev. Robert Marshall availability, and arrival of Publication Manager / Editor: COVID-19 vaccines. In many Most Rev. Gregory M. Cari Terracina, ext. 255, respects, this is indeed good Aymond [email protected] news which brings with it a great Archbishop of New Orleans Multimedia Manager / Advertising: sense of hope and optimism as Joan Ferguson, ext. 264; the world continues to face a Most Rev. Glen John Provost [email protected] health crisis. found to be “morally justified.” to ensure the development, Bishop of Lake Charles Circulation: Sandi Tarver, ext. 209; Their extensive conclusion is production, and distribution of [email protected] With these recent and offered below: a COVID-19 vaccine without Most Rev. Michael G. Duca ongoing developments, the any connection to abortion Bishop of Baton Rouge The CHURCH TODAY (USPS worthy questions of the ethical “The world is currently and to help change what has 393-240) is published by the Catholic nature of such vaccines along facing a health crisis. The become the standard practice Most Rev. Shelton J. Fabre Diocese of Alexandria, once a with whether or not it is number of deaths from in much medical research, Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux month, free of charge to members of morally permissible to receive COVID-19 is now almost one a practice in which certain the parishes in the Diocese of them, has already been and and a half million worldwide. morally compromised cell lines Most Rev. J. Douglas Deshotel Alexandria, Louisiana. Out of continues to be raised. This In the United States, the toll is are routinely used as a matter of Bishop of Lafayette diocese subscriptions are $20 a year. is both a complex and highly approaching 300,000. Given course, with no consideration of delicate issue as it generally the urgency of this crisis, the the moral question concerning The office is located at Most Rev. Francis I. Malone focuses on whether or not the lack of available alternative the origins of those cell lines.” Bishop of Shreveport 4400 Coliseum Blvd., vaccines, and the fact that the Alexandria, LA 71303. vaccines were developed in connection between an abortion As individuals consider Periodicals postage paid at such a manner that utilized cell Most Rev. Robert W. Marshall that occurred decades ago and whether or not to receive these Alexandria, LA. lines from aborted babies. Bishop of Alexandria receiving a vaccine produced Postmaster: vaccines, we remind the faithful Send address changes to A thoughtful, detailed today is remote, inoculation to exercise prudence while Most Rev. Fernand J. Cheri The CHURCH TODAY, P. O. Box evaluation and analysis of this with the new COVID-19 consulting with their personal Auxiliary Bishop of New 7417, Alexandria, LA 71306 question has been completed by vaccines in these circumstances health care professional. Orleans the United States Conference of can be morally justified. Website: www.diocesealex.org Catholic Bishops’ Committee For our part, we bishops The full statement may be To receive a free subscription, on Pro-Life and Doctrine stating and all Catholics and men found on the USCCB website at call 318-445-6424, ext 255 or that the two vaccines produced and women of goodwill must https://www.usccb.org/moral- e-mail [email protected] by Pfizer and Moderna only are continue to do what we can considerations-covid-vaccines. DECEMBER 28, 2020 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 3 Year of St. Joseph proclaimed

Marking the 150th beheld the birth of the Messiah more frequently in the papal anniversary of St. Joseph being in a stable, since “there was no magisterium than Joseph, her declared patron of the universal place for them” elsewhere (cf. Lk spouse. My predecessors reflected church, Pope Francis proclaimed 2:7). He witnessed the adoration on the message contained in a yearlong celebration dedicated of the shepherds (cf. Lk 2:8-20) the limited information handed to the foster father of Jesus. In and the Magi (cf. Mt 2:1-12), down by the Gospels in order to a Dec. 8 apostolic letter, “Patris who represented respectively the appreciate more fully his central Corde” (With a Father’s Heart), people of Israel and the pagan role in the history of salvation. the pope said Christians can peoples. Blessed Pius IX declared him discover in St. Joseph, who often Joseph had the courage to “patron of the Catholic Church,” goes unnoticed, “an intercessor, become the legal father of Jesus, Venerable Pius XII proposed a support and a guide in times to whom he gave the name him as “patron of workers” and of trouble.” As Mary’s husband revealed by the angel: “You St. John Paul II as “guardian and guardian of the Son of God, shall call his name Jesus, for he of the Redeemer.” St. Joseph St. Joseph turned “his human will save his people from their is universally invoked as the vocation to domestic love into a sins” (Mt 1:21). As we know, for “patron of a happy death.” superhuman oblation of himsel, ancient peoples, to give a name to Now, 150 years after his his heart, and all his abilities, a a person or to a thing, as Adam proclamation as patron of the love placed at the service of the did in the account in the Book Catholic Church by Blessed Pius Messiah who was growing to of Genesis (cf. 2:19-20), was to IX (Dec. 8, 1870), I would like to maturity in his home.” establish a relationship. share some personal reflections on Despite being troubled at In the Temple, 40 days after this extraordinary figure so close first by Mary’s pregnancy, St. Jesus’ birth, Joseph and Mary to our own human experience. Joseph was obedient to God’s offered their child to the Lord For, as Jesus says, “out of the will, “regardless of the hardship and listened with amazement to abundance of the heart the mouth involved.” the pope added. Simeon’s prophecy concerning speaks” (Mt 12:34). St. Joseph’s unconditional Jesus and his mother (cf. Lk 2:22- My desire to do so increased acceptance of Mary and his 35). during these months of pandemic, decision to protect her “good To protect Jesus from Herod, when we experienced amid name, her dignity, and her life” Joseph dwelt as a foreigner in the crisis how “our lives are also serves as an example for Egypt (cf. Mt 2:13-18). After woven together and sustained men today, the pope added. returning to his own country, he by ordinary people, people “Today, in our world where led a hidden life in the tiny and often overlooked. People who psychological, verbal, and obscure village of Nazareth in do not appear in newspaper and physical violence towrd women ST. JOSEPH AND THE CHRIST CHILD. St. Joseph and the Christ Child are Galilee, far from Bethlehem, magazine headlines or on the is so evident, Joseph appears depicted in a stained-glass window at Immaculate Conception Church in Wes- his ancestral town, and from latest television show yet in these as the figure of a respectful and thampton Beach, N.Y. In a Dec. 8 apostolic letter, Pope Francis proclaimed Jerusalem and the Temple. Of very days are surely shaping the sensitive man,” he wrote. As a a yearlong celebration dedication to St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus. (CNS Nazareth it was said, “No prophet decisive events of our history. carpenter who earned “an honest photo / Gregory A. Shemitz) is to rise” (cf. Jn 7:52) and indeed, Doctors, nurses, storekeepers and living to provide for his family,” “can anything good come out of supermarket workers, cleaning Christ’s earthly guadian is also Nazareth?” (cf. Jn 1:46). personnel, caregivers, transport an example for both workers and When, during a pilgrimage to workers, men and women working those seeking employment and Joseph, tell us very little yet Lk 1:27). He was a “just man” Jerusalem, Joseph and Mary lost to provide essential services and the right to a life of dignity for enough for us to appreciate (Mt 1:19), ever ready to carry out track of the 12-year-old Jesus, public safety, volunteers, priests, themselves and their families, the what sort of father he was and God’s will as revealed to him in they anxiously sought him out men and women religious, and pope said. The year dedicated to the mission entrusted to him by the law (cf. Lk 2:22, 27, 39) and and they found him in the Temple so very many others. They St. Joseph will end Dec. 8, 2021. God’s providence. through four dreams (cf. Mt 1:20; in discussion with the doctors of understood that no one is saved The apostolic letter follows, We know that Joseph was a 2:13, 19, 22). the law (cf. Lk 2:41-50). alone. ... copyright 2020 by Libreria lowly carpenter (cf. Mt 13:55), After a long and tiring journey After Mary, the mother Editrice Vaticana. betrothed to Mary (cf. Mt 1:18; from Nazareth to Bethlehem, he of God, no saint is mentioned See ST. JOSEPH, page 6 With a father’s heart: That is how Joseph loved Jesus, whom all four Gospels refer to as “the son of Joseph.” Lord, every nation on earth will adore you. Do you know someone Matthew and Luke, the two who wants to receive evangelists who speak most of Psalm 72: 11 | Responsorial Psalm for January 3 the Church Today FREE of charge?

Visit the sign-up form at www.diocesealex.org, or email [email protected] Diocese of Alexandria Diocese of Alexandria with their name Diocese of Alexandria Website Facebook Diocese of Alexandria Instagram and mailing address. www.diocesealex.org facebook.com/ @dioceseofalexandria on Spotify DioceseofAlexandria PAGE 4 CHURCH TODAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 Radio Maria welcomes new priest director B.K. ROOFING, LLC

Radio Maria would like emptiness of his life and praying to welcome their new national for God to lead him. After priest director, Father Daniel September 11, 2001, he left New Residential Roofing Experts “Dan” Reehil, from the Diocese York City, and moved to Boston of Nashville, Tenn. with a priest who invited him to www.bkroofingllc.com Fr. Dan replaces Fr. John come and see the life of diocesan Fletcher, who served as interim priesthood. The priest, Fr. Tom Brian Maddox, Owner priest director from June to DiLorenzo, was the greatest 13 years experience August 2020. priestly role model Fr. Reehil Licensed & insured • References available “I am very excited about has ever experienced and it was the opportunity to serve Radio in Boston that his formation to “It doesn’t cost any more to get it done right!” Maria as the national priest priest priesthood began. director,” said Fr. Dan. “I look He studied philosophy forward to the challenge ahead of and theology at Holy Apostles Free estimates! me.” Seminary but left before Most estimates in 2 days As national priest director, completing his studies to become Fr. Reehil will oversee the a contemplative hermit in Omaha, Experienced in dealing with Insurance Companies FATHER DANIEL REEHIL. Radio spiritual needs of the listeners NE. For five years he was Let us handle the details! Maria welcomes Father Daniel Ree- through programming, wil formed in the radical life of the hil as their new national priest direc- spearhead all fundraising and Evangelical Counsels of poverty, tor. Congratulations Fr. Reehil! development activities and chastity, and obedience. He then communication efforts, and will went back to seminary to finish 17 Glade St. • Pineville, LA 71460 assist with all other aspects of the PR firm. his studeis. radio station. In 1998, Fr. Reehil made Near the end of his studies, Effective Dec. 1, he will a prilgrimage to Medjugorje. he was invited to Nashville by the begin presenting a weekly bishop to come and see Middle Emergency This was a life-altering trip service program, “Battle Ready,” upon which he experienced a TN. Both Dan and the bishop available Tuesday - Friday, at 9:00 a.m. miraculous conversaion after agreed Nashville would be his CST/10:00 a.m. EST. Join him being away from the church for new home. each day to hear him speak about 20 years. This is where the seeds He was ordained on July 26, the tools we need to fight the of his vocation to the priesthood 2014, and assigned to St. Edward rising evil in the country today. were planted when the priest who Parish as the Parochial Vicar and Fr. Dan was born in Mineola, heard his 20-year confession told later pastor. He is currently the NY in 1965, to parents Dan and him that he believed he had a pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Gladys. He is the oldest of four vocation to the priesthood. Parish in Columbia, TN. children. His father was an NYC Father began reflecting on the Fire Chief and his mother was a court reporter after the children New Radio Maria Program: Battle Ready were in school. After graduating from the University of Dayton, he worked Fr. Dan Reehil, Radio Maria’s new National Priest Director, will host a new program, titled Battle Ready. in global trade and finance in Battle Ready will examine the scriptures and Church Tradition to form devout and holy soldiers for the Church Militant. Manhattan for American Express and Citicorp for 10 years, and The program will seek to guide ordinary people into the extraordinary future that God is currently unfolding before our very eyes. then 3 years as the sales director Battle Ready airs at 9:00 a.m. CST / 10:00 a.m. EST, Tuesday through Friday mornings. of a corporate communications

HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTIONS for January 2021

Human fraternity - May the Lord give us the grace to live in full fellowship with our brothers and sisters of other religions, praying for one another, open to all. DECEMBER 28, 2020 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 5

together as one 2020 annual diocesan appeal Thank you!

Special thanks to our parish families A special thanks to the 24 parishes/missions who have exceeded their 2020 Annual Diocesan Appeal goal:

Church of the Little Flower - Evergreen St. Edward Mission - Fishville St. Louis Church - Glenmora Immaculate Heart of Mary Church - Tioga St. Frances Cabrini Church - Alexandria St. Martin of Tours - Belledeau Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception - Natchitoches St. Francis of Assisi Mission - Waterproof St. Mary Church - Winnsboro Our Lady of Lourdes Church - Winnfield St. Francis Xavier Cathedral - Alexandria St. Patrick Mission - Montgomery Our Lady of the Rosary Mission - Black Lake St. John the Baptist Mission - Moncla St. Peter Mission - Elmer St. Anthony of Padua Church - Bunkie St. Joseph Church - Cheneyville St. William Chapel - Olla St. Augustine Church - Isle Brevelle St. Joseph Church - St. Joseph Sts. Francis and Anne Church - Kolin St. Charles Mission - Goudeau St. Jude Mission - Seiper St. Margaret Church - Boyce

If you have not already made your contribution to the 2020 Annual Diocesan Appeal, please consider making an offering to help us reach our goal. Donations can be made on the Diocese of Alexandria web page: www.diocesealex.org or by mail to: 2020 Annual Diocesan Appeal, P.O. Box 7417, Alexandria, LA 71306 Or by calling our Development Office at 318-445-6424 ext. 209 and having a card mailed to you. Please prayerfully consider contributing to this worthy cause as so many of the faithful of our Diocese have already done. PAGE 6 CHURCH TODAY DECEMBER 28, 2020

3. An Obedient Father ST. JOSEPH As he had done with Mary, (continued from pg. 3) God revealed his saving plan to Joseph. He did so by using “How many people daily dreams, which in the Bible and exercise patience and offer hope, among all ancient peoples, were taking care to spread not panic but considered a way for him to make shared responsibility. How many his will known. fathers, mothers, grandparents Joseph was deeply troubled and teachers are showing our by Mary’s mysterious pregnancy. children in small everyday ways He did not want to “expose her to how to accept and deal with a public disgrace,” so he decided to crisis by adjusting their routines, “dismiss her quietly” (Mt 1:19). looking ahead and encouraging In the first dream, an angel the practice of prayer. How many helps him resolve his grave are praying, making sacrifices and dilemma: “Do not be afraid to interceding for the good of all.” take Mary as your wife, for the Each of us can discover in child conceived in her is from the Joseph — the man who goes Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, unnoticed, a daily, discreet and and you are to name him Jesus, hidden presence — an intercessor, for he will save his people from a support and a guide in times of their sins” (Mt 1:20-21). trouble. St. Joseph reminds us Joseph’s response was that those who appear hidden immediate: “When Joseph awoke or in the shadows can play an from sleep, he did as the angel incomparable role in the history of of the Lord commanded him” salvation. A word of recognition and received whatever graces to his cheeks, bending down to the Spirit brings it to light with (Mt 1:24). Obedience made it and of gratitude is due to them all. she asked of him. Encouraged him and feeding him” (cf. Hos tender love. Tenderness is the possible for him to surmount his by her own experience, Teresa 11:3-4). best way to touch the frailty difficulties and spare Mary. 1. A Beloved Father persuaded others to cultivate In Joseph, Jesus saw the within us. Pointing fingers and In the second dream, the The greatness of St. Joseph devotion to Joseph. tender love of God: “As a father judging others are frequently angel tells Joseph: “Get up, take is that he was the spouse of Mary Every prayer book contains has compassion for his children, signs of an inability to accept our the child and his mother, and flee and the father of Jesus. In this prayers to St. Joseph. Special so the Lord has compassion for own weaknesses, our own frailty. to Egypt, and remain there until way he placed himself, in the prayers are offered to him each those who fear him” (Ps 103:13). Only tender love will save us I tell you; for Herod is about to words of St. John Chrysostom, Wednesday and especially during In the synagogue, during the from the snares of the accuser (cf. search for the child, to destroy “at the service of the entire plan the month of March, which is praying of the psalms, Joseph Rv 12:10). him” (Mt 2:13). Joseph did not of salvation.” traditionally dedicated to him. would surely have heard again That is why it is so important hesitate to obey, regardless of St. Paul VI pointed out that Popular trust in St. Joseph and again that the God of Israel is to encounter God’s mercy, the hardship involved: “He got Joseph concretely expressed his is seen in the expression “go to a God of tender love, who is good especially in the sacrament up, took the child and his mother fatherhood “by making his life a Joseph,” which evokes the famine to all, whose “compassion is over of reconciliation, where we by night, and went to Egypt, and sacrificial service to the mystery of in Egypt, when the Egyptians all that he has made” (Ps 145:9). experience his truth and remained there until the death of the Incarnation and its redemptive begged Pharaoh for bread. He “Each of us can discover tenderness. Paradoxically, the Herod” (Mt 2:14-15). In Egypt, purpose. He employed his legal in turn replied, “Go to Joseph; in Joseph — the man who goes Evil One can also speak the Joseph awaited with patient trust authority over the Holy Family what he says to you, do” (Gn unnoticed, a daily, discreet and truth to us, yet he does so only to the angel’s notice that he could to devote himself completely 41:55). Pharaoh was referring to hidden presence — an intercessor, condemn us. safely return home. to them in his life and work. He Joseph, the son of Jacob, who a support and a guide in times of We know that God’s truth In a third dream, the angel turned his human vocation to was sold into slavery because trouble.” does not condemn but instead told him that those who sought domestic love into a superhuman of the jealousy of his brothers The history of salvation welcomes, embraces, sustains to kill the child were dead and oblation of himself, his heart and (cf. Gn 37:11-28) and who — is worked out “in hope against and forgives us. That truth always ordered him to rise, take the child all his abilities, a love placed at according to the biblical account hope” (Rom 4:18), through presents itself to us like the and his mother, and return to the the service of the Messiah, who — subsequently became viceroy our weaknesses. All too often, merciful father in Jesus’ parable land of Israel (cf. Mt 2:19-20). was growing to maturity in his of Egypt (cf. Gn 41:41-44). we think that God works only (cf. Lk 15:11-32). It comes out Once again, Joseph promptly home.” As a descendant of David (cf. through our better parts, yet most to meet us, restores our dignity, obeyed. “He got up, took the Thanks to his role in Mt 1:16-20), from whose stock of his plans are realized in and sets us back on our feet and child and his mother, and went to salvation history, St. Joseph has Jesus was to spring according despite our frailty. Thus St. Paul rejoices for us, for, as the father the land of Israel” (Mt 2:21). always been venerated as a father to the promise made to David could say: says, “This my son was dead and During the return journey, by the Christian people. This is by the prophet Nathan (cf. 2 Sm “To keep me from being too is alive again; he was lost and is “when Joseph heard that shown by the countless churches 7), and as the spouse of Mary of elated, a thorn was given me in found” (v. 24). Archelaus was ruling over Judea dedicated to him worldwide, the Nazareth, St. Joseph stands at the the flesh, a messenger of Satan Even through Joseph’s fears, in place of his father Herod, he numerous religious institutes, crossroads between the Old and to torment me, to keep me from God’s will, his history and his was afraid to go there. After being confraternities and ecclesial New Testaments. being too elated. Three times I plan were at work. Joseph, then, warned in a dream” — now for groups inspired by his spirituality appealed to the Lord about this, teaches us that faith in God the fourth time — “he went away and bearing his name, and the 2. A Tender and Loving that it would leave me, but he said includes believing that he can to the district of Galilee. There he many traditional expressions of Father to me: ‘My grace is sufficient for work even through our fears, made his home in a town called piety in his honor. Joseph saw Jesus grow daily you, for power is made perfect in our frailties and our weaknesses. Nazareth” (Mt 2:22-23). Innumerable holy men “in wisdom and in years and in weakness’” (2 Cor 12:7-9). He also teaches us that amid the The evangelist Luke, for his and women were passionately divine and human favor” (Lk Since this is part of the entire tempests of life, we must never part, tells us that Joseph undertook devoted to him. Among them was 2:52). As the Lord had done with economy of salvation, we must be afraid to let the Lord steer our the long and difficult journey Teresa of Avila, who chose him Israel, so Joseph did with Jesus: learn to look upon our weaknesses course. At times, we want to be in from Nazareth to Bethlehem to as her advocate and intercessor, “He taught him to walk, taking with tender mercy. complete control, yet God always be registered in his family’s town had frequent recourse to him him by the hand; he was for him The Evil One makes us see sees the bigger picture. of origin in the census of the like a father who raises an infant and condemn our frailty, whereas Emperor Caesar Augustus. There DECEMBER 28, 2020 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 7

Jesus was born (cf. Lk 2: 7), and as they seemed, to embrace them, together for good, for those who up and walk away or somehow divine providence. his birth, like that of every other take responsibility for them and love God” (Rom 8:28). To which engage with it. At times, If at times God seems not to child, was recorded in the registry make them part of his own history. St. Augustine adds, “even that difficulties bring out resources we help us, surely this does not mean of the empire. Unless we are reconciled with our which is called evil (etiam illud did not even think we had. that we have been abandoned but St. Luke is especially own history, we will be unable to quod malum dicitur).”19 In this As we read the infancy instead are being trusted to plan, concerned to tell us that take a single step forward, for greater perspective, faith gives narratives, we may often wonder to be creative and to find solutions Jesus’ parents observed all the we will always remain hostage meaning to every event, however why God did not act in a more ourselves. prescriptions of the law: the rites to our expectations and the happy or sad. direct and clear way. Yet God That kind of creative courage of the circumcision of Jesus, disappointments that follow. Nor should we ever think acts through events and people. was shown by the friends of the the purification of Mary after The spiritual path that that believing means finding Joseph was the man chosen by paralytic, who lowered him from childbirth, the offering of the Joseph traces for us is not one facile and comforting solutions. God to guide the beginnings of the roof in order to bring him to firstborn to God (cf. 2:21-24). that explains but accepts. Only The faith Christ taught us is what the history of redemption. He was Jesus (cf. Lk 5:17-26). Difficulties In every situation, Joseph as a result of this acceptance, we see in St. Joseph. He did not the true “miracle” by which God did not stand in the way of those declared his own fiat, like those this reconciliation, can we begin look for shortcuts but confronted saves the child and his mother. friends’ boldness and persistence. of Mary at the Annunciation to glimpse a broader history, a reality with open eyes and God acted by trusting in Joseph’s They were convinced that Jesus and Jesus in the Garden of deeper meaning. We can almost accepted personal responsibility creative courage. could heal the man, and “finding Gethsemane. hear an echo of the impassioned for it. Arriving in Bethlehem and no way to bring him in because In his role as the head of a reply of Job to his wife, who had “Joseph, then, teaches us that finding no lodging where Mary of the crowd, they went up on family, Joseph taught Jesus to urged him to rebel against the evil faith in God includes believing could give birth, Joseph took the roof and let him down with be obedient to his parents (cf. Lk he endured: “Shall we receive the that he can work even through a stable and, as best he could, his bed through the tiles into the 2:51), in accordance with God’s good at the hand of God, and not our fears, our frailties and our turned it into a welcoming home middle of the crowd in front of command (cf. Ex 20:12). receive the bad?” (Jb 2:10). weaknesses.” for the Son of God come into the Jesus. When he saw their faith, During the hidden years in Joseph is certainly he said, ‘Friend, your sins are Nazareth, Jesus learned at the not passively resigned but forgiven you’” (vv. 19-20). Jesus school of Joseph to do the will of courageously and firmly recognized the creative faith with the Father. That will was to be his proactive. In our own lives, which they sought to bring their daily food (cf. Jn 4:34). Even at acceptance and welcome can be sick friend to him. the most difficult moment of his an expression of the Holy Spirit’s The Gospel does not tell us life, in Gethsemane, Jesus chose gift of fortitude. Only the Lord God always finds a way to save us, how long Mary, Joseph and the to do the Father’s will rather than can give us the strength needed provided we show the same child remained in Egypt. Yet they his own, becoming “obedient unto to accept life as it is, with all its certainly needed to eat, to find a death, even death on a cross” (Phil contradictions, frustrations and creative courage as home and employment. It does 2:8). The author of the Letter to disappointments. not take much imagination to fill the Hebrews thus concludes that Jesus’ appearance in our the carpenter of Nazareth, in those details. The Holy Family Jesus “learned obedience through midst is a gift from the Father that who was able to turn a problem had to face concrete problems what he suffered” (5:8). makes it possible for each of us to like every other family, like so All this makes it clear that be reconciled to the flesh of our into a possibility many of our migrant brothers and “St. Joseph was called by God own history, even when we fail to sisters who today too risk their to serve the person and mission understand it completely. by trusting always in lives to escape misfortune and of Jesus directly through the Just as God told Joseph, hunger. In this regard, I consider exercise of his fatherhood” and “Son of David, do not be afraid!” divineprovidence. St. Joseph the special patron of all that in this way, “he cooperated (Mt 1:20), so he seems to tell those forced to leave their native in the fullness of time in the great us, “Do not be afraid!” We lands because of war, hatred, mystery of salvation and is truly a need to set aside all anger and persecution and poverty. minister of salvation.” disappointment, and to embrace At the end of every account the way things are, even when Joseph’s attitude encourages world (cf. Lk 2:6-7). Faced in which Joseph plays a role, the 4. An Accepting Father they do not turn out as we wish. us to accept and welcome others with imminent danger from Gospel tells us that he gets up, Joseph accepted Mary Not with mere resignation but as they are, without exception, Herod, who wanted to kill the takes the child and his mother, and unconditionally. He trusted in the with hope and courage. and to show special concern for child, Joseph was warned once does what God commanded him angel’s words. “The nobility of In this way, we become open the weak, for God chooses what again in a dream to protect the (cf. Mt 1:24; 2:14, 21). Indeed, Joseph’s heart is such that what to a deeper meaning. Our lives is weak (cf. 1 Cor 1:27). He is the child and rose in the middle of Jesus and Mary, his mother, are he learned from the law he made can be miraculously reborn if “Father of orphans and protector the night to prepare the flight into the most precious treasure of our dependent on charity. Today in we find the courage to live them of widows” (Ps 68:6), who Egypt (cf. Mt 2:13-14). faith. our world where psychological, in accordance with the Gospel. commands us to love the stranger A superficial reading of In the divine plan of verbal and physical violence It does not matter if everything in our midst.20 I like to think that these stories can often give the salvation, the Son is inseparable toward women is so evident, seems to have gone wrong or it was from St. Joseph that Jesus impression that the world is at the from his mother, from Mary, who Joseph appears as the figure some things can no longer be drew inspiration for the parable of mercy of the strong and mighty, “advanced in her pilgrimage of of a respectful and sensitive fixed. God can make flowers the prodigal son and the merciful but the “good news” of the faith and faithfully persevered in man. Even though he does not spring up from stony ground. father (cf. Lk 15:11-32). Gospel consists in showing that, her union with her Son until she understand the bigger picture, Even if our heart condemns us, for all the arrogance and violence stood at the cross.” he makes a decision to protect “God is greater than our hearts, 5. A Creatively Courageous of worldly powers, God always We should always consider Mary’s good name, her dignity and he knows everything” (1 Jn Father finds a way to carry out his saving whether we ourselves are and her life. In his hesitation about 3:20). If the first stage of all true plan. protecting Jesus and Mary, for they how best to act, God helped him Here, once again, we interior healing is to accept our So too, our lives may at times are also mysteriously entrusted by enlightening his judgment.” encounter that Christian realism personal history and embrace seem to be at the mercy of the to our own responsibility, care Often in life, things happen which rejects nothing that exists. even the things in life that we powerful, but the Gospel shows and safekeeping. The Son of the whose meaning we do not Reality, in its mysterious and did not choose, we must now us what counts. God always finds Almighty came into our world in understand. Our first reaction is irreducible complexity, is the add another important element: a way to save us, provided we a state of great vulnerability. He frequently one of disappointment bearer of existential meaning, creative courage. This emerges show the same creative courage needed to be defended, protected, and rebellion. Joseph set aside his with all its lights and shadows. especially in the way we deal as the carpenter of Nazareth, who own ideas in order to accept the Thus, the apostle Paul can say, with difficulties. In the face of was able to turn a problem into a course of events and, mysterious “We know that all things work difficulty, we can either give possibility by trusting always in See ST. JOSEPH, page 18 PAGE 8 CHURCH TODAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 Cause opens for Louisiana priests who sacrificed their lives in 1873 epidemic

Shreveport, La. (CNS) -- The lived lives of extraordinary and sacrifice of five Catholic priests heroic virtue and they will be who gave their lives ministering granted the title “Venerable.” to people in Shreveport during The next two steps are the 1873 yellow fever epidemic is beatification and canonization: memorialized in stained glass at In general, each step needs Holy Trinity Church in downtown verification of a miraculous cure or Shreveport. event attributed to the intercession Their stories have been of the sainthood candidate. regularly recounted across nearly “The culmination of this 150 years of news reports and process may very well, in fact, histories of Shreveport. The city’s most likely will take place in a Pierre Avenue is named in honor number of decades,” said Bishop of one of them, Father Jean Pierre, Malone, who before being the first pastor of Holy Trinity. appointed to Shreveport by Pope And now their story will be Francis Nov. 19, 2019, was a widely known in the Catholic pastor and chancellor for ecclesial Church in the U.S. and beyond affairs in the Diocese of Little with the formal opening of their Rock, Arkansas. sainthood cause. “Today is the needed first “It is my joy, on this feast step toward that goal,” he added. of the Immaculate Conception According to the diocese, and from this historic church, there has never before been any to announce that we may refer sainthood cause from northern to them as “Servants of God,” SHREVEPORT BISHOP FRANCIS I. MALONE. Bishop Francis I. Malone of Shreveport, La., signs a decree of Louisiana, “making this an Shreveport Bishop Francis I. recognition Dec. 8, 2020 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in downtown Shreveport, officially opening a sainthood cause especially historic development Malone said at a Dec. 8 news for five priests who died ministering to people during the yellow fever epidemic of 1873. (CNS photo /Kierstin Richter, for the region.” conference at Holy Trinity courtesy Diocese of Shreveport) The fact that the give priests’ Church. cause “is proceeding during a “I am still within my first time of pandemic is a noteworthy year here as the bishop of the 16 losing one-fourth of its population. Louisiana, which today is called who also ministered in Ouachita, historic parallel,” it said. northernmost (civil) parishes of One Catholic priest who refused to Carmel. In 1856, he was assigned Morehouse, Union, Webter, The groundwork needed Louisiana, but I learned quickly leave the sick and dying, and four to Shreveport and was tasked with Clairborne, Caldwell, and to be able to officially open the of the extraordinary zeal of these others who knowingly entered the founding a new church -- Holy Franklin civil parishes. priests’ sainthood cause has led to earliest of missionary priests to quarantined areas were among the Trinity. He also ministered in the -- Father Francois extensive research into their lives our area, which culminated in city’s dead. civil parishes of Caddo, Bossier, LeVezouet, founding pastor for a book-length manuscript, the free offer of their lives in the “Each priest made the free DeSoto, Webster, and Claiborne, of St. John the Baptist Church podcast, and graphic novel project yellow fever epidemic of 1873,” and voluntary offer of life and Louisiana. in Many, Louisiana, who currently underway by Father said the prelate, who was ordained heroic acceptance of a premature The other four priests are: ministered throughout Sabine and Peter Mangum, rector of the and installed as Shreveport’s and horrific yellow fever death, -- Father Isidore A. Natchitoches civil parishes. Cathedral of St. John Berchmans bishop Jan. 28. in the act of charity,” the diocese Quemarais, first assistant priest The Vatican’s Congregation in Shreveport, local historian W. “The stories of their lives, up said in a news release. of Shreveport, who also served for Saints’ Causes has reviewed Ryan Smith and Cheryl White, to their deaths in the epidemic, Father Pierre was the first in Rapides and Avoyelles civil their stories and gratned the a history professor at Louisiana are truly extraordinary,” he Catholic pastor in Shreveport. He parishes. Diocese of Shreveport permission State University Shreveport. said. The diocese has a website came from Saint-Brieuc, a town in -- Father Jean-Marie Biler, to begin the process of gathering The trio’s project sets the that tells their stories: https:// the Brittany region of France, as chaplain of the Convent and evidence of the sanctity of the biographies of the priests in the shreveportmartyrs.org. a missionary priest to what was Novitiate of St. Vincent’s in priests’ lives and the devotion to broader narrative of the 1873 In the late summer of 1873, then the Diocese of Natchitoches, Shreveport. them. Shreveport epidemic. Their soon- Shreveport was besieged by the Louisiana, established in 1853. -- Father Louis Gergaud, It is the first step on the road to-be-published book is titled third-worst epidemic of yellow He first went to the tiny first pastor of St. Matthew’s to sainthood. The next step is a “The Surest Path to Heaven: 1873 fever recorded in U.S. history, community of Bayou Pierre, Church in Monroe, Louisiana, declaration by the Vatican they Shreveport Martyrs.”

DIOCESE OF ALEXANDRIA OFFICE OF LIFE AND JUSTICE WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT A CHILD IS BEING ABUSED:

The Diocese of Alexandria Office of Life and Justice now provides a list of social services available while the Corona Virus measures are in effect. If you have reason to believe that a child is being abused or neglected, and that the abuse is by a parent or caretaker, please first call the Louisiana Child Abuse / Neglect The Office of Life and Justice lists this directory as a public service. Hotline at 1-855-4LA-KIDS (855-452-5437) and/or your local law enforcement agency. It does not recommend, support, or guarantee any of the mentioned services. Each consumer should be vigilant and ask questions of each provider, If suspected abuse is related to a diocesan/church/school program, or if abuse occurred including costs (if any), confidentiality of medical or personal information, by anyone acting in Church services, a report should then also be made to the diocesan and to whom they can address compliants if necessary. Victims Assistance Coordinator, Dr. Lee Kneipp, Clinical Psychologist at 318-542-9805.

Please visit www.diocesalex.org/latest-news/social-services-information/ for a directory of local services. DECEMBER 28, 2020 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 9 Seminarian Burses Greater love has no one than this, OctoberDONATE: 2020 Donations that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 Hurricane Relief Mr. and Mrs. Silton Innerarity...... $25.00 FATHER ISIDORE QUEMARAIS. Father Isidore Quemarais died Father Rickey Gremillion Burse of yellow fever in Shreveport, after spending his lastdays working to the point of exhaustion, as he helped the sick and dying of the city. Knights of Columbus Council #9217 ...... $50.00 Father Jean Marie Biler from the Daughters of the Cross Convent Father Adrian Molenschot Burse provided him with comfort at his bedside and the Last Rites of the Mr. and Mrs. Marion A. French ...... $50.00 Church, Fr. Quemarais had just passed his twenty-sixth birthday when Father Peter T. Norek Burse he became the first of five priests to fall in Shreveport as martyrs to their charity. Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Schupbach ...... $50.00 Deacon Gary Schupbach Burse Dr. and Mrs. Phillip Carney In memory of Mrs. Kathleen Voltz ...... $50.00 Gus Voltz, Jr. Burse FATHER JEAN MARIE BILER. Father Jean Marie Biler, chaplain Hanley Gremillion Millwork & Supply at the Daughters of the Cross Convent, became the third priest to In memory of Mrs. Kathleen Voltz ...... $50.00 die of yellow fever while caring for the city’s ill and dying, yet another Gus Voltz, Jr. Burse martyr to his charity. Just before his death, his plea for help had been answered - Father Louis Gergaud arrived from Monroe and Father Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Schupbach...... $100.00 Francois Le Vezouet arrived from Natchitoches to take their place in Monsignor Steve Testa Burse the epidemic. Mrs. Barbara Rigby...... $100.00 Leo P. Dobard Burse Mrs. Sally Vanderlick ...... $100.00 Henry Vanderlick Burse Mrs. Connie Leglue FATHER JEAN PIERRE. Father Jean Pierre, beloved first pastor In memory of Mrs. Kathleen Voltz ...... $100.00 of Holy Trinity Church in Shreveport, died of yellow fever while Gus Voltz, Jr. Burse caring for the city’s poorest victims of the epidemic. He became Mr. and Mrs. Gary Ryder the second of five priests to offer his life as a martyr to his charity. In memory of Mrs. Kathleen Voltz ...... $100.00 Gus Voltz, Jr. Burse Dr. William Sansing In memory of Mrs. Kathleen Voltz ...... $100.00 Gus Voltz, Jr. Burse

Total...... $875.00

FATHER LOUIS GERGAUD. Father Louis Gergaud, pastor of See November Burses on page 16. St. Matthew’s Church in Monroe, became the fourth priest to die of yellow fever while caring for the city’s ill and dying, yet another martyr to his charity. As he boarded the stagecoach in Monroe to come into the fever-stricken city of Shreveport, Fr. Gergaud was heard to say, “Write to the bishop and tell him I go to my death. It is my duty, and I must go.” 2 Chronicles 7 : 14

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, FATHER FRANCOIS LE VEZOUET. Father Francois Le Vezouet of Natchitoches became the fifth and final priest to die of yellow and pray and seek my face, fever while caring for the city’s ill and dying, yet another martyr to his charity. and turn from their wicked ways, As he prepared to leave Natchitoches on horseback for the then I will hear from Heaven, ride to Shreveport, someone called out to him, “You are going to your death.” Fr. Le Vezouet responded, “I believe it. But, I am and will forgive their sin taking the shortest and surest path to heaven.” and heal their land.”

[email protected] Advertisement paid for by Marcus Descant PAGE 10 CHURCH TODAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 Parish Spotlight: St. Edward the Confessor, Tallulah Established 1936 Continue to Much of the lumber used to took up residence in the mission build the first church in Tallulah in and on October 25, Bishop Daniel support your 1911 came from the old chapel at Desmond formally erected the Milliken’s Bend. Before the Civil former mission as an independent church parish War, a brick chapel, dedicated parish dedicated in honor of St. in honor of St. Mary, was built Agnes. Though you are not largely through the generosity of In January, 1947, Fr. Robert obligated to attend Mass Honore Perigny Morency. As a Maure secured new land for a during this time, child, Mr. Morency, together with larger church on Highway 80. The his brother and sister, had escaped new church built facing Brushy please consider continuing the Santo Domingo uprising. Bayou was dedicated in honor of to support your church They were taken to Baltimore St. Edward and blessed by Bishop parish with your tithing with other refugees and were Charles Greco on October 3, and donations. given shelter and an education 1948. In its tower is an old ship’s by Charles Carroll of Carrollton, bell taken from the steamer, Iron Church parishes rely on the only Catholic signer of the Mountain, which was wrecked on these funds to continue to Declaration of Independence. the Mississippi in 1882. In 1962, operate and provide The original chapel at a new rectory was built after the programs and Milliken’s Bend was destroyed old one was destroyed by fire. services to the faithful during the war but a new Tragically, Fr. Thomas Connors frame chapel was erected after died in that fire. In 1980, under the in our communities. Reconstruction around 1884. In leadership of Fr. Louis Voorhies, a time, the Catholic population new parish hall was built. Today, The address to each church settled primarily in Lake St. Edward’s is considered to be parish can be found on the Providence, Louisiana, where a ST. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR CHURCH, TALLULAH. one of Tallulah’s most beautiful diocese website at new church was erected in 1869. landmarks. Although the Catholic www.diocesealex.org. The small chapel in Tallulah population has been traditionally Your pastor will appreciate served as a mission of Lake During the 1927 flood, over six but it survived intact. On October small, the parish is a growing and your continued support. Providence from 1911 to 1936. feet of water filled the structure 19, 1936, Fr. John C. Vandegaer vibrant community. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Melanie Blanchard, Broker hasten to help us. Donald Baker, Agent Robert Tassin, Agent

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Psalm 149: 4 Responsorial Psalm for January 9

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A message from the Diocese of Alexandria’s Safe Environment Program A Seminary Burse is an We can invested sum of money, If you have reason to believe that a child is being abused or neglected and that the have recourse the interest of which is used abuse is by a parent or caretaker, please call: Louisiana Child Abuse / Neglect Hotline at in perpetuity to help fund 1-855-4LA-KIDS (855-452-5437). to many saints the education of men to as our intercessors, the priesthood. If suspected abuse is related to a diocesan/church/school program, or if abuse oc- Contributions to any of the cured by anyone acting in Church services, but go especially a report also should be made to the diocesan burses or to establish victim assistance coordinator, Dr. Lee Kneipp at 318-542-9805. to Joseph... a new burse should be sent to the For updated information, news articles, and documents regarding ongoing Chancery Office, activity and planning for securing and maintaining a Safe Environment for all, visit Post Office Box 7417, www.diocesealex.org/our-faith/healing (visit www.diocesealex.org and look for “A Safe // St. Teresa Alexandria, LA 71306-0417. Environment For All” under the “Our Faith” tab). Here, you can find Bishop Talley’s -- Very Reverend message for November 2018, as well as updates from the United States Conference of of Avila Stephen Scott Chemino, Catholic Bishops. Also found on this page is the letter from Pope Francis to all Bishops in the Chairman United States regarding a meeting in February 2019 at the Vatican entitled “The Protection of Minors in the Church.”

Prayer for Priests Prayer for Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gift of our Vocations priests. Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments. Help our priests to be strong in their vocation. God our Father, we thank Set their souls on fire with love for your people. Grant them you for calling men and Love is . . . the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow women to serve in your in the footsteps of Jesus. Inspire them with the vision of your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, religious, and “ . . . patient; Kingdom. Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel. Allow them to experience joy in their ministry. Help consecrated persons. love is kind. them to become instruments of your divine grace. Send your Holy Spirit to We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our help us respond Love is not jealous, Eternal Priest. Amen. generously and courageously to your call. it does not put on airs, May our community of faith it is not snobbish. support vocations of Love is never rude, sacrificial love in our youth. We ask this it is not self-seeking, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and nor is it prone to anger; reigns with you and the it does not brood over injuries. Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Love does not rejoice in what is wrong A prayer card with this but rejoices with the truth. prayer can be downloaded and printed from There is no limit to love’s foryourvocation.org forebearance, to its trust, its hope, ? Catholic Trivia? its power to endure. Love never fails.” When was veneration of the Holy Family first (1 Cor. 13 : 4-8) established?

[email protected] Advertisement paid for by Marcus Descant PAGE 12 CHURCH TODAY DECEMBER 28, 2020

Service in Christ

STS. FRANCIS AND ANNE CHURCH. (ABOVE) Bishop Marshall visited Sts. Francis and Anne Church in Kolin on Dec. 8. The bishop celebrated Mass on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with the congregation, including members of Boy Scout Troop 626, Kolin, La.

CHRIST THE KING PROCESSION. (LEFT) Parishioners and visitors of the Church of the Little Flower in Evergreen, with their pastor, Father Ramji Shoury, honored the Feast of Christ the King with a solemn EucharIstic procession following the Mass on Sunday, Nov. 22.

CHRISTUS ST. FRANCES CABRINI HOSPITAL. On Monday, Dec. 14, Bishop Robert Marshall visited CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. He was given a tour and had the opportunity to pray with staff members. He also celebrated Mass in the hospital’s chapel with Father Joy Antony, the director of pastoral services at Cabrini Hospital. DECEMBER 28, 2020 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 13

Youth of the Diocese continue to learn, support each other, and celebrate their communities! See below or visit www.diocesealex.org to see more pictures of life in the Diocese.

ST. TIMOTHY FOOD PANTRY. Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Alexandria, as part of Thanksgiving weekend, held their monthly distribution of free foods. Persons in need who ask, receive a bag of no-cook foods (peanut butter, canned tuna and chicken, etc.) or cook-foods (beans, rice, pasta, soups), plus a bag of bread and crackers. Approximately 110-150 or more food bags are normally handed out. Pictured above are some of the food bags that were prepared and distributed.

OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR SCHOOL FOOD PROCESSION. Our Lady of Prompt Succor School Food Drive was held on Friday, Dec. 4, with all classes participating. Food was collected to go to the Church Christmas Cheer program that will provide food and gifts to close to 75 families. At the end, some of the 6th grade boys helped to sort, gather, and move all of the food. Once again, our parents were so generous with their donations to those in need during this difficult time.

PETER CLAVER DONATION. Msgr. Henry A. Thompson, Assembly 27 of the 4th Degree Knights of Peter Claver in Alexandria, donated turkey, ham, and all the trimmings to the Hope House of Central Louisiana. on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

The annual donation is part of the Assembly’s community service initiative. Sir Knight Tommy Milo is the Faithful Navigator. Project Coordinator is Sir Knight Melvin Edwards.

Pictured here, left to right are: Melvin Edwards, Melody Mutch, Children’s Service Coordinator; Tommy Milo; and Tim Ford. PAGE 14 CHURCH TODAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 Unlikely blessings: Looking for the Holy Family today

By Katie Cassady and depth. They give a tangible Blessed Is She Ministry identity to the vague characters we have imagined in our mind’s’ The first Christmas I eye. remember receiving Christmas The question his work poses cards addressed to me personally is an important one: Who is it was the year I moved to Denver. that personifies a family on the Delighted by this very adult move? Ostracized? One for practice of sending and receiving whom we might just not be able Christmas cards, I tore them to make an exception? How are open with delight when I got we imagining Jesus’ unexpected home from work each evening, arrival this year? savoring the familiar faces in Truthfully, I don’t know the pictures and scripts in the exactly who this is for me. Are margins. The only one I can they the ones closest to me in my remember anymore was a hand- own family, or those I’ve kept at drawn depiction of a young, a distance and struggle to see in a brown family, holding their “holy light”? I have a hunch that infant son under the shelter of a follow-through on my part with graffiti-covered bus stop. It was any of these individuals would blank on the back, no further be both a welcomed gesture and explanation provided. The friend an offering that the Incarnate who sent the card was living in God might find pleasing. the St. Louis Catholic Worker As we savor the celebration house. She shared that this was of the Christmas season, the Spirit the image one of her youth group seems to be nudging each of us students drew when asked to to recognize the Holy Family not create a picture of a modern-day some further thought. chosen designs on our Christmas distract us from the core of the in their perfection, but in their Holy Family. cards, and in our illuminated Holy Family, I have found that it flesh. Are there people in my Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and yard decor. This practice of can also call me back to it. life toward whom I’ve struggled An Unlikely Savior Us remembering is the sacred, to make an exception? Extend As Catholics, we lean hard At this point, our churches holy work of our souls. Our Would We Recognize the hospitality? Who have arrived into the story of the Incarnation are bedazzled with crèches, participation in these traditions Holy Family Today? inconveniently? Unexpectedly? — God made flesh, physically poinsettias, glittering gold and put us back in touch with the Personally I have found that These are our opportunities delivered into the muck of white garments, cloths, and story that reminds us who (and Salesian Brother Mickey O’Neil for life-altering, unscripted, everyday life, in the midst vestments. Our noses detect Whose) we are. McGrath is an artist worth living nativity moments. of poverty and vulnerability. the lingering smell of incense. And yet there is a temptation keeping an eye on during this Who are the unlikely Perfection amidst imperfections. Choirs are singing out the joyful to perfect the scene, because season, especially when my own blessings in your life? We reverence every aspect of news, all because our God chose we are talking about Jesus and depictions of Christmas become this story: the Annunciation, us. He chose to come to us in a family after all, and because we too glamorous. A talented Katie Cassady is a wife and mom the Visitation, Joseph’s dream, way that we might understand. are uncomfortable with the idea iconographer, Brother Mickey to two little girls in Denver, CO. the stable, the manger, the Born in a body that we would that Jesus’ family might have had creates a new icon of the Holy Steeped in theological reflection, swaddling clothes, the unlikely recognize. Born into a family we an un-photogenic moment. In our Family each year, many based beekeeping, and motherhood, family who received the Savior could relate to. own ways, we dress up the one on events occurring within the she is appreciative of any and into their lives with complete In our own ways, we re- who arrived bare. We can focus year. Some of his most notable all wisdom she can glean from humility and trust. create the beautiful scene of only on the story’s beauty and works are Syrian Mary, Joseph living intentional lives of faith. On the Feast of the Holy Mary, Joseph, and Jesus with neglect the coinciding rawness and Jesus or Resting in Flight. Find out more about her at www. Family, our relationship with live nativities, posadas, our of the Christ-child’s arrival. In The images are both playful unexpectedhoney.com. this family is certainly worth mantle crèches, the carefully- the same way that imagery can and stirring in their vibrancy

/ Prayer to the Holy Family /

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendour of true love, to you we turn with trust. Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic Churches. Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division; may all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and healing. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer. Amen. DECEMBER 28, 2020 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 15

Mass is being offered online and onradio Mass will be offered online on Facebook, YouTube, or on the radio at the following Monday - Friday churches. Please visit the links listed below. 7:00 a.m. Mary, Mother of Jesus Church, Woodworth Our diocesan church parishes have been working hard to provide spiritual resources on Facebook or YouTube (Monday - Thursday only) to the people of our diocese. Please continue to visit your church parish’s Facebook page (you do not need a Facebook account, just click “not now” and view the content) or 8:00 a.m. Radio Maria| www.radiomaria.us (click the play button) the diocesan website for updates, and pray for our diocesan priests and parish staff as or tune in on your radio in Alexandria on station 580 AM they continue their ministry. Please inquire directly to your church parish concerning their or in Natchitoches on station 89.7 AM requirements and guidelines for attending Mass in-person. Thank you, parish secretaries and staff members for your hard work and dedication 8:30 a.m. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Tioga on Facebook or YouTube to continue to bring the message of Christ to all homes in our diocese! 9:00 a.m. Mater Dolorosa Church, Plaucheville on Facebook Sunday St. Edward the Confessor, Tallulah on Facebook (Wednesdays), 7:00 a.m. Sacred Heart Church, Moreauville KZLG-FM 95.5 (9:30 a.m. talk - aka “The CU Catecast”; Wednesdays)

8:00 a.m. Sacred Heart Church, Moreauville - KLIL-FM 92.1 5:30 p.m. Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Alexandria St. Rita Church, Alexandria on Facebook or YouTube on Facebook or YouTube Mary, Mother of Jesus Church, Woodworth on Facebook or YouTube St. Edward the Confessor, Tallulah on Facebook (Fridays)

9:00 - 11:00 a.m. (time varies) Radio Maria | www.radiomaria.us Saturday (click the play button) or tune in one your radio 8:00 a.m. Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Alexandria in Alexandria on station 580 AM on Facebook or YouTube or in Natchitoches on station 89.7 AM

9:00 a.m. St. Francis de Sales, Echo on Facebook 9:00 a.m. (Latin) St. Edward the Confessor, Tallulah on Facebook St. Francis Xavier Cathedral on Facebook St. Edward the Confessor, Tallulah on Facebook 4:00 p.m. St. Rita Church, Alexandria on Facebook or YouTube Radio Maria | www.radiomaria.us (click the play button) 10:00 a.m. Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pineville on Facebook or YouTube or tune in on your radio in Alexandria on station 580 AM Church of the Little Flower, Evergreen on Facebook or in Natchitoches on station 89.7 AM St. Patrick Church, Ferriday on Facebook 5:00 p.m. St. Michael the Archangel, Leesville on Facebook 10:30 a.m. Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Alexandria on Facebook or YouTube St. Augustine Church, Isle Brevelle on Facebook Mary, Mother of Jesus Church, Woodworth on Facebook or YouTube View recorded Mass on YouTube: 11:00 a.m. St. Rita Church, Alexandria on Facebook or YouTube St. Frances Cabrini Church, Alexandria

and St. Anthony of Padua Church, Natchitoches 11:30 a.m. Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pineville on Facebook or YouTube

Upcoming VIRTUS Sessions Here am I, Tuesday, January 12, 6:00 p.m. Please continue to visit St. Joseph Catholic Center, www.diocesealex.org 4400 Coliseum Blvd., Alexandria Upcoming Retreats for updated Lord; All ACTS Retreats have been livestream Mass times, Tuesday, January 26, 6:00 p.m. cancelled until further notice. as well as I come Sacred Heart School, Moreauville additional updates Please contact individual retreat from the to do organizers for more information Diocese of Alexandria. Face masks MUST be worn during the entire session. The session about rescheduling. your will typically lasts 2.5 to 3 hours. Seating will be one (1) person per table Other online Mass and (spouses may sit together). A maximum of ONLY 15 adults will be allowed Information will be updated service times are listed on to attend each session. Minors are not allowed to attend because of the periodically on the Diocese of the USCCB website. adult content of the videos and discussions. Alexandria website as well. Psalm 40: 8-9 | To register, go to www.virtus.org. A list of ACTS Retreat dates can Responsorial Psalm For more information, call 318-445-6424, ext. 213. be found at www.diocesealex. for January 17 org/our-faith/acts/. PAGE 16 CHURCH TODAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 Pandemic seen as chance for church Seminarian Burses ‘to innovate’ ways to engage young adults November 2020 Donations

Mr. and Mrs. Silton Innerarity...... $25.00 By Kurt Jensen Father Scott Chemino Burse Catholic News Service Knights of Columbus Council #9217 ...... $25.00 WASHINGTON (CNS) Father Adrian Molenschot Burse -- There was a recurring theme Mr. and Mrs. William James, Jr. during a Dec. 7-11 young adult In memory of Mrs. Kathleen Voltz ...... $25.00 ministry conference: Zoom encounters were adequate in the Father Gus Voltz, Jr. Burse early months of the COVID-19 Mr. and Mrs. Marion A. French pandemic, but they quickly In memory of Mrs. Kathleen Voltz ...... $50.00 became a poor substitute for in- Father Gus Voltz, Jr. Burse person ministry and worship. Everyone’s eager for human Mrs. Barbara Rigby ...... $100.00 interactions, and the vaccine Leo P. Dobard Burse can’t arrive soon enough. Mrs. Deborah Tumminello ...... $100.00 This sentiment was, not Daryl “Pat” Mauterer Burse surprisingly, expressed on Zoom. Ms. Martha McBurney, Mr. and Mrs. Rap McBurney Brian Rhude, the In memory of Mrs. Kathleen Voltz ...... $100.00 project coordinator for the 18 to 39. observed. “We wonder what to Father Gus Voltz, Jr. Burse Catholic Apostolate Center in Participant Kara Dixon, a do to minister to them... to give Mrs. Elizabeth Metoyer ...... $200.00 Washington, used to schedule a TV journalist from Portsmouth, them an encounter with Christ weekly Divine Mercy Chaplet Virginia, said she’s had “stronger and their church.” Father Charles Ray Burse with friendsLord, that wayif “before relationships this year due to They ask, he said, “for a Mr. and Mrs. Chris L. Hayne everyone got tired of Zoom.” He COVID. One of the things I’ve dedicated accompaniment” by In memory of Mrs. Kathleen Voltz ...... $200.00 doesn’tyour think peoplethat would work learned this year is just being older adults, and “if we had to Father Gus Voltz Burse now. need me, present, and just being along for choose one stop to reinforce -- “Simply listen to form the journey.” I would suggest we put all our Mr. Dwight E. Beridon...... $250.00 relationshipsI will with youngnot adults,” “Psychologists will tell you strength into accompaniment.” Monsignor John timmermans Burse he advised. “They’re individuals that you form your identity as a He pointed to surveys that Mr. Dwight E. Beridon...... $250.00 thatrefuse come withthe work.stories and child of God in relationships,” “say very clearly that young Harold and Lillie Beridon Burse experiences. They’re beloved said Tracey Lamont, an assistant people live this exclusion. They sons andYour daughters will of God.” professor of religious education all feel completely alone most of Mr. and Mrs. Robert O. Miller ...... $400.00 Cynthiabe done.De Leon, a at Loyola University in New the time. About 40% have no Father Daniel Corkery Burse volunteer youth minister Orleans. one to talk to and feel left out.” Mrs. Leta Juneau ...... $2,000.00 from San Antonio, said the Dr. Leon said that hit home “The church should not Rita Juneau Rabalais Burse pandemic isolation gave her “the for her when she found herself hesitate to give them space to appreciation of being in a group” afraid when she simply bumped be protagonists. To give them and to “just enjoy the little into a cashier at her supermarket. space so they can act.” Total...... $3,725.00 moments, to never take those for “You yearn for that, that physical Referencing mission granted// Martin again.” of Tours touch, so I think that was just the synodality, Pope Francis’ theme They were among the biggest hit.” for the next World Synod of participants in the National Sarah Jarzembowski, the Bishops in 2022, Father Mello Leadership Forum on Ministry coordinator for campus and predicted “a better world -- with Young Adults, hosted by young adult ministries for the something that’s going to surge the U.S. Conference of Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore, said after the pandemic. ... As we Bishops’ Secretariat of Laity, conversations to remind young know, the spirit of the Lord Marriage, Family Life and Youth adults that they have a calling has surprises us every time.” and organized by our National to start early on and regularly.” Doug Tooke, vice president and gift boutique Advisory Team on Young Adult “Young people have to take of ministry advancement for Flu Shots & Vaccinations Ministry. the church out of catacombs after ODB Films, based in St. Charles, According to Paul the pandemic,” said Schonstatt Illinois, mentioned “a lot of Many gifts including large selection of religious items: Jarzembowski, the secretariat’s Father Alexandre Awi Mello, distrust” by young people, in • My Saint My Hero religious jewelry assistant director of youth and secretary of the Vatican part because of church scandals, • Holy Medals for the U.S. bishops, the forum Dicastery for Laity, Family and and in part because of flawed • Jesus Calling & other inspirational books was originally planned as two- Life, one of the week’s keynote messaging. • Rosaries day leadership gathering in New speakers. He recommended, “Focus • ACTS bracelets Orleans in early December. “From this crisis, we can get on that language of humility and • First Communion, Confirmation & Baptism gifts But the advisory team, he better or worse. Right now, what language of reconciliation. Our said, “redeveloped the program we need, (Pope Francis) says, language and our tone for all of Follow us on Facebook @ Cottonportcornerdrug.giftboutique into an all-online formation is the opportunity to change or our ministry endeavors can’t be experience for ministry leaders innovate,” he said. gradiose. It has to be simple.” (318) 876-3665 in the church who are seeking Unemployment has limited Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm ways to better engage and the availability of young people 206 Choupique Lane • Cottonport, LA 71327 accompany young adults’ ages for ministry, Father Mello Kim & Stewart Wixson, Owners DECEMBER 28, 2020 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 17

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Teach me your ways, O Lord. Psalm 25: 4 | Responsorial Psalm for January 24 PAGE 18 CHURCH TODAY DECEMBER 28, 2020 ST. JOSEPH From St. Joseph, we must learn estrangement and even breakup. Lord your God carried you, just possessive love ultimately that same care and responsibility. How can we speak of human as one carries a child, all the way becomes dangerous: It imprisons, (continued from pg. 7) We must learn to love the child dignity without working to that you traveled” (Dt 1:31). In constricts and makes for misery. and his mother, to love the ensure that everyone is able to a similar way, Joseph acted as a God himself loved humanity cared for and raised by Joseph. sacraments and charity, to love earn a decent living? father for his whole life. with a chaste love; he left us God trusted Joseph, as did Mary, the church and the poor. Each of Working persons, whatever Fathers are not born but free even to go astray and set who found in him someone who these realities is always the child their job may be, are cooperating made. A man does not become a ourselves against him. The logic would not only save her life but and his mother. with God himself and in some father simply by bringing a child of love is always the logic of would always provide for her and way become creators of the into the world but by taking up freedom, and Joseph knew how to her child. 6. A Working Father world around us. The crisis of the responsibility to care for that love with extraordinary freedom. “How can we speak of An aspect of St. Joseph that our time, which is economic, child. Whenever a man accepts He never made himself the center human dignity without working has been emphasized from the social, cultural and spiritual, responsibility for the life of of things. He did not think of to ensure that everyone is able to time of the first social encyclical, can serve as a summons for all another, in some way he becomes himself but focused instead on earn a decent living?” Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum, of us to rediscover the value, a father to that person. the lives of Mary and Jesus. In this sense, St. Joseph is his relation to work. St. Joseph the importance and necessity of Children today often seem Joseph found happiness could not be other than the was a carpenter who earned an work for bringing about a new orphans, lacking fathers. The not in mere self-sacrifice but in guardian of the church, for the honest living to provide for his “normal” from which no one is church too needs fathers. St. self-gift. In him, we never see church is the continuation of the family. From him, Jesus learned excluded. Paul’s words to the Corinthians frustration but only trust. His body of Christ in history, even as the value, the dignity and the joy St. Joseph’s work reminds remain timely: “Though you patient silence was the prelude to Mary’s motherhood is reflected in of what it means to eat bread that us that God himself, in becoming have countless guides in Christ, concrete expressions of trust. the motherhood of the church.23 is the fruit of one’s own labor. man, did not disdain work. The you do not have many fathers” (1 “Fathers are not born but In his continued protection of In our own day, when loss of employment that affects so Cor 4:15). Every priest or bishop made. A man does not become a the church, Joseph continues to employment has once more many of our brothers and sisters should be able to add, with the father simply by bringing a child protect the child and his mother, become a burning social issue and has increased as a result of apostle: “I became your father in into the world but by taking up and we too, by our love for the and unemployment at times the COVID-19 pandemic should Christ Jesus through the Gospel” the responsibility to care for that church, continue to love the child reaches record levels even in serve as a summons to review (ibid.). Paul likewise calls the child.” and his mother. nations that for decades have our priorities. Let us implore Galatians “my little children, Our world today needs That child would go on to enjoyed a certain degree of St. Joseph the Worker to help with whom I am again in travail fathers. It has no use for tyrants say: “As you did it to one of the prosperity, there is a renewed us find ways to express our firm until Christ be formed in you!” who would domineer others least of these who are members need to appreciate the importance conviction that no young person, (4:19). as a means of compensating of my family, you did it to me” of dignified work, of which St. no person at all, no family should Being a father entails for their own needs. It rejects (Mt 25:40). Consequently, every Joseph is an exemplary patron. be without work! introducing children to life those who confuse authority poor, needy, suffering or dying and reality. Not holding them with authoritarianism, service person, every stranger, every back, being overprotective or with servility, discussion with prisoner, every infirm person possessive but rather making oppression, charity with a is “the child” whom Joseph them capable of deciding for welfare mentality, power with continues to protect. For this The saints help all the faithful themselves, enjoying freedom destruction. reason, St. Joseph is invoked as “to stive for the holiness and exploring new possibilities. Every true vocation is born protector of the unfortunate, the Perhaps for this reason, Joseph of the gift of oneself, which is needy, exiles, the afflicted, the and the perfection is traditionally called a “most the fruit of mature sacrifice. poor and the dying. of their particular state of life.” chaste” father. That title is not The priesthood and consecrated Consequently, the church simply a sign of affection but the life likewise require this kind of cannot fail to show a special summation of an attitude that is maturity. Whatever our vocation, love for the least of our brothers the opposite of possessiveness. whether to marriage, celibacy and sisters, for Jesus showed a Chastity is freedom from or virginity, our gift of self will particular concern for them and Work is a means of 7. A Father in the Shadows possessiveness in every sphere not come to fulfillment if it stops BUDGET BLINDS 1cx4 REV2016_BBL-04-0 personally identified with them. participating in the work of The Polish writer Jan of one’s life. Only when love at sacrifice; were that the case, salvation, an opportunity Dobraczynski, in his book The is chaste is it truly love. A instead of becoming a sign of to hasten the coming of the Shadow of the Father, tells the kingdom, to develop our talents story of St. Joseph’s life in the and abilities, and to put them form of a novel. He uses the at the service of society and evocative image of a shadow to Custom Window Coverings fraternal communion. It becomes define Joseph. In his relationship Shutters • Draperies • Blinds an opportunity for the fulfillment to Jesus, Joseph was the earthly not only of oneself but also of shadow of the heavenly Father: that primary cell of society that He watched over him and is the family. protected him, never leaving him A family without work to go his own way. We can think is particularly vulnerable of Moses’ words to Israel: “In the to difficulties, tensions, wilderness ... you saw how the

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Veneration of the Holy Family was was Family Holy the of Veneration Professional Installation • Low Price Promise Answer: Each Franchise Independently Owned and Operated www.budgetblinds.com Signature Series • Lafayette Interior Fashions Exterior Window Screens DECEMBER 28, 2020 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 19 the beauty and joy of love, the child’s freedom. A father who care. In the end, this is what Jesus “Get up, take the child and Gospel into practice. gift of self would risk being realizes that he is most a father would have us understand when his mother” (Mt 2:13), God told Jesus told us, “Learn from an expression of unhappiness, and educator at the point when he says, “Call no man your father St. Joseph. me, for I am gentle and lowly in sadness and frustration. he becomes “useless,” when he on earth, for you have one Father, The aim of this apostolic heart” (Mt 11:29). The lives of When fathers refuse to live sees that his child has become who is in heaven” (Mt 23:9). letter is to increase our love for the saints too are examples to be the lives of their children for independent and can walk the In every exercise of our this great saint, to encourage us imitated. St. Paul explicitly says them, new and unexpected vistas paths of life unaccompanied. fatherhood, we should always to implore his intercession and to this: “Be imitators of me!” (1 Cor open up. Every child is the bearer When he becomes like keep in mind that it has nothing imitate his virtues and his zeal. 4:16). By his eloquent silence, St. of a unique mystery that can only Joseph, who always knew that to do with possession, but is Indeed, the proper mission Joseph says the same. be brought to light with the help his child was not his own but rather a “sign” pointing to a of the saints is not only to Before the example of so of a father who respects that had merely been entrusted to his greater fatherhood. In a way, we obtain miracles and graces but many holy men and women, St. are all like Joseph: a shadow of to intercede for us before God, Augustine asked himself, “What the heavenly Father, who “makes like Abraham and Moses and they could do, can you not also his sun rise on the evil and on like Jesus, the “one mediator” (1 do?” And so he drew closer to the good, and sends rain on the Tm 2:5), who is our “advocate” his definitive conversion, when just and on the unjust” (Mt 5:45). with the Father (1 Jn 2:1) and he could exclaim: “Late have I And a shadow that follows his who “always lives to make loved you, Beauty ever ancient, Son. intercession for [us]” (Heb 7:25; ever new!” We need only ask St. cf. Rom 8:34). Joseph for the grace of graces: * * * The saints help all the faithful our conversion. “to strive for the holiness and the Let us now make our prayer perfection of their particular state to him (below). of life.” Their lives are concrete proof that it is possible to put the Franciscus

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WEATHER BALLOON. St. Frances Cabrini School’s 8th grade Physical Science class launched a weather balloon on Friday, Dec. 4. Science teacher, Father Taylor Reynolds, spent the last couple of weeks teaching about astronomy and the planets. The students worked to prepare the payload, predicted where the balloon would land, and how fast it would travel. On Friday, the weather balloon was released with the entire student body present to countdown.

The payload contained a GPS tracker and three GoPro cameras to capture footage of the launch and what it would see from above. The weather balloon surpassed the jet stream, and was in the air for over an hour. It landed in the Homochitto Forest in southwestern Mississippi. On Saturday, students traveled there to recover the payload. It was exactly where the GPS had said it would be!

A note from the Catholic Schools Office Information and guidelines for schools regarding safety with COVID are always evolving, changing, and generally present a challenging situation for all businesses and individuals. We know that parents have many questions, and are working with our Catholic schools to best answer those questions.

Our Catholic schools have a long history of providing a top-quality Catholic education. We look forward to continuing that education in the school year to come. If you have any questions, we invite you to contact your school administration or the Office of Catholic Schools.

Thank you for your patience and prayers as decisions are made daily to best care for the youth of our diocese. DECEMBER 28, 2020 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 21

SACRED HEART SCHOOL STUDENT OF THE YEAR. On Nov. 18, Sacred Heart School held its annual Student of the Year competition. Winners were Leah , 5th grade, daughter of Jeremy and Amy of Plaucheville; and Ryan , 8th, son of Jeremy and Amy of Plaucheville. both students will compete at the Diocesan level.

SACRED HEART SCHOOL PATRIOT PEN. Ryan , 8th GOLDEN APPLE AWARD. Sacred Heart Schoo sixth grade student, Molly grade student from Sacred Heart , nominated her teacher, Mrs. Michelle Andries, for the Golden Apple School in Moreauville, was presented Recipient on KALB Channel 5. Mrs. Andries is the wife of Rayford Andries. with the Patriot Pen Essay Award Congratulations from Sacred Heart School! by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) - Post 3139, on Dec. 8 by Mr. Marty Rabalais. Ryan will compete at the District Level and will have an opportunity to move on to the state and then national level which will be held in Washington, D.C. Ryan is the son of Jeremy and Amy of Plaucheville, and has been a student of Sacred Heart School since Pre-K4. He was also recently named the 8th grade Student of the Year for Sacred Heart School, where he will compete at the Diocesan Level. Congratulations from Sacred Heart School!

Catholic Campus Ministry is provided at LSU of Alexandria, Louisiana College, Mark your calendars for and Northwestern State University. Catholic Schools Week Contact any University for more information. January 31 - February 6, 2021! LSU of Alexandria: Catholic Student Organization Campus Minister: Lynn Ray Phone: 318-473-6494 | [email protected]

Northwestern State University Catholic Student Organization Chaplain: Fr. Marc Noel Phone: 318-352-2615 | [email protected] If today you hear his voice, Louisiana College: Catholic Student Organization Campus Minister: Lynn Ray Phone: 318-613-0634 | [email protected] hardenPsalm 95: 8 | Responsorial not Psalm foryour January 31 hearts. PAGE 22 CHURCH TODAY DECEMBER 28, 2020

DIOCESAN Holy Land Pilgrimage Maryhill Legacy Bricks now available! - January 15-23, 2021 A great gifting opportunity! These beautiful, Join us for a journey of a lifetime on a pilgrimage BRIEFS personalized, and engraved commemorative Maryhill to the Holy Land. The Scriptures will come alive as you Legacy Bricks make the perfect year round gift! visit Our Lord’s homeland. It is an encounter that has These commemorative paver bricks will be installed changed the lives of many pilgrims, and it is an act of Beyond the Limits Jr. High Conference - and displayed at the entrance of the main chapel as a faith and prayer. Your spiritual director for this trip is Fr. permanent legacy at Maryhill Renewal Center. To order John Wiltse, pastor of St. Mary’s Assumption Church, March 6-7 your Maryhill Legacy Brick, contact Deacon Luke White Cottonport. For more information, call 337-291-1933 or The annual Beyond the Limits Jr. High Conference or order online at www.diocesealex.org/maryhill-legacy- visit www.holytravels.org/tour/stmaryscottonport/. is scheduled for March 6-7 at the Randolph Riverfront bricks/ Center. For more information as we make updates, Catholic Schools Week - January 31- please visit www.steubenvillesouth.com, or email Cari Upcoming ACTS Retreats Terracina at [email protected]. All ACTS Retreats have been cancelled until further February 6 notice. Please contact individual retreat organizers for Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week is the NEW DATE - Pilgrimage to France more information about rescheduling. annual celebration of Catholic education in the United Information will be updated periodically on the States. It starts the last Sunday in January and runs all - June 2-11 Diocese of Alexandria website as well. A list of ACTS week, which in 2021 is January 31 - February 6. The theme The pilgrimage with Fr. Martin Laird to Lourdes, retreat dates can be found at www.diocesealex.org/our- for National Catholic Schools Week 2021 is “Catholic France has been rescheduled for June 2-11, 2021. In faith/acts/. Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.” Schools typically Lourdes, experience the Grotto and Way of the Cross, observe the annual celebration week with Masses, and visit the Basilica of St. Therese in Lisieux. In Paris, New Radio Maria Program open houses and other activities for students, families, see Sacre Coeur and the Miraculous Medial Chapel, Fr. Dan Reehil, Radio Maria’s new National Priest parishioners, and community members. Through these as well as cruise down the Seine River. Request more events, schools focus on the value Catholic education Director, will host a new program, titled Battle Ready. information by calling 337-291-1933 or visit www. Through his program, Fr. Dan will strive to fortify, provides to young people and its contributions to our holytravels.org/materdolorosa. church, our communities, and our nation. strengthen, and embolden the people of God, making them battle ready to advance the Gospel and the Kingdom Steubenville South High School Youth All American Scholar Award deadline of God. Conference - June 25-27 Battle Ready will examine the scriptures and Church - March 1, 2021 The Steubenville South High School Youth Tradition to form devout and holy soldiers for the Church The All American Scholar Award is granted to 35 Conference is scheduled for June 25-27, 2021. For more Militant. The program will seek to guide ordinary graduating high school seniors. Each scholarship is information as we make updates, please visit www. people into the extraordinary future that God is currently worth $1,000 and is designed to help offset tuition costs steubenvillesouth.com or email Cari Terracina at info@ unfolding before our very eyes. for young Catholic Life members. Applicants must be steubenvillesouth.com. “We are living in the most exciting of times as the seeking to attend an accredited college or university the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart is imminent, and the fall semester immediately following their high school time is fast approaching for our Mother and Queen, The graduation. Prayer Line - Ongoing Blessed Virgin Mary, to crush the head of the serpent,” A complete list of criteria and application forms may Mary, Mother of Jesus Church in Woodworth has a he said. “The clarion call of Our Lady of sounding to be downloaded at www.cliu.com. For more information, dedicated prayer line. One of our Prayer Companions will “rouse the warriors to arms” (Joel 3:9) and take up the please contact Megan Real in the Communications pray with you when you call or, privately, if you prefer, battle for souls. Won’t you please join in this battle?” Department at 800-262-2548 or 210-828-9921, ext. 141 following your call. Anonymity and confidentiality are Battle Ready airs at 9:00 a.m. CST / 10:00 a.m. EST, or email [email protected]. ensured and respected. Our desire is to pray with you Tuesday through Friday mornings. for the gifts of hope, and asking for the continued mercy and love of Jesus Christ. The prayer line phone number is 318-625-9195.

Visit www.praymorenovenas.com to join in praying the Coronavirus novena. Join in the Coronavirus novena at www.praymorenovenas.com, praying for all who are affected, all who are sick suffering, for all those who work in the medical profession, and for those who have died as well as for their grieving family members.

Church Today News Deadlines

Next issue: January 25 Deadline for news: Thursday, January 14 DECEMBER 28, 2020 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 23 January 2021

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

DECEMBER 28 29 30 31 JANUARY 1 2 3

FIRST FRIDAY SOLEMNITY of MARY the HOLY MOTHER OF GOD (Holy day of obligation) NEW YEARS DAY FIRST SATURDAY EPIPHANY of the LORD PRAY FOR FR. A. VARGHESE PRAY FOR FR. V. VEAD PRAY FOR FR. GUS VOLTZ PRAY FOR FR. J. WILTSE PRAY FOR BISHOP R. MARSHALL PRAY FOR FR. J. XAVIER PRAY FOR FR. K. ZACHARIAH 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

PRAY FOR FR. A. AELAVANTHARA PRAY FOR FR. W. AJAERO PRAY FOR FR. J. ANTONY PRAY FOR FR. S. BRANDOW PRAY FOR FR. D. BRAQUET PRAY FOR FR. J. BROCATO PRAY FOR FR. S. CHEMINO 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 VIRTUS St. Joseph Catholic Center, ALEXANDRIA 6:00 p.m.

Holy Land Pilgrimage

PRAY FOR FR. D. CORKERY PRAY FOR FR. J. CUNNINGHAM PRAY FOR FR. W. DECOSTE PRAY FOR FR. D. DEJESUS PRAY FOR FR. B. DESHAUTELLE PRAY FOR FR. J. DESIMONE PRAY FOR FR. A. DHARMARAJ 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Holy Land Pilgrimage, January 15-23

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY PRAY FOR FR. D. DUCOTE PRAY FOR FR. P. FAULK PRAY FOR FR. J. FERGUSON PRAY FOR FR. W. GEARHEARD PRAY FOR FR. J. GOOTEE PRAY FOR FR. R. GREMILLION PRAY FOR FR. D. HART 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 VIRTUS Sacred Heart, MOREAUVILLE 6:00 p.m. Catholic Schools Week, January 31 - February 6

PRAY FOR FR. J. HASIEBER PRAY FOR MSGR. R. HOPPE PRAY FOR FR. R. HUMPHRIES PRAY FOR FR. H. IMAMSHAH PRAY FOR FR. P. KULIGOWSKI PRAY FOR FR. P. KUNNUMPURAM PRAY FOR FR. L. LAFLEUR