THE CATHOLIC PAGE 12 Students perform missionary work at home June 22, 2018ommentator Vol. 56, No. 10 SERVING THE DIOCESE OF BATON ROUGE SINCE 1963 thecatholiccommentator.org C Beatitudes PROUD MOMENT offers journey for life Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of articles focusing on the eight Beati- tudes in the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew By Debbie Shelley The Catholic Commentator Keeping the “dos” and “don’ts” of the Ten Commandments is a good way to stay clear of the sins that can keep one from entering heaven. But to better understand God’s divine purpose behind these bibli- cal laws and achieve the communion with him that they ultimately desire, Catholics Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Plattenville celebrated its 225th anniversary Mass on June 10 during a should also reflect on the Beatitudes, ac- Mass. A Family Day celebration and luncheon were held following Mass. Assumption is the oldest church parish along cording to Father Miles Walsh, pastor of Bayou Lafourche. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge. A good way to understand the Be- Assumption celebrates anniversary atitudes is to read St. John Paul II’s 1993 encyclical, “Veritatis Splendor” or “The Splendor of Truth,” according to Father By Richard Meek con of faith in a challenging society. who said it was reflective of the deep Walsh. The Catholic Commentator “I have never left,” said LeBrun, spirituality of the people along Bayou “There he examines the dialogue (in who was raised in a house one lot re- Lafourche. the Gospel of Mark) of Jesus and the rich As menacing, dark clouds gath- moved from the church and who now “They are very attached to their young man who asked, ‘What must I do ered on the horizon, Baron LeBrun resides in the house next door to his church,” Father Vu said during the to be good?’ The answer, ultimately, is to scanned the grounds at Assumption childhood residence and the church. Family Day celebration that followed come to know Jesus himself and then to of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in “This church is the focal point of the Mass. “Put it beyond the sacramen- make the decision to follow him. Only in Plattenville. community.” tal (offerings), even the maintenance this way can we be reborn in the Spirit Through the prism of his 55-year- LeBrun was one of an estimated stuff, our parishioners are ready for and become holy,” said Father Walsh. old memory vault, LeBrun could still 200 current and former parishioners manual labor or support us financial- “Once we encounter Christ, the jour- hear the laughs, see the sights and re- as well as residents from throughout ly if we have to hire contractors. ney to discipleship begins with a very live his boyhood years spent on those the area who gathered on June 10 to “Not only is it an investment spiri- simple choice, namely, to avoid evil and very grounds. celebrate the church’s 225th anniver- tually but also an investment finan- to do good. For all of his life, Assumption has sary. The large turnout came as little cially.” “Therefore the negative prescriptions been LeBron’s spiritual buoy, his bea- surprise to pastor Father Joseph Vu, SEE ASSUMPTION PAGE 10 of the Law – the Commandments of God – are absolutely necessary for us to keep, i.e., the ‘thou shalt nots.’ You shall not STRIKING THE RIGHT NOTE – The kill, commit adultery, lie, steal, covet, etc. Dameans, a group of Notre Dame We must learn to avoid the sins that of- seminary students who became fend God in order to follow his son, just popular in the 1960s and 70s for as a small child must learn to keep the their Catholic folk music Mass, re- rules set down by a loving parent in order unite 50 years later for a concert to to avoid hurting himself or others. Only benefit the Archdiocese of New Or- then can the child begin to internalize the leans Retreat Center. Pictured, from values of the parent.” left, Gary Daigle, Darryl Ducote, And so while these negative commands Mike Balhoff, Paul Cesar and Gary set us on the road to holiness, Christian Ault. See the full story on page 3. perfection demands the imitation of Photo by Bonny Van | The Catholic Commentator Christ, that we be conformed to him.” SEE BEATITUDES PAGE 19 2 The Catholic Commentator June 22, 2018 BISHOP MUENCH FLASHBACK Prepare the way By Dina Dow The second opportunity came when he was a mere eight-days-old. His father, fortified by To prepare means to get ready. Most pre- a renewed faith, names his son John. In that pare for something every day, including din- instant Zechariah’s speech was restored and ner, celebrations, school, projects, vacations, he wonderfully praised God though his can- presentations, budgets, construc- ticle. Hence, St. John grew tion, conversations, meetings, strong in the Spirit and competitions, assignments, to Life-Giving continually prepared to be read a book, to pray, etc. The up- FAI H a light to the nations. coming Sunday Mass Readings offer Ask yourself, “How has God inspirations revealing those whom God prepared me to be a light of sent to prepare the way and the call to arise his way to others? When have I hesitated to and follow the way. step out in faith and trust in God? Have my doubts interrupted my calling? Who can I Prepared to be a witness turn to restore my faith?” The Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist is a Sunday celebration this year. His Arise and walk role prefigured by the prophets, including The Book of Wisdom explains that God Isaiah (another voice crying out in the des- creates life. In fact, God creates humanity in ert), long before John was born. Isaiah’s mes- the “image of his own nature,” which is made sage is destined for those near and far: pres- to be imperishable. You may ask, “What ent day and days to come. He explains how about the times in our lives when we experi- Bishop Robert W. Muench celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving on June 29, God called him from the beginning of his life ence life-threatening illnesses and situations 2008 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge to mark his 40th anniversary of to proclaim salvation. Recognizing this, Isa- beyond our control?” Recall during these ordination. Following the Mass, Bishop Muench welcomed family members iah is empowered to prepare the way despite times, God does not abandon his creation. and friends at a reception. The bishop will celebrate his Golden Jubilee Mass the instances in which he experiences rejec- Rather, he invites us in faith to “arise” in Je- on June 24 at 3 p.m. at the cathedral. Catholic Commentator archives photo tion, mockery and complacency. He knows, sus Christ, who destroyed death and restored in faith, God who formed him, prepared him. life. We also petition and ask God to rescue Isaiah witnesses in the name of God, who us. | DID YOU KNOW provides strength for the journey resulting in Jesus’ healing ministry is something to his role as being a “light to the nations.” behold. Two miracles placed before us this Fast-forward through the covenant made cycle manifest the power of faith and trust. Nativity of St. John between God and King David, “a man after The father of this 12-year-old child is plead- God’s own heart,” to the birth of another ing Jesus to heal her. He truly believes Jesus The fact that the Nativity of St. church for a special blessing. great prophet, St. John the Baptist. He is the can do this. In this instance, the child has John the Baptist is celebrated only In medieval times, the customs one who is to prepare the way for the prom- seemingly died, according to other relatives. days after the summer solstice is no of St. John’s Day even took on a ro- ised descendent of David, the savior Jesus They laugh at Jesus as he explains she is coincidence. mantic twist. In Sardinia, by the Christ, who is “the Way, the Truth and the “sleeping.” He sends the “naysayers” away in From his birthday on June 24, end of March, young men would Life” (Jn 14:6). The pregnancy of St. John’s order to restore the hope of the one petition- three days after what is traditional- present themselves to the young mother, St. Elizabeth, was miraculous. She ing, namely her father. He turns to her with ly considered the longest day of the women of the village to make a pact and her husband, Zechariah, both advanced the love of a father and says, “Little girl, I say year, the sun will gradually begin to be sweethearts. At the end of in age, never anticipated what God had pre- to you ARISE.” She stood up in front of Jesus. it annual descent and the days be- May, the young ladies would make pared for them, including the name of the He immediately asked for food to be given to come shorter. pots from tree bark and fill them child as given by the angel. Zechariah’s faith her, a sign pointing to the spiritual and phys- Three days after the winter sol- with earth, sowing wheat and bar- wanes to the point of doubt, wherein God ical heavenly food from Jesus, the Eucharist. stice is Christmas Day, when days ley.