1977 - 2017 La Bonne Nouvelle the good news bulletin
Thursday, September 15, 2016 | 24th Week in Ordinary Time
THIS WEEK’S GOOD NEWS
pg 1 Bishop Shelton Fabre
pg 4 Strategic Planning
pg 5 News by Diocesan Office
pg 10 News by Church Parish
CORRECTIONS FROM LAST WEEK’S BULLETIN * Family Ministries: Annual Respect Life Sunday Mass is October 2, 11:30am, not October 7, 11:00am La Bonne Nouvelle FROM BISHOP FABRE
• I will be in Chicago from September 26–29, attending a meeting with the Catholic Extension Society of America. The Catholic Extension Society assists missionary dioceses, such as the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, with grant and funding for different ministerial efforts. I express gratitude to the Catholic Extension Society for their great generosity to us.
• Please continue to pray for success for our ongoing process of Strategic Planning. Consider joining a commission! Your thoughts and ideas are important for this process. We are all in this together! Allons! Click here to visit our Strategic Planning webpage.
• In anticipation of the Feast of St. Lawrence Ruiz, protomartyr of the Philippines (which occurs on September 28), the Filipino Community will gather to celebrate Filipino culture and faith at a Mass on Sunday, September 25, 2:00pm at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Houma. All are invited to attend and celebrate.
• Magnificat, Metairie chapter, is sponsoring a Divine Mercy Retreat, October 7-9 at the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center, 5500 St. Mary Street, Metairie, LA. Our retreat master is Father Simon Peter Engurait, associate pastor at Christ the Redeemer Church in Thibodaux. For more information and registration, please call Jane at (504)466-2010 or (504)884-6152.
• The Archdiocesan Spirituality Center will hold an informational meeting announcing the next Training Program in Spiritual Direction on Monday, September 19, 10:00am-12:00pm and 7:00-9:00pm, at the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Pastoral Center. Over the years this Internship in Spiritual Direction has certified over 200 spiritual directors now serving a number of dioceses in Louisiana. For information or to register for a meeting, call Doris Melito (504) 861-3254 or click here to register on their website.
• Priests should mark their calendars to attend the Louisiana Priest Convention taking place from Sept. 19-21, 2017, in New Orleans. This convention will serve as our 2017 fall continuing education session, so attendance at the convention is expected.
Pg 1 La Bonne Nouvelle FROM BISHOP FABRE
• In light of the recent changes in the staffing of the Diocesan Office of Safe Environment and until the Office of Safe Environment is filled, please be advised of the following: 1) All routine questions, needs, or concerns regarding all things Safe Environment should be directed to Ms. Melissa Robertson, Director of Personnel for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. She may be contacted via telephone at (985) 850-3170 or via email at [email protected] 2) All incidents relating to boundary violations and/or sex abuse must be reported to the Victims Assistance Coordinator, Sr. Carmelita Centanni, MSC, PhD, as soon as possible. She may be contacted via email at [email protected] or via telephone on (985) 850-3172 or (985) 873-0026.
• Hurricane season. In the Prayers of the Faithful during the celebration of the Eucharist, if you are not already doing so, please immediately include a petition for God’s protection to surround us during Hurricane Season, such as: “Through the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, may we be spared the loss of life and property during this hurricane season.” • If a hurricane evacuation is called and affects your church parish, please remember that these evacuation procedures must be followed: 1. Evacuate or Safeguard the Blessed Sacrament – Consume or take the Eucharist with you. 2. Evacuate Sacramental Registers – All sacramental registers must be evacuated from the parish. 3. Protect Vital Records – Place vital records (i.e., marriage preparation files, current finance records, architectural plans, inventories of parish holdings, school records and data, etc.) in sealed storage containers and move vital records to a high place in your parish office or school office. 4. Backup your computers and take the backup device with you.
Pg 2 La Bonne Nouvelle FROM BISHOP FABRE
• Please be sure to review and update your staff and parish emergency preparedness plans. Please come together for a meeting and communicate with your Church Parish Matthew 25 Disaster Planning Team. If you do not have a Matthew 25 Disaster Planning Team and would like to establish one, please contact Catholic Charities and they will be more than willing to assist you as they are able in this effort.
• Priests and Deacons should visit the Rally Point website to be certain that their evacuation contact information is updated. Priests and Deacons who have not set up their accounts with Rally Point should do so as soon as possible. Rally Point is the way Diocesan Officials will communicate with Priests, Deacons and Diocesan Staff in the event of an evacuation. It is critically important that Priests, Deacons and Diocesan Staff activate their accounts if they have not done so in the past. Please do not let a hurricane evacuation catch you without your account set up. There will be a Rally Point Drill in the near future. Please follow the instructions given when the drill takes place.
Pg 3 La Bonne Nouvelle STRATEGIC PLANNING
1977 - 2017 STRATEGIC PLANNING LET’S DO THIS TOGETHER!
Bishop Fabre invites you to join one of! the following planning commissions! AllonsGet involved! Learn More. FALL 2016 COMMISSIONS
SUNDAY COMMISSION (PREACHING) How do we improve preaching? 10/20, 11/3, 12/6 (6:30 – 8:30 PM)
DEACON COMMISSION How do we strengthen our deacons, their formation, and their role in the parish? 10/17, 11/8, 12/1 (6:30 – 8:30 PM)
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS COMMISSION How do we offer great Catholic education? 10/11, 11/15, 12/15 (6:30 – 8:30 PM)
STEWARDSHIP COMMISSION How do we further create a culture of stewardship? 10/18, 11/16, 12/13 (6:30 – 8:30 PM)
OUTREACH COMMISSION (PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRY) How do we create a culture integrating the principles of Catholic social teaching into parish life? 10/12, 11/21, 12/5 (6:30 – 8:30 PM)
MULTI-CUTURAL COMMISSION How do we retain an authentically Catholic identity within cultures: African American, Native American, Hispanic. (Visit Website for Updated Meeting Dates)
VOCATIONS COMMISSION How do we sustain the number of needed seminarians for our diocese and from our diocese? 10/24, 11/29, 12/7 (6:30 – 8:30 PM)
DIOCESAN GOVERNANCE COMMISSION What’s needed from the Pastoral Center in order for our parishes to thrive? 10/19, 11/10, 12/14 (6:30 – 8:30 PM)
Commission dates may have changed since this publication. For the most updated information, visit our webpage: www.htdiocese.org/sp or call Trudy: (985) 850-3173
Pg 4 La Bonne Nouvelle NEWS BY DIOCESAN OFFICE
WORSHIP Son Rise Christian Music Festival | September 18 Son Rise Christian Music Festival, which was originally scheduled for Sunday, August 21, has been rescheduled for Sunday, September 18, 11:00am-6:00pm at Ardoyne Plantation in Schriever. This event is designed to aid World of Hope Foundation. F Click here for more information.
Holy Family Celebration | October 17 A celebration in honor of the Holy Family will take place on Monday, October 17, 6:30pm at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales. The evening will include the praying of the Rosary, followed by a Litany of the Holy Family, a Prayer of Consecration to the Holy Family, and concluding with the prayer for last year’s World Meeting of Families. These prayers will be followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with a Liturgy of the Word and Benediction. Please consider joining your brothers and sisters in prayer for this event.
NEW EVANGELIZATION Pilgrimage Walk | First Saturdays Join the Little Friars & Little Nuns of Jesus and Mary for a pilgrimage walk from the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales to Holy Rosary Church every first Saturday of the month. Rosary, Confession, Mass, Adoration. 7:30am-10:30am. To learn more about the events offered by the Office of New Evangelization, click below. F Click here for more information.
STEWARDSHIP Rome Pilgrimage | January 2017 The diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development, along with Fr. Simon Peter Engurait as the spiritual guide, would like to invite all for a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy, including a visit to Florence, January 23-30, 2017. Highlights of the trip currently include attending the Papal Audience given by Pope Francis, the Scavi Tour of the excavations under St. Peter’s Basilica, daily Mass in some of Rome’s most beautiful churches, four star hotel accommodations blocks from St. Peter’s Basilica, airfare, daily breakfast, four dinners, and much more. Price for the trip is $3,200 per person based on double occupancy. Reservations need to be made by August 31. If anyone has questions, please contact Jeremy Becker, director of Stewardship and Development, at 850-3155 or [email protected] F Click here for more information including flyer.
Pg 5 La Bonne Nouvelle NEWS BY DIOCESAN OFFICE
FAMILY MINISTRIES Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Celebration | October 16 Registration is open. Church parishes: Please visit our website for the registration deadlines, online registration, bulletin announcement and other resources. F Click here for more information.
Youth Pilgrimage to the March For Life | January 24-28, 2017 Registration is open. Join us for a life-changing educational experience that will take you from Louisiana to the White House and from the Holocaust Museum to the steps of the Supreme Court. We will join hundreds of thousands from across America who have come to take a stand for life! This Pilgrimage is for youth in grades 10th -12th. F Click here for more information.
Counseling Services | You don’t have to face tough times in life alone The Office of Family Ministries with the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux provides counseling from a Catholic Christian perspective, and places value on the family as well as the dignity of the individual. F Click here for more information.
Retrouvaille | A program for hurting marriages A program to help couples heal and renew their marriages. It provides the tools to help put your marriage in order again. The main emphasis of the program is on communication in marriage between husband and wife. F Click here for more information.
Enrichment Programs The Office of Family Ministries provides enrichment programs that are designed to assist church parishes, Catholic schools, and groups with positive personal growth and development. Some programs include bereavement group training, separation and divorce group training and bereavement/separation/divorce groups for youth. F Click here for more information.
Bereavement Support, St. Francis | Fall 2016 The Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales will offer 8-week sessions to those who have suffered the loss of a loved one through death. Two sessions will be starting in the fall. The first will be offered Thursday, September 8 - October 27, 2016, 6:15pm - 7:45pm, in the Youth Center. A separate 8-week session will be offered on Thursday, September 29, - November 17, 2016, from 10:00-11:30am, also in the Youth Center. Please call the rectory office at 876-6904 to register or for more information.
Pg 6 La Bonne Nouvelle NEWS BY DIOCESAN OFFICE
FAMILY MINISTRIES 40 Days for Life Campaign | September 28 - November 6 Fortunately, our diocesan area does not have an abortion facility, however, there are several in Louisiana. Your church parish can pledge to pray and fast for an end to abortion. A pre-launch dinner party is also scheduled on Thursday, August 25 at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in New Orleans. F Click here for more information.
Bereavement Support, St. Bernadette | Fall 2016 If you or someone you know is experiencing grief because of the loss of a loved one, we invite you to attend a bereavement support group entitled: ‘The Journey of Grief’. It is a 15-week session beginning Tuesday, August 30th, 2016, 6:30pm at St. Bernadette Church. For more information and registration, please call St. Bernadette (985) 879-1506.
Annual Respect Life Sunday Mass | October 2 The annual Respect Life Sunday Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Fabre on Sunday, October 2, 11:30am at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux, LA.
The Life Chain | October 7 he Annual Life Chain is a peaceful and prayerful public witness of pro-life Americans standing for one hour praying for our nation and for an end to abortion. It is a visual statement of solidarity by the Christian community that abortion kills and that the Church supports the sanctity of all human life from the moment of conception. If you cannot physically participate in the Life Chain, you can spiritually participate with a Prayer Chain by uniting in prayer from your home or church from 2:00pm - 3:00pm. F Click here for more information.
USCCB Respect Life, Moved by Mercy The USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities publishes new materials each year to call attention to numerous human life issues and is sent to each of our church parishes. The program begins anew each October (Respect Life Month) and continues through the following September. Materials are intended to help leaders integrate the promotion of respect for life into their respective work and/ or ministries. F Click here for more information.
Natural Family Planning Natural Family Planning is a term used for identifying some methods of achieving or avoiding pregnancies. It is based on naturally occurring signs and symptoms of a woman’s fertile and infertile cycles. NFP helps couples to enrich the bond between husband and wife. The best way to learn NFP is from a qualified instructor—that is, one who is certified from an NFP teacher training program. Call the office of Family Ministries for instructors in our area, (985)850-3129.
Pg 7 La Bonne Nouvelle NEWS BY DIOCESAN OFFICE
FAMILY MINISTRIES FOCCUS Facilitator Training Our Fall 2016 FOCCUS 2-Part Training is scheduled for Tuesday, September 27 and Wednesday, October 5. Both dates are from 5:30pm – 8:30pm at the Pastoral Center Conference Hall. The cost for the training is $100 which will include a FOCCUS Manual, a light meal, and refreshments. Church parishes will be billed after the training. If you have any couples (or any new priests or deacons) who need to be trained to utilize the FOCCUS instrument with engaged couples, please contact our office: (985)850-3129 or email [email protected].
TRIBUNAL Tribunal Workshop | September 19 St. Eloi Church parish in Theriot will host a Tribunal Workshop, Monday, September 19 at 7:00pm. The speaker will be Ms. Veronica Songe, tribunal specialist for the Tribunal Office. All are invited to attend regardless of church parish. Call (985) 872-2946 for more information.
LUMEN CHRISTI ‘Journey Toward Christ’ Adult Retreat | September 23-25 Journey Towards Christ - an adult, faith conversion retreat - will hold their annual co-ed retreat at the Lumen Christi Retreat Center on September 23-25. This retreat is ideal for “on the fence” Catholics, anyone struggling with difficulties or challenging family situations, or other life struggles. Please call Henry Orgeron at (985) 381-6151 for more information or to register.
Silent Ignatian Retreat with Fr. Joseph Tregre | October 3-7 Fr. Joseph Tregre is hosting a 4-day “Silent Ignatian Retreat” held at Lumen Christi Retreat Center from October 3-7. One-on-one spiritual direction by Bishop Sam Jacobs, Fr. Jerry Daniels, Mrs. Monica Karns, and Fr. Tregre will be offered each day, as well as daily Mass. Please call Kritty Chouest at (985) 677- 6317 for more information. Registration is limited to the first 20 participants.
Discernment of Spirits Ignatian Retreat with Fr. Mitch Semar | October 7-8 Fr. Mitch Semar is hosting an Ignatian retreat on the Discernment of Spirits held at Lumen Christi Retreat Center. The retreat begins Friday, October 7, 6:00pm and ends Saturday, October 8, 6:00 pm. Contact Christ The Redeemer Church for more information (985) 447-2013.
YOUTH MINISTRY Junior High Faith Experience | January 14, 2017 Registration for Junior High Faith Experience 2017 is going on now! This is a one-day event for pre-teens in 6th – 8th grade held at E.D. White Catholic High School. The day includes a keynote speaker, planned activities, and celebration of the Liturgy. F Click here for more information.
Pg 8 La Bonne Nouvelle NEWS BY DIOCESAN OFFICE
ETHNIC MINISTRIES Hispanic Ministry | Spiritual Reflections with Fr Duc | Fall 2016 Fr Duc Bui will be offering spiritual reflections every week at five different churches throughout the diocese from August - November. For more info, contact Fr. Duc Bui at [email protected] or click the link below. F Click here for more info including the event’s flyer.
Black Catholics | Diocesan Day of Reflection | December 10 This Day of Reflection’s theme is ‘Rooted in Our Faith’. This event is for those who minister to, with, for, and among Black Catholics. Registration is $10 which includes lunch. The event will be held Saturday, December 10, 8:30am - 1:00pm at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. Contact Christine at St. Luke Church at (985) 446-0487 ext. 202, or email her at [email protected] for more information. F Click here to view the flyer with more information.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES Volunteers for Catholic Relief Service Catholic Charities is looking for volunteers to help promote and sell Catholic Relief Service fair trade items. Call or email Margie Duplantis for more information at [email protected], (985) 876-0490.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development Catholic Campaign for Human Development collection is November 20.
Volunteers for Family Income Tax Preparation Catholic Charities is looking for volunteers to assist with free income tax preparation and e-filing for families filing simple returns. A full training beginning in January 2017 will be provided on tax laws pertaining to simple tax returns and computer software. F Click here to view the flyer with more information.
Flood Response Update Get the latest updates on flood relief at:htdiocese.org/catholic-charities .
Training & Counseling for First-Time Homebuyers Catholic Housing Services offers training and counseling for First-Time Homebuyers. These instructional classes are designed to empower individuals and families with knowledge needed to purchase a home. There is a $20 fee to attend the training program. Anyone interested in attending must register in advance by calling (985) 876-0490. Sign Up Now!
CURSILLO Men’s Weekend | September 29-October 2 Cursillo Men’s Weekend will be held September 29-October 2, at Lumen Christi Retreat Center. Registration fee is $120. No one will be denied due to financial difficulty. Email [email protected] or click below for registration forms. F Click here for more information.
Pg 9 La Bonne Nouvelle NEWS BY CHURCH PARISH
OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY Annual Larose Life Chain | October 2 LAROSE The annual Larose Life Chain will be held Sunday, October 2, 2:00-3:00pm (rain or shine) in the front yard of Our Lady of the Rosary Church. Participants will pray the rosary and hear a speaker from Crossroads Crisis Pregnancy Center. Join with other pro-life Christians in standing for life.
CATHEDRAL OF Sanctus: Evenings of Reflection & Adoration | September 8, 15, 2 ST FRANCIS DE SALES Sanctus: Evenings of Reflection & Adoration are 3 nights of teaching and prayer. HOUMA Come learn and pray with some of the Spiritual Masters of the Church. Fr. Cody Chatagnier will be offering a presentation followed by Eucharistic Adoration. The series will be offered September 8, 15, 22, 7:00-8:15pm at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales. Call the parish office for more details at (985) 876-6904.
Pg 10 GET UP TO DATE INFORMATION ABOUT DIOCESAN EVENTS ON OUR EVENTS PAGE @ HTDIOCESE.COM/EVENTS
La Bonne Nouvelle the good news bulletin
Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux | Office of Communications Diocesan Pastoral Center 2779 Hwy 311 | PO Box 505 | Schriever, LA 70395 (985) 850-3177