October 12,Ommentator 2018 Vol
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THE CATHOLIC PAGE 5 Invitation to Catholics October 12,ommentator 2018 Vol. 56, No. 18 SERVING THE DIOCESE OF BATON ROUGE SINCE 1963 thecatholiccommentator.org C REUNITED Sesay family together again after 16 years By Richard Meek that would eventually land Sesay and The Catholic Commentator his wife, Alima, with the assistance of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Amid the chaotic setting of Louis Baton Rouge through its resettlement Armstrong New Orleans Internation- program, in Baton Rouge. But there al Airport on a busy Thursday night, was no way of knowing the length of Dauda Sesay was encased in his own such an anguishing separation, and emotional cocoon. for a long time he was even unaware of While taxi drivers were picking up their whereabouts. fares, and passengers were scram- “Seeing them for the first time was bling to make flights, Sesay was silent tough; it was a mixed emotion,” said among the flurry of activity, corralling Sesay, who works at Dow Chemical. a preponderance of emotion that was “I shed tears, but this time the tears I 16 years in the making. Eventually, the shed were not the same as the ones I gates opened and tears of joy flowed as did 16 years ago. he embraced his children, not wanting “These were tears of joy.” to release them from his grasp ever “I was very happy to see him,” said again. Bai Sesay, Dauda’s 17-year-old soft- The roots of this family reunion go spoken son whom he had never met. back 16 years, when Sesay was forced Nearby, 20-year-old Mariama to leave his native Sierra Leone, which could not stop smiling, barely leaving was in the midst of what would be a his side as if to reassure herself this Overcome with emotion, Dauda Sesay is embraced by his children, Bai, left, and Maria- decades-long civil war, after witness- was no dream and that indeed she was ma, shortly after arriving at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Dauda ing the brutal murder of his father. home for good. Sesay had not seen his children since fleeing Sierra Leona 16 years ago. Photo by Richard Meek He would embark on a long journey SEE DAUDA PAGE 24 | The Catholic Commentator Well formed conscience should guide vote By Debbie Shelley “Forming Consciences for Faithful ple of faith need to be able to take that The Catholic Commentator Citizenship: A Call to Political Re- seriously and act out our faith even in sponsibility,” by the U.S. Conference the voting booth, even in the political Mid-term elections on Nov. 6 can of Catholic Bishops, said Rob Tas- world where many times it’s messy, be the time to “throw the rascals man, executive director of the Loui- it’s confusing and it’s certainly not out” and send a message to the na- siana Conference of Catholic Bishops. clear in terms of candidates reflecting tion’s leaders on how they are doing “I think it’s important for all Cath- their own faith with in the way that as Republicans and Democrats battle olics to keep in mind that as the docu- they pursue issues.” for control of the U. S. Congress. By ment from the bishops states, partici- Tasman reminded people to refer researching candidates and issues, pating in the political process is not to the seven principles of Catholic educating themselves on Catholic just a responsibility but it is an obli- social teaching when deciding which GROUND BREAKING—St. Margaret, social teachings and praying, people gation,” said Tasman. “And I find that candidates and issues to support: life Queen of Scotland pastor Father Jamin can be sure they are voting with a to be a very strong statement. and dignity of the human person; the David and Deacon Tim Messenger well-formed conscience, according to “I think it’s strong intentionally call to family, community and partic- break ground on a substantial renova- clergy and lay leaders of the Diocese because I think it’s reflective of the ipation; rights and responsibilities; tion and addition on Sept. 30. For the of Baton Rouge. fact that we are blessed enough to live option for the poor and vulnerable; complete story and pictures, please A resource Catholics can use when in a democracy where our voice and the dignity of work and the rights of turn to pages 12-13. Photo by Richard Meek | deciding how to cast their ballot is our vote matters. And so we as a peo- SEE VOTING PAGE 23 The Catholic Commentator 2 The Catholic Commentator October 12, 2018 | DID YOU KNOW Prudence & wisdom By Dina Dow possible. We have a choice to make. Relying upon the virtue of prudence and the gift of “Indeed the word of God is living and ef- wisdom, we have the ability to obey, serve and fective” (Heb 4:12). We begin the 28th Sunday follow Jesus each day as we journey to eter- in Ordinary Time with an awakening. The au- nity. thor of the Book of Wisdom, through prayer Servants of mercy and pleading, receives prudence and wisdom, The 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time calls resulting in a preference for these rather than to mind the power of being a servant. As earthly riches. “Prudence guides the oth- disciples of Jesus, we are called to serve oth- er virtues by setting rule and measure. It is ers, even when it is most inconvenient. Our prudence that immediately guides capacity to love expands as the judgment of conscience” we respond to the call of ser- (The Catechism of the Catholic Life-Giving vice. The more we serve, the Church #1806). This is the first greater we love. The greater of the cardinal virtues, that which FAI H we love, the more we serve. Our instills shrewdness so we can see or model of service comes directly anticipate difficulties and thus be enabled to from Jesus. His three-fold mission as priest, choose good as opposed to evil. Wisdom fol- prophet and king is a roadmap for our life. We lows predominately as “a spiritual gift which serve with our hands, our voice and our heart. enables a person to know the purpose and The Letter to the Hebrews explains Jesus’ plan of God” (CCC #120). Thus prudence sets role as “high priest,” that being the one and our compass as wisdom aligns us to do God’s only one who sacrificed all he had for all of will. Prayer fortifies both. us. He was tempted, tested, tortured and tor- Guardian angels With this in mind we turn to the Gospel, mented, yet he NEVER abandoned his mis- where a man runs up to Jesus as he is leaving sion of his role in our redemption. His mercy Who has never prayed to their the entire nation of Israel was pro- town and asks, “Good teacher, what must I do and “timely grace” saves us from ourselves. guardian angel, whether it’s help tected by an angel. to inherit eternal life?” Jesus’ response seems Jesus’ entire body was for the service of others to pass a test, perform well in a job Of course, one of the most pop- obvious, as he recalls the Ten Command- to the point to death. The same hands which interview or help us get through the ular Scripture passages involves the ments, to which the man responds, “I obey served to heal were the same hands pierced difficulties of life? angel St. Gabriel announcing the those!” He knows he is doing what God has on the cross. The same feet, which walked for Guardian angels were even once birth of Jesus. commanded. hundreds of miles to reach the many, were the featured in one of the most beloved According to Scripture, angels Yet, Jesus calls this man (and us) into the same feet pierced on the cross. He served with Christmas movies of all time. protected Jesus in his infancy, deep mystery of the life and effectiveness mercy, died with mercy and rose with mercy. So exactly who is our guardian served him in the desert and even of his word. “You are lacking in one thing. How far are we willing to serve with love and angel and does everyone actually helped him find strength in the Ag- Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor sacrifice for the good of another? have a heavenly protector? ony in the Garden. and you will have treasure in heaven; then Jesus’ piercing word resounds through According to The Catechism of Devotion to angels began with come, follow me.” First, do we ask the same prophets of old. Yet from Christ, those ancient the Catholic Church, an angel is the birth of the monastic tradition, question of our Lord? Are we ready for his words become lifesaving. Do our words serve a spiritual, personal and immor- and it was St. Benedict that origi- response? Are we willing to abandon self, as powerfully as our actions? tal creature, with intelligence and nally gave it some impetus. St. Ber- serve others and follow Jesus? What riches Finally, Jesus’ preaching, teachings and free will, who glorifies God without nard of Clairvaux, a noted 12th cen- (material and spiritual) are we holding on to miracles provide a clear reality of his kingly ceasing and who serves God as a tury reformer, was so eloquent in that will better serve others who are with- reign. We are called to a share in this king- messenger of his saving plan. The his praise of guardian angels that it out? Are we aware of the poverty around ship as we follow the way of Jesus.