THE CATHOLIC

January 25, 2012 Vol.C 49, No. 25 ommentatorSERVING THE DIOCESE OF BATON ROUGE SINCE 1962 thecatholiccommentator.org Crowd braves rainy weather to march for life By Laura Deavers Editor

As more than 3,500 Loui- sianans marched from the Old State Capitol to the State Capitol in Baton Rouge, they presented messages in ways as diverse as they were: some preached, some sang, some chanted, some prayed the rosa- ry. At the center of all was a de- sire to put an end to abortion. Pro-life advocates ranging in age from octogenarians to young children participated in the second Louisiana March for Life Saturday, Jan. 21. The march was sponsored by Loui- siana Conference of Catholic Bishops, Louisiana Right to Life, Louisiana Baptist Con- vention, Louisiana Family Fo- More than 3,500 people walked past St. Joseph Cathedral Jan. 21 on their way to the State Capitol, expressing through participation in SEE MARCH PAGE 10 the Louisiana Life March 2012 their support of all human life. Photo by Laura Deavers | The Catholic Commentator

Life, liberty at ‘core of our national character,’ Boehner tells rally

By Julie Asher “God who gave us life gave us lib- Care Act and to stop funding Planned around the speakers’ platform under Catholic News Service erty,” said the Ohio Republican, who is Parenthood. overcast skies. a Catholic. He added that his pro-life But now, said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, The temperature hovered in the high WASHINGTON — Americans “as stand isn’t political, “It’s just who I am.” R-N.J., “We must work to change the 30s. Intermittent rain forced marchers a people are pro-life” because life and He and the other members of Con- Senate and reclaim the White House to put on ponchos and assorted rain liberty “are intertwined and form the gress who spoke at the rally said they which not only obstructs pro-life legis- gear and pull out their umbrellas. The core of our national character,” House were proud they had passed the No lation but has for the past three years wet weather left the National Mall a Speaker John Boehner told the crowd Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act and advanced abortion in so many ways, soggy and muddy patch, which march- gathered on the National Mall Jan. 23 the Protect Life Act and voted to repeal while not even attempting to appear to ers slogged through after the rally as for the 39th annual March for Life. the Patient Protection and Affordable be working to make abortion ‘rare’ and they headed to Constitution Avenue, offering support to women to choose past the Capitol and up to the Supreme life.” Court. Smith, a Catholic who is chairman of The rally opened with the national the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, told anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance, those participating in the rally that they followed by a joint Catholic-Orthodox were “an important part of the great- prayer delivered by Metropolitan Jonah est human rights movement on earth of All America and Canada. Religious — the selfless struggle by prayer, fast- leaders on the platform included Car- ing and works to defend and protect all dinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan of weak and vulnerable persons from the New York, president of the U.S. Confer- violence of abortion, infanticide and eu- ence of Catholic Bishops, and Cardinal thanasia.” Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Hous- He also told the crowd, “The violent ton, chairman of the bishops’ Commit- destruction of a child in the womb is not tee on Pro-Life Activities. an American value.” Nellie Gray, now 86, kicked off the More than an hour before the rally speeches. She is the founder and presi- kicked off, thousands of pro-life march- dent of the March for Life Education & Bishop Robert W. Muench blesses the 200 youth and their chaperones who left from ers, the majority of them high school Defense Fund, the group that organizes the Catholic Life Center Jan. 19 for Washington, D.C., to attend the 39th March for and college-age youths from across the march. Life. Photo by Barbara Chenevert | The Catholic Commentator the country, began to fill in the space SEE RALLY PAGE 11 2 The Catholic Commentator January 25, 2012

| IN THIS ISSUE | DID YOU KNOW St. Blaise is patron saint of throats, wild animals IN AN EFFORT TO GIVE CLUSTERED FAITH COM- FATHER HOWARD HALL MUNITIES of St. Isidore and St. Pius X an WILL CELEBRATE the 50th On Feb. 3, thousands of lived as a hermit in a cave. opportunity to get to know each other anniversary of his ordina- Catholics will place their Tradition holds that hunters better, church parish leaders are planning tion at a Mass on Feb. 6 at necks between two candles came upon the cave, which several events. A bonfire on Jan. 28 will be the chapel at Ollie Steele crossed like an X while a was surrounded by wild ani- the first. A Sweetheart dance Feb. 28 will Burden Manor. PAGE 20 priest or deacon blesses their mals who were sick. Blaise be the next event. PAGE 5 throats. walked among the animals, CATHOLIC SCHOOLS It will be the feast of curing them. PERPETUAL ADORATION BEFORE THE BLESSED WEEK IS JAN. 29 St. Blaise, and churches The hunters, recognizing SACRAMENT has become a popular form of THROUGH FEB. 4 throughout the world will Blaise as a bishop, captured prayer for many in the Diocese of Baton See special perform this liturgical ritual him. As they were bring- Rouge. Many churches have established section. as they have done for hun- ing him for trial, they came special adoration chapels, which have dreds of years. across a woman whose pig continuous exposition of the Blessed Sac- Legends abound about the miraculous was being held by a wolf. Blaise com- rament, while other churches have limited healings performed by St. Blaise. Howev- manded the wolf to release the pig, times set aside. PAGE 7 er, little is actually known about this bish- and it was freed unhurt, according to op and martyr who died about 316 A.D. tradition. After Blaise was sentenced His title as the patron of throats and to death, this woman snuck into pris- throat diseases comes from a tradition on and brought him food and candles | INDEX that he cured a small boy who was chok- so that he could have light to read the ing to death on a fish bone lodged in his Scriptures. CLASSIFIED ADS 18 throat. St. Blaise, who is often depicted holding COMING EVENTS 18 St. Blaise is believed to have been born two crossed candles, is also a patron Saint ENTERTAINMENT 14 to a wealthy and noble family and received of wild animals. FOR 20 YEARS A GROUP OF WOMEN have met FAMILY LIFE 5 a Christian education. He was a physician This is the prayer recited during the at Our Lady of Mercy Church to make INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL NEWS 4 before becoming bishop of Sebastea in Ar- blessing of throats: “Through the interces- rosaries for other groups. Their rosaries menia. sion of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 17 have been sent to soldiers fighting in the During the persecution of Christians God deliver you from every disease of the Middle East, first communicants, prisoners SPIRITUALITY 7 that took place at that time, St. Blaise was throat and from every other illness in the and participants taking part in the March VIEWPOINT 16 said to have received a message from God name of the Father and of the Son, and of for Life in Washington, D.C. PAGE 19 YOUTH 12 to escape into the hill country, where he the Holy Spirit.” | Send US YoUr Lenten recipeS! PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PRAY FOR US Special Section Please pray for the priests, deacons and religious women and men in the Baton Rouge Diocese. Jan. 29 Rev. Eric V. Gyan Feb. 5 Rev. Joseph Sanjay Kunnasseril IMS Dcn. Jodi A. Moscona Dcn. Frank W. Rhodes Jr. Sr. Esther Hulin CSJ Sr. Frances Landry CSJ Jan. 30 Rev. Howard B. Hall Feb. 6 Rev. J. Joel LaBauve LentTHE CATHOLIC 2012 Dcn. Donald J. Musso Dcn. Alfred J. Ricard Jr. Sr. Louise Ibert CSJ Sr. Rita Lanie OSF Jan. 31 Rev. Ray Hebert SC Feb. 7 Rev. Jason M. Labbé CSERVING THE DIOCESE OF BATON ROUGE SINCE 1962 Dcn. Roger A. Navarra † Dcn. Bruno Rizzo Sr. Anija Jacob CMC Sr. Joan Laplace CSJ Retreats! Feb. 1 Rev. J. Clifton Hill CSSp Feb. 8 Rev. Kenneth W. Laird Lenten Recipes! Dcn. Angelo S. Nola Dcn. Thomas M. Robinson Br. Augustine Kozdroj FSE Sr. Marie-Paul Le ICM Feb. 2 Rev. Arun John IMS Feb. 9 Rev. Charles R. Landry Seafood! Spiritual Renewal! Dcn. Ricky P. Oubre Dcn. Thomas J. St. Pierre Sr. Julie Kraemer CSJ Br. Warren Laudumiey SC Feb. 3 Rev. Michael Jung OSB Feb. 10 Rev. Charles Latour OP Issue Date: February 8; Deadline: February 1 Dcn. Ricky A. Patterson Dcn. Eliazar Salinas Jr. LEnt begins this year on FEB. 22 and ends on APRIL 7. The Sr. Adele Lambert CSJ Sr. Bert Lieux CSJ Feb. 4 Rev. Jon C. Koehler Feb. 11 Rev. Clyde H. LeBlanc SJ Catholic Commentator will publish its annual Lenten section in print Dcn. Curles P. Reeson Jr. Dcn. Mario (Sam) Sammartino and online at thecatholiccommentator.org Sr. Rita M. Lambert CSJ Sr. Beth Lieux CSJ Lent 2012 will feature: • Seafood/Lenten Recipes THE CATHOLIC • Fasting & Abstinence regulations in the Baton Rouge Diocese

• Lenten Retreats CommentatorMonth • Opportunities for Spiritual Renewal Bishop Robert W. Muench Publisher Wanda L. Koch Advertising Manager • Fund raisers sponsored by churches, schools and Catholic Father Than Vu Associate Publisher Penny G. Saia Advertising Sales organizations Laura Deavers Exec. Ed./Gen. Mgr. Lisa Disney Secretary/Circulation Debbie Shelley Assistant Editor Barbara Chenevert Staff Writer For advertising opportunities call 225-387-0983. Donna Perreault Copy Editor

Email recipes to: [email protected] The Catholic Commentator (ISSN 07460511; USPS 093-680) FAX: 225-336-8710; or Published bi-weekly (every other week) by the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge,1800 South Acadian Thru- way, Baton Rouge, LA 70808; 225-387-0983 or 225-387-0561. Periodical Postage Paid at Baton Rouge, LA. Mail to: The Catholic Commentator Copy must reach the above address by Wednesday for use in the next week’s paper. Subscription rate: P.O. Box 14746, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4746 $12.00 per year. POSTMASTER, send address changes to The Catholic Commentator, P.O. Box 14746, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4746. Website: thecatholiccommentator.org. January 25, 2012 The Catholic Commentator 3 Role models led Riggs to life of ministry

ferent ministers who foster their Women in ministry ministries in a professional way. You have people who are able to By Barbara Chenevert dedicate themselves to an area,” Staff Writer she said. Riggs said she has seen many Cherry Riggs’ grandmother changes in religious formation, was a catechist. Her mother was particularly in the way the dio- a catechist. Even a handicapped cese has provided a network of aunt taught religion from her support and resources to those in bedroom. So it comes as no sur- religious education. prise that Riggs has dedicated Rhonda Parenton, director of her life to teaching children. the diocesan Office of Evangeli- “It’s part of who I am. I was al- zation and Catechesis, sees Riggs ways drawn to children. I have as one of those resources. “I once many role models from my child- heard someone say a great men- hood. They didn’t call them cat- tor inspires, encourages and echists then. They were just reli- takes you to the trenches. So of- gion teachers,” Riggs said. ten I have seen that whether you Cherry Riggs directs St. George School students in a Gospel drama of the Epiphany. Riggs, director of chil- The director of children’s for- are a parishioner, a ministry col- dren’s formation for St. George, frequently works with liturgical dance and dramatic presentations for both mation at St. George Church in league or the diocese knocking the school and parish. Photo by Barbara Chenevert | The Catholic Commentator Baton Rouge, Riggs may have at her door, Cherry’s passion and begun her career in church min- ment. what she was destined to do. the Extension Lay Volunteers, a love for ministry inspire and en- istry as a religion teacher, but her She has served the diocese on “My brother entered the semi- Peace Corps-like group affiliated courage you. She doesn’t take you influence has spread throughout the Steering Committee for the nary the year I was born. He was with the Catholic church. She to the trenches. She walks the the diocese as she became a lead- RCIA process, the Steering Com- ordained when I was 12 or 13, went first to Kansas and then trenches with you.” er in sacramental preparation, re- mittee for Directors of Religious and I remember thinking even to Oregon, where she taught in Riggs says she appreciates the ligious instruction and Christian Education, the Educational Trust back then that I wanted to serve schools that primarily enrolled changes in formation programs initiation. Fund Committee and the Sacra- God. I knew I didn’t want to be a underprivileged children. for children since the Second Riggs’ career began at a time mental Guidelines Committee. nun, because I wanted a family, She returned to New Orleans Vatican Council, particularly the when the doors to ministry were In addition it is not uncommon so I figured I could serve God this and enrolled in Loyola Universi- expansion of textbooks to include just beginning to open to women, to see Riggs meeting with a par- way,” Riggs said. ty, where she received a master’s social justice issues, the empha- and she did not hesitate to walk ent struggling with a school issue, Besides her brother, Riggs said degree in counseling. (Years later sis on Scriptures and how they through them. “When I became a or comforting someone dealing an aunt who was diagnosed with she received a second master’s relate to today, and a real push to catechist so many years ago, the with death or illness. tuberculosis at the age of 16 in- degree in religious education.) involve parents in the faith devel- only way that women could serve “Dedication and faithfulness spired her. “I can remember as a She worked in counseling for a opment of their children. in ministry was as a catechist or are the first two words that come young child going to my grand- time at Charity Hospital School Riggs encourages other wom- as a member of the Altar Society. to mind when I think about the mother’s house, and my aunt of Nursing. en to consider church ministry Vatican II opened wide the doors ministry of Cherry Riggs to the would be teaching catechism to In the meantime she married as a profession. “The shortage of the church to allow the laity children of St. George,” said pas- four or five children in her room. and moved back to Baton Rouge. of priests is definitely a reason to serve in ministry, and women tor Father Mike Schaztle. “Cher- That had a profound impact on She and her husband, Barry, be- women are needed to assume” immediately began to serve both ry’s love of children and the im- my desire to want to do that, too. gan to look for a school for their roles in the church. “But even as volunteers and professionally portance of sharing our Catholic Even in her handicap, she was children. They tried St. Thomas more important is the reality that in any capacity that they could,” faith with them is the driving called to serve God.” More, but there were no vacan- we are all created in God’s image Riggs said. “Today there are so force of her ministry. Her leader- Petite and graceful, the mother cies. The principal there sug- – male and female – and we bring many opportunities for women ship continues to have a profound of three and grandmother of six gested they try St. George, at the different gifts and strengths as to work in the church. What an impact on the families of St. (two of her children are expect- time a small rural school. So they women and men into ministry amazing change that is.” George and our diocese.” ing within the month) was at one moved into St. George Church and life. Women and men, work- After 27 years in church min- Father Tom Ranzino, director time torn between her desire to parish. ing together in ministry, balance istry, Riggs continues to be a of the diocesan Office of Wor- work with children and her other “The first thing I did was volun- each other, and in partnership woman on a mission: to serve ship, called Riggs a “minister of love – dancing. teer to teach religion in the par- manifest who God is and how we God as teacher, mentor, artist convicted engagement in that she “I have danced all of my life. ish school of religion,” Riggs said. are called to follow and to serve and friend. cares deeply for each one per- After high school, I spent a sum- Sister Ileana Fernandez CSJ, then him in our own unique ways. At St. George, her responsibili- son and will stay engaged with mer in New York and took classes the DRE for St. George, asked her “I can honestly say that there ties could leave you out of breath. that person to the end. She has with professional dancers. I was to become her assistant. “I said have been very few days that She prepares second-graders for a ministerial vision beyond her trying to decide what I wanted to no because my kids were small. I I have not wanted to come to first Communion and first rec- parish ministry, collaboratively do. When I came back, I made a told her I wouldn’t do it until they work. My life has been enriched onciliation, works in baptismal working within the diocese for decision that was kind of sad for were all in school. Sure enough, by the adults and children that I preparation, coordinates the Rite the sacramental care of children, me. I love dancing, but it was not when Jason (her youngest child) have worked with. ... They have of Christian Initiation for Adults particularly children in the pro- the life I wanted to be involved entered kindergarten, Sister Il- opened my eyes to see and ex- adapted for children process, or- cess of catechumenal initiation. in.” eana called, and I became her as- perience God in a different and ganizes a Rainbows program for She brings intelligence, a sense So she enrolled in Dominican sistant.” more expansive way.” children separated from a parent of beauty in motion and creativ- College where she majored in When Sister Ileana left a few through death or divorce, plans ity to her ministry, which in turn education. However, she didn’t years later, Riggs took over as di- Editor’s note: In today’s edition, parenting seminars on current brings hope and joy to those with give up dance, as she performed rector of children’s formation. The Catholic Commentator be- topics, directs the elementary whom she serves and for whom with the New Orleans Opera and “I have always been blessed gins a special series highlighting parish school of religion, works she serves.” taught dance to students in a with working in a parish where women in the Diocese of Baton with the school on special proj- Riggs would probably be sur- children’s home in New Orleans lay ministry has been affirmed Rouge who have had a signifi- ects, and choreographs and in- prised to hear those descriptions, twice a week. and acknowledged. St. George cant impact on the spiritual life structs special liturgical move- as she just sees her ministry as After graduation she joined has a huge staff with so many dif- of the church community. 4 The Catholic Commentator NATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL January 25, 2012 Ruling over teacher’s firing could have far-reaching implications

By Patricia Zapor been quick to hail the ruling. It’s ing material on a wide variety of tion is applied to others will have carried out what it understood Catholic News Service “the greatest Supreme Court reli- religious rights issues. But more to be decided later. to be its religious mission. These gious liberty decision in decades,” immediately, two cases involving “The case before us is an em- are certainly dangers that the WASHINGTON — The direc- opined the Becket Fund for Reli- Catholic dioceses that are pend- ployment discrimination suit First Amendment was designed tion the courts will take with gious Liberty, which acted as co- ing before the Supreme Court ask brought on behalf of a minister, to guard against.” other cases related to religious counsel to Hosanna-Tabor. related questions. challenging her church’s decision Alito, joined by Justice Elena employment is far from clear, but On the other side, David Gib- In Skrzypczak v. Roman to fire her,” Roberts wrote. “To- Kagan, said the definition of who the Supreme Court’s Jan. 11 rul- son, a columnist for Common- Catholic Diocese of Tulsa, Monica day we hold only that the minis- is a “minister,” by whatever ter- ing opens a whole track of possi- weal, observed in a post on the Skrzypczak sued the Oklahoma terial exception bars such a suit. minology a faith uses, should al- bilities. magazine’s blog that while the diocese for gender and age dis- We express no view on whether ways be left to the faith group. For The decision in Hosanna-Ta- ruling “is clearly the right one,” crimination after being fired the exception bars other types a court to be expected to decide bor v. EEOC held that fired teach- celebration seems premature. from her job as director of the De- of suits, including actions by em- that, they said, would require er Cheryl Perich could not sue Under the headline “High court: partment of Religious Formation. ployees alleging breach of con- a civil court or a jury to make a under federal disability discrimi- Religions are free to be jerks,” In a second case, former math tract or tortious conduct by their judgment about church doctrine. nation laws, because the Michi- Gibson cautioned about how teacher Madeline Weishuhn sued religious employers. There will be “The mere adjudication of gan Lutheran school where she churches might exercise their the Diocese of Lansing, Mich., time enough to address the appli- such questions would pose grave worked considered her a “called” protected right. alleging retaliation that violated cability of the exception to other problems for religious autonomy,” minister. “How can churches be held to anti-discrimination laws. circumstances if and when they Alito wrote. Writing for a unanimous account?” he wrote. “This is a re- Lower courts in both cases arise.” The definition of “minister” court, Chief Justice John Rob- al difficulty, given that religious have held that under the ministe- In concurring briefs, Justices “should apply to any ‘employee’ erts said the government cannot institutions behave just as badly rial exception, the decisions fell Clarence Thomas and Samuel who leads a religious organiza- require a church to retain an un- as secular groups, and often within the bounds of a church’s Alito added to the discussion tion, conducts worship services wanted minister because doing worse. And that truly does hurt protection from state interfer- about what happens next. or important religious ceremo- so “intrudes upon more than a the witness of religious commu- ence in employment decisions. “The line is hardly a bright one, nies or rituals, or serves as a mere employment decision. Such nities.” Picarello predicted both cases and an organization might un- messenger or teacher of its faith,” action interferes with the internal Anthony Picarello, general might now be dismissed or sent derstandably be concerned that Alito said. “If a religious group governance of the church, depriv- counsel and an associate general back to lower courts to review in a judge would not understand its believes that the ability of such ing the church of control over the secretary for the U.S. Conference light of the ruling in Hosanna- religious tenets and sense of mis- an employee to perform these selection of those who will per- of Catholic Bishops, told Catholic Tabor. sion,” Thomas wrote, saying he key functions has been compro- sonify its beliefs.” News Service Jan. 13 that the rul- As Roberts made clear, while would have gone further in de- mised, then the constitutional Some commentators have ing is rich with potential for min- the court was declaring for the claring a church’s rights should guarantee of religious freedom first time that a ministerial - ex always prevail in such matters. protects the group’s right to re- ception exists and Perich clearly “Fear of potential liability might move the employee from his or fell subject to it, how that excep- affect the way an organization her position.”

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January 25, 2012 FAMILY LIFE The Catholic Commentator 5 St. Isidore, St. Pius X fired up about planned family events By Debbie Shelley children. The idea of a bonfire stood out and the children’s choir will join him. without distractions. Assistant Editor as an activity that families could enjoy. Youth began volunteering to help with Oliphant and Sharkey said they hope The church will provide hot chocolate activities. to plan a family activity each month. In The power of the Holy Spirit has ignit- and ingredients to make s’mores, and the “We can feel the energy – everyone was February, the St. Isidore and St. Pius ed the clustered church communities of families will bring snacks. really receptive and excited to see some- churches plan to host a Father/Daughter St. Isidore in Baker and St. Pius X in Ba- thing happening to help families,” said Sweetheart Dance Sunday, Feb 12, 6:30- ton Rouge with enthusiasm as they plan Oliphant. 8:30 p.m., at the St. Isidore Center. The family events, beginning with a bonfire “We can feel the energy Shelby Piper, 17, is one of the youth dance will be open to young girls and on Saturday, Jan. 28, at St. Isidore. who is enthusiastically helping the men who have been a positive influence Monique Oliphant, director of religious – everyone was really churches prepare for the bonfire. Her fa- in their lives. formation and youth director, and Janai ther, David Piper, directs the children’s “I hope to see daddies and daughters, Sharkey, director of the Children in Min- receptive and excited to see choir at St. Isidore. She said she’s hoping stepfathers and stepdaughters, paw paws istry, had discussed hosting activities to that as youth hang out at the event, those with their granddaughters, uncles and connect youth with the other youth and something happening to who are not in the youth group will want nieces and parrains and goddaughters at children of the cluster church parishes. to join as well to help revive the youth the dance,” Sharkey said. The youth will mentor the children, help help families.” choir. Shelby Piper said the youth will pri- them with the transition from childhood “I would like to see more youth active marily organize and staff the dance, to adolescence and influence them to Monique Oliphant in the church, to go beyond what they do but they can bring their father figures to stay involved in the church parishes as Director of religious formation and youth director, St. at school,” Shelby Piper said. dance with as well. they grow older. Isidore Church, Baker, and St. Pius X Church, Baton Rouge According to Sharkey and Oliphant, Sharkey stated that she hopes the Fa- Sharkey said in talking to the children adults will have an opportunity to spend ther/Daughter Dance will lead more men at St. Isidore ans St. Pius, she discovered time together socially as well. to be involved in the church community. many of them did not know the youth The Holy Spirit stirred the hearts of “Within the cluster we were talking She further stated that the family ac- and other children of the church parish- members of the church communities. about what we could do to get to know tivities will help build up the church es. Oliphant was also looking for a way to People offered their gifts and talents to each other – even if it’s not part of an of- communities, with the youth serving as introduce the youth to the youth group. help with the bonfire. One student in the ficial ministry activity,” said Sharkey. the foundation. Oliphant, Sharkey brainstormed with confirmation class said he had a friend She stated that many families get “We will never have a strong church youth and parents on ideas for activi- who wanted to donate and deliver wood caught up in busy schedules instead cluster if we don’t have strong youth in- ties that would be good for the youth and for the fire. Another person plays guitar of spending time with their families volvement,” stated Sharkey. Thank-you notes never go out of style

few days after Christ- News,” I was pleased to see a Being grateful is tougher this in a phone call: “I know you mas, my kids were similar discussion in a segment than it sounds. Socially, we are sent the kids something, but it’s Apreparing to head back narrated by correspondent Steve trained to want more and be always so chaotic on Christmas to college, jobs, their everyday Hartman. Hartman said he had discontent with what is. morning, I can’t remember lives. sent no thank-you notes for last This is especially insidi- what. But thanks.” It was then that I took out year’s Christmas gifts, never ous with children, who in our This might be the best gift the packet of thank-you notes, mind this year’s. society are given great quanti- you give your child this new aimed primarily at the two And he debated the subject ties of material things but are year: Teach him or her to write a younger ones, who I knew would with “60 Minutes” correspon- constantly, through the media real thank-you note, in which he find it a great convenience – and dent Byron Pitts, who writes and our general cultural values, or she recalls what the gift was incentive – to have Mom supply out his thanks to many people, encouraged to believe that to and reflects on both its material notes and stamps. including camera crews and lead quality lives, they must value and on the inestimable They sat at the dining room people who consent to inter- have more. value of the giver. table and, as they had for all views, all in longhand on fine Anyone who reads advice col- their growing up years, spelled note paper. For The Journey umns knows the grandmother’s CALDAROLA, who writes a general- out their gratitude à la Emily The debate segued into a lament: My grandchildren never interest column, can be reached Post. short story about John Kra- Effie Caldarola thank me. One year after send- at Catholic News Service, 3211 As usual, I delivered my little lik, author of “A Simple Act of ing a relative’s children Christ- Fourth St. N.E., Washington, speech on the importance of the Gratitude: How Learning to Say a book about how gratitude mas gifts, a friend offered only D.C. 20017. thank-you note. Even when you Thank You Changed My Life.” transformed him. go for a job interview, I said, it’s Kralik, at a point when his life Gratitude, of course, is more E x c l usive Resthaven appropriate to send a thank you was spiraling downward, heard than just a nice social amenity. E x c l usive to the person who interviewed an inner voice tell him to start It has theological underpin- Mausoleum you. writing thank-you notes. nings. One can go back to Spaces (for 2) Yes, my son-in-law interject- While not exactly words spo- the 13th-14th century mystic just $3,995* ed, but that’s also done by email. ken from a burning bush, they Meister Eckhart, who said, “If Ah, yes, I reminded myself. did turn Kralik’s life around. He the only prayer you ever say is Regular $ 6,100.These specially I am of the pen-and-ink gen- wrote to thank the gal at Star- thank you, that will suffice.” Or *priced crypts are located at levels 7 & 8 in our lovely lawn mausoleums. eration, and a younger crew bucks who always remembered you can look at the 1992 U.S. Payment plans are available. Limited has been weaned on email and his name and drink; he thanked bishops’ pastoral, “Stewardship: time offer. texting. I have to remember that his daughter’s piano teacher; he A Disciple’s Response,” and note there are many ways to express thanked the lady who cuts his that all Christian stewardship thanks – as long as it’s rendered. hair. begins with a deep sense of So, the evening of Dec. 30, In all, he wrote 365 thank- gratitude to God who has given 11817 Jefferson Hwy at Airline www.ResthavenBatonRouge.com 225-753-1440 watching the “CBS Evening you notes, and then he wrote us everything. 2x2.5” Rest.maus.obits.blk’11 6-16-11 6 The Catholic Commentator January 25, 2012 Should churches spend money on cathedrals or the poor?

To our delight, our they can live out the Gospel and as administrative offices for its Will our cat and dog be 13-year-old daughter progress on the path to heaven. many projects and programs; with me and my family Qreads newspapers. Some- Certainly, part of the mis- the availability of the Crystal Qin heaven? Every day I times this prompts her to ask sion is to provide dignified and Cathedral offered the opportu- say the rosary to ask God to help religious questions, and today’s inspiring places of worship that nity for a ready-made 2,800-seat me, but then sometimes I can’t go was a tough one: “The paper says can help lift minds and hearts to worship space as well as 31 acres to sleep at night worrying about there is a lot of poverty and that God. Just as surely, the church of property for office space and what will happen to our pets when the bishops are asking Catholics needs to reach out with compas- a relocated parish school – at a they die. (Flemington, N.J.) to help the poor. But it also says, sion to those who are vulnerable price less than one-third of what on another page, that a diocese – especially the poor, the sick and construction costs would have I suppose the traditional in California wants to spend $57 the homeless. been. philosophical position million to buy a glass church. That is why Catholic hospitals As to opening churches at Awould be that only human With so many poor people in the serve nearly one-sixth of all pa- night to house the homeless, wor- beings have immortal souls. On country, how can that be right?” tients in America and why Catho- ship spaces are not always ideally the other hand, the revered Brit- Can you help us to give her an lic Charities is America’s largest suited, and alternate Catholic ish author C.S. Lewis once said Question Corner answer? (Turnersville, N.J.) private provider of services to the facilities might more readily that, since the loyalty of pets of- poor, with a network of hundreds provide sleeping accommoda- ten exceeds human fidelity, dogs Father Kenneth Doyle The recent purchase by of food pantries, soup kitchens, tions, kitchens, showers and and cats may well find their way the Catholic Church of the homeless shelters, etc. bathrooms. But neither a cathe- to heaven with their masters. the joys of heaven are beyond Aformer Crystal Cathe- As to the matter of the Crystal dral nor any Catholic church can Left to a plebiscite, the vote compare, beyond our poor power dral has fanned the flames of Cathedral, those closest to the ignore the needs of its neighbor- is split. A few years back, ABC even to imagine them. So it’s safe a simmering debate; whenever situation seem to agree with the hood for human services. News did a poll and found that to say that if in heaven you need the church buys or builds a new recent USA Today headline that A good example is the 43 percent of Americans think your pets to be happy, they’ll be facility, the perennial biblical called the church’s purchase a Cathedral of the Immaculate that dogs and cats go to heaven right there with you. question is: “Why could this “sweet deal.” The Diocese of Or- Conception in Wichita, Kan., (that figure goes up to 47 percent money not have been spent on ange has grown rapidly and now which last year, during the worst among pet owners), 40 percent FATHER DOYLE is a priest of the the poor?” includes more than 1.2 million of the winter’s cold, housed 120 said no, and the rest were reserv- Diocese of Albany, N.Y. Readers The answer is not a simple Catholics. homeless men in its gymnasium, ing judgment. may submit questions to him at one. The church has multiple To meet expanding needs, the with evening meals provided by The most honest answer is [email protected] and goals, the overall one being to put diocese was already planning to several parishes throughout the that we do not know. What our 40 Hopewell St., Albany, NY people in touch with God so that build a new cathedral, as well diocese. faith does tell us, though, is that 12208. An ImportAnt message for the Families of plattenville

Dear Friends, After several meetings to determine our cemetery needs we are pleased to announce that arrangements have been completed to build a mausoleum in Assumption Cemetery in Plattenville. Our parish has entered into an agreement with Acme Mausoleum Corporation of New Orleans to conduct a survey in our area to determine the size of the mausoleum. After the survey is completed, the Acme firm will build the memorial. This program has the full approval of His Excellency, Most Reverend Robert Muench, Bishop of Baton Rouge. The new mausoleum will be constructed so that it will be standing for centuries to • Low pre-construction prices are now in effect. come. The structure will be built with the finest materials, steel reinforced concrete and • Easy time payments can be arranged to fit your budget. select granite. Furthermore, regular and continued care will be assured. This will be accomplished by our establishing a large endowed trust fund solely for the maintenance of • There is a convenient selection of a variety of crypt spaces. the memorial. The interest and earnings of this special trust fund will be more than ample to maintain this lasting memorial. • Built for the ages, constructed of select granite and steel reinforced concrete. th year of memorial experience in 2010. Acme Mausoleum Corporation celebrated its 100 They were the builders of the existing facilities at St. Anne in Napoleonville and are offering to us the same trustworthy credentials and satisfactory service. For More Information Call (985) 369-6656 or Mail the Coupon Today! Representatives will conduct a survey in this area for the next several weeks to answer  questions about the mausoleum and determine who is interested in making provisions for their families. The size of the mausoleum will be determined by the number of crypts Assumption Catholic Church • P.O. Box 99 • Napoleonville, LA 70390 selected before construction begins. Therefore, anyone seeking information should speak with one of the representatives now conducting the survey. If you are interested you should q YES! Without obligation on my part, please send me more reserve space now. information about this beautiful memorial. Sincerely yours in Christ, Name ______Reverend J. Joel LaBauve Pastor Address ______

City ______State _____ Zip ______Call Today! (985) 369-6656 Parish ______Phone ______

AssumptionPlattenville_CatComm 1 1/11/12 2:56 PM January 25, 2012 SPIRITUALITY The Catholic Commentator 7 Spending silent time before the Eucharist leads to calm, focus, comfort

By Debbie Shelley said she is blessed because when the importance of eucharistic Assistant Editor she is contacted to substitute for adoration to her children is Jody another adorer, she is receiving a McCall, who brings her children, Eucharistic adorers in the Dio- special call to prayer. Brooke, 8, and Chase, 6, with her cese of Baton Rouge believe time Mary Nelson, who has been when she goes to eucharistic ado- in silence and prayer before the a eucharistic adorer at the STM ration on Sunday afternoon. Blessed Sacrament calms their adoration chapel since it opened She added that prayer is impor- soul and helps them to refocus on in 1999, said people who commit tant in developing a daily walk their life. themselves to eucharistic adora- with God and that parents should Cheryl Geiger, who visits the tion, “keep the doors of the church model to their children how to perpetual adoration chapels at St. open” so others can spend time pray. “Seeing their parents on Thomas More and Our Lady of with the Lord. She said people their knees is valuable to them,” Mercy churches in Baton Rouge, stop by the chapel during their McCall said. said eucharistic adoration helps lunch hour or before or after work. Spending time in the eucharistic adoration chapel at St. Alphonsus Her children seem to enjoy their people shut out the noise of the Nelson, who recruits eucharis- Church in Greenwell Springs are, from left, Chase, Brooke and Jody time at the adoration chapel. world, the pull of obligations and tic adorers for the hours of 6 p.m.- McCall. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator “I like to spend time with Je- distractions. midnight, added that people who sus. When I try to pray at home, Geiger, who moved to Baton spend time before the Blessed tations on the rosary by Blessed She said because the adoration it’s too noisy. I like the quiet,” Rouge from Chalmette after Hur- Sacrament often develop rela- Mother Teresa. chapels in the diocese are either said Brooke McCall, a third-grade ricane Katrina, said prayer and tionships with each other as they Jesus wants people to remain perpetual or open for extended student at St. Alphonsus School. eucharistic adoration helped her greet each other or spend time in vigilant and spend an hour with hours, busy people should be able While in adoration she prays and overcome trials following the hur- silence together. him in prayer, according to Joyce to find time to be with the Lord reads “Breakthrough! the Bible ricane and find comfort when a Most important, people develop Payer, who has been a eucharistic there. She said their prayers keep for Young Catholics.” young coworker died when she their relationship with God, Nel- adorer at St. Alphonsus Church the church community vibrant. Chase McCall, a first-grade stu- lived in Chalmette. son emphasized. in Greenwell Springs since the Payer added that some families dent at St. Alphonsus, prays and Geiger was the eucharistic ado- “You’re lifting up your heart adoration chapel began in 1994 introduce their children to eucha- reads “The Catholic Bible for Chil- ration coordinator at Prince of and mind to God – it’s a personal and who coordinates the adora- ristic adoration, helping to ensure dren” and lets his imagination go. Peace Church in Chalmette. Now thing,” said Nelson, who often tion schedule between noon and 6 there will be future adorers. “It’s a “I like to think about what I would a substitute eucharistic adorer in spends her time in Eucharistic p.m. “I think the Lord calls us in generational thing.” do if Jesus were around (in the the Diocese of Baton Rouge, she adoration reading a book of medi- a special way from Gethsemane.” One of the people passing on flesh),” said Chase McCall. My four favorite prayers

he church has many Scripture; they are the words “Stay with me, Lord, for it is “Stay with me, Lord, so that I prayers, all of them beauti- spoken by Elizabeth to Mary necessary to have you present hear your voice and follow you. Tful. Here are my four when Mary came to visit her: so that I do not forget you. You “Stay with me, Lord, for I favorite prayers. “Hail (Mary) full of grace, the know how easily I abandon you. desire to love you very much, and The Lord’s Prayer Lord is with you” (Lk 1:28), and “Stay with me, Lord, because always be in your company. God wants public worship, not then, “Blessed are you among I am weak and I need your “Stay with me, Lord, if you merely private devotion. When women” (Lk 1:42). strength, that I may not fall so wish me to be faithful to you. you say, “Our Father,” you are We honor Mary because, unit- often. “Stay with me, Lord, for as speaking as one person in the ed with Jesus, we participate in “Stay with me, Lord, for you poor as my soul is, I want it to be midst of many who are praying his love for his mother. We also are my life, and without you, I am a place of consolation for you, a with you. acknowledge the power he gave without fervor. nest of love.” The mystical body of Christ her to help us: “Pray for us now “Stay with me, Lord, for you is at prayer in the liturgy of the and at the hour of our death.” are my light, and without you, I Father Catoir is chaplain of an church. Only one person prays, The Prayer of St. Francis am in darkness. emergency assistance program Jesus Christ in aggregate with of Assisi Spirituality “Stay with me, Lord, to show and writes on spirituality for his people. We all bow humbly This prayer captures the truth me your will. Catholic News Service. before the Father giving praise. that God calls us to be doers of For Today We invite him into our hearts: the word and not merely hearers. Tax-Deferred Annuities • IRA • Rollovers “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be Jesus said, “Whatever you did Father John Catoir done ...” It is public worship when for one of these least brothers of Tired of Watching Your Retirement % the church promises to follow his mine, you did for me.” “O Divine Master, grant that APY will. St. Paul clarifies this mission: I may not so much seek to be Funds Vanish in 3.75 Still using the plural “us” and “Bear one another’s burdens, consoled, as to console; to be un- the Stock Market? Includes Current Yield + “we,” we ask God to give us our and so you will fulfill the law of derstood, as to understand; to be 1% Bonus daily bread and to forgive us our Christ.” loved, as to love. For it is in giving Don’t kiss your hard-earned retirement dollars goodbye. Instead, roll trespasses as we forgive those The Prayer of St. Francis that we receive. It is in pardoning them over to Catholic Life Insurance and watch them grow! Because our who trespass against us. We reads: that we are pardoned, and it is in fixed annuities are not tied to the ups and downs of the stock market, we guarantee that you’ll have more in our IRA or Annuity tomorrow than conclude: “Deliver (all of) us from “Lord, make me an instru- dying that we are born to eternal you have today. evil.” ment of your peace. Where there life.” The Hail Mary is hatred, let me sow love. Where A Prayer of St. Padre Pio Jesus wants us to honor his there is injury, pardon. Where This prayer makes clear the mother, just as he honors her in there is doubt, faith. Where there absolute necessity of staying heaven. is despair, hope. Where there is united to Jesus. He is the vine; we Call now: Frank Lamulle The opening words of the darkness, light. Where there is are the branches. Without him we 504-458-0957 Hail Mary were taken from holy sadness, joy. can do nothing: *Interest rates are subject to change & vary by plan. Rate guaranteed for 1st year. Minimum guarantee is 2.00% 8 The Catholic Commentator VIEWPOINT January 25, 2012 What will 2012 bring? The beginning of a new year is often a time to think about where we’ve been and where we’re going. This edition of Viewpoint looks ahead to what 2012 will bring? Tom Sheridan says that Catholics will have opportunities to help redeem the world and make the Gospel come alive. Liz Quirin says that despite predictions of doom, 2012 will be a good year. This will be a great year yping “Mayan calendar” into the Christmas season, so we know a couple of computer search how important the church parish is Tengines gave me between seven and how parish leaders can not only and 22 million results referring to enlighten but energize people on a the Mayan calendar’s “doomsday” local level to become involved in their predictions. It’s an interesting way to faith communities and to expand that Revelers pose for a picture during a New Year’s celebration in New York Dec. 31, 2011. This start a new year, looking at it as if it involvement to reach out to others. edition of Viewpoint looks at: What will 2012 bring? CNS photo by Kena Betancur | Reuters were the “last” year. If you’re involved in your church While I don’t subscribe to the parish, great; if not, here’s your invi- prediction that the world will end tation. It’s time for a new year do-over! on Dec. 21, 2012, it does offer an Many issues of concern are raised opportunity to think about the com- through parish social justice groups. ong ago and far away, I did some- connects it to the annual turning of the ing year: our hopes, our dreams, One that desperately needs resolu- thing incredibly stupid. I’ve done lots calendar when he announces “a year of our concerns and what the days and tion is immigration. The crisis has Lof stupid things in my life, but few favor from the Lord and a day of vindica- months ahead have in store for each escalated dramatically in a number have caused me the decades of regret I suf- tion by our God.” of us. of states. fered over this incident. Centuries later, Jesus repeated that I’ve been hyping 2012 as a great Since we all like to eat fresh fruits Intrigued? Here’s the tale. In 1968, my prophecy in Luke’s Gospel. And in Revela- year. I’ve been telling my children, and vegetables, often harvested by wife, daughter and I were packing to move tion, God tells his people: “Behold, I make my family, my friends and my staff immigrate labor, it seems that we from New Jersey to a new job in Florida. all things new.” Certainly, there is the that this is going to be a wonderful should be passionate about finding Since we were paying our own moving sacramental act of reconciliation. As vital year. I’m both hopeful and optimistic, a just solution to this complex and costs, I decided to lighten the load. (Those as that can be, God offers more in the way but so many variables may be able to controversial problem. per-pound charges do add up, you know.) of do-overs for our lives. crush my optimism, even though my If you don’t know anything about In a fit of foolishness, or perhaps insan- Neither astrology nor fortune-telling hope will remain constant. immigration, get on the Internet and ity, I tossed my childhood model trains – a fit into the faith of Catholics. Still, each I’m confident I can keep hope alive read about the plight of the Ameri- Lionel Union Pacific set from 1950 – into January there’s a very human tendency despite some of the potholes in the can farmer and farmworker. This is the trash. Yeah, some other things were to wonder what’s coming. How we do that road ahead. a high-stakes issue for both farmers trashed as well, but nothing has been says a lot about how we see the presence of At the local level, numbers of and workers. missed as much as that train set. Not for God in our lives. people attending weekly church The gorilla sitting in our 2012 any monetary worth, but for its connection Believers in an oppressive God see the liturgies are becoming incrementally “room” is the November election. The to my youth. new year from a fearful perspective. Oth- smaller. This could signal different run-up to the election will be peril- It didn’t take long for me to regret my ers look ahead with hope and a basic sense outcomes for churches: They might ous as we try to separate political foolishness. And I’ve regretted it ever of optimism. be combined or clustered or even fact from fiction. Is “political fact” an since. I regretted it when we had to buy Faith without hope is an empty vessel. closed. oxymoron? a new Christmas train set for our kids. I Likewise, hope without faith is incom- It does not mean fewer people be- We’ll hear and see so many mes- regretted it when the grandkids came to plete. That’s why we traditionally enter lieve in God, but it might signal that sages, and hopefully some of them visit. Mostly, I regretted the persistent a new year with hopeful resolutions to people have become disconnected will be about the issues as opposed reminder of my youthful idiocy. make life better. True, the calendar end from their churches. With so many to negative and destructive com- But for this new year, things are differ- of one year and the beginning of another forms of communication – email, ments that make their way onto ent. is an arbitrary human interpretation of texting, Facebook and Twitter, just the airwaves because a group has Why? Because there’s a bright yellow- a cosmic event. Still, even the calendar to name a few – some, especially enough money to buy airtime. and-gray Lionel double-diesel Union Pa- acknowledges that every 365 days the younger folks, don’t see a need to What passes for political adver- cific locomotive sitting proudly on a shelf world ends and is reborn: It is for us an gather for face-to-face sharing even tising is at best a distortion and at in my home office. It was a gift from my opportunity to put into action the lessons in a faith setting. worst shameful. If you don’t know wife who, weary of hearing me beat myself of faith. That does not bode well for what politicians really stand for, it’s up over my ancient, four-decade-old folly, In this new year, we Catholics will have churches with poor or uninspired timeo t find out. Do real research scoured eBay to find a duplicate. opportunities to help redeem the world leadership competing with a cultural and don’t rely on pundits or so-called The locomotive arrived in time for and make the Gospel come alive with ev- disregard for organized religion. TV commentators to form your opin- Christmas and entranced our little grand- erything from a major election to how we Some churches are initiating ion. daughters as it sped around the tracks treat the least among us. “Catholics Come Home” messages in I hope this year is going to be a beneath our tree. But perhaps more im- Redemption is possible; all I have to do various ways with different degrees great year, filled with joy and pos- portant, her gift healed an open wound in is look at the set of Union Pacific diesels on of success. Just because someone sibly seasoned with sorrow. Let’s my soul and redeemed the foolishness of my shelf and smile at my deliverance. And built “it” at some point in history, meet back here Dec. 22, 2012, to cel- youth. if ever the world needed a faith-connected doesn’t mean people will keep com- ebrate one more prognostication gone It was, in a metaphor acceptable for the do-over, it’s now. ing. wrong. new year, a do-over. The church parish is the place That’s where faith and the sense of the TOM SHERIDAN is a former editor of the where faith and action meet in a very new year intersect: Each is an opportunity Catholic New World, newspaper of the personal way. We’ve just seen how LIZ QUIRIN is editor of The Messenger, for renewal, rebirth and redemption. Archdiocese of Chicago, and a deacon many people have collected, donated, newspaper of the Diocese of Bel- Faith and Scripture are replete with ordained for the Diocese of Joliet, Ill. He fed and reached out to others during leville, Ill. reminders of such redemption. Isaiah even writes from Ocala, Fla. January 25, 2012 The Catholic Commentator 9 Catholic school affordability: Progress made but still a long way to go By Carol Zimmermann private school vouch- “Why do we want tax credits? Is it actions in other states. making our case that we contrib- Catholic News Service ers to low-income stu- To keep these pro- ute to the common good through dents, students with just to keep Catholic schools alive?” grams going and see our schools.” WASHINGTON — When edu- special needs or chil- similar legislation Butler asked what’s holding cational leaders look at ways to dren in failing schools. Michael Guerra passed elsewhere, they Catholics back from “a more ro- make Catholic schools more af- The scholarship tax- Former National Catholic Educational Association president said, Catholic leaders bust and unified effort to enlist fordable, they are happy about credit programs in Ari- need to garner a lot the public’s support for more some of the positive steps that zona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Court upheld the practice of al- more support for tuition tax cred- choice in education” and specu- have been made but fully aware Iowa, Pennsylvania and Rhode lowing Arizona residents to take its from leaders of both parties, lated that Catholics tend to think that there is still a lot to do. Island also are primarily for stu- a tax credit for their donations to the general public and even the locally and look to their church During a recent conference at dents from low-income families or school tuition organizations. Dur- wider Catholic community. parish and diocese for initiative The Catholic University of Amer- those with special needs. ing the 2008 fiscal year more than In a question-and-answer ses- on schools. He also said there has ica, a group of panelists focused Tuition vouchers are funds $54 million in scholarship money sion, Michael Guerra, former Na- not been a lot of national leader- particularly on the status of tu- awarded by a government agency was awarded to students through tional Catholic Educational As- ship on this topic, and “in many ition tax credits and how they to a low-income family to spend at the tax credit program. sociation president, asked: “Why ways we have ceded the issue of have enabled students who would any school of their choice. Tuition “We have made a good deal of do we want tax credits? Is it just to tax credits to libertarian and con- normally not be able to afford tax credits generate scholarships progress in the past 15 years,” said keep Catholic schools alive?” servative think tanks.” Catholic schools to attend them. for Catholic schools by allowing John Schilling, chief operating of- In response to his own ques- Butler said there has been Currently, there are 11 school individuals and businesses to ficer of the American Federation tion, he said that approach “won’t a “hospice mentality” when it voucher programs in the United deduct a portion of their income for Children, a school choice advo- fly” and the real reason to make comes to Catholic schools as States and nine scholarship tax- taxes to donate to education. cacy group. Catholic schools an option for a result of recent closings and credit programs. Some states have These donations can go to public But panel members were not more students is “because they’re wondered if people lacked “confi- more than one program. or private schools. Donations to about to rest on these laurels, good for families and kids.” dence in the long-term survival of The school voucher programs public schools typically help pay and almost all of them at the Similarly, Frank Butler, presi- schools” coupled with a “passive in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, for after-school programs, school conference pointed out that the dent of Foundations and Donors disposition among Catholic laity Ohio, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Utah trips or supplies. successes were not easy and cer- Interested in Catholic Activities, when it comes to taking respon- and the District of Columbia offer Last April, the U.S. Supreme tainly did not guarantee similar said: “We have to do a better job of sibility for the church’s mission.”

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Celebrate Super Bowl XlVI with the # 1 Muffoletta in baton rouge! GUN SAFETY — The PrimeTimers, composed of members 60 years of age and older, of St. Alphonsus Sandwich Trays Catholic Church in Greenwell Springs, hosted a gumbo luncheon Jan. 17. At the luncheon former (Serve up to 20) – Muffoletta; Chief of Police Pat Englade, along with former Chief of Police Greg Phares, spoke on gun safety Roast Beef with Provolone; and how to protect self and property. With Englade, center, are, from left, PrimeTimers committee Turkey with Swiss; Ham and members JoAnn Stein, John Culmone, Barbara Culmone, John Desselle, Shirley LaPorte, Marie Lee, Cheese; or Mix ‘n’ Match them! Vance Thomas, Vercie Mansur and Gilbert Ardoin. Photo provided by Johm Culnonel | St. Alphonsus Catholic Church Try our Meatball or Muffoletta Poyboys too! 10 The Catholic Commentator January 25, 2012

Above: Pro-life advocates from across Louisiana gather in the parking area at the foot of the State Capitol steps to hear church leaders and anti-abortionist speak on the accomplishments that have been made in this state and the work that remains to be done during the Louisiana March for Life 2012. Right: Pink and blue balloons are released in front of the State Capitol to call attention to the number of abortions that take place each day in this state. Photos by Laura Deavers | The Catho- lic Commentator MARCH: Pro-life advocates hear message to trust in God: He creates, sustains, ends life CD or IRA FROM PAGE 1 sang traditional Catholic hymns; “The bottom line is that we are gathered About to Roll rum, the Knights of Columbus and several groups, so far back Over and Play and Louisiana’s Concerned Wom- in the march that they could not here because of our passion for life” Dead? en for America. hear those preaching at the head Two men alternated using a of the cortege, recited the rosary. Reverend Frank Luter Learn the Safe and portable microphone to preach People have passions for many Pastor, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans Secure Way to Earn about saving babies, on the evil of things, said Rev. Fred Luter, pas- Stock Market Linked abortion, and how every abortion tor of the Franklin Avenue Bap- that concluded before noon. They have done to protect life. And all Returns Without affects society, not just the wom- tist Church in New Orleans, the did not let a few rain showers at human beings, no matter how old, Market Risk to Your an who sought the abortion. The primary speaker for the rally. He the beginning of the march deter are protected under our laws and Principal. child aborted never has a chance spoke of people’s passion for poli- them from demonstrating their in our culture.” Call now for a FREE to be born and grow into a per- tics, education, health care, shop- desire to put an end to abortion. U.S. Sen. David Vitter reminded son who can bring love to others ping, computers, food and sports. Standing in the parking area at the crowd that God is asking them copy of the book and use the gifts God would have “The bottom line is that we are the foot of the State Capitol, the to be faithful. “God doesn’t ask us Growth Without given that child for a better world. gathered here because of our pas- marchers clapped loudly when to control things. He asks us to Risk A group of young adults re- sion for life,” said Luter, before Ben Clapper announced: “Last be faithful, and he will take care O’Mire Financial peated “Roe v. Wade has got to speaking about the three reasons week Louisiana was declared the of the rest of it,” Vitter said. “I am go” while another group of young to show God is in control of every- No. 1 pro-life state in the nation confident we will be successful.” Services people sang lyrics to a popular thing and that their role is to let because of the legislation passed Vitter said success would not 1.800.844.3254 song that focuses on life and the God tell them what to do. in this building,” as he pointed to come from the leaders of the importance of it. Older marchers Luter told the crowd to remem- the Capitol behind him. Ameri- march nor the religious leaders, ber that life starts with God, life cans United for Life, a Washing- but because of the people, espe- is sustained by God and life ends ton, D.C.-based lobbying group, cially the young people who had with God, and that they should was the organization that ranked made the march. “Keep work- continue walking for, praying for the states. The rankings were de- ing, keep reaching out,” Vitter Donate & Shop! and demonstrating for life. termined according to the states’ instructed. “You have changed

“When you die, God will re- policies on abortion, euthanasia the hearts and minds of many in We need your donations of member what you did for the and stem-cell research. Louisiana.” clothing, household items, furnishings unborn child — what you did for Clapper then told of a young Marsha Schexnayder, founder and appliances! We gladly accept life,” ended Luter. woman who went to an abor- of Life After Choice, a Bible study Since the bishops of Louisiana tion clinic in New Orleans the for women who have had an abor- furnishings in good condition. Call our are in Rome for their ad limina week before the rally. Because of tion, spoke to the crowd about the pick-up service at (225) 267-5447 to visit at the Vatican with Pope a Louisiana law that requires a guilt she felt after aborting her make your furniture donation. Also, Benedict XVI, Bishop Dominic woman seeking an abortion to be first child to save her own life and Carmon, retired auxiliary bishop offered the opportunity to see the asking God to forgive her. When you never know what you’ll find at St. of New Orleans, gave the open- sonogram of the baby she plans to she had a revelation that God had Vincent de Paul – from antiques to ing prayer, asking that those who abort, the woman chose to keep forgiven her, she began helping collectibles, furniture, appliances and make laws will understand their her baby when she saw the heart women who have experienced the responsibility is to do what they beating and the child’s 10 fingers same emptiness and loneliness clothing galore. All proceeds benefit can to protect every stage of hu- and 10 toes. from their abortion. the needy through St. Vincent de Paul man life, including the unborn. “It would have been legal for As pink and blue balloons were charitable programs. Some participants had driven her to kill this child,” said Clap- released into the warm breeze, the three hours to attend the march per. “Now this child will have crowd began to disperse to contin- that began at 10 a.m. and the rally a birthday because of what you ue their work of saving the unborn. January 25, 2012 The Catholic Commentator 11 Pro-lifers wear their convictions on colorful T-shirts, sweatshirts

By Julie Asher pro-lifers as they walked toward A group of young people from Catholic News Service the March for Life rally on the Na- the Diocese of Victoria, Texas, tional Mall near the Smithsonian stood near the speakers’ plat- WASHINGTON — Mark Hos- Castle. From the castle, the Wash- form. They were all wearing yel- bein stood on the corner of a busy ington Monument in one direc- low hooded sweatshirts with this Washington intersection under tion and the Capitol in the other message on the back: “Death Roe the steady rain Jan. 23 with a were barely visible, as they were Survivor.” The slogan was cre- small duffle bag at his feet and a shrouded in fog. ated by 16-year-old Ted Wenske, simple message for passers-by: The weather in Washington a member of St. Joseph Church in “Please consider spiritually adopt- was uncooperative, with intermit- Moulton, Texas. He was there, he ing an unborn baby who is in dan- tent rain and temperatures hover- said, “because life from the mo- ger of abortion.” ing in the high 30s. ment of conception to death is sa- Handing a reporter one of But as most years when the cred. Life should always be treated his brochures, Hosbein said as weather was bad, the tens of thou- with respect.” president of Hearts For Life, he sands of pro-lifers, a majority of Ashley Martinez, 13, of Po- is following the lead of the late them high school and college age, tomac Oaks, Md., admitted that Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, who were undeterred, descending on her parents had made her attend, promoted the idea of spiritual the nation’s capital to mark the Cameron Walton, 15, of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Keller, Texas, but she said she does believe the adoptions for the unborn years 39th anniversary of the Roe v. prays the rosary at the Verizon Center in Washington Jan. 23. Thou- nation “should stop abortion be- ago. Wade decision legalizing abortion. sands of young people gathered at two Washington arenas to rally and cause it’s bad. It’s a human life.” People who commit to such an As they streamed toward the pray before taking part in the annual March for Life. Photo by Gregory A. Sh- Boston University junior Brad adoption agree to pray once a day rally site from various points, emitz | CNS Agostinelli of Rochester, N.Y., said for a year for an unborn child, he rallygoers carried signs that de- he has grown in his Catholic faith explained. “Our belief is God will clared their pro-life views. Among balloons that simply said “Life.” the day ahead by the Mass cele- over the past couple of years and save the life of the baby. It’s a sim- the messages were: “Adoption is Near the rally site stood Erin brated that morning by Cardinal- his belief that abortion is wrong ple and powerful devotion.” an option,” “Every time a baby is Connelly from the Syracuse, N.Y., designate Timothy M. Dolan of has only grown stronger. Hosbein, a member of St. Law- aborted, love is denied,” “Praying area, who was wearing a hand- New York at the Basilica of the Na- Heather Wilson, 28, a member rence Church in Indianapolis, for a culture of life” and “If it’s not made sandwich board that de- tional Shrine of the Immaculate of a nondenominational Christian said in the past five or six years, a baby, you’re not pregnant.” clared: “Save the baby humans!” Conception. church in Pennsylvania, held a his organization has passed out One woman wrote her message A member of St. Patrick Church in She said she doesn’t know sign that said, “Stop unborn pain.” 100,000 of his brochures. on the back of her yellow rain pon- Chittnengo, Connelly said it was about other communities but in She told CNS, “I’m here to put He was among several people cho: “God is pro-life: Thou shalt her second rally and march. Chittnengo, N.Y, there is a lot of my feet in the direction of what my handing out signs and literature to not kill.” One group carried yellow She said she was inspired for respect for life. heart believes.” RALLY: Love shown for country and pre-born children FROM PAGE 1 children. We also love the abor- abortion decision. She told the crowd that their tionists we’re trying to educate.” Just as the Nuremberg trials consistency in showing up in She called for Roe to be over- after World War II “taught us such great numbers to mark each turned “without any exception” genocide is a crime against hu- of the 39 anniversaries since the and urged unity “on the life manity,” the federal government Roe v. Wade decision legalized principles” she and her organi- must understand that abortion abortion “shows we love our zation have espoused since the is “a crime against humanity,” country and love our pre-born Supreme Court handed down its said Gray.

ATTORNEYS AT LAW 270 S. Sharp Road • Baton Rouge, LA 70815 • (225) 924-7597 JAMES R. COXE, III and ASSOCIATES Personal Injury General Practice AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS WILLS and SUCCESSIONS WRONGFUL DEATH CORPORATIONS PRODUCT LIABILITY SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY SEAMAN/HARBOR WORKERS CLAIMS REAL ESTATES MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CRIMINAL DEFENSE BISHOPS AT VATICAN — U.S. bishops from southern states concelebrate Mass in the crypt of St. Peter’s Family Law Personal Bankruptcy Basilica Jan. 23 at the Vatican. Bishops from Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky Notary in Office were beginning their “ad limina” visits to report on the status of their dioceses to the pope and Vatican TELEPHONE (225) 924-7597 officials. Pictured in the front row from left are Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky.; Archbishop “In Home Consultations on Request” Thomas J. Rodi of Mobile, Ala.; retired Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes of New Orleans; and Bishop David R. Choby of Nashville, Tenn. Bishop Robert W. Muench of Baton Rouge is on the fourth row. Photo by Robert Duncan | CNS 12 The Catholic Commentator YOUTH January 25, 2012 HFS science fair features 75 projects Students in sixth, seventh and Medicine and health: Jennifer and Andrew Bradley and Landen eighth grades participated in Windham and Anna Padgett, Gremillion, third place. Holy Family School’s science fair first place; and Kelly Marks and Earth and Environmental Sci- on Jan. 13. Mason Loup, second place. ences: Kelsie Courville and Anne Twelve representatives from Botany: Allee Thibodeaux, first Marie Herring, first place; Reed Ascension Parish Public Schools, place; Olivia McKnight, second Callegan and Mitchell Roe, sec- Dow Chemical Company, East Ba- place; and Abigail Courville and ond place; and Garrett Grissom ton Rouge Parish Public Schools, Madeleine Simpson, third place. and Aaron Lamotte, third place. Our Lady of Mercy School, and Zoology: Trenton Shows and Chemistry: Silver Effler and Pointe Coupée Electric judged 75 Austin Lambert, first place; Abigail Hemba, first place; Zack- projects in eight different catego- Breck Mayeux and Skylar Ben- ary Hurst and Zachary Langlois, ries. oit, second place; and Mackenzie second place; and Walter Barker, Students explained their proj- Jarreau and Alyssa Landry, third Aaron Peavy and Abram Haynes, ects to the judges. place. third place. The overall winner was Antho- Behavioral and Social Sciences: Physics: Drake Dugas and Ra- ny Bueche. Lynn Brown and Chloe Bergeron, phael Eaglin, first place; Logan Other winners include: first place; Amanda Distefano Caillouet, second place; and Tré Math: Julie Louque, first place. and Stevie Lejeune, second place; Dupont, third place.

HONORS CHOIR — Eight Holy Ghost School students were selected by audition to participate in the District 9 Honor Choirs along with other young musicians from St. Tammany, Washington and Tan- BLEEDING PURPLE AND GOLD – St. Michael High School stu- gipahoa civil parishes. The ensembles presented a standing-room-only concert at Ponchatoula High dents, faculty and staff participated in the True Tiger Fans School on Jan. 21. Louisiana Music Educators Association members traveled from across the state to Bleed Purple and Gold Blood Drive to benefit Our Lady of the lead the three honor choirs: elementary, junior and senior high. Holy Ghost Junior High Choir mem- Lake Regional Medical Center on Jan. 12 at the school. Donat- bers chosen to sing are, from left, Alexis Theriot, Elizabeth Martinez, Madeline Labbe, Agustin Cayere, ing blood are Molly Kelly, front, and Josh Ambeau. Photo provided Isabel Bolner, Morgan Watts, Laura Anthon and Holy Ghost music teacher Dr. Gina Anthon. Jacob by St. Michael High School Anthon was selected for the elementary choir. Photo provided by Holy Ghost School

JUNIOR BETA DAY – Ten Junior Beta Club members at St. John School attended the Junior Beta Day held at Plaquemine High School on Jan. 14. Students from throughout District 7, which includes schools from West Feliciana, Pointe Coupée, West Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge and Iberville civil parishes, com- peted in various subject areas to show their mastery of academics and the arts. The students from St. John competed in the banner, T-shirt, poster, English, math, speech, science and social studies contests. St. John participants are, from left, front row, Gabrielle Schnebelen, Casey Curry, Sophia Tempanaro, Blanche Gallagher; and back row, Madison Schnebelen, Kyndal Guillory, Olivia Ledet, Payton Passanti- no, Peyton Voisin and Jerry Uong. Photo provided by Donna Kirkland | St. John School January 25, 2012 YOUTH The Catholic Commentator 13 SJA Student Council members go to convention You are not your role

Eleven members of the St. Jo- ’d like to introduce you to an seph’s Academy Student Coun- author named Ken Follett. cil participated in the Louisiana IYou may know him already Association of Student Councils – he’s a writer of best-selling (LASC) Convention, held Jan. 14- thrillers. So it surprises a lot of 16 at East Jefferson High School people to find out that his most in Metairie. This year’s conven- popular book isn’t a thriller; it’s tion theme was “Destination a historical epic about a monk Leadership.” building a cathedral. SJA was honored as a Gold In his preface to this novel, Honor Council, the highest dis- “The Pillars of the Earth,” tinction a council can receive. Follett talks about how much The academy’s council was also he loves to visit old cathedrals recognized for a $500 donation and hear the stories about how to this year’s LASC state charity, they were built, and how he was Coming of Age Hope for Animals. afraid that very few of his fans Council members placed third would read the book simply Karen Osborne in the video contest and partici- St. Joseph’s Academy students, from left, Daniela Hurtado, Brittany because it was such a departure pated in the poster and umbrella Mitchell, Mary Rolfsen, Mathilde Silverberg and Kassidy Noto show from what he usually wrote. United States alone. You don’t competitions. Other convention some of the awards the SJA Student Council won at the Louisiana As- Follett had been typecast need to worry, either. highlights were student- and sociation of Student Councils Convention. Photo provided by St. Joseph’s Acade- – he was so strongly identified In high school, some want to expert-led seminars and idea my with writing thrillers that some typecast you as the roles they exchanges, a district board meet- people in his life felt his fans see in television and the mov- ing, elections, an awards ceremo- the table, and sharing the experi- we got from other schools at the would reject his cathedral book. ies – the queen bee, the jock or ny and a “Who Dat” dance. ence with more than 800 of my convention,” Rolfsen said. We usually hear about “being the nerd. People are much more Senior Anna Aguillard, who fellow council members made the Senior Kassidy Noto called the typecast” in reference to Hol- complicated and beautiful than serves as LASC District III sec- experience all the more enrich- convention a great experience. lywood actors and actresses. that. Listen to that complicated retary, said the convention was ing.” “Not only did I get awesome ideas Adam Sandler and Jim Carrey feeling – that voice that says to inspirational. “LASC was an in- Senior Mary Rolfsen said she for Student Council from other are typecast as bumbling com- break out of your type now and credible way to share ideas with enjoyed spending the weekend students in Louisiana, but LASC edy guys in most of their films. again. other schools from all over Loui- with her fellow council members gave me an opportunity to meet Regular people get typecast, Try that new activity. Wear siana,” she said. “Even the small- as well as like-minded students awesome people that I would nev- too. that new outfit. Say hello to that est schools implemented great from across the state. er have met otherwise,” she said. Some think the football new friend. ideas that our council has never “I’m excited to apply the lead- “I hope to bring some of the new quarterback is stupid because he People are made to learn and thought of. It was so interest- ership lessons we learned to ideas from LASC to St. Joseph’s spends so much time at prac- grow, and we can’t do that if we ing to see what all of the schools SJA council and look forward to and leave Student Council with tice and gets Cs on his English typecast ourselves and others across Louisiana could bring to hopefully using some ideas that many options for the future.” essays. What they don’t see is into roles that limit and restrain. him working with a tutor and Write your own cathedral studying to raise his grades for book, whatever that may be! college. We know now that Follett OSBORNE contributes to “Coming needn’t have worried about of Age,” a CNS column series for being typecast. “Pillars of the and about youth. She writes for Earth” sells about 100,000 cop- The Evangelist, newspaper of ies a year in paperback in the the Diocese of Albany, N.Y. ASSION P WITH

ANDCRAFTED , H , NOWLEDGE K

PATRON SAINT OF ECOLOGY – On Jan. 6, to honor St. Kateri, patron saint of ecology, Holy Ghost Showroom – 6032 Crestmount Drive, Baton Rouge, La. OF School first-grade students placed crosses among the plants and trees in the Holy Ghost prayer gar- den. Planting the crosses are, from left, Karli Balado, Sadie Mitchell, Abby Davis, Bryce Simoneaux ORN

and Colin Amerson. Photo provided by Holy Ghost School B Custom made New Orleans-Style Shutters, Vieux Carre Commission Approved. Carre Commission Custom made New Orleans-Style Shutters, Vieux 14 The Catholic Commentator ENTERTAINMENT January 25, 2012

a film that is at turns zany and hilarious, The Devil Inside Motion Picture Association of America sad and affecting, uplifting and inspiring. (Paramount) MOVIE ratings: G – General audiences; all ages admitted One obscene hand gesture, two scenes of Director and co-writer William Brent PG – Parental guidance suggested; some attempted suicide. A-III; PG-13 Bell’s eye-poppingly bad, grotesque exor- REVIEWS material may not be suitable for children cism outing combines inept storytelling USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting PG-13 – Parents are strongly cautioned Red Tails with a lazy, sullen antagonism toward classifications: to give special guidance for attendance (Fox) the Catholic Church. Keen to know what A-I – General patronage of children under 13; some material may Flag-waving hokum about the all-black provoked her mother (Suzan Crowley) to A-II – Adults and adolescents be inappropriate for young children 332nd Fighting Group of the Army Air murder two priests and a nun during an A-III – Adults R – Restricted; under 17 requires accom- Forces during World War II. What director exorcism 20 years earlier, a plucky docu- A-IV – Adults, with reservations panying parent or adult guardian Anthony Hemingway obviously intended as mentary maker (Fernanda Andrade) jets L – Limited adult audience NC-17 – No one under 17 admitted O – Morally offensive an enthusiastic fact-based homage to great- off to Rome in search of answers, accom- est-generation patriotism instead comes panied by her faithful cameraman (Ionut off as shallow and cliché storytelling about Grama). They eventually join forces with a famed group of Tuskegee Airmen (includ- two renegade clergymen (Simon Quar- Haywire lence and gunplay, brief gore, an implied ing Terrence Howard, Tristan Wildes, Cuba terman and Evan Helmuth) who conduct (Relativity) nonmarital encounter, at least one use of Gooding Jr. and Marcus T. Paulk). Exten- unsanctioned exorcisms for the ostensible Fairly suspenseful but frequently brutal profanity and of rough language, some sive aerial combat violence, an instance of benefit of those the “institutional” church espionage thriller about a lethal operative crude terms, an obscene gesture. L; R implied premarital sex, fleeting crude and refuses to help. Anti-Catholic animus, a (played by mixed martial arts fighter Gina crass language. A-III; PG-13 fallacious presentation of church teaching Carano) who becomes a fugitive after being The Artist and practice, implied acceptance of abor- betrayed during an assignment. Trying his (Weinstein) Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close tion, rare but intensely gory violence, a few hand at yet another cinematic genre, direc- A modern-made silent film proves to (Warner Bros.) uses of profanity, and frequent rough and tor Steven Soderbergh deploys a novice lead be a breath of fresh air without uttering a Devastated by the sudden loss of his de- occasional crude language. O; R actress and a clutch of seasoned supporting word. A dashing star of the silent screen voted father (Tom Hanks), a victim of the players (including Ewan McGregor, Michael (Jean Dujardin) plays every role with pa- terrorist attacks of 9/11, an introverted grade Joyful Noise Douglas and Antonio Banderas) with his nache: the handsome lover, the swash- schooler (Thomas Horn) sets out to identify (Warner Bros.) usual stylistic aplomb, although the result buckling hero, the athletic comedian with the purpose of a mysterious key he discov- Vibrant, faith-driven blend of comedy, is neither substantive nor original. More- a sidekick Jack Russell terrier. But Holly- ers among his dad’s belongings. His quest drama and music focused on the some- over, the protagonist’s merciless reaction wood is changing, and the arrival of the gains him the friendship of the traumatized times raucous but ultimately friendly rival- to her situation is morally culpable, even “talkies” presages his decline. Meanwhile, German immigrant (Max von Sydow) who ry between two leading members (Queen after allowing for the life-and-death nature an adoring fan (Berenice Bejo) gets her big lodges with his grandmother and ultimately Latifah and Dolly Parton) of a small-town of international spying and covert military break in show business and becomes des- brings him closer to his seemingly grief- Georgia church choir. As the chorus com- operations. Much fierce hand-to-hand vio- tined for stardom. Their paths intersect in paralyzed mom (Sandra Bullock). Director petes for regional and national recognition, Stephen Daldry’s grim drama, adapted from the free-spirited, mildly prodigal grand- the best-selling novel by Jonathan Safran son (Jeremy Jordan) of Parton’s character Foer, focuses on community, shared suf- falls for the strictly reared daughter (Keke fering and familial solidarity as it upholds Palmer) of Latifah’s. Though it gives a pass positive, humanistic values. But the main to an incidental out-of-wedlock fling, and character’s eccentricities – he may or may showcases some humor and vocabulary not have a mild form of autism – and the dif- that make it unsuitable for youngsters, fuse nature of his search, which brings him writer-director Todd Graff’s otherwise into contact with a whole series of strangers, uplifting celebration of traditional values makes it difficult for viewers to establish emphasizes trust in God and illustrates a sense of connection with his plight, and the positive effects of compassionate and renders his story, for the most part, more forgiving behavior. A premarital situation, emotionally trying than cathartic. Mature occasional sexual references and jokes, themes, some disturbing images, a trans- about a half-dozen crude expressions, vestite character, a couple of crude terms, some crass language. A-III; PG-13 occasional vulgar wordplay. A-III; PG-13 Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy Contraband (Focus) (Universal) The hunt is on for a double agent within Expletive-laden, dispiriting crime thrill- Britain’s intelligence service in this faithful er about an ex-smuggler (Mark Wahlberg) adaptation of John le Carré’s best-selling forced to ply his illicit trade once more in or- 1974 novel, set at the height of the Cold War der to protect his family from a drug dealer. between East and West. A loyal lieutenant Set in New Orleans, and in the shipping lanes (Gary Oldman) of the agency’s chief (John between the Crescent City and Panama, this Hurt) is sacked when a covert mission to Hollywood retread of a 2008 Nordic movie find the mole goes awry. Secretly rehired immediately bogs down in vulgar language, and commissioned to ferret out the traitor, while director Baltasar Kormakur, who he identifies four principal suspects (Toby starred in and produced the original, fails Jones, Colin Firth, Ciaran Hinds, David to provide any depth or to exploit the rela- Dencik). Swedish director Tomas Alfred- tively novel crime scenario. Adding insult son sets a deliberately slow pace, especially to injury, Aaron Guzikowski’s script shows for an espionage thriller. But amid all the its putative hero profiting from his escapade stimulating conversations and lengthy ru- and thus transmits a false message about minations, his film also includes elements the consequences of felonious behavior and severely circumscribing its appropriate au- a supposed immunity from ethical corrup- dience. Bloody violence including gunplay tion. Skewed values, much lethal but only and torture, a scene of nonmarital sexual moderately graphic violence, one instance of activity, brief rear nudity, a homosexual drug use, some profanity, pervasive rough, reference, some profane and rough lan- crude and crass language. O; R guage. L; R January 25, 2012 ENTERTAINMENT The Catholic Commentator 15 By God’s grace, the world is a remarkable place 1234 56789 11120 131 41 51 61

71 81 91

The World As I See It 210 2 22

The world as I see it is a remarkable place; From a bird’s eye view I can see, you are 32 42 265 2 A beautiful house in the forest, of stars in just like me 72 2289310 3 outer space; From a bird’s eye view, I can see it has a well-rounded personality; From (Repeat refrain.) 332 343 53 63 a bird’s eye view, I can see that we are all 73 83 93 family You are the mountain, you are the rock; You are the cord and you’re the spark; You 04 14 24 Refrain: are the eagle, you are the lark; You are the 443 4 54 It is not hard for me to love you; Hard for world and you’re remarkable; You’re the me to love you: No, it’s not a difficult thing; ocean eating the shore; You are the calm 64 74 498 405 It’s not hard for me to love me; Hard for me inside the storm; You’re every emotion, to love you; Because you are the world to you can endure; You are the world and the 521 535 554 5 me world is yours 65 587 5 95

Yeah, the world as I see it is a remarkable (Repeat refrain.) 06 16 26 place; Every man makes a difference and 36 46 56 every mother’s child is a saint; From a bird’s Yeah, the world as I see it, is a remarkable eye view, we are spiraling down in gravity; place moc.scilohtacrofsemagdrow.www ACROSS 5 Anno ___ 1 Jesuits’ motto (abbr.) 6 ___ in the Garden Sung by Jason Mraz | Copyright © 2011 by Atlantic Records/ ATG 5 Russian country house 7 Overfill 10 Thrill 8 Pronoun 14 Polish site 9 Balaam spoke to one (Num 15 Leers 22:28) ason Mraz’s new album is always gives grace, and with the 16 To him, to Pierre 10 ___ Tekakwitha, “Lily of the due out early this year. Pre- power to learn, you enter each 17 Pleasing Mohawks” 18 Wuthering Heights setting 11 Hip bones Jreleased off it as an MP3 present day with the chance 19 Fastens a knot 12 One who prompts download last fall is “The World to do differently. All of this is 20 Incessant 13 Judas betrayed Jesus with 22 Toothed wheels one As I See It.” As the title suggests, in God’s plan for your life, and 23 Energy-saving light source 21 Jazz musician and Catholic the song prompts each one of us thus, once more, you are loved. 24 Some convert Brubeck to ask: How do I see the world? Sometimes, real suffering 25 Equipment 22 Women 27 Benedict’s number 25 Jesus spoke of separating Much of how one interprets enters our lives with such sur- 28 Small gland these from the sheep in life or what one thinks of the prise and intensity that it seems 32 A knife is named after this Matthew 25 world depends on where he or to swallow up all of our future. Catholic defender of the Alamo 26 Old cloth measures Such circumstances often bring 35 Clock faces 27 Number of apostles, in Roman she looks. For the song’s charac- 36 His wife was turned to salt numerals sadness and genuine grief. We ter, it all begins with his dating 37 Commander of the army who 28 Commandment that forbids need time to go through recov- was made king over Israel (1 killing partner. ery from loss, but God’s will is Kings 16:16) 29 Adam was made from this He tells her that the “world 38 Liverpool elevators 30 “…the greatest of these is On The Record toward healing. 39 Molten rock ___” (I Cor 13:13) as I see it is a remarkable If you ask God, you will be 40 Santa ___ winds 31 LAX postings place,” where “every man directed toward a depth of love 41 Trousers 32 Ruth’s second husband (Ruth makes a difference and ev- Charlie Martin that brings healing. Perhaps the 42 Catholic actress and First 4:9–10) Lady of the American Theatre 33 Discontinued Dodge ery mother’s child is a saint.” ache in your heart will not go 43 Wife of Moses 34 Enclose in paper How come he has such a rosy if success is being experienced. away, but the wonder of life will 45 “___ and at the hour of our 35 Sister of Judah reappear in new ways. death. Amen” 38 Zhivago’s love perspective? It flows from his Sure, such outcomes uplift 46 Sister of Rachel 39 The ___ of Moses romance. To him, “it’s not hard one’s perspective, but enduring The guy in the song is for- 47 OT wisdom book 41 Composition in verse tunate. His romance is helping for me to love you because you happiness depends on finding 48 Road service org. 42 Biblical instrument him see with the eyes of love. 51 Husband of Sarai 44 Frogs or locust are the world to me.” the good even when the current Yet he, and you, are always 54 Abominable 45 Biblical hunter Indeed, when life is going circumstances are not what you 56 Military jail 47 Rhone tributary loved, for the love of God is with 57 Mistake 48 Boss monk well and feels full of love, the want. The song’s affirmation you forever. Make sure you keep 59 Wading bird 49 Catholic United States world can be a place full of that “the world is a remarkable looking for this love, and indeed 60 ___ Brummel Supreme Court Justice 61 Musical instrument 50 “The Tortoise and the Hare” wonder. All that is marvelous place” is true no matter what is you will agree, “The world is a 62 Inflict on author and good seems to fill you with occurring. God’s gifts are always remarkable place!” 63 Perry’s creator 51 French clergyman promise and hope. Can such a available to you. It is up to you 64 Targeted (with “in on”) 52 ___ rabbit 65 Riding 53 Monetary unit of Iran positive outlook be sustained, to see them and receive. MARTIN is an Indiana pastoral DOWN 54 Small drink of liquor especially if circumstances You are not bound by any counselor who reviews cur- 1 Declare a marriage invalid 55 Verdi opera 2 The Diocese of Portland is 57 NT epistle change in ways that are not to mistake in the past or failure rent music for Catholic News here 58 “___ Bravo” your preference? to follow an opportunity. God Service. 3 Did a kitchen job Once more, it all comes 4 Small secluded valley Solution on page 18 down to where you place your focus. Admittedly, to see the Shane T. Bennett, CPA, CVA many blessings that God has A Professional Accounting Corporation placed in our world and in your life is clearer when your life is • Income Taxes unfolding as you hoped. • Monthly Bookkeeping Yet, going back to the song’s • Non-Profit Taxation example, the blessings of life do not depend on whether your 3752 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806 romantic partner stays with you. Ph. 225-343-4715, FAX 225-343-4726 Neither do they emerge only if [email protected] your wishes are coming true or 16 The Catholic Commentator VIEWPOINT January 25, 2012 Chastity as purity of heart and intention

o live a chaste life is not easy, not biblical notion of chastity. kind of maturity, hu- to what is privately shared. ... It is not for just for celibates, but for everyone. Jesus does not ask us to man and sexual, that nothing that the early monks and hermits TEven when our actions are all in pray for chastity, he asks fully respects others. In saw sexual renunciation as opening the line, it is still hard to live with a chaste us to pray for “purity of essence, we are praying way to the wider love of God. ... (And) heart, a chaste attitude, and chaste fanta- heart”: Blessed are the pure for a deeper respect, a that there is a tension between fulfill- sies. Purity of heart and intention is very of heart, they shall see God. deeper maturity and a ment and piety should not surprise us in difficult. They also channel their more life-giving love. a world distorted by sin, that is separated Why? Chastity is difficult because we sexuality properly. And this is a much- from God. But we have to avoid turning are so incurably sexual in every pore of What is purity of heart? needed prayer in our this into a constitutive incompatibility.” our being. And that is not a bad thing. To be pure of heart is to lives because sexuality Unfortunately, that is forever what both It’s God’s gift. Far from being something relate to others and the is so powerful that even the secular world and Christian spiritual- dirty and antithetical to our spiritual world in a way that respects inside of a marriage ity (without a proper understanding of lives, sexuality is God’s great gift, God’s and honors the full dignity, relationship sexuality chastity) struggle not to do. holy fire, inside us. And so the longing for value and destiny of every In Exile can still have an inten- Given the power of sexuality inside consummation is a conscious or inchoate person and everything. To tionality that is not wide us, and given the power of our human coloring underlying most every action in be pure of heart is to see Father Ron Rolheiser enough. drives and yearnings in general, it is not our lives. others as God sees them. Charles Taylor, in his easy to live a chaste life. It is even more And so it is hard to pray for chastity Purity of heart would have book, “A Secular Age,” difficult, and rare, to have a chaste spirit, because to pray for it, seemingly, is to pray us loving others with their good (and not argues the point that sex too easily loses a chaste heart, chaste daydreams and that sexual yearning and sexual energy our own) in mind. Karl Rahner suggests the big picture and becomes narrow in its chaste intentions. Our hearts want what should lessen within us or disappear alto- that we are pure of heart when we see focus, a point that is often missed in our they want and pressure us to ignore the gether. And who wants to live an asexual others against an infinite horizon: namely, understanding of it: “I am not trying to consequences. We can easily feel a certain and neutered life? No healthy person inside of a vision that sees the other’s be condescending about our ancestors, repugnance to praying for chastity. But wants this. Thus, if you are healthy, it is dignity, individuality, life, dreams and because I think that there is a real tension that is largely because we do not under- hard to put your heart into praying for sexuality within the biggest ambiance of involved in trying to combine in one life stand chastity properly: It is not a deaden- chastity because, deep down, nobody all, God’s eternal plan. Purity of heart is sexual fulfillment and piety. This is only ing of the heart, a stripping away of our wants to be asexual. purity of intention and full respect in love. in fact one of the points at which a more sexuality, but a deeper maturity that lets But the problem is not with chastity When we understand chastity in this general tension, between human flour- our sexual energies flow out in a more but with our understanding of it. To be way, we can more easily pray for it. In ishing in general and dedication to God, life-giving way. chaste does not mean that we become this understanding we are not praying makes itself felt. That this tension should asexual (though spirituality has forever to have our sexual energies deadened, be particularly evident in the sexual Oblate Father ROLHEISER, theologian, teacher struggled to not make that equation). we are praying instead to remain fully domain is readily understandable. Intense and award-winning author, is president Chastity is not about denying our sexual- red-blooded but with our sexual ener- and profound sexual fulfillment focuses of the Oblate School of Theology in San ity but about properly channeling it. To gies, intentions, and daydreams properly us powerfully on the exchange within the Antonio, Texas. He can be contacted be chaste is to be pure of heart. That’s the channeled. We are praying, too, for the couple; it strongly attaches us possessively through his website ronro lheiser.com. One step is better than none

ompared to what really is needed for compre- little enthusiasm for hensive immigration law reform, what came is Those who see immigration politicians to touch the Csimilar to replacing only a second-floor window legislation as a federal issue – not politically toxic ques- on a house that is in need of total rehabilitation. tion. Yet any step, no matter how small, such as the hard- The Catholic ship waiver proposed by the Obama administration a state issue – hope the Supreme Church in the United earlier this month, is a welcome one. States opposes an en- The waiver benefits those families in which some Court will emphasize the “united” forcement-only policy members are U.S. citizens and others are not. Rather and wants to welcome than requiring the noncitizens to return to their home of the United States of America. foreigners “out of country for as long as 10 years before applying for legal charity and respect for U.S. residency, they would be allowed to return almost when Congress repeatedly lacks the will and courage to the human person.” immediately to the United States after obtaining visas in take up the topic. It equally recognizes their home country. Congress has two very strong walls shielding it from the duty to secure the The effect is to shorten the time in which family having to even consider immigration reform until some- border and enforce the Consider This members are separated. The change could affect as time in 2013 ­— if then. law for the sake of the many as 100,000 undocumented people. All action is on hold while the U.S. Supreme Court common good. Stephen Kent The recognition of family reunification is a necessary considers the constitutionality of an Arizona law placing Both must be part ingredient of a comprehensive reform to the nation’s im- restrictions on immigrants and requirements on law of a comprehensive migration law. enforcement to investigate immigration status. immigration reform policy, which unfortunately re- This is not the first time that executive rule-making The case is to be heard in April, with a decision ex- mains well out of reach. has been used to lessen the harmful effect of immigra- pected before the court’s summer adjournment. The high The dignity of the human person has been called tion law. Under new rules adopted by the Obama ad- court ruling could affect similar legislation passed in a primary doctrine of the church. If that can’t be im- ministration in 2011, deportation is reserved for felons, Alabama, Utah, Georgia, Indiana and South Carolina. mediately respected by law, then continue to chip away national security risks or repeat immigration offenders. Those who see immigration legislation as a federal piece by piece until it is. Each step to achieve that goal Undocumented immigrants guilty of only minor legal issue – not a state issue – hope the Supreme Court will is to be applauded. violations and who have long and substantial ties in the emphasize the “united” of the United States of America. United States would have their deportation cases set aside. With presidential and congressional campaigns Kent, now retired, was editor of archdiocesan news- Such piecework is no substitute for a comprehensive peaking in the summer and fall, even if the court papers in Omaha and Seattle. He can be contacted at: national policy, but in the meantime it will have to do upholds federal mandate, there will be less than a [email protected]. January 25, 2012 VIEWPOINT The Catholic Commentator 17 | letterS to the editor New Mass translation challenges priest Children should be fter approximately six weeks of pray- text of the Mass. A good Catholic now can applauded for helping others ing aloud the new translation of the remember the Vatican II phrase and under- Aliturgy of the Mass, I have come to a stand what consubstantial means. Anne LaRose’s letter to the editor in the few conclusions. First, the people have their The Eucharistic prayer has some changes, Dec. 14 issue of The Catholic Commentator part down a lot better than we priests do. too, just enough to make sure that today’s broke my heart. LaRose wanted to admon- Of course there are fewer changes in your celebrant reads the text carefully rather than ish a Catholic school that its donation to a na- responses. The dialogue parts are not really keeping eye contact with the congregation. tional cancer organization may have gone to difficult on either side. After more than 40 An example is “chalice” (“he took the chalice”) another questionable organization. years of using the Vatican II translation, I had from the Latin calicem. The Vatican II trans- Isn’t our job as Catholics to teach our chil- the priest’s part of the dialogue memorized, lation had “cup,” which is found in most Bible dren to reach out to others and help when and could make it more personal with a few translations of the Lord’s Supper. and where we can? Some of those students ad-libs if circumstances suggested doing so. In the consecration prayer the priest also may have or have had mothers, aunts, grand- For the time being, at least, I now have to read has to remember to say Christ died “for mothers or neighbors who have suffered my part of the dialogue as I try to memorize many” instead of the Vatican II translation from cancer. Their donation was their way that. As the Dalai Lama once said, “One has Another “for all,” even though in seminary we learned of putting their faith into action. An article to learn and understand the rules very well that he did die for all humankind. It’s just that by Liz Quirin in the same issue of The Com- before one can break them appropriately.” Perspective the Latin translation of the Mass uses “mul- mentator stated this beautifully. She says we The three invocation prayers (following tis” (“many” or “the many”). In time these live in a multifaith society, and we are called “Let us pray”) at the beginning of Mass, the Father John Carville changes will become automatic. I hope so, to be Christ for others. Offertory and immediately after Communion because the good thing, I felt, about praying I applaud the Most Blessed Sacrament stu- are real tongue twisters and extend a single the Mass in the vernacular was that as priest- dents and hope adults in the Catholic Church sentence into one whole paragraph. Catholic masters of Eng- presider, I was praying with and for the people. It was good to will continue to remind children that we, like lish like Graham Greene, Evelyn Waugh and Thomas Merton look at you and not have to read too much of the Mass. Jesus, are here to serve others. Let us remem- cannot be resting too easily in their graves. It really does take The important thing as we try to adapt is to reflect on the ber the words of the Prayer of St. Francis of As- careful preparation and focused attention when reading to meaning of the Mass. At the Last Supper, Jesus gave us a very sisi, “it is in giving that we receive … and it is in make the phrasing intelligible with all of the “who’s,” “that’s” ingenious action, a sacred ritual for a community, in which we dying (to self) that we are born to eternal life.” and “we-pray’s” interjected into the one long prayer sentence. could continue to experience union with him and our church. For me it seems like 45 years ago in my first assignment at He asked us to keep doing this ritual until he came again, and Susan J. Lambert St. Joseph Cathedral when the Mass was first translated into through it we would know what it means to be a Christian and Baton Rouge, La. English. It took a lot of preparation then, too, although it was would experience his presence as our strength and our life. a thrill to know that the people understood the Mass much If we eat and drink the Eucharist together until Jesus Foundation affiliate responds better than they had in Latin. returns, we will have the heart of his message, a new covenant The Creed that we recite together on Sundays has a few based on love and divine union with him. Each time we do I am writing to respond to a post on your minor changes of words, the most distinguishable being “con- this, we renew our covenant commitment, which in Paul’s website dated Dec. 15 regarding programs substantial” in place of “one in being with the Father.” That words is to “do what I can to make up in my own body all that funded by the Baton Rouge Affiliate of Susan is not hard to remember if the priest stayed awake during his still has to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body the G. Komen for the Cure®. Neither the Komen dogma classes in the seminary. It emphasizes a phrase that church” (Col 1:24). Baton Rouge affiliate nor any of the other was crucial in the first ecumenical council at Nicea in 325 five Louisiana Komen affiliates fund grants A.D. Both references to the divinity of Christ mean the same, Father Carville is a retired priest of the Diocese of Baton for breast cancer screening services through but consubstantial is more historical and is used in the Latin Rouge. Planned Parenthood. Our affiliate has awarded $2.4 million over the past 16 years to health agencies in our 10-civil parish service area, including $547,000 New translation of the missal has repercussions in 2011-2012. A listing of our current grantees can be found at komenbatonrouge.org. ome like it, some couldn’t care less, while others pattern is sometimes bro- Louisiana has one of the highest rates in dislike it. If anything, the new language at Mass has ken by awkward, subor- the nation of deaths due to breast cancer, al- Spriests and the congregation paying more attention dinate phrases that create though the number of women diagnosed in to what they are saying. It can’t be rattled off, due to the disconnects between the our state is below the national average. This complex grammatical constructions. beginning of the thought means many Louisiana women are dying On the positive side, some revised images such as “sup- and its conclusion. simply because their cancer was not detected per of the lamb,” and the reply “And with your spirit,” add Despite the outrage and early enough. We are committed to changing deeper meaning to what is being prayed. For example, “And awkwardness, the introduc- this scenario and to helping make a lifesaving with your spirit,” moves us beyond the colorless “you” to tion of the new language has impact for women and their families. the romantic concept of “spirit,” drawing us deeper into the had lighter moments. I had dynamic life within us. to smile when one priest got Janet Dewey-Kollen As with any change, there is always a shaking up. One to the Our Father and said, Baton Rouge, La. of its blessings is to help us break worn-out habits and “Don’t worry folks, this is The Human Side develop more meaningful ones. When we celebrated Mass the same prayer we have in Latin, some priests would slur and run through it with- always been reciting; they Father Eugene Hemrick L etters to the Editor out much reverence. It had become a mechanical exercise didn’t fiddle with it.” Letters to the Editor should be typed instead of a respected sacred language. Whether we are in sync, concentrating more on what we and limited to 350 words and should On the flip side of the coin, several priests and bishops are praying and finally getting used to the new language mat- contain the name and address of the with whom I have talked have expressed outrage over the ters little. The main thing is whether these changes will draw writer, though the address will not be awkwardness of the new language. I must concur, after us closer to the awesome mystery of the Mass we are celebrat- printed. We reserve the right to edit all having heard several priests stumble through it. ing. letters. Send to: Letters to the Editor, I would be among them were it not that I play the violin. The Catholic Commentator, P. O. Box Music makes us conscious of proper phrasing and the prac- Father Hemrick, a research associate with the Life Cycle 14746, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4746, tice it takes to make it effective. Research Institute at The Catholic University of America or to [email protected]. For anyone without musical sense, the new language is writes on issues pertinent to the church and the human problematic because of long sentences in which the thought spirit for Catholic News Service. 18 The Catholic Commentator COMING EVENTS January 25, 2012

Fried Chicken Dinners – The Ladies Altar Society of St. Jo- ples’ workshop, “Working on Your PhD in Marriage,” on be Feb. 12. For information call 225-926-6962 or email seph Church in Gross Tete will sponsor its annual Fried Wednesday, Feb. 8, 7-9 p.m., at the St. George Kleinpeter [email protected]. Chicken Dinner on Sunday, Jan. 29, beginning at 10 a.m., Activity Center, 7808 St. George Dr., Baton Rouge. The at the St. Joseph Parish Hall, 76940 Gum St. Cost of the cost of the workshop is $30. For information and to reg- Mardi Gras Ball Fund Raiser – The St. Francis Xavier Home dinner is $6. Desserts, drinks and chances for door prizes ister call 225-293-2212 by Monday, Feb. 6. Campo will and School Association will sponsor a Mardi Gras ball to will be available for purchase. Dinner tickets can be pur- present the same workshop on Monday, Jan. 30, 6-8:30 benefit St. Francis Xavier School on Saturday, Feb. 4, 8 chased at the door on the day of the dinner. For informa- p.m., at the Our Lady of Mercy Parish Activity Center, p.m.-midnight, at the St. Francis Xavier parish hall, 1150 tion call the St. Joseph Church office at 225-526-2438. 444 Marquette Ave., Baton Rouge. Cost of the workshop S. 12th St., Baton Rouge. Music will be provided by U4ria. is $20. For more information and to register visit olom- Tickets are $30 each. For information call the St. Francis church.com or call 225-926-1883. The workshop is to Xavier School office at 225-387-6639. Decision Making Workshop – Sister Lucy Silvio CSJ will help couples learn how to handle the complex and dif- present “Personal Decision Making: Prayer Helps” on ficult challenges of everyday life. Cenacle Retreat – Marlene Ortego, a retired religious Saturday, Feb. 11, 9 a.m.-noon, at the St. Joseph’s Acad- educator, will present a retreat, “Stitching the Spiri- emy Dining Hall, 3080 Kleinert Ave., Baton Rouge. The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites –The Secular Order of tual Into Our Winter Hearts: Nurturing the Seeds of fee will be $35. Participants will explore how St. Ignatius’ Discalced Carmelites welcomes those who are interest- Our Gifts,” Feb. 3-5 at Cenacle Retreat House, 5500 St. methods of prayer and discernment can assist them in ed in developing their prayer life according to the teach- Mary St., Metairie. Participants have an opportunity obtaining fullness of life and love. For information and ings of the Carmelite saints. Meetings are held the sec- to experience prayer and meditation while stitching to register call the St. Joseph Spirituality Center at 225- ond Sunday of each month at Our Lady of Mercy Parish and learning to be aware of God’s presence in every day 383-3349. Activity Center in the St. Gabriel Room, 444 Marquette tasks and all types of hand stitching. For information Couples’ Workshop – Lui Campo LCSW will host a cou- Ave., Baton Rouge, at 1:30 p.m. The next meeting will and to register call Susan Halligan at 504-887-1420.

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Print Your Ad Here AMDG DACHA KICK NA IL OGLES ALUI NICE MOORS TIES UNENDING GEARS LED ANY GEAR DATES TO RUN: XV I FOLL ICLE Circle Category: Announcements—Business Services—Cards of Thanks—For Rent—For Sale—Help Wanted BOWI E DIALS LOT —Positions Wanted—Legal Notices (other ) OMRI LIFTS LAVA Mail to: The Catholic Commentator, P.O. Box 3316, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3316 ANA PANTS HAYES Enclosed is $9.50 for the first 15 words + 15¢ for each word thereafter + 25¢ per line for each special effect (all caps, centered ZIPPORAH NOW line, bold lettering); for a total of $______for each issue. LEAH SIR AAA Advertisements will NAME ABRAM D AMNABLE not be published ADDRESS BR IG ERROR IBIS without full payment in BEAU PIANO DOTO CITY PHONE advance. ERLE HOMED ATOP moc.scilohtacrofsemagdrow.www January 25, 2012 The Catholic Commentator 19 Over 20 years, group has made tens of thousands of rosaries

By Laura Deavers Editor

Twenty years ago, Alice Lowery brought the idea of making rosaries to Baton Rouge. Lowery’s sister, who was part of a rosary-makers group in Spring, Texas, had been telling her about all of the posi- tive aspects of having people gather regu- larly to string beads onto twine to make rosaries for those who need a rosary. “My sister had done this for years and she said, ‘You have got to do this,’ ” said Lowery. With a friend, she went to the Our Lady of Mercy Church pastor, who at that time was Father Michael Moroney. The church parish leaders “were so open to the idea,” related Lowery. Information about the formation of the new ministry of rosary makers appeared in the OLOM bulletin. Those who re- sponded to the notice decided they would meet every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 12 Bishop Robert W. Muench blesses the rosary makers who meet weekly at Our Lady of Mercy Church and the rosaries they made for the noon in the coffee shop next to the OLOM first communicants at St. George Church, Baton Rouge, and Our Lady of Mercy, Baton Rouge and several other groups. The large pile of church office. blue rosaries on the front corner were given to the youth from the Diocese of Baton Rouge attending the March for Life in Washington, Over time, notices have been placed D.C. The rosary makers began their special ministry 20 years ago. Photo by Laura Deavers | The Catholic Commentator in the church bulletins of area churches, which has caught the attention of many hours of work, and many are not in good Church, Port Allen; and Doris Cassano, a member of St. Jude Church, Baton Rouge. who have volunteered their time to make health but the “bead therapy” and cama- rosaries. raderie of the group are uplifting for all of On a recent Tuesday, women from nine the members. Catholic churches in the area sat around “Several women are widows and don’t tables in the coffee shop to talk about get out much,” said Elaine Juneau, who what is going on in their world, that day has belonged to the group for 15 years and and during the week since they met, while is now responsible for ordering all of the stringing 10 beads at a time onto white supplies – crosses, beads and twine. “This twine to mark the Hail Marys and a larger gives them a reason to get up and get out.” bead for the Our Father, finishing with a The group pays for its supplies through cross at the end. donations and by repairing broken rosa- “The people in this room have made ries or selling specially handmade rosa- it what it is,” said Lowery. “They keep it ries. Our Lady of Mercy Church also pays alive. They are very hard workers with for some of the supplies. creative minds. This is such a joy.” There are also women who are called Within a year the rosary makers make “silent members” because they make ro- as many as 10,000 rosaries. They receive saries at home. Several members said they requests to construct rosaries for a vari- make rosaries while on road trips because ety of ministries: second-graders making it makes the time go by quickly and they their first Communion, adults entering pray if the weather is particularly bad. the Catholic Church through the Rite of “On a trip to Texas it rained for eight Christian Initiation of Adults, soldiers hours,” said Dorothy Cwieka. “While we fighting in the Middle East, prisoners, traveled, I prayed while making a rosary.” and high school students attending the She added that it kept her hands busy and March for Life in Washington, D.C. her mind occupied. The rosary makers make special ac- The members of the group include commodations for special ministries. The Cwieka and Edith O’Neal, members of chaplain at the Orleans Civil Parish Pris- St. Jean Vianney Church, Baton Rouge: on has requested that the rosaries sent to Lowery, Carla Croker, Mary Fontenot, him be made a bit longer than the others Christine Timpa, and 92-year-old Girlie so the 3,000 prisoners there can get them Mansur, members of Our Lady of Mercy over their heads and place them around Church, Baton Rouge; Pat Treuil, a mem- their necks. The rosaries made for the ber of Most Blessed Sacrament Church, inmates at Jetson Correctional have only Baton Rouge; Diana LeBlanc, a member of one decade so the rosary cannot be used St. Joseph Cathedral, Baton Rouge; Bev- as a weapon. erly Harrison and Linda Nolan, members P. M. Breaud stopped by one Tuesday to of St Patrick Church, Baton Rouge; Judy let the group know that rosaries they had Guillaume and Mary Gainey, members of made had been sent to U.S. soldiers fight- St. Isidore Church, Baker; Juneau, Cecille ing in Iraq who really appreciated receiv- Johnson and Janice Jeansonne, members in your church parish the weekend of Feb. 11th and 12th. ing them and were using them. of St. Alphonsus Church, City of Central; Some members of the rosary-makers Therese LeBlanc, the youngest member of ministry travel far to come for a couple of the group and a member of Holy Family 20 The Catholic Commentator January 25, 2012 Father Hall celebrating his 50th anniversary of ordination

By Laura Deavers Essen Lane in Baton Rouge. in Maringouin, St. Thomas More Hall worked with Our Lady of the Editor Father Hall has been involved in Baton Rouge, St. James in St. Lake Hospital to open a residence in many ministries in the Diocese James, and St. Ann in Moganza. for people with HIV. When Father Howard Hall was of Baton Rouge and has served on And when he retired from ac- He was instrumental in the for- ordained a priest 50 years ago, he several national boards, always tive ministry, he was the chaplain mation of DBRHOPE, a ministry was immediately met with chal- in the interest of bringing the at St. Francis de Sales Church and for homosexual persons and their lenges. As he ministered to the laity to a greater involvement in Catholic Deaf Center. families. multitude of people God sent to their church. Father Hall has also had sever- Father Hall has served the dio- him, this priest continued to fol- Diagnosed with pancreatic can- al special assignments including cese in many capacities. He has low the path that many would not cer several months ago, Father Community in Christ Our Broth- worked in the Diocesan Office of have taken. Hall moved the date of his anni- er, which was a non-territorial Religious Education and the Re- He studied to be a priest for the versary celebration from the date church parish that met at St. Jo- ligious Vocations Office. He has Archdiocese of New Orleans, but he was ordained to February. seph’s Academy for Mass on Sun- served on the Community Life was ordained in the first class for Born and raised in Baton day afternoons, and the Cross- Board, Senate and Congress of the new Diocese of Baton Rouge Rouge, Father Hall was bap- roads Social Apostolate, which Priests, Tribunal, Children’s Lit- Father Howard Hall by Bishop Robert E. Tracy on tized at St. Joseph Church, now was established to give people an urgy Committee, Family Coun- March 17, 1962, at St. Joseph the Cathedral, confirmed at Sa- opportunity to talk about their seling Service, Dignity, Commu- from the Catechetical and Pasto- Cathedral. His seminary train- cred Heart Church and said his faith from the point of view of ev- nity Advancement, Baton Rouge ral Institute of the South. ing focused on a priesthood that first Mass at Our Lady of Mercy eryday life experiences. Ministerial Association and the A lover of the arts, Father Hall celebrated Mass in Latin. With Church. He served as paro- Some 20 years ago, parish- Mental Health Association. enjoys writing because he enjoys the Second Vatican Council that chial vicar and pastor in a vari- ioners at St. Pius X Church in He has been a team priest for telling stories, and is a member began in 1962, he had to change ety of city, suburban and rural Baton Rouge called him out of the Worldwide Marriage Encoun- of the Advisory Board of the LSU the way he presided at liturgy churches: St. Joseph Cathedral, concern for their child who was ter and on the National Coordi- Museum of Art, to which he has along with many other aspects Sacred Heart in Baton Rouge, diagnosed with HIV. “There was nating Team for World Marriage contributed greatly. of the church, including greater St. Theresa of Avila in Gonzales, no ministry for people who were Day. His love of travel has placed involvement of the laity in their Immaculate Conception in Scot- HIV positive to go to,” said Father He graduated from Catholic him in “the right place at the parish church and diocese. landville, St. Aloysius in Baton Hall. “Earl K. Long Hospital was High School, St. Joseph Semi- right time.” In 2005, he was in Father Hall will celebrate his Rouge, Ascension of Our Lord in the only place they could stay, but nary College in St. Benedict, La., Rome on April 2 when Pope John 50th anniversary of ordination Donaldsonville, St. John the Bap- they were not sick enough to be and Notre Dame Seminary in Paul II died, and in 2008 he was on Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Ollie tist in Brusly, Christ the King at in a hospital. Not a single nursing New Orleans. He holds a mas- in Chicago when Barack Obama Steele Burden Manor Chapel on LSU, Immaculate Heart of Mary home would take them.” Father ter’s degree in religious education was elected president. 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