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July 2, 2021Ommentator Vol THE CATHOLIC PAGES 8-9 ST. ALPHONSUS VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL CJuly 2, 2021ommentator Vol. 59, No. 11 2021 LPA GENERAL EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENT news.diobr.org PERFECT TEN Initiative celebrates milestone By Debbie Shelley The Catholic Commentator Balmy temperatures and thickening humidity failed to temper the hub of ac- tivities taking place at the Gardere Ini- tiative’s summer camp at its headquar- ters on Ned Avenue in Baton Rouge. Some children played soccer in a nearby neighborhood park, others eval- uated their paintings before making the next brushstroke and others spent time on the computer or browsed through books inside the headquarters’ build- ing. Reginald Brown, president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society Conference of St. Jude Church in Baton Rouge and representative While the children fed their minds, of the Gardere Initiative, looks over a painting by one of the children at Gardere Initiative’s summer camp. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The creative spirits and hopes and dreams, Catholic Commentator members of the Family Life Ministry at St. Jude Church in Baton Rouge de- Project. This year marks the project’s ganization working to address sub- that adversely affect the children, livered hundreds of lunches made by 10th anniversary. stance abuse, crime, poverty and neighboring subdivisions and city parishioners as part of its Brown Bag The initiative is a non-profit or- other social ills in the Gardere area SEE GARDERE PAGE 15 Deacon convocation held By Richard Meek the men in formation who are preparing for The Catholic Commentator their upcoming ordinations (Aug. 22),” said Episcopal Vicar Father Jamin David, who is Bishop Michael G. Duca celebrated mass also director of Formation for the Permanent for 40 permanent deacons and their wives at Diaconate. “It shows to the deacon communi- the second annual convocation for deacons at ty the strength of the program and proves that St. George Church in Baton Rouge on June 5. God continues to call men to serve in their sa- The theme of the convocation was “Broad- cred order. ening Horizons: The Pillar of Charity of the “It also shows to the men who have not Deacon.” been engaged in formation for a long period of The men currently in diaconate formation time the steps they will consider on their path were also formally installed as lectors, aco- to ordination.” lytes and candidates. Deacon Tim Messenger, deacon assistant Bishop Michael G. Duca, center, with candidates called to Holy Orders, Directors from the Office of Formation for at St. Margaret Queen of Scotland Church in Class of 2022, include, from left, Ed Hanks (St. Joseph Church in the Permanent Diaconate presented the pro- Albany, said the convocation’s purpose was to Ponchatoula), Tram Phan (Sts. Anthony of Padua & Le Van Phung in gram content, which included round table better define charity, the use of statistical data Baton Rouge), Randall Waugespack (St. Margaret Queen of Scotland discussions. demonstrating how the diaconate community Church in Albany) and Pat Witty (St. Mary of False River Church in New “The annual Ritual Mass is significant has opportunities to better serve not just a Roads). Photo provided by Father Jamin David | Episcopal Vicar for the Diocese of Baton Rouge since it highlights important milestones for SEE DEACONS PAGE 11 2 The Catholic Commentator July 2, 2021 Holy Spirit: Transformed from within By Dina Dow Ezekiel.) Likewise, St. Paul, transformed by the Happy July (already)! Holy Spirt to speak, engaged and nurtured by As the rising thermometer impacts the en- the truth of Christ Jesus, met much resistance vironment, we, baptized in Christ Jesus, are to the point of being constantly beaten down warmed by the fire within, the Holy Spirit. not only by men but also by an angel of Satan, Through our baptism in Christ and response referred to as a “thorn” (2 Cor 12:7-10). God’s to the gift of this faith we are called to dis- grace is sufficient for St. Paul’s plea to allevi- cipleship; a calling from God through ate the struggle. In fact, reli- Jesus and set aflame by the Holy ance on God to endure such Spirit, who stirs in us the power Life-Giving hardship added to the impact to speak as we are sent into the of the witness of such endur- world to evangelize, to bring Christ FAI H ance so others see this reliance to others, to share his mercy, to bring which is, in fact, a proclamation his peace. At times we are met with doubt of the power of Christ. St. Paul reminds us, Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the consecration of or even flat out rejection. Yet the Holy Spirit “Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, the renovated St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge in 1970.John Car- enters, transforms us from within and pours insults, hardships, persecutions and con- dinal Cody officiated at the consecration which was held on Septem- out grace as we, too, are SENT to proclaim; to straints for the sake of Christ; for when I am ber 30, 1970. The present cathedral is the third church building for the speak, engage and nurture truth. In the up- weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10). parish, its cornerstone having been laid in 1853. Bishop Robert E. Tra- coming Mass readings for the 14th and 15th Welcome home? (Mk 6:1-6) cy spearhead the renovations which lasted from 1966-70 to conform Sundays in Ordinary Time we see the mission Jesus, reading from the scroll of Isaiah, with the liturgical renewal initiated by the Second Vatican Council. It to proclaim is dependent upon the power of said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for has been the last major renovation of the church. Photo provided by the Ar- the Spirit. Thus, “Our eyes are fixed on the he sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor” chives Department | The Diocese of Baton Rouge Lord, pleading for his mercy” (Ps 123). (Lk 4:18). We know by the power of the Holy Transformed to speak (Ez 2:2-5) Spirit, God becomes man. Emmanuel. Jesus. It is one thing to hear the voice of God, have The one sent. Yet, he also faced rejection, in- the Holy Spirit enter you, set you back on your cluding utter unbelief at his own home syna- feet and then be asked to share God’s words to gogue, his place of prayer and Scripture as he Encountering the rebels who turned away from him, described grew up. Today we would say it is his home as “hard of face and obstinate of heart are church. Even Jesus, as he engaged those gath- they.” But by the time you speak to them, ered, met resistance and doubt for they could whether they appreciate you or not, whether not believe that this man, the carpenter, could Heart of St. Joseph they listen to you or not, whether they trust have such wisdom. Jesus called them out, in what you are saying is true or not, they will saying, “A prophet is not without honor except KNOW you are a prophet. What can Ezekiel, in his native place and among his own kin and the great prophet in this story, say to this in- in his own house.” There will be times when TENDER AND LOVING FATHER vitation? “Get someone else, Lord? Not today, our proclamation of Jesus will be rejected. I am just not feeling it, God?” What can we But there will also be times of fruitfulness. If you ask a photographer to name their favorite moments say to the same? If you back up to Ezekiel, Two by two (Mk 6:7-13) to photograph, one poignant moment that would top the list Chapter 1, he encounters God and afterwards The apostles are sent by Jesus, “two by two is that of a father’s face when he sees his newborn child. The “fell on his face and then heard the voice of and gave them authority over unclean spirits.” look is invariably one of loving awe, a piercing moment of God” (Ez 1:28). As God spoke, the Spirit en- He instructed them to only take the clothes tenderness and, to some degree, fear. “How is it that the God tered Ezekiel and stood him up. The Spirit on their back, sandals on their feet and walk- of the universe has entrusted this tiny, frail creature to me?” entered Ezekiel and from within transformed ing sticks. Nothing else. Nothing. They were the young father wonders. As the child grows, the father’s him to fulfill his call to speak, to engage and to preach repentance. Preach truth. To those fears and worries change, yet the tender love also remains. to nurture truth to those he would have oth- who would welcome them into their home St. Joseph, too, experienced this same mixture of won- erwise not engaged. (To continue the story, I they would remain a guest. If rejected, they der, love and trepidation in looking upon the child Jesus. suggest reading and reflecting on the rest of SEE GOSPEL PAGE 3 How he must have marveled at the fact that God chose him, in all his creaturely weakness, to be the earthly father of the incarnate Word. St. Joseph was not abandoned in his fears, however, for God the father lovingly provided constantly for the Holy Family, working not despite their human frailty, but through it. news.diobr.org | Facebook.com/TheCatholicCommentator Your fears, frailties and weaknesses are not a surprise to God.
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