THE CATHOLIC SPECIAL SECTION May 29, 2015ommentator Vol. 53, No. 8 SERVING THE DIOCESE OF BATON ROUGE SINCE 1963 thecatholiccommentator.org C VALIDATING HISTORY

Attendees at an “Encounter the Shroud” presentation at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge view a 14-foot replica of the Shroud of Turin. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator Shroud of Turin exhibit awes observers By Debbie Shelley With a “CSI Jerusalem: The Case of the Missing John 20:1-9, the disciples noted the linen cloth lying The Catholic Commentator Body” theme, Breault presented scientific, historical there, but no body. St. John describes something he and scriptural evidence which he said strongly sug- called a “sudarion” rolled up and in a place by itself. When a gift is purchased for someone, a receipt is gests the shroud is authentic. Accounts about the shroud shows that it has trav- given which shows the price of that gift. The Shroud The first piece of evidence is the 14-foot linen cloth eled extensively. of Turin is the “receipt” of the cost Christ paid for the where there is a front and back of a man with wounds Rome destroyed Jerusalem in 70 A.D. According salvation of humanity with his death on the cross, ac- consistent with someone who has been crucified. Cit- to the legend of Abgar, a cloth with an image of Jesus cording to Russ Breault, expert on the shroud at his ing Mark, 15:46, Breault noted that Jesus was buried was brought by Thaddeus of Edessa, one of the 70 dis- presentation, “Shroud Encounter,” May 9 at Sacred in a linen cloth according to Jewish custom. ciples, to King Abgar Edessa, who is said to have been Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge. And what did the disciples see? Referring to St. SEE SHROUD PAGE 19

WE’RE GOING TO JUNIOR HIGH – On Vatican letter supports decision the last day of school at Sacred Heart of Jesus School on May to close Redemptorist 21, fifth-grade stu- dents celebrate after By Richard Meek Bishop Muench announced the closure in De- receiving their re- The Catholic Commentator cember, a decision that was appealed by school port cards and their supporters. advancement to the Bishop Robert W. Muench recently received a “Thank you for your helpful letter regard- sixth grade. Photo by letter from the Vatican Congregation for Catholic ing the appeal against the planned closure of Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Education validating the bishop’s decision to close Redemptorist High School in Baton Rouge,” the Commentator Redemptorist High School and junior high June 30. SEE LETTER PAGE 20 2 The Catholic Commentator The Lighter Side of FAI t H May 29, 2015 | TREASURES FROM THE DIOCESE | DID YOU KNOW The first novena

Novenas offer peace as well as hope to fire, which parted and came to rest on Catholics who turn to them during their each of them. The disciples were filled time of need. with the Holy Spirit and began to speak Traditionally, nine-day novenas are in tongues on what was the first Pentecost available for any number of intentions and is considered to be the birthday of the but likely one of the most popular is the church. St. Jude Novena, which is offered for The nine days the disciples spent in hopeless causes. St. Jude is the Catho- prayer awaiting the Holy Spirit has be- lic’s go-to guy in times of stress, whether come the model for all novenas. Pope Leo it’s life-threatening or facing a week of XIII on May 4, 1897 proclaimed that a no- final exams. Even young men have even vena be prayed in all parish churches in turned to St. Jude when preparing to ask the period from the day after Ascension to the most important question a man can Pentecost Sunday. ask a woman, with the hopes of her say- Although no official prayers have been ing yes. written for the Pentecost Novena, the The first novena, which the church church has suggested specific prayers as recently celebrated, dates to the time of well as attending daily Mass, going to Christ. In fact, it was Jesus who after his confession and attending Eucharistic ad- ascension into heaven instructed his dis- oration during that time. It remains the ciples to return to Jerusalem and gather only novena prescribed by the church and A stunning crucifix by Dutch Benedictine priest Father Dom Gregory is the centerpiece in prayer. Nine days later, the Holy Spir- is a powerful plea for the strength and at St. Paul Church in Baton Rouge. The crucifix was originally at Sacred Heart Church in it appeared to the disciples in tongues of love needed by all people. Baton Rouge but was eventually removed after some parishioners expressed discom- fort with the darkness of the Christ figure. The crucifix was in a storeroom when it was donated to St. Paul after Archbishop Joseph Rummel responded to the needs of the A Summer Blessing African-American community and founded the church parish in 1960. The crucifix, which is cherished among parishioners, was also hung in the original church, at St. Paul, May you walk with God In every situation which was the former Capital Theatre. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator This summer In whatever you do Talking with God means... | Wherever you go Praying words of praise PICTURES FROM THE PAST For the beauty of creation Walking with God means... Saying prayers of thanks Walking with honesty For friends and good times, And with courage, Asking God’s help Walking with love In all your decisions And respect Expressing sorrow And concern for the feelings When you have failed of others May you talk with God May you talk to God Every day. Amen. This summer And every day and - Author unknown

thecatholiccommentator.org | Facebook.com/TheCatholicCommentator Bishop Robert W. Muench Publisher Wanda L. Koch Advertising Manager Father Tom Ranzino Assistant Publisher Penny G. Saia Production Manager Richard Meek Editor Lisa Disney Secretary/Circulation Debbie Shelley Assistant Editor Rachele Smith Staff Writer

The Catholic Commentator (ISSN 07460511; USPS 093-680) Golf legend Arnold Palmer is shown posing with officials of the CYO-Arnold Palmer golf Published bi-weekly (every other week) by the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge,1800 South Acadian exhibition at Sherwood Forest Country Club in May 1969. From left are Fred Montalvo, Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA 70808; 225-387-0983 or 225-387-0561. Periodical Postage Paid at Baton president of the sponsoring Afton Foundation; Palmer; Bishop Robert E. Tracy and Rouge, LA. Copy must reach the above address by Wednesday for use in the next week’s paper. Sub- then-CYO director Father Gerard Young. Photo courtesy of the Archives Department, Diocese of Baton scription rate: $14.00 per year. POSTMASTER, send address changes to The Catholic Commentator, P.O. Box 14746, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4746. Rouge May 29, 2015 The Catholic Commentator 3 Works of Mercy grants providing assistance to needy

By Richard Meek percent of every dollar collected goes di- The Catholic Commentator rectly to help the poor. “The support from the (Catholic Church) is important, and it is Key Keen remembers the faces. Faces of a vital part of it.” despair, people threatened with eviction or The organization is staffed by volun- having their lights turned out or even the teers and operates out of the front of the St. possibility of losing their job because they Vincent de Paul Society office in Denham are unable to afford a tank of gas. Springs, for which they pay no rent, only For the past five years, Keen has borne phone and Internet services. witness to those faces from her position She said that in 2013 her organization as president and chief executive officer of distributed approximately $38,000 to the CommUnity Hands of Livingston Parish, needy in the area. which is a group of churches that have “We never write a check to the individ- formed an organization geared to helping Bishop Robert W. Muench recently presented checks to six organizations which were ual,” she emphasized. “We write a check to those in need. awarded grants through the Bishop Stanley Joseph Ott Works of Mercy Trust Fund. the landlord or electric company.” “We are an emergency agency; if the Pictures, left to right, are Kay Keen, president and CEO of CommUnity Works of Liv- She said the organization also contracts rent is late, the electricity late or they have ingston Parish; Chris Andrews, president and CEO of Rebuilding Together Baton with a local service station where individ- received a cutoff notice,” Keen said. “Our Rouge; Liz Betz, president and CEO of CASA; Rafael de Castro, president and CEO of uals can get $30 of gas with the amount clients are really grateful.” Youth Oasis; Bishop Muench; Myrna Jordan, president and CEO of Our Daily Bread billed back to CommUnity Hands. Each The organization was birthed at a table Food Bank of Tangipahoa Parish and Michael Acaldo, president and CEO of St. Vin- individual or family is only eligible for help during a meeting of the parish leaders at cent de Paul Society. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator. once a year, and for only one service, there- Immaculate Conception Church in Den- by allowing the agency to service as many ham Springs in 2009. At the time, Keen Since 1991, Works of Mercy has awarded cese of Baton Rouge. people as possible. said there were many individuals contact- more than $500,000 in grants, all earnings “We ask them everything from who CommUnity Hands has scheduled a fish ing area churches seeking assistance. off of the $646,000 endowment, director serves on their board to financial state- fry fund raiser Friday, June 12 at Immacu- “I know we were not the only church Eric Guerin said. ments,” Guerin said. “We want to make late Conception. going through this,” she said, adding that “We go strictly off earnings of (the en- sure they use the money properly. You can’t “Whenever you can help somebody in pastor Father Frank Uter floated the idea of dowment),” Guerin said. “It varies (annual- be vague (with the proposal).” the things that you do, that’s when it really joining together with the other churches in ly) depending on investments for the year. As further assurance, each organization means something,” Keen said. “We’ve had a civil Livingston Parish to form one cohesive The principal is not touched.” must adhere to a mandatory reporting pro- lot of people come in that are between jobs. organization where people can seek help. Guerin said local nonprofit agencies cedure after six months detailing how the A lot of people that never had to ask for help CommUnity Hands, which was started are either recommended through word of grant was spent. A final progress report is before. in October 2010, is comprised of churches mouth or invited to apply each year and also required. “There are different faces to the people of all faiths, as well as non-denomination put through a comprehensive vetting pro- Keen, who proudly boasts that no one that we helped.” churches. cess by a small committee. Guerin said the who has ever applied for assistance with Faces of despair turned into faces of The organization, which relies strictly purpose is to assure none of the proposals CommUnity Hands has been denied be- hope by one organization making a differ- on donations and grants for survival, re- conflict with Catholic doctrine. cause of a lack of money, says the grant is ence, with the help of a grant that would cently received a much-welcomed finan- Each organization is required to submit critical to the organization. She said all of bring a smile to the face of a beloved bishop. cial boost when it was awarded a $4,000 a detailed proposal and the criteria must the participating churches donate money Also receiving grants and the amounts grant through the Bishop Stanley Joseph include a tie-in to corporal or spiritual but how much is voluntary and depending were: St. Vincent de Paul Society, $5,000; Ott Works of Mercy Trust Fund. Works of works of mercy, such as helping the poor, on the size of the church. Our Daily Bread Food Bank of Tangipahoa Mercy was created in 1991 as a fundraising the downtrodden and people who are un- “Things like grants and gifts from in- Parish, $5,000; CASA, $4,000; Rebuilding effort to continue the many good works able to help themselves. Additionally, the dividuals are the types of things that keep Together Baton Rouge, $2,000; and Youth started by Bishop Ott. services must be provided within the Dio- our doors open,” she said, adding that 95 Oasis, $2,000. Bishop Muench announces pastoral assignments By Richard Meek The Catholic Commentator

Father Joseph Sanjay Kunnasseril IMS has been appointed administrator of Our Lady of Peace Church in Vacherie by Bish- op Robert W. Muench. Bishop Muench has also appointed Fa- Fr. Kunnasseril Fr. Minj Fr. Johnson Dcn. Graham Dcn. Doyle Dcn. Dykes ther Joshua Johnson parochial vicar at St. Aloysius Church in Baton Rouge, Father parochial vicar at St. Aloysius, is a native of Charles Soreng S.J. in Bihar Hazaribag. He reared in Baton Rouge. While in the semi- Nutan S. Minj IMS parochial vicar of Our Kottayam, India. He was ordained April 8, has served as parochial vicar at St. George nary, he took a pastoral year to teach at St. Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge, 1980 at St. George, Edakatt in India. Church, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in Li- Michael the Archangel High School, where Deacon Brad Doyle parochial vicar of St. He has served as pastor at Immaculate vonia, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church he attended school. He is a graduate of No- George Church in Baton Rouge, Deacon Heart of Mary Church in Maringouin, St. in Maringouin and St. Joseph Church in tre Dame Seminary. Reuben Dykes parochial vicar of Holy Francis Xavier Cabrini Church in Livonia Grosse Tete. Deacon Graham, a native of Baton Family Church in Port Allen and Deacon and St. Joseph Church in Grosse Tete and Father Johnson, a native of Baton Rouge, graduated from LSU and Notre Matthew Graham parochial vicar of Christ parochial vicar at Immaculate Heart of Rouge, was ordained by Bishop Munch in Dame Seminary. the King Church in Baton Rouge. Mary Church in Maringouin, St. Frances 2014 has served the past year as parochial Deacon Dykes, who is from Covington, Deacon Doyle, Deacon Dykes and Dea- Xavier Cabrini Church in Livonia and St. vicar at Christ the King Church in Baton is a graduate of LSU and Notre Dame Sem- con Graham are scheduled to be ordained Joseph Church in Grosse Tete. Rouge. He is a graduate of Notre Dame inary. to the priesthood Saturday, May 30. Father Ming was born in Jhardhand, Seminary. All of the appointments are effective Father Kunnasseril, who is currently the India and ordained May 3, 1977 by Bishop Deacon Doyle, a native of Metairie, was July 1. 4 The Catholic Commentator NATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL May 29, 2015 Blessed Romero ‘another brilliant star’ belonging to church of Americas

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (CNS) peace with the power of love, gave testi- Roger Mahony, of the U.S.; and Italian – one for beatification and the second for – Some thought this day would never ar- mony of the faith with his life.” Cardinal Amato, as well as Italian Arch- canonization. rive. Others hoped and some always knew Proof of that is the shirt he died in, bishop Vincenzo Paglia, postulator of Father Turcios said by studying Bless- it would. soaked in blood, after an assassin’s single Archbishop Romero’s cause. ed Romero’s life, others will discover all On May 23, the Catholic Church, beat- bullet took his life. Eight deacons carried Their excitement couldn’t have been the Gospel truths that led him to defend ified Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero y the blood-stained shirt, now a relic, to the greater than that of those like Father life, the poor and the church, and do away Galdamez, of El Salvador, who was assas- altar in a glass case. Others decorated it Estefan Turcios, pastor of El Salvador’s with untruths surrounding his legacy. sinated in 1980 while celebrating Mass, with flowers and candles during the Sat- St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in During the country’s civil war that just a day after pleading and ordering sol- urday ceremony. Several priests reached Soyapango and national director of the lasted from 1979 until 1992, some Sal- diers to stop killing innocent civilians. out to touch the case and later made the Pontifical Mission Societies in El Salva- vadorans hid, buried and sometimes “Blessed Romero is another brilliant sign of the cross. dor. Before El Salvador’s conflict, Father burned photos they had taken with or star that belongs to the sanctity of the In a time of difficulty in El Salvador, Turcios was imprisoned for defending the of Archbishop Romero, because it could church of the Americas,” said Cardinal Archbishop Romero knew “how to guide, rights of the poor. Archbishop Romero mean others would call them communists Angelo Amato, head of the Vatican’s Con- defend and protect his flock, remaining helped free him. or rebel sympathizers and put their lives gregation for Saints’ Causes, during the faithful to the Gospel and in communion “There have been people inspired by in danger. ceremony in San Salvador. “And thanks with the whole church,” the pope said in Romero for 35 years. How do you think Father Turcios said the beatification be to God, there are many.” his message.” His ministry was distin- they feel right now?” asked Father Tur- can help others understand the reali- While those who persecuted him have guished by a particular attention to the cios. ty and truth that others have known all died or are in obscurity, “the memory of poor and marginalized. And at the time of But just as he has devotees, Archbish- along: Archbishop Romero “was loyal to Romero continues to live in the poor and his death, while celebrating the holy sac- op Romero has had detractors. God’s will, was loyal to and loved his peo- the marginalized,” Cardinal Amato said. rifice, love and reconciliation, he received After his death, the Vatican received ple and was loyal to and loved the church,” His homilies often pleaded for better the grace to be fully identified with the mounds of letters against Archbishop he said. conditions for the poor, for a stop to the one who gave his life for his sheep.” Romero, Archbishop Paglia, has said. And The ceremony culminated a week in escalating violence in the country and for The event, at the square of the Divine that affected his path toward sainthood, San Salvador that saw pilgrims, main- brotherhood among those whose divi- Savior of the World in the capital city of which includes beatification. But three ly from Latin America, but also from as sions ultimately led to a 12-year conflict. San Salvador, saw the attendance of four decades after his assassination, Pope far away as Singapore and many from the He’s not a symbol of division but one of Latin American presidents and six car- Benedict XVI cleared the archbishop’s United States, who wanted to celebrate peace, Cardinal Amato said. dinals including: Oscar Andres Rodri- sainthood cause. the occasion. Flowers, music, tears and In a message sent Saturday on the oc- guez Maradiaga, of Honduras; Leopoldo In February Pope Francis signed the happiness flowed at San Salvador’s Met- casion of the beatification, Pope Francis Brenes, of Nicaragua; Jaime Ortega, of decree recognizing Archbishop Romero ropolitan Cathedral of the Holy Savior, said that Archbishop Romero “built the Cuba; Jose Luis Lacunza, of Panama; as a martyr, a person killed “in hatred of where the archbishop is buried. He is of- the faith,” which meant there is no need to ficially Blessed Romero, but to others he prove a miracle for beatification. In gener- already is and has been “San Romero,” or Look for al two miracles are needed for sainthood St. Romero of the Americas. The CaThoLiC CommenTaTor aT your LoCaL ouTLeTs inCLuding: Nebraska Legislature passes repeal ✔ Affinity Nursing Home, Baton Rouge ✔ Oak Point Supermarket, Central ✔ Anthony's Deli, Baton Rouge ✔ Oak Wood Nursing Home, Zachary of death penalty ✔ Albertsons, Baton Rouge ✔ Old Jefferson Community Care, ✔ Alexander’s Highland Market, Baton Rouge LINCOLN, Neb. (CNS) – The Nebraska penalty in 1976, the state executed three Baton Rouge ✔ Our Lady of the Lake College, Legislature May 20 passed a measure to men: Harold Otey in 1994, John Joubert in ✔ Ascension Books & Gifts, Gonzales Baton Rouge ✔ Baton Rouge General Hospital, ✔ Our Lady of the Lake Regional repeal the death penalty with enough votes 1996 and Robert Williams in 1997. Baton Rouge Medical Center, Baton Rouge and to override Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts’ Nebraska lawmakers voted in 1979 to ✔ Baton Rouge Healthcare, Baker Walker promised veto. prohibit capital punishment, but then- ✔ Benedetto’s Market, Addis ✔ Our Lady of the Lake Physician Members of the unicameral body gave Gov. Charlie Thone vetoed the measure ✔ Bohning Supermarket, Ponchatoula Group, offices with locations final approval to the bill with a 32-15 vote. and the Legislature did not have enough ✔ Calandro’s Supermarkets, throughout the Diocese At a news conference a week earlier, votes to override it. Baton Rouge ✔ Reeve’s Supermarket, Baton Rouge Archbishop George J. Lucas of Omaha News reports have made much of the ✔ Catholic Art and Gifts, Baton Rouge ✔ St. Elizabeth Hospital, Gonzales joined about 15 religious leaders, priests fact that the Republican lawmakers were ✔ Daigle’s Supermarket, White Castle ✔ St. Mary’s Books & Gifts, and women religious in calling for an end among those pushing to repeal the death ✔ Grace Healthcare, Slaughter Baton Rouge to the death penalty in the state. penalty. Ricketts had five days to sign or ✔ Hi Nabor Supermarkets, Baton Rouge ✔ St. Vincent dePaul Stores throughout Noting that all life is sacred, Archbishop veto the bill before it becomes law auto- ✔ Hubbins Grocery, Port Allen the diocese Lucas said he was pleased and privileged matically. If it becomes law, L.B 268, will ✔ Lane Regional Hospital, Zachary ✔ Schexnayer Supermarket, Vacherie “to join friends from other faith communi- apply retroactively, giving those currently ✔ LeBlanc’s Food Stores, Baton Rouge, ✔ Southside Produce, Baton Rouge ties at this important moment.” on death row a sentence of life without pa- Gonzales, Donaldsonville, Hammond, ✔ Tony’s Seafood, Baton Rouge The archbishop also noted he was rep- role. Plaquemine, Prairieville and Zachary ✔ UPS Store, Coursey Blvd., Baton resenting the Nebraska Catholic Confer- Catholic teaching recognizes the state ✔ Louisiana Vet Home, Jackson Rouge ence, the public policy arm of the state’s has recourse to the death penalty if it is ✔ Matherne’s Supermarkets, ✔ Whole Foods Market, Baton Rouge three Catholic bishops. the only available means to protect society Baton Rouge ✔ Winn Dixie in Hammond, New Roads There are currently 11 prisoners on from a grave threat to human life, Arch- ✔ Magnuson Hotel, St. Francisville and Ponchatoula death row in Nebraska. bishop Lucas said in the news conference, ✔ North Ridgely Healthcare, Baker According to a posting on the Catholic held May 13 at the Omaha Press Club. But as well as your local church parish conference’s website, a total of 37 people because of improvements in the penal sys- have been executed in Nebraska since it tem, such cases are rare, if not practically THE CATHOLIC became a state in 1867. Thirty-four took nonexistent, he said. place before 1972, the year the U.S. Su- The death penalty does not provide re- preme Court put a moratorium on use of habilitation and there is no clear evidence the death penalty. that executions deter crime, the archbish- CSERVING THE DIOCESE O F BATON ROUGE SINCE 1962 After the high court restored the death op said. May 29, 2015 The Catholic Commentator 5 Diocesan Life Fest to debut in October By Richard Meek in all its form and perhaps get The Catholic Commentator The new event will be called the Diocesan Life Fest and the theme is involved in some way in working for respect life issues,” he said. Diocesan pro-life officials are “Made in God’s Image: The Dignity of the Person.” Ducote and Van Haute agree hoping a makeover of their an- Haute, citing the Louisiana Life eral breakout sessions. Topics with others, celebrate, learning the change is good and both ex- nual rally as well as a change in March at the state capitol in Jan- to be included are the church’s new things and be inspired and pressed excitement about the in- dates will energize the event that uary, which typically attracts teaching on a consistent ethic of revved up.” augural life fest. Ducote said the was launched 24 years ago by thousands of supporters. life, family as a domestic church, Van Haute said the session on feedback from clergy members Archbishop Alfred Hughes. Van Haute said ending the ral- social justice, looking at the lan- social justice will be presented has been positive and Van Haute Declining attendance prompt- ly is bittersweet but added there guage used in conveying the pro- in such a way that social justice added the excitement is building ed officials to move the event was a consensus among support- life message and special sessions and pro-life are complimentary, among pro-life supporters. from its traditional January date ers “it was time. geared toward men and women. rather than in opposition, as “After (the rally in January) to Oct. 10, thereby allowing the “Time to do something fresh, Additionally, breakout ses- some perceive. She said both are we came away with a sense that rally to coincide with Respect time to do something new.” sions tailored toward teenagers at the “heart of our Catholic faith the rally had served its purpose Life Month. The new event will be called and younger children are sched- and Catholic Church teaching. tremendously well,” Van Haute “It’s become clear over these the Diocesan Life Fest and is uled. Van Haute said the focus is This is a hope for this conference said. “But right now, we need to past several years interest in the scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, to offer something for the family. as well is to bring these two to- look at a different event. I think respect life rally has been dwin- at the Catholic Life Center, Baton “One of our hopes is this will gether.” it will be a great, great event.” dling,” said Danielle Van Haute, Rouge. The theme is “Made in have a broader appeal than the Daryl Ducote, director of the Ducote said the annual theme director of the diocesan Respect God’s Image: The Dignity of the rally,” Van Haute said. “I think Office of Family Life for the -Di will change, allowing for the Life program. Person.” the respect life rally drew people ocese, said the key components conference to explore life issues “As we looked back, the most Van Haute said expansion of who were very involved in the re- for him are to educate and in- on all levels. plausible scenario is the purpose the event allows for inclusion of spect life movement. Our hope is spire. Volunteers are need at the of the rally doesn’t really exist all pro-life issues, not just abor- that people will feel welcome to “(The goal) is to educate on re- event. Anyone wishing to volun- anymore. We have something tion. She said the day will include this, regardless of their involve- spect life issues beyond abortion teer should contact Arline Mis- filling that purpose,” added Van a keynote speaker as well as sev- ment, and see this as a day to be and inspire people to respect life tretta at [email protected].

Adoption experts say adoption not best crisis response

Louisiana’s only accredited termine whether children who discover later they have adopt- provider for both international appear to be orphaned are truly ed a child that is not really an and domestic adoptions Cath- eligible for adoption,” said Pau- orphan. olic Charities of the Diocese la C. Davis, clinical director and Individuals wanting to help of Baton Rouge (CCDBR) cau- international adoption social out can make a financial con- tions families trying to adopt worker for Catholic Charities. tribution to a relief agency like Nepalese orphans at this time. “Like with the Haitian Catholic Relief Services (crs. “Just like following the earthquakes, children become org) who already has a team Haitian earth- temporarily sep- of responders on the ground in quakes, people Individuals arated from their Nepal. see images of parents. Others As Louisiana’s only accred- children sepa- wanting to help may choose to ited agency providing both rated from their send their chil- international and domestic families on the out can make dren out of the adoptions, CCDBR was grant- news and want affected zone ed Hague Accreditation in PRISON CHAPLAIN AWARD – Distinguished prison chaplain to help, but pro- a financial to protect them 2008. The Hague Convention Jules Tulivar, currently the prison chaplain at Hunt Correctional tecting the chil- from harm,” she is an international treaty cre- Institute in St. Gabriel, recently received the prestigious Dou- dren and reunit- contribution to warned. “After ated to ensure that interna- cette Pascal Prison Ministry Award during the Diocese of Baton ing them with disasters, chil- tional adoptions are in the best Rouge Prison Chaplains’ Luncheon at the Bishop Tracy Center. their families is ... Catholic Relief dren are partic- interests of children and pre- Tolivar has spent the past 12 years as a prison chaplain, the past the top priority,” ularly vulner- vent the abduction, exploita- nine at Hunt. His career as a prison chaplain had its roots from said David C. Services (crs.org) able to human tion, sale or trafficking of chil- his day as a volunteer. Tulivar will be retiring during the summer. Aguillard, exec- trafficking and dren. As of July 14, 2014, the Presenting the award to Tulivar, center, are Father Joel LaBauve, utive director of who already has other abuses.” United States now requires all left, and Linda Fjeldsjo, coordinator of the Prison Ministry Office Catholic Char- These risks international adoptions meet and Joseph Homes for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Baton ities. “As the responders on the heighten when Hague standards. Rouge. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator immediate crisis the government “When families chose CCD- recedes, adopt- ground in Nepal. is in shambles, BR as their adoption provider, ing orphaned making fulfill- they can be assured that we children may become an op- ing the legal requirements for adhere to the legalities pre- tion. But international adop- adoption more difficult if not scribed by Hague,” Aguillard tions take time and profession- impossible. Further, when the said. al expertise to safeguard the country is in chaos, the risk of People wanting to find out rights of all involved.” trafficking children increases. more about adoptions can call People who do wish to pur- People who choose to adopt 225-336-8708. For more info, sue adoption can contact CCD- despite these warnings may visit adoptccdiobr.org, or reg- BR to learn how to best begin potentially have an adoption ister for “Adoption Matters,” the process. that isn’t legal in the Unit- CCDBR’s free informational “At this point in a disaster, ed States, be unprepared for seminar set for Monday, June it is extremely difficult to de- rearing a traumatized child, or 22, at noon. 6 The Catholic Commentator May 29, 2015 Divorced woman wants to become Catholic/Holy water fonts

I am a 68-year-old woman found in Matthew 19:6 – “Therefore, Perhaps your pastor is simply placing and am seriously considering what God has joined together, no human the smaller fonts where worshippers Qconverting to Catholicism. But being must separate.” Divorce itself is not (including both children and the elderly) I have been married more than once, necessarily sinful. (Sometimes a divorce can access them more easily, or perhaps have now been divorced for 11 years and, happens with virtually no responsibility he prefers to pronounce the customary prior to the divorce, was separated for on the part of one of the spouses.) What prayers of blessing over that water before 10 years. is prohibited is a second marriage while a it is poured into the fonts. I was exposed to Catholicism at an previous bond still exists. early age (when the service was in Latin), What you should do is talk with a Figures from the Old Testament and I remember many of the prayers. priest about the circumstances of your are never referred to as saints. Now I read online that I cannot become first marriage. It may be that your first QWere there no saints in those a Catholic because I am divorced. Is that spouse is already deceased, in which case days? (Albany, New York) true? If it is a sin to divorce, I thought there would be no obstacle; or perhaps that Jesus forgives those who sin. I feel your first spouse was a Catholic who Your question is an excellent one, that, although my life has been difficult, I Question Corner married outside the church, which would and the answer is a bit complex. am at the same time very blessed. I really be grounds for nullity. AIt is true that, in the Catholic need to know what I can do to become Father Kenneth Doyle So it could be that your way is clear Church, Old Testament figures have not a Catholic, or is it an impossible desire? to seek entrance into the Catholic faith, been formally canonized and given the (Laurel, Maryland) bond, under the church’s current legis- but I would need to know more about the title of “saint.” I suspect that this has to lation, this would present an obstacle to circumstances of your first marriage. do with the historical process by which Your question is a complicat- your entrance into the Catholic Church. that title came to be assigned. ed one, and the answer, which Remember that the Catholic Church At the entrance to our worship In the earliest centuries of the church, AI learned when I consulted a recognizes, as valid, marriages that take space, we have a free-standing only those who had been martyred for canon lawyer, surprised even me. My place when two people exchange consent Qbaptismal font with a waterfall. their faith were commemorated liturgi- top-of-the-head response would have according to the norms of their own faith Engraved around the top edge are the cally on their anniversaries. St. Martin been that, since you are not currently traditions. So presumptively your first words, “I baptize you in the name of the of Tours, who died in 397, was probably married, you would be free to become a marriage “counted” and precluded you, Father and of the Son and of the Holy the first nonmartyr assigned a feast Catholic. in the Catholic Church’s eyes, from enter- Spirit.” Since we dedicated this space day. Since then sainthood has generally But what I learned was this: Since you ing into a second marriage. some 10 years ago, we have been going been ascribed to people who provided entered into a second marriage while you The church is guided by the words of to this font upon entering and leaving outstanding examples of lives modeled may still have had an existing marital Jesus on the indissolubility of marriage, church and marking ourselves with the after the teachings of Jesus (which would sign of the cross as a reminder of our exclude those who lived before Christ). baptism. (This, according to our liturgi- Does that mean that we cannot pray to cal architect, is what it was designed to Old Testament figures or seek their inter- be used for.) cession? By no means. The word “saint” Now, some parishioners have asked is commonly taken to mean someone (and our pastor has agreed) that ho- who followed the will of God and is now ly water fonts be attached to the wall in heaven. Surely, Moses and Elijah are (within two steps of the font.) They say safely there, since they appeared with that it is inconvenient for people to walk Jesus on Mount Tabor at the Transfigu- the extra distance to the font and that ration. children cannot reach the water in the Catholic churches of the Eastern rite font. Our pastor says that, henceforward, (Greek or Byzantine, for example) do, in the baptismal font is to be used only for fact, celebrate specific feast days for Old baptisms. Testament figures: Joshua and Moses, I don’t understand the theology of Daniel, the seven Maccabee brothers, etc. this. When the font was built, we re- The “Roman Martyrology,” a compila- searched this extensively and came to tion of those honored as saints includes understand that the baptismal font is the such notable Old Testament figures as “womb and the tomb” of our faith, and Isaiah, Abraham and King David. The we catechized parishioners on the impor- Catechism of the Catholic Church also tance of approaching the font whenever has this to say in No. 61: “The patriarchs, they were entering or leaving the church. prophets and certain other Old Testa- Can you explain this for me and many ment figures have been and always will of my fellow parishioners? (Virginia) be honored as saints in all the church’s liturgical traditions.” A fair number of churches now So, the great figures of the Old Testa- have a baptismal font, which flows ment, though never formally canonized Acontinuously, reminding congre- by the Latin-rite church, are worthy of gants of the “living waters” of baptism. our devotion and our imitation. Those arriving for worship do often bless themselves with this water, recalling FATHER DOYLE is chancellor for public their own baptism into Christ. Often, I information and a pastor in the Diocese would think, that water is technically of Albany, New York. Questions may be not yet “holy water,” since it is during the sent to Father Kenneth Doyle at askfat baptismal ceremony itself that the water [email protected] and 40 Hopewell is blessed for the sacrament. St., Albany, NY 12208.

Find more ‘archived’ viewpoints from Father Doyle at The Catholic Commentator Online under “Viewpoint” at: thecatholiccommentator.org May 29, 2015 FAITH JOURNEY The Catholic Commentator 7 Response to series suggests hunger for more formation

By Debbie Shelley tion at the final session at St. Jean Vianney. The Catholic Commentator “We found people to be enthusiastic about the challenge.” The enthusiastic participation by peo- He continued, “Pope Francis asks some ple of the Diocese of Baton Rouge in the challenging question such as, “Why am I recent four-part “Joy of the Gospel” series here and what is my purpose? How do I suggests there is a hunger for more formal answer the call to discipleship in terms of faith formation, said Father Tom Ranzino, practical living?” vicar general and pastor of St. Jean Vian- Other questions include, “Why would ney Church in Baton Rouge. I think that in only certain areas Jesus is The idea for the series germinated from calling me to become involved rather than discussions by priests in the diocese who in all areas?” were inspired by Pope Francis’ first apos- ‘Pope Francis is bringing people back tolic exhortation, according to Father Ran- to Jesus,” Father Ranzino noted. He said zino. Jesus’ vision of “being a neighbor” is in “We were challenged as priests to think a sense of community – community in a Group discussion leaders talk about the answers given and stories shared in their small about how grounded we were in the Catho- sense of worship, actions and mission. group discussion at a recent “Joy of the Gospel Series” session. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The lic Faith,” said Father Ranzino. Through the series people reflected on Catholic Commentator This led the and discussed how to be priests to ponder joyful evangelizers who in his public ministry. Reading and dis- tions formed caucuses to list concrete how they can share are rooted in Jesus, said cussing with others his writings, such as steps to implement what they had learned. Pope Francis’ vi- Father Ranzino. “The Joy of the Gospel,” allows people to Some church parishes, such as St. George sion. The idea then As demonstrated have a more holistic picture that brings to- Church in Baton Rouge, looked at ways to developed to open by Pope Francis, who gether Francis’ public image with his writ- have cross cultural encounters with the up discussions on the pope’s teachings to spends time in front of the Blessed Sacra- ings, said Father Ranzino. Hispanic community. Others such as St. the diocese. ment, evangelizing includes prayer. Prayer The large number of people attending Paul the Apostle and St. Francis Xavier People packed each of the four sessions, should always be paired with the concept the series indicates that it would be good Churches in Baton Rouge and Immaculate which included a reflection by a guest of community, Father Ranzino said. to explore a lay formation on a large-scale Conception Church in Scotlandville, plan speaker and small and large group discus- “It’s not to just go inward, but out- basis, noted Father Ranzino. Areas of par- to work jointly on projects to reach out to sions. About 20 different church parishes ward,” said Father Ranzino, explaining ticular interest include social justice issues their neighborhood communities. and organizations were represented at the that heaven is where believer’s homes are, and evangelization. Working with Our As ideas formulate around the diocese sessions. but meanwhile they have work to do on Lady of the Lake College can help make about further opportunities for Catholics “It’s been very fruitful,” said Father earth. that possible, he said. to get together to discuss and live out their Ranzino, who reflected on how to take con- Pope Francis has gained attention and At the final session at St. Jean Vian- faith, Father Ranzino encouraged people crete steps to put social principals into ac- can surprise people by the things he does ney, the church parishes and organiza- to read “The Joy of the Gospel.” Making Mass more meaningful

oing to Mass can be think this way when you attend self toward its liberation through lives: “Being a disciple means boring or fascinating, holy Mass? It may help you with self-giving, and thus toward being constantly ready to bring Gdepending on what you the way you experience the authentic self-discovery.” the love of Jesus to others, and bring to it. mystery unfolding before you. Jesus said basically the this can happen unexpectedly For some, the Mass is a joyless Forget the priest, the choir and same thing, “Whoever seeks to and in any place: on the street, in experience: The priest mumbles, the sneezing that is going on all preserve his life will lose it, but a city square, during work, on a the babies cry, your head aches or around you, and think like the whoever loses it will save it” (Lk journey.” perhaps all of the above happen psalmist: “My soul longs for you 17:33). As you leave the church after at the same time. It makes you O God,” (Ps 42:2). Apply this knowledge the next Mass, keep in mind that you are be- wish you had stayed home. When Pope Benedict XVI, in his time you attend Mass. Put aside ing sent into the world as an apostle distractions like that pester me, encyclical, “God Is Love,” applied all the distracting sounds and of God’s love. The Holy Spirit will here’s how I cope. this analogy even further. He sights around you and imagine enlighten you along the way. I imagine the whole ceremony wrote, “I want my first encyclical your intimacy with God as a These words of Blessed Julian as one narrative with a begin- Spirituality to speak of the love which God purifying bath in the cleansing of Norwich have helped me: “The ning, middle and end. I see the lavishes upon us.” waters of divine love. greatest honor you can give to church as the bride of Christ For Today He explained that God actual- Pope Francis gave us some Almighty God is to live gladly, participating in an act of love. ly woos us. He lures us so that we valuable insights into how we can joyfully because of the knowledge United with him, we become one Father John Catoir will leave behind everything that use this knowledge in our daily of his love.” mystical body, and we present is counterproductive to our union ourselves to the Father. For me, back to us at the consecration. with him. entering the inner life of the Trin- The bride of Christ surrenders St. John the beloved disciple ity is never boring. to the Father’s love in a moment said the same thing, “God is love, Honor Those We Love. In this narrative, I unite with of sublime union. When you love and whoever remains in love GARDENS OF MEMORY &FUNERAL HOME -CREMATORY -MAUSOLEUMS Jesus and the people of God in a someone, you not only love the remains in God and God in him” mystical union, which I envi- person in an abstract way, you (1 Jn 4:16). sion through the eyes of faith. appreciate being loved. One of Pope Benedict also said in Together we offer ourselves to the the most obvious characteristics his encyclical, “Love is indeed Father. At the offertory, we bring of love is that the lovers enjoy ‘ecstasy,’ not in the sense of a mo- 11817 Jefferson Highway gifts of bread and wine to express being together. Hold that thought ment of intoxication but rather 225-753-1440 our desire to please God. Then the throughout the Mass. as a journey, an ongoing exodus www.ResthavenBatonRouge.com divine lover gives himself right Do you have the courage to out of the closed inward-looking 2x2” Rest.small.honor.those’13 8 The Catholic Commentator May 29, 2015 Bishop Fabre addresses legislators during annual Mass By Richard Meek “We hear St. Paul and Jesus say farewell. The Catholic Commentator What will our farewell speech be like in the fu- ture?” he said, asking if the message would be Saying farewell is always difficult, but how consistent in what we believe or will it be one of we say it often speaks volumes of how we led our disappointment. “Is it a reflection of how Jesus is own lives. still present in us?” That was the message Bishop Shelton J. Fabre Just as Jesus demanded his disciples and of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux delivered to St. Paul instructed his followers to go out and state lawmakers May 20 during the legislators spread the word of God, we are called to follow Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge. those commands. But through faith in Jesus, The Mass attracted nearly 20 legislators and Bishop Fabre said each individual has the ability was celebrated by Bishop Fabre, a native of New to follow in those footsteps. Roads. “We don’t give a job to someone we know that Bishop Fabre’s homily drew on the readings can’t do the job,” Bishop Fabre said. “God fully of the day when St. Paul and Jesus each said believes we can do the job. We know we can do their own farewells, in their separate ways. the job. “There comes a time when have to say a sig- “When we are called upon to give our farewell nificant goodbye,” Bishop Fabre said. “Those speech it will be a manifestation of how we lived goodbyes put things in perspective, either pos- our life in the name of God.” Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and a native itively or negatively.” The annual Mass is traditionally celebrat- of New Roads, celebrated Mass for state legislators May 20 at St. Joseph The bishop said saying farewell is a part of ed while the legislature is in session. This year Cathedral. The annual Mass is celebrated while the legislature is in session. life and also a call to reflect on how we each have it was followed by a short reception in the new Nearly 20 lawmakers were in attendance. By Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator lived our own lives. parish life center at St. Joseph. Our Lady of the Lake selected one of nation’s top 40 best hospitals

Our Lady of the Lake Re- the nation. The publisher of Best and evaluates each one in five in all five common care areas ing the need for post-surgical gional Medical Center is the Hospitals unveiled its analysis of common surgical procedures which include hip replacement, follow-up care or not charging only Louisiana hospital selected hospital quality. and medical conditions that ac- knee replacement, heart bypass for this care in the rare instance as a best hospital by U.S. News The new Best Hospitals for count for millions of hospital- surgery, congestive heart failure it is necessary.” & World Report, a distinction common care ratings cover near- izations a year. Our Lady of the and chronic obstructive pulmo- The Value Guarantee follows earned by only 40 hospitals in ly every hospital in the country Lake ranked high-performing nary disease (COPD). Our Lady of the Lake’s selection Areas resulting in high-per- as the only hospital in Louisiana forming ratings means that to participate in the Medicare quality data analyzed showed re- Bundled Payments for Care Im- sults that are statistically better provement initiative. than the national average. A project of the CMS Inno- Advertisements “At Our Lady of the Lake, our vation Center, this is a quality physicians and team members improvement strategy that iden- of are committed to being transpar- tifies and implements best prac- iocese ouge ent about our quality measures tices for hip and/or knee replace- D R and dedicated to always working ment surgery. areaton being accepted to improve how we deliver care. Through this program in B Sharing data and recognitions which OLOL receives a single such as this one make us better payment for all costs associated by allowing our patients to make with a hip or knee replacement informed decisions and to be ac- surgery, Medicare patients re- The 2015-2016 Diocesan Directory tive participants in their health- ceive the same promise outlined care,” said OLOL president and in the Value Guarantee. for the Diocese of Baton Rouge is in K. Scott Wester. To generate the ratings, U.S. production. A great example of transpar- News & World Report evaluat- ency and commitment to high ed 4,600 hospitals nationwide If you would like to be apart of this quality is demonstrated in The across more than 25 quality mea- Value Guarantee program of- sures – including mortality, read- upcoming directory, now is the time to fered by Our Lady of the Lake, missions, infections and patient along with its Bundled Payment satisfaction scores – and ana- get the information. initiative. OLOL is the only hos- lyzed more than 5 million patient pital in Louisiana and among a records, taking into account each Deadlines are approaching. select few in the country to offer patient’s health conditions, age, a surgery guarantee to patients sex, socioeconomic status and Call for rates2014 and - 2015 deadlines DIRECTORY and their insurance companies. other factors affecting risk. 225-387-0983 or “The Value Guarantee is a The ratings rely on Centers key component in controlling for Medicare & Medicaid Ser- email [email protected]. healthcare costs for insurers, vices data for patients 65 and employers and patients,” West- older, as well as data from the 14 Directory er said. “Our Value Guarantee American Hospital Association 013 -20 2 Diocese of Baton Rouge demonstrates to employers and annual survey and clinical regis- insurers that we will address the try data from the Society of Tho- overall cost of care by eliminat- racic Surgeons. May 29, 2015 The Catholic Commentator 9 St. Isidore parishioner honored SINCE 1979 By Debbie Shelley The Catholic Commentator FAST • AFFORDABLE • GUARANTEED FOR LIFE (228-4882) Ask about our 10% discount. The telephone lines light up Call 1-800-BATHTUB and people come by the office or 225-753-6810 for Mention code: “Commentator” and receive an additional $100 discount. at St. Isidore Church in Baker a free in-home consultation. on Monday as they seek finan- cial assistance and food. They STEVE DECELL Walk-in Showers Aging-In-Place Consultant Walk-in Tubs receive a cheerful greeting from volunteer Rita King, whose ef- forts have not only been recog- nized by St. Isidore, but by the city of Baker, who presented her Mr. D’s Tree Service with its 2014 Citizen of the Year ovEr 35 yEars ExpErIEncE Award. She was honored at a Don Decell, owner banquet in April. King was baptized in the carl BaBin, owner • Economical Baptist church and grew up in • Fully Insured • Quality Work Mississippi. When she moved to CALL TODAY! Baker years ago, her sister-in- law invited her and her sister to 225-292-6756 attend Mass at St. Isidore. “It was beautiful. The lights were dimmed. There was beau- tiful music, incense,” King said. Rita King was honored for her tireless volunteer efforts by the city of Anthony’s Italian Deli She then attended a “come Baker when it chose her Outstanding Citizen. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Cath- Baton Rouge’s only TRUE ITALIAN Deli Since 1978 and see” event for people who olic Commentator Whatever your occasion, were thinking about joining the our specialties are always a hit! Catholic Church. She also found herself assist- ago, as a single mother of two “When I walked into the door, ing with parking at St. Isidore’s children, her stove broke down. • Father’s Day I thought, ‘This is where you’re Octoberfest The owner of the local electric • Birthday parties • Wedding and other sacrament supposed to be,’ ” King said. She “It is long, but it is fun,” King company came out and fixed it celebrations • Reunions entered the church at the Easter said. and told her, “You don’t owe me • Graduation • Vacations Vigil Mass in 1999. Because OctoberFest is en- a dime.” • Office lunches • Now that she had a new joyed by the wider Baker com- He then told her, “If you want Fresh Lasagna To-Go Daily church home, she wanted to be a munity, King said she has had a to pay me back find someone in Small 4-6 servings contributing family member. wonderful opportunity to get to need, and help them.” Large 8-10 servings After King retired from Wal- know the people of the area. “I bawled, I was so apprecia- Mart in Baker in 2013, she was Other volunteering efforts tive,” says King. 5575 Government St., just west of Jefferson Hwy. Phone orders welcome! 225-272-6817 Open Mon. - Sat. 9:30 - 6 “looking for something to do.” have also helped King get to And she has carried on his re- Angie Barrios, director of liturgy know Baker in a deeper way. quest ever since. and evangelization, asked her to In addition to helping at St. “I’m not special,” said King help in the office assisting those Isidore, King volunteers at a humbly, pointing out that there in need. soup kitchen at First United are many people giving of “It’s amazing how many peo- Methodist Church in Baker. themselves in their neighbors. ple can call in a few minutes,” Through her outreach to the “There’s a great need in the com- said King. poor, King said she meets many munity. By helping others to re- She also gives people spiritual people and learns about the ceive, you find a lot of good in it food as an extraordinary minis- deeper needs of the community. for yourself. God calls you to do ter of the Eucharist. She makes “There are lots of stories,” good things. You just do them.” sure the altar is ready for Mass King said. “One woman said, ‘My Much of what is reported as coordinator of the sacristans daughter was caught on drugs about Baker concerns its strug- and sings in Harvester’s choir, and is in jail. I have her children gles, particularly about its school supports the Catholic Daughters and need food.’ ” system, where King hopes to get of America activities, and helps King said volunteering comes involved, she acknowledged. But with church garage sales. naturally to her because her once one goes out into the neigh- “She (King) is such a good mother modeled it for her. borhoods, they discover amidst Joe Skibinski person. When there’s something “At Christmas, she would fix the problems there is so much Agent to be done, she’s there to do it. plates and desserts and she and good, and she can’t picture her- 1953 Perkins Rd. She doesn’t sit on her hands and my sister (and me) would take self living anywhere else. Baton Rouge, LA 70808 wait for someone else to do it,” it into the neighborhoods,” King And based on her award and Bus: 225-387-0201 said fellow St. Isidore parishio- said. comments from those who know Toll Free: 888-387-0201 ner Emily Stein, who nominated She also has been on the re- her, they would not want her to [email protected] King for the award. ceiving end of generosity. Years go anywhere else. For advertising information, go to thecatholiccommentator.org/advertising or call 225-387-0983 10 The Catholic Commentator | May 29, 2015 May 29, 2015 | The Catholic Commentator 11 CLOSING BELL

Redemptorist leaves behind more than 60 years of wonderful memories and achievements

he main thing that has consoled me in my pain is that I look around the Baton Rouge “Tarea and I see where the Catholic faith that was given to people at Redemptorist is spread all over the city. The school is closing, but faith has grown as a result of Redemptorist High School.” PRAYER Barbara Bouvard Class of 1964 FUN

SERVICE MUSIC ATHLETICS

ACADEMICS 12 The Catholic Commentator May 29, 2015 Beloved St. Aloysius principal retiring

By Debbie Shelley nett. When beloved St. Aloysius pastor The Catholic Commentator Father Than Vu died in January, Bennett directed the students to go straight to the Work hard. Play hard. Pray often. This church. is the motto given by St. Aloysius School “I cried in church. But when he (Ben- Principal John Bennett to his students. nett) talked about how Father Than was Bennett, who is retiring after 30 years, in a better place, I felt so much better,” is lovingly referred to by his students as said Eagleton. “their favorite subject.” When Bennett talked to students with “I just like the way he dressed up. I was discipline problems, he made sure they nervous when I came here, but I saw him knew Jesus loved them. dressed up and I lightened up,” said sixth- “I would always tell the students, ‘I’m grade student Jack Schliewe. “I had seen praying for you,’ ” Bennett said. the movies and thought, ‘Oh, I like that.’ ” He seemed to have lightened many of Bennett captivated the students with those students’ hearts. the costumes he wore, including Shrek, “One of the students who was in trouble Batman and Dorothy of the Wizard of Oz. came out (of Bennett’s office) laughing,” “I made a terrific Shrek. I made an said sixth-grade student Ally Parnell. St. Aloysius School Principal John Bennett, who is retiring after 30 years, with students awful looking Dorothy,” said Bennett, al- Right now, it’s hard for the students to before the eighth-grade closing ceremony. Photo provided by St. Aloysius School though students commented that Doro- imagine coming to school next year and thy was their favorite. They especially ad- Bennett, who has two grandchildren in mired his ruby red slippers. tance of having fun while keeping up with wants them to be close to Jesus. the school, not being there, at least in an Bennett would do “crazy things” to get lessons. “He (Bennett) set an amazing Chris- official capacity. He has left some big ruby the kids’ attention on important matters. But it’s more than Bennett’s creativ- tian example for the school,” said Anna slippers to fill. When school was letting out for the sum- ity in dressing up and fun antics that im- Camile Eagleton, also a sixth-grade stu- “It’s going to be hard to let him go as mer, Bennett sat and ran around on the pressed the students. He taught them to dent. “I want to do a lot more. I want to a principal,” said another sixth-grade stu- school rooftop, tossing trinkets to kids have fun and be joyful, but to also work love Jesus.” dent Sophia D’Angelo. to encourage them to continuing reading hard. “He taught us to look after one another,” “He’s the center of the school,” said during the summer. He wrote songs and Even more, the students said they said Leo Patriarco, another sixth-grade Lane Poché, who worked with Bennett as played “air guitar” to stress the impor- know that Bennett cares about them and student. “If someone is getting overlooked, a member of the student advisory council. get our of your comfort zone and be a He talked about how Bennett could take friend for the day and hang out with them.” student council ideas and make them bet- Bennett, who is Catholic schools edu- ter. cated, said his modeling of how to be joy- “Everyone who has come to this school ful, loving and hardworking came from will say they remember Mr. Bennett,” said the Daughters of Jesus, who were active D’Angelo. in St. Aloysius Church and School for 45 Unwilling to take credit for all the ac- years. complishments at the school, Bennett “I worked many years with the Daugh- said he surrounded himself with many ters of Jesus. Joy was in this place because gifted, talented, selfless and loving teach- of their presence. It was infectious. I think ers, faculty, staff and parents. Celebrating and Recognizing they were great role models in that people “I’m in awe of the small miracles that saw Jesus in them. Each one of them was happen here. How people serve each oth- 68 Years of Catholic Education at able to look at the kids and see Jesus in er in a loving capacity,” Bennett said. Redemptorist High School them. They brought Jesus out in them. For all the good things that happen at That was the love and care they gave each school, the students said they wish Ben- Baton Rouge, Louisiana person who came to them … I just tried nett a lot of fun and relaxation in retire- Your presence is requested at a to make sure we continued that tradition,” ment. Bennett said. “Now he can go to the beach,” said Leadership was also displayed by Ben- D’Angelo. Mass of Thanksgiving

Monday, June 29, 2015 6:00 in the evening St. Gerard Majella Catholic Church

5354 Plank Road Baton Rouge Reception immediately following Mass in the RHS Student Center Alumni, friends and former faculty are

especially welcome! HOLY FAMILY MILESTONE – Holy Family School in Port Allen recently celebrated its 65th anniversary with a Mass and an art exhibition. Many alumni and friends, as well as local political officials, attended the Mass, which was celebrated by Father RSVP: www. csobr.org David Allen, pastor of Holy Family. Holy Family first graders, above, sang after Mass was concluded. Photo submitted by Holy Family School May 29, 2015 The Catholic Commentator 13 Unity, not uniformity recent Taco Bell cial plays on the basic is love, and images God in diverse ways The Holy Spirit allowed the people to commercial entitled fear of being manipu- without ever exhausting the infinite hear the Gospel in their own language A“Routine Republic” lated and controlled mystery of God. So how does the church while drawing them into the one church. depicts a government-type into a mindless and allow us to be fully ourselves? In the The Holy Spirit through the church con- entity using propaganda meaningless exis- words of St. Therésè of Lisieux, “At last tinues to speak the truth of Christ to all and military force to per- tence. As Dr. Pepper I have found my vocation; my voca- cultures and all people. suade and control people to has reminded us tion is love!” We can only fully become The diverse gifts people possess eat a circular breakfast. several times during ourselves when we love in the unique compliment the unity of the church. The commercial ex- the past few years, we and unrepeatable way for which we were Through love they serve her mission. The claims, “It’s another perfect want to be one of a created. When we give ourselves to God goal of Christianity is not to get rid of the morning in the Routine kind … and apparently in love, we discover our true selves. self, but to allow the self to fully flourish Republic where happi- drink Dr. Pepper for Christ’s love makes us the family of through he love of God in the community ness is eating the same some odd reason. God. St. Paul describes the family of the of the church. breakfast. Same breakfast. What interest me church as the body of Christ in which Furthermore, whatever truth, beauty Same routine. Same smile. Sign of the Times isn’t whether circular each of us participates in the unity of the and goodness expressed within diverse Circle is good. Hexagon is shape food taste better church in unique and diverse way (see cultures becomes a vehicle to express the bad. Routine is delicious! Seminarian Ryan Hallford or makes one more Rm 12:3-21). In the body of Christ we truth of the Gospel. For example, the ma- Same, same, same, same, unique than non- each have a different role in contributing ny images of Mary at the National Shrine same, same, same. Good, circular foods, but the to the life of the church. Like a human of the Immaculate Conception in Wash- good, good. Different is bad. Convention tension within our own human hearts body, the diversity of each member acts ington, D.C. offers a beautiful example is king. Eat only our breakfast, because between unity and diversity belonging to for the sake of the unity of the body of the richness of diversity. The different happiness is eating the same breakfast.” a community versus being a unique indi- providing the body with capacities that cultural portrayals of Mary show how the The hexagon, of course, refers to the vidual. On one hand the unity of com- it would otherwise lack. Hence diver- Holy Spirit inspires faith in the hearts of shape of one of Taco Bell’s breakfast munity is good, and on the other hand sity enriches the unity of Christ’s Body, believers by using and permeating the options. While two daring individuals the diverse ways we image God is also if every member performed the same very the signs and symbols of their cul- make a run for the boarder, clown-faced, good, but sometimes these two goods are function there wouldn’t be any harmony ture in order to give unique expression to communist-looking enforcers chase the wrongly treated as opposites. among the members. the faith of the church. Likewise human rebel rousers who eventually cross the This tension between unity and di- The Holy Spirit allows for legitimate people are meant to give unique expres- plastic ball-pit river and escape to Taco versity originates in the central mystery diversity to thrive. At Pentecost the Holy sion to the faith of the church through Bell. of our faith the Trinity. God is one, but Spirit brings unity, but not uniformity. the witness of their life. If you want to be unique don’t eat in the unity of God is a diverse distinc- circular foods, eat Taco Bell. I hope you tion of divine persons: Father, Son and can see the irony here. In order to be Holy Spirit. As the unity of God includes different, everyone should eat Taco Bell. all three divine persons, the unity of Behold the power of propaganda that the church includes all Christians. By tries to convince us that buying their analogy, the unity we have in the church brand will set us free. doesn’t destroy the uniqueness of our hu- Reminiscent of the oppressive govern- man person, but allows us to more fully ment structures and dystopic settings be ourselves. found in stories like The Hunger Games Each human person is a unique and the Divergent series, this commer- unrepeatable expression of the God who

YOUNG PERFORMERS – Holy Ghost School in Hammond recently held a program for the end of the year kindergarten class. Performing “Awesome God” are, front row, from left, Preston Gemar and Olivia DiCiccio; back row, Sophia DiGiovanni, Noah Dugas, Brooke Dunn, Campbell Dutruch and Kenley Dykes. Photo submitted by Cindy Wagner | Holy Ghost School 14 The Catholic Commentator ENTERTAINMENT May 29, 2015

that exists in another dimension. They down in a plot involving corrupt cops Motion Picture Association of America join forces with a former inventor (George (most prominently Michael Mosley and MOVIE ratings: G – General audiences; all ages admitted Clooney) to wrest control of the future Matthew Del Negro), forcing the ill-suit- PG – Parental guidance suggested; some from a coldhearted bureaucrat (Hugh ed pair to go on the run together. Direc- REVIEWS material may not be suitable for children Laurie). Cartoonish but bloodless action tor Anne Fletcher puts the duo through USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting PG-13 – Parents are strongly cautioned sequences and a few mild oaths. A-II; PG their predictable road-movie paces with classifications: to give special guidance for attendance mediocre results. Fleeting violence and A-I – General patronage of children under 13; some material may The Water Diviner gore, brief partial nudity, a drug theme, A-II – Adults and adolescents be inappropriate for young children Warner Bros. a mildly irreverent joke, some earthy hu- A-III – Adults R – Restricted; under 17 requires accom- An Australian father (Russell Crowe) mor including a scene of feigned homo- A-IV – Adults, with reservations panying parent or adult guardian copes with the loss of his three sons sexuality, at least one use each of profan- L – Limited adult audience NC-17 – No one under 17 admitted O – Morally offensive (Ryan Corr, Edward James Fraser, Ben ity and rough language, occasional crude O’Toole) at the Battle of Gallipoli dur- and crass terms. A-III; PG-13 ing World War I in this fictional drama inspired by true events. He journeys to Mad Max: Fury Road Pitch Perfect 2 humor by belittling women, foreigners Turkey, where a former enemy official Warner Bros Universal and even religion is out of tune with what (Yilmaz Erdogan), in a gesture of recon- A brutal assault on all the senses is The trials and tribulations of a college a should be as wholesome anthem for self- ciliation, decides to help him locate the the best way to describe this fourth film cappella group continue in this sequel to improvement and achievement. Implied remains of his sons. Along the way he be- in a series, directed, co-produced, and the 2012 film, directed and co-produced nonmarital relationships, adult themes friends a hotel owner (Olga Kurylenko) co-written by George Miller. In a bleak, by Elizabeth Banks, who also reprises her and innuendo, occasional crude language, and her son (Dylan Georgiades) with post-apocalyptic future, a road warrior role of a snarky pageant official. When and an obscene gesture. A-III; PG-13 grief issues of their own. Directed by (Tom Hardy) joins forces with a hijacker the group is banned from national com- Crowe with stunning cinematography, (Charlize Theron) as they seek revenge on petition by virtue of a scandal by one of Tomorrowland the film offers a timely reminder of the a tyrannical leader (Hugh Keays-Byrne) its singers (Rebel Wilson), its leaders Disney ghastly personal cost of war and its lin- who controls two precious commodities, (Anna Kendrick and Brittany Snow) seek Borrowing the name but little else from gering impact upon future generations. water and gasoline. Along for the ride redemption by going after the world title the futuristic-themed section of Disney- Bloody war violence and disturbing im- are the leader’s concubines, one of whom with the help of a new recruit (Hailee land and other Disney parks, this delight- ages of death, and an unflattering por- (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley) is carrying Steinfeld). That means facing off against ful science-fiction film is great fun for the trayal of a Catholic priest. A-III; R his child. The chase is on, with a crazed a German ensemble led by a menacing entire family, directed and co-written by soldier (Nicholas Hoult) leading an arma- dominatrix (Birgitte Hjort Sorensen). Brad Bird. A young woman (Britt Rob- Hot Pursuit da in pursuit. Impressive cinematogra- The film works best when showcasing the ertson) is recruited by a mysterious ro- Warner Bros. phy and choreographed action are small catchy tunes and not the dialogue, which bot (Raffey Cassidy) for a mission to save Brittle comedy in which a high-strung consolations for two hours of gratuitous is shockingly tone deaf. The attempt at both Earth and the eponymous utopia police officer (Reese Witherspoon) is as- combat in which men have no qualms signed to protect the volatile wife (Sofia about beating women to a pulp – and vice Vergara) of a drug runner-turned-govern- versa. Relentless bloody violence, several ment-witness. But the gangster is gunned disturbing images, and brief nudity. L; R Holy Orders

Dcn. Doyle Dcn. Dykes Dcn. Graham

For complete coverage of the ordinations of Deacon Brad Doyle, Deacon Rueben Dykes, and Deacon Matthew Graham to the priesthood, please read the June 12 issue of The Catholic Commentator. May 29, 2015 ENTERTAINMENT The Catholic Commentator 15

1234 56789 11120 131 Strong 41 51 61 71 81 91 In a perfect storybook, the world is brave We are strong and good 210 2 232 2 A hero takes your hand, a sweet love will When “once upon a time” in stories and in 42 52 follow rhyme But life’s a different game, the sorrow and the A moment you can shine and wear your own 276 28292 03 pain crown 13 23 34353 363 Only you can change your world tomorrow Be the one that rescues you 73 83 93 Let your smile light up the sky Through the clouds, you’ll see the blue Keep your spirit soaring high 04 14 24 (Repeat refrain.) 34 44 Refrain: Trust in your heart and your sun shines for- A bird all alone on the wind 465 47484 94 ever and ever Can still be strong and sing 05 521 5354555 Hold fast to kindness, your light shines for- Sing ever and ever 65 587 5 95 I believe in you and me (Repeat refrain.) 06 16 26

36 46 56 Sung by Sonna Rele | Copyright © 2015 by Walt Disney moc.scilohtacrofsemagdrow.www

ACROSS DOWN 1 Land where Moses died 1 Abbr. for two OT books Finding the strength God planted in us 5 Possible Easter month 2 Book containing calendar of 10 Partly open Masses 3 City in India otown Records recording never give up on yourself 14 Golden Fleece ship 15 Develop 4 Pear artist Sonna Rele expressed and to accept a new begin- 16 Brass wind instrument 5 Our Lady of Guadalupe is pa- surprise when Disney invited ning is always there. 17 Writable storage media, briefly troness of this country M 6 Make ___ in her to sing the theme song for the Feeling “strong” waxes 18 City in Ohio 19 Ever and ___ 7 Ladder step newly released film “Cinderella.” En- and wanes for most of us, 20 Sport position 8 201, to Cato 9 Celestial titled “Strong,” the theme song is now but even when we don’t feel 22 Good habit 10 Xbox ancestor 24 The feast of the Guardian Angels climbing the charts. this strength, we can still 11 Small group ruling a country The song’s character says that “in a act with strength. Doing so is in this mon. 12 Concerning 25 Digress perfect storybook, the world is brave means acknowledging what 13 Bombay queen 26 Ancient Greek god 21 ___ Week and good, a hero takes your hand, a we’re feeling, but then act- 30 Game of chance 23 Patron saint of lawyers sweet love will follow.” However, for ing in a way that your heart 31 The root of all evils is the love of 25 Distributed cards this person, and for most of us, “life’s tells you is right. When you this (1 Tim 6:10) 26 Certain corner 32 Jesus shared this with his 27 His Holiness a different game, the sorrow and the quiet your mind and ask apostles the night before he died 28 Singles pain, only you can change your world for God’s guidance, you can 33 Ostrich’s cousin 29 Robert E. and family tomorrow.” move in a positive direction 37 It’s heavier than a foil 30 Catholic actor, Gene ___ On The Record 38 Unsinkable Catholic survivor of 32 Wuthering Heights setting To accomplish this, she asks others This approach takes the Titanic 33 ___ to Damascus to “trust in your heart ... hold fast to Charlie Martin practice. You are not at- 39 Rowing implements 34 Solid kindness ... believe in you and me, we tempting to re-create your 40 Legendary loch 35 Canal or lake 36 Org. are strong.” entire life, but perhaps just choose one positive 41 Young male horse 42 Mary, Stella ___ 38 Catholic author of the Father What is this strength that the song’s character thing to focus on each day. As a pastoral coun- 43 Lean and sinewy Dowling series, Ralph ___ describes? And if we possess such a quality, can selor for the past 30 years, there is no message 44 Concealed 42 Prefix for small 43 Hairpiece we be sure that to “trust your heart” and holding more important I can give than: “Trust yourself, 45 Catholic award winning actor and star of “The Silence of the 44 Image for the “hope of salvation” (1 Thess 5:8) “fast to kindness” will make us strong? God made you right.” Lambs” 45 It was in the carcass of the lion Realizing such strength depends first on faith. With practice, you will learn to pause long 49 Commandment number that Samson killed 50 Can you believe that you are made in the im- enough to trust yourself in a variety of situa- Citrus fruit 46 Deliver a speech age and likeness of God? And if you hold such tions. 51 Entreats 47 Adjective for the Bishop of Rome 56 Back of the neck a belief, can you perceive that goodness always Slowing down your mind, plus resolving to 48 Mournful sound 57 ___ Novarum 49 St. Martin of ___ dwells within you, and that by trusting your- always act with kindness, will help you reach the 59 Once more 51 Mlle. across the Pyrenees self, and daring to act with kindness, that the strength that God implanted within you. Yes, we 60 List ender 52 Slayer of Abel strength of this goodness will grow? make mistakes, but we learn. After learning, you 61 “Cheer, cheer for old ___…” 53 Avid about 62 “____ Small world” 54 Hardy lass Admittedly, it can be challenging to manifest will see just how “strong” you are. 63 Shout 55 Begin to convince such faith when life is full of difficulties. Perhaps 64 Biblical expanding agent 58 Unbiased hirer, briefly you have made mistakes and you feel uncertain MARTIN is an Indiana pastoral counselor who 65 Prying Solution on page 18 whether the future will be much better. You may reviews current music for Catholic News Ser- feel self-doubt rather than faith. vice. Write to: [email protected]; or at: 7125 We all have been through difficulties. Yet, we West CR 200 South, Rockport, IN 47635; or like know that these difficulties can build the type of this column on Facebook at “Charlie Martin’s strength that the song describes. The power to Today’s Music Columns.”

Search ‘Charlie Martin’ for more of his columns at The Catholic Commentator Online at thecatholiccommentator.org 16 The Catholic Commentator VIEWPOINT May 29, 2015

| EDITORIAL The face of mercy as seen in Mary Graduation also pertains our mother to our faith n April 11 Pope Francis blessed because through her God’s published an official “mercy” will be shown “from age to raduation on any level neither should one’s thirst to Odocument called a “bull” age to those who fear him.” Kasper is a time of transition, grow in their faith. proclaiming the upcoming says that “Mary, by her faithful obe- Gwhen one educational Similar to education, the jubilee year of mercy. He gave dience in the place of all humankind milestone is completed and foundation of one’s faith life is this “bull” the title Misericordiae has loosed the knot of disobedience perhaps another looms on the borne at an early age, and built Vultus (“The Face of Mercy”). that Eve had tied. Thus she has be- horizon. upon through elementary, high The opening line is “Jesus Christ come the mother of all the living. By For high school students, school and even college years. is the face of the father’s mercy.” her obedient, ‘yes,’ Mary became the graduation is a bridge from the Just as students are certain to The bull sets the date for the handmaiden chosen and blessed by final vestiges of adolescence to encounter academic challenges, beginning of the jubilee year on God to be his servant of mercy.” the early rungs of adulthood. the same can be said of how December 8. There are reasons Cardinal Kasper does not con- Many of those walking the stage they live out their faith. for the date and the title. De- cede anything to those who criticize will find a college career awaiting Ultimately their academic cember 8, 2015 marks the 50th Catholicism’s devotion to Mary. He on the other side of those steps. success, or lack of, will be anniversary of the closing of the Another points to the fact that she too “had For college students, gradu- reflective of the foundation Second Vatican Council. In his to walk the pilgrim’s path of faith: ation might be the final steps of they established at an early age usual direct way, Pope Francis Perspective childbirth in an emergency shelter; preparation for a chosen career. and the commitment they put remarks that “The church (and the flight to Egypt; the search for Even kindergarten graduates into their pursuit of a diploma. above all its pope) feels a great Father John Carville her child; her disconcertment over experience a transition, from the Similarly, the lives they lead will need to keep this event alive.” the public life of her son, whom she carefree days of no homework be testimony to their early years Overcoming opposition to the reforms of the wanted to keep at home with his family; and fi- and afternoon naps to the more of faithful formation and the council and correcting the revisionist history nally her brave endurance under her son’s cross. structured routine of first grade. commitment they made to lead that has occurred during the past 30 years seem She was spared nothing.” No matter the level, however, a life pleasing to God. to be high among Pope Francis’ goals. Mary, as mother of mercy, appears again at the graduation represents moving The Catholic Commentator December 8 is also the Feast of Mary’s Im- end of the fourth Gospel. From the cross, Jesus forward, building upon a foun- congratulates all graduates, maculate Conception, a title under which she is entrusts his mother to St. John and conversely dation that likely took several from kindergarten to those who the patroness of the United States of America, John to Mary as her son (Jn 19:26). St. Augustine years to complete. Every ending earned advanced degrees. As which Pope Francis will be visiting this com- and the translators of the New American Bible is marked by a new beginning, you enjoy this proud moment ing September. As a good leader, Pope Francis take this symbolically to mean that Jesus gives whether it be in academia or the of achievement and prepare knows the importance of the simple and con- his mother to all Christians as personified by the business world. for your next step, whether crete expression of his vision. beloved disciple. For Cardinal Kasper, this means Each level of achieve- it’s continuing your education “Perhaps we have long since forgotten how to that “Mary permanently belongs in the Gospel of ment should not only mark an or launching a career, never show and live the way of mercy,” he writes in the God’s mercy; she is permanently a witness and an academic benchmark but also a forget that your faith is the most bull. “It is time to return to the basics and to bear instrument of divine mercy.” growing maturity of the gradu- important diploma you will ever the weaknesses and struggles of our brothers and From the earliest Mass liturgies of the church ate’s faith. Just as one’s learn- earn. There will be no cap or sisters. Mercy is the force that reawakens us to to the sermons of the early fathers of the church, ing should never be allowed to gown, only a life of eternal hap- new life and instills in us the courage to look to Mary has been understood as an instrument stagnate, even post graduation, piness. the future with hope.” of God’s mercy. In the first millennium of the Jesus is the face of God’s mercy, but that church prayers, hymns and poems to Mary as | mercy also has a feminine face. It just so hap- mother of mercy can be found in all branches PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PRAY FOR US pens that the pope’s favorite author, Cardinal of Christianity: the Greek Church, the Latin Please pray for the priests, deacons and religious women and men in the Walter Kasper, has supplied him with that other Church, the Coptic Church, as well as the Syr- Baton Rouge Diocese. face of mercy in sacred Scripture. In his book, ian, Armenian and Russian churches. Cardinal “Mercy,” Kasper, after exhausting the images of Kasper says that the spiritual understanding of June 2 Rev. Ayo Emmanuel June 9 Rev. Eric V. Gyan Jesus as teacher and minister of mercy, writes Mary’s place in Scripture “has left noticeable Efodigbue MSP Dcn. James J. Morrissey about Mary in the Gospels. “They (the Gospels) traces even in the sixteenth-century reformers’ Dcn. Thomas J. Sr. Vernola Lyons OSF present us with a concrete image, indeed, a mir- praise of Mary.” This view would probably get Malinoski June 10 Rev. Patrick Healy SSJ ror image of divine mercy and an archetype of agreement from the Lutherans and the Episco- Br. Paul Montero SC Dcn. Jodi A. Moscona human and Christian mercy. Mary is a type of palians. It would be interesting to hear from the June 3 Rev. Denis O. Ekwugha Br. Ronald Talbot SC the church, and therefore, she is also a type of other main-line Protestant churches, especially Dcn. Edwin J. Martin June 11 Bro. Ray Hebert SC Christian mercy.” modern day evangelicals. Sr. Joan Laplace CSJ Dcn. Leon Roy Here are some of the Marian themes you can As we come to the end of May, the “Month June 4 Rev. Michael A. Galea Murphy Jr. look for during the “Holy Year of Mercy:” of Mary,” it seemed appropriate to write about Dcn. Wilbur P. Martinez Sr. Joan Manuel CSJ Cardinal Kasper finds two Gospel narratives, Marian themes which probably will occur dur- Br. Eugene Patin CSsR June 12 Rev. J. Clifton Hill CSSp one in Luke’s and one in John’s Gospel, that ing this Jubilee or Holy Year dedicated to God’s June 5 Rev. Henry W. Dcn. Donald J. Musso picture Mary as the mother of mercy. In Luke mercy. In his book on mercy, Cardinal Kasper, Gautreau Jr. Br. Xavier Werneth SC 1:26-38 God chooses Mary to cooperate in the treats other aspects of mercy in the parables Dcn. Robert McDonner June 13 Rev. James Hooks SJ work of our redemption. The angel Gabriel tells of Jesus, in the corporal and spiritual works of Sr. Marie-Paul Le ICM Dcn. Roger A. Navarra her that she has been “favored” by God. She is just mercy, in treatment of the poor, in the Church’s June 6 Rev. William L. Greene Sr. Ancilla Marie MC a simple Jewish girl, of no importance in herself, social teachings, etc., that are worth consider- Dcn. John L. McGinnis Jr. June 14 Rev. Gordian O. but she is willing to be the handmaid, the servant ing. Pope Francis mentions the same topics in Br. Marcel Riviere SC Iwuji MSP of God. She is called to be the mother of the Misericordiae Vultus. You may see more about June 7 Rev. Paul A. Gros Dcn. Angelo S. Nola redeemer, the instrument of God’s infinite mercy, them in this column. Dcn. Larry J. Melancon Br. Maurus Bordelon SC as he initiates the ultimate step in his plan to save Sr. Lilian Lynch OSF June 15 Rev. Joshua D. Johnson humanity. FATHER CARVILLE is a retired priest in the Diocese June 8 Rev. Leo Guillot Dcn. Ricky P. Oubre In the hymn she sings to her cousin, Elizabeth, of Baton Rouge and writes on current topics for Dcn. Francis M. Minor Sr. M. Vida Marija MC who acknowledges Mary as “the mother of my The Catholic Commentator. He can be reached Br. Lincoln Sigwald SC Lord,” Mary understands that she will be called at [email protected]. May 29, 2015 VIEWPOINT The Catholic Commentator 17 Artificial light hat’s the use of an old-fashioned, hand-held given that much, much of dice and expressed it (and continues to express it) in lantern? Well, its light can be quite useful atheism is a parasite off the many forms of fear and anti-intellectualism within Wwhen it’s pitch-dark, but it becomes superflu- of bad theism. Atheism our churches. Too often we unwittingly agree with our ous and unnoticeable in the noonday sun. Still, this feeds off bad religion and, critics that faith is a naiveté. We do it by believing the doesn’t mean its light is bad, only that it’s weak. no doubt, many of the very thing our critics assert, namely, that if we studied If we hold that image in our minds, we will see both things we do in the name and looked at things hard enough we would eventually a huge irony and a profound lesson in the Gospels when of religion are done out of lose our faith. We betray this in our fear of the intel- they describe the arrest of Jesus. Gospel of John, for ex- self-interest and intel- lectual academy, in our paranoia about secular wisdom, ample, describes Jesus’ arrest this way: “Judas brought lectual blindness. How in some of our fears about scientific knowledge, and by the cohort to this place together with guards sent by the many times, for instance, forever warning people to protect themselves against chief priests and Pharisees, all carrying lanterns and has politics used religion certain inconvenient truths within scientific and secular torches.” St. John wants us to see the irony in this, that for its own ends? The first knowledge. In doing this, we, in fact, concede that the is, the forces of this world have come to arrest and put prong of the criticism that criticism made against us is true and, worse still, we on trial, Jesus, the light of the world, carrying weak, the enlightenment makes betray that fact that we do not think that the truth of artificial light, a lantern in the face of the light of the of Christian belief is a In Exile Christ will stand up to the world. world, puny light in the full face of the noonday sun. healthy challenge to us as But, given the penetrating metaphor highlighted in As well, in naming this irony, the Gospels are offering believers. Father Ron Rolheiser Jesus’ arrest, there’s another way of seeing this: After a second lesson: when we no longer walk in the light of But it’s the second we have conceded the truth of the legitimate findings Christ, we will invariably turn to artificial light. prong of this criticism that, I believe, stands like a lan- of science and secular wisdom and affirmed that they This image, I believe, can serve as a penetrating tern, a weak light, dwarfed in the noonday sun. Central need to be embraced and not defended against, then, metaphor for how the criticism that the enlightenment to the enlightenment’s criticism of belief in God is their in the light of John’s metaphor (worldly forces, carry- has made of our Christian belief in God stands before assertion (perhaps better called prejudice) that faith is ing lanterns and torches, as they to arrest the light of what it is criticizing. That criticism has two prongs. a naiveté, something like belief in Santa and the Easter world to put it on trial), we should also see how dim are The first prong is this: The enlightenment (modernist Bunny, that we outgrow as we mature and open our the lights of our world, not least, the criticism of the thought) submits that the God that is generally present- minds more and more to knowledge and what’s empiri- enlightenment. ed by our Christian churches has no credibility because cally evident in the world. What we see through science Lanterns and torches are helpful when the sun is that God is simply a projection of human desire, a god and honest observation, they believe, eventually puts down, but they’re utterly eclipsed by the light of the sun. made in our own image and likeness, and a god that we to death our belief in God, exposing it as a naiveté. In Worldly knowledge too is helpful in its own way, but it is can forever manipulate to serve self-interest. Belief in essence, the assertion is that if you face up to the hard more-than dwarfed by the light of the Son. such a god, they say, is adolescent in that it is predicated empirical facts of reality without blinking, with honesty on a certain naiveté, on an intellectual blindness that and courage, you will cease to believe in God. Indeed, the OBLATE FATHER ROLHEISER, theologian, teacher and award- can be flushed out and remedied by a hard look at real- very phrase “the enlightenment” implies this. It’s only the winning author, is president of the Oblate School of ity. An enlightened mind, it is asserted, sees belief in unenlightened, pre-modernist mind that still can believe Theology in San Antonio, Texas He can be contacted God as self-interest and as intellectual blindness. in God. Moving beyond belief in God is enlightenment. through his website ronrolheiser.com and on Facebook There is much to be said, positively, for this criticism, Sadly, Christianity has often internalized this preju- at facebook.com/ronrolheiser

| LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

turns up numerous accounts of them. Concern for all the mar- not insure more people. tions. This is anything but health Indifference prison killings. One example is ginalized, including prisoners, The ACA was passed before care and being forced to provide the case of Robert Gleason Jr. demands we defend them. The Congress had a chance to read it is a violation of our consciences. who was already serving life in Catholic Commentator believes the law. What intelligent Chris- We have lost our religious liberty to the truth prison when he killed his cell- that the United States has per- tian in good conscience could with the ACA. We have a duty mate and vowed to continue kill- fected a threat free society in its pass a law effecting the lives to repeal this terrible law and In its editorial of May 1, The ing unless he was put to death. prisons. Reality is far from that. of so many without reading it? replace it with a simpler law to Catholic Commentator calls the Such murders occur even in the The Catholic Commentator’s edi- There are many unintended provide health care to those who State Legislature’s discussion of highest security prisons such as torial, while perhaps not fatuous, consequences from this law. can’t afford it. the method for performing the the case of Silvestre “Chikali” is in fact indifferent to the truth For example, we now find out, Many plans have been pro- death penalty “fatuous.” In doing Mayorqui-Rivera. – and the convicted felon. because of the way the law was posed that protect our rights. Let so, it at least finally acknowledges Then there are other acts of passed, that ACA increases taxes us look at them and read them, that the Catholic Church allows violence including beatings and Steven Felix on prosthetic limbs as well as then choose wisely what is best the death penalty when there is a torture as well as sexual abuse Prairieville other medical devices. I think for our country. All good Chris- threat to the community. which occur routinely. A study of we should have mercy on those tians want everyone to have ac- It continues its errors, how- four Midwestern states in 2000 who have lost a limb, not require cess to health care but it must be ever, when it states that in the by Struckman-Johnson found extra taxes. in a manner that is truly afford- United States a prisoner “prop- that about one in five inmates Don’t judge We were told that the ACA able and that protects our free- erly incarcerated” is no longer experienced some form of pres- would not cover abortions. This dom and the sacredness of life. a threat. Thus one should be an sured or coerced sexual conduct our hearts is what President Obama told the Please don’t stereotype those advocate for the convicted felon or rape while incarcerated. One Catholic bishops. Many people who are against a bad law as as well as the unborn child. Florida prisoner recounted that In response to a recent edi- were suspicious and didn’t believe uncaring or “elitist.” Don’t judge The assertion that incarcera- after six months of repeated torial on the Affordable Care this was true because so many our hearts. tion ends the threat is of course threats by other inmates that he Act, I looked up some facts on lies had been told in the past. false. According to a 2010 report was at the end of his emotional the Congressional Budget Office Now some of our hard earned tax Lynn Coco from the Southern Center for endurance and tried to commit website. Before the ACA, 30 mil- dollars are being spent on abor- Baton Rouge Human Rights, “People who are suicide. Summing up his experi- lion people in our country were supposed to be running our pris- ences, he wrote: “The opposite uninsured. In the years between Letters to the Editor ons have lost control.” The report of compassion is not hatred, it is 2016 and 2024, which as far as Letters to the Editor should be typed and limited to 350 words and should con- adds, the violence is staggering indifference.” was calculated, we will still have tain the name and address of the writer, though the address will not be printed. and “becoming more and more Being an advocate of the con- 30 million uninsured. Even with We reserve the right to edit all letters. Send to: Letters to the Editor, The Catholic Commentator, P. O. Box 14746, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4746, or to [email protected]. brutal.” A simple Google search victed felon includes defending all of its promises, the ACA will 18 The Catholic Commentator COMING EVENTS May 29, 2015

Pro-life Mass – A monthly pro-life Mass will be held serts and coffee, music, dancing and door prizes. Call Room, 444 Marquette Ave., Baton Rouge. Call 225-343- Tuesday, June 9, 5:30 p.m., at St. Agnes Church, 749 East 225-344-8595. 3181 or 225-803-3391, or email [email protected]. Blvd., Baton Rouge. Call 225-383-4127. Metairie Retreat – Father Donald Blanchard will pres- Adoption Matters Seminar – Catholic Charities of the Adult Bible Study – An adult Bible study series, “Mary: ent a retreat, “The Gift of the Seven Sacraments,” Friday, Diocese of Baton Rouge will host an Adoption Matters A Biblical walk with the Blessed Mother,” will be held June 12 – Sunday, June 14, at The Archdiocese of New seminar to help people learn about a successful journey Thursdays, June 11 - July 30, 7 p.m., in Our Lady of Orleans Retreat Center, 5500 St. Mary St., Metairie. toward adoption on Monday, June 22, 12 -1 p.m., at Cath- Mercy Parish Activity Center’s St. Gabriel’s Room. Cost Minimum offering is $225, which includes meals and olic Charities, 1900 S. Acadian Thwy., Baton Rouge. Call is $25. E-mail Jason Romero at jason.romero@olom- accommodations. Call 504-887-1420, or visit retreats. 225-336-8708, or visit catholiccharitiesbr.org. church.com, or call 225-926-1883. arch-no.org. Survivors of Suicide – Those who have lost a loved one to Christ the King Benefit – Christ the King Church and Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites – The Secular suicide are invited to attend a non-denominational free Catholic Student Center, Highland and Dalrymple Road Order of Discalced Carmelites welcomes those who are support group, Survivors of Suicide (S.O.S.). Meetings on LSU campus, will host its fund raiser, “I Love New interested in developing their prayer life according to are held on the fist and third Mondays of each month at York,” Friday, June 12, 8-11 p.m. The evening includes the teachings of the Carmelite saints. The community 6 p.m. at St. Albert the Great Chapel Student Center, 409 a $10,000 raffle, silent auction, a restaurant-sponsored meeting will be held on Sunday, June 14, 1:30 p.m., at W. Dakota St., Hammond. Call Angie Arnone at 985-351- Taste of Baton Rouge appetizers, nominal cash bar, des- Our Lady of Mercy Parish Activity Center in St. Gabriel’s 1073 or Jo Schneider at 985-687-4144.

The Catholic Commentator For help placing your classified ad, PO Box 3316 call 225-387-0983. All classified ads are Baton Rouge LA 70821-3316 prepaid. Credit cards are not accepted.

Announcements Business service voLunteers HeLp WAnted HeLp WAnted Healing of Families Seminar 8/1/15 Dave’s Bicycle Repair and Sales. Free Volunteers Needed In sales employment advertisements, commissions, etc.) if money is men- Complete presentation of Father Sse- pickup and delivery, free estimates, ex- The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hos- the advertiser must name the prod- tioned. The ad must also state if there makula’s book. Details/registration con- pert economical repair on all brands. pice is seeking seasoned, warm, kind uct or service to be sold. Ads must is an investment required. tact – [email protected] 225-924-4337 or www.davesbicyclerepair. and helpful volunteers for a Hospitality state how wages will be paid (salary, com. Program to enhance our home-like en- While we at The Catholic Commenta- vironment. If you like to laugh, comfort, tor do our best to bring reliable ad- Mr. D’s Tree Service listen, bake, visit or act as a tour guide, vertisers to our readers, we are not 3 Licensed Arborists please share your gifts with patients and Assistant Principal Needed responsible for any claims made by Free Estimates families facing terminal illness. Call Sandi Sacred Heart of Jesus School of Baton Rouge, LA, is seeking any advertiser. Fully Insured at 225-769-4810 for more information! Don Decell & Carl Babin, owners applications for the position of Assistant Principal. Business service 225-292-6756 The qualified candidate must: BROUSSEAU'S Painting instruction Nanny Available: Reliable lady willing • be a practicing Catholic with a current teaching certificate Interior and exterior painting. Experi- Private Piano Lessons: Teacher has to sit with young children in their home. enced and reliable. Free estimates. Call • have a Master’s Degree 225-571-6484 over 40 years teaching experience. Call 225-241-8488 or 225-928-7194. for more information 225-313-6962. Preference will be given to applicants with five or more years Baton Rouge Care Service. Serving Ba- ton Rouge and surrounding areas since Kitchen counter tops. Call for free es- teaching experience in Catholic education. Please send your 1960. Registered sitters, nurses, and timates. John O'Neill 225-938-6141 or or ALe cover letter, resume and complete transcript to: nurses aides for the sick and elderly in 225-683-6837. F s the home, nursing homes and hospitals. Selection Committee MAGGIO CONCRETE Queen Mattress Set. NEW, mattress Licensed and bonded for private duty and box springs $200. Frames, head- C/O Joan Hutson care. 225-924-6098 or 225-667-0480. Form, dig, pour and finish. Driveways, patios, sidewalks, parking areas. Resi- boards. 225-421-6121. Local delivery 2251 Main Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 www.batonrougesittersregistry.com. available. Cash and credit cards. dential/Commercial foundations. Also or email to [email protected] THOMAS LUNDIN, CPA breakout and haul away concrete. IN- Accounting and taxes for businesses, SURED. After you call the rest, call the SINGLE GRAVE PLOT FOR SALE. non-profits and individuals; business, best. 225-266-7764/225-448-0803. Oaklane Cemetary in Prairieville. computer, financial and management Value is $3700, asking $3000. services. 30 years experience; profes- LEBLANC’S TREE & STUMP 225-673-1627 sional, prompt and personal attention. REMOVAL, INC. St. Elizabeth School 225-296-0404. Prompt service–Free estimates 6051 Convent St., Paincourtville, La. $102 each time it runs – FULLY INSURED total $204 St. Joseph is the Patron Saint of a E. H. “Eddie” LeBlanc LegAL notice 985-369-7402 Peaceful Death. St. Joseph Hospice is Phone 383-7316 available to support families as they face Anyone with knowledge of the where- Serving area children since 1876 end-of-life decisions. Peace, comfort, Anthony's Furniture Specialties. We abouts of Marlene Buccione is asked to dignity and support can make every day restore hurricane damaged furniture. contact the Diocesan Tribunal at 225- is accepting Teacher Applications "a good day." Call 225-368-3100 for more If it's furniture we do it all! Refinishing, 336-8755 information. re-upholstery, pick up and delivery, etc. for 2015-2016 School Year. Donnie’s Furniture Repair & Uphol- 2263 Florida Blvd., BR. 225-413-2607. Send resume to above address. stery. We do refinishing, repairs, caning, cArds oF tHAnks painting of furniture and upholstery. Pennington Lawn and Landscape A Catholic Christian Family devoted to spiritual growth and In business 43 yrs. Pick up and delivery. 225-806-0008 Thanksgiving to Blessed Virgin Mary and 10876 Greenwell Springs Rd. 225-272- Lawn & bed maintenance. Clean-up neg- Sacred Heart of Jesus for favor granted. academic excellence in a caring and safe environment. 2577. See our showroom. lect. Call for your free estimate. DAS St. Elizabeth School does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or national origin.

Print Your Ad Here MOAB MARCH AJAR ARGO EDUCE T UBA CDRS XENIA ANON COACHING VIRTUE OCT DEVIATE DATES TO RUN: APOLLO KENO Circle Category: Announcements—Business Services—Cards of Thanks—For Rent—For Sale—Help Wanted MONEY MEAL RHEA —Positions Wanted—Legal Notices (other ) St. Elizabeth School, 6051EP ConventEE MOLLY OARS Mail to: The Catholic Commentator, P.O. Box 3316, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3316 St., Paincourtville, La., 985-369-7402 Serving area children NEsince 1876SS COLT MARIS Enclosed is $9.50 for the first 15 words + 15¢ for each word thereafter + 25¢ per line for each special effect (all caps,is centeredaccepting Teacher Applications WI$16.95RY eachHI DDEN line, bold lettering); for a total of $______for each issue. for 2015-16 School Year. Send resume to aboveHO address.PK INtimeS theTE ad N AdvertisementsA Catholic will Christian not Family devoted to NAME spiritual growth and academicOR ANexcel- GEruns SO– LICITS be publishedlence withoutin a caring and safe environment. ADDRESS St. Elizabeth School doesNA not discrimiPE- REtotal RU$33.90M ANEW full paymentnate onin advance.the basis of race, sex or national origin. ETAL NOTRE ITSA CITY PHONE YELL YEAST NOSY moc.scilohtacrofsemagdrow.www May 29, 2015 The Catholic Commentator 19

are made, perhaps by this group Christ’s blood, people have a of scientists, or perhaps by some choice of what to do with it: scientists in the future, the prob- throw it away or use it to validate lem remains unsolved.” their gift, Breault said. Some may say, “Fine, but how “The only logical and ratio- do you know it was Jesus’ burial nal thing to do is to receive it,” cloth?” Breault stated. Breault highlighted how New As attendees looked at a life- Testament accounts regard- size replica of the shroud fol- ing Christ’s pas- lowing the presen- sion match the STURP tation, they said wound marks on their questions the shroud and concluded its about the shroud these wounds are were answered. consistent with study in 1981, Maurice Brous- the weapons used sard, a member of by ancient Roman stating “We can Sacred Heart, said soldiers in cruci- Breault did an ex- fixion. conclude for cellent job present- The Shroud of ing the shroud by Turin not only in- now that the synthesizing his- dicates past events tory, science and of Christ’s life, but shroud image Scripture. humanity’s future “I love his con- as a recording of is that of a real clusion that it’s not the resurrection. the message but A life-size replica of the Shroud of Turn was available for people to view before and after Russ Using an ultra- human form the receipt of the Breault’s “Shroud Encenter” presentation at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge. Photo by Deb- violet examination message,” Brous- bie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator of the cloth, Italian of a scourged, sard said. researchers be- Neal and Mel- SHROUD  bate is that the carbon dating of dates to ancient times. lieve the shroud’s crucified man. anie Johnson, From page 1 the cloth places the origin of the Other evidence includes a image of a Christ- members of St. shroud to the Medieval period. study of pollen grains from the like figure could It is not the Patrick Church in cured by the shroud. The Byz- Some scientists countered that shroud which shows they were only have been cre- Baton Rouge, said antine Imperial Army invaded the proper protocol was not fol- from flowers that grow in the ated by a powerful product of an it’s good for cradle Edessa to retrieve the cloth from lowed. Also, historical paintings Middle East, said Breault. flash of light and Catholics to revisit the city, which had fallen to Is- indicate the corner used for the STURP concluded its study in energy. Breault artist. the shroud and lam. The cloth dating and several similar evenly 1981, stating “We can conclude highlighted refer- think in concrete was handed over spaced areas along one edge of for now that the shroud image ences of light in terms about their without inci- the cloth were handled each time is that of a real human form of regards to Jesus’ resurrection beliefs. dent, and it was the cloth was displayed. The a scourged, crucified man. It is and post resurrection appear- “It allows us to go a little then taken to handling of the cloth increased not the product of an artist. The ances. Believers in Christ will be deeper,” Neal Johnson said. Constantinople. the likelihood of contamination blood stains are composed of changed “in the blink of an eye” After Constan- by bacteria or bacteria residue, hemoglobin and also give a posi- at the sound of the trumpet and Your support of the The tinople was in- which would skew carbon dat- tive test for serum albumin. The be clothed with immortality. Catholic Commentator Breault vaded, the cloth ing. Other methods of testing the image is an ongoing mystery and Because the shroud repre- advertisers is appreciated! was brought to fiber have also shown the cloth until further chemical studies sents a free gift stamped with France and eventually made its way to Turin, Italy. It is kept in the royal chapel of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. Hospice is not about giving up Breault asked, is the shroud, as critics contend, a pious fraud … it’s about taking control which dates back to Medieval Ages? Or is it the most important • We rely upon the intercession of our Blessed Mother to assist us in imitating the healing ministry of Jesus archeological artifact of history, Christ as we care for terminally ill patients and their families. recording Christ’s death and res- • We call forth the compassion and kindness of our staff, who serve in this health care ministry, to respond to urrection, hidden in plain sight? the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of our patients and their families. Research has stirred debate, • We believe in the sacredness of life from conception to natural death, and we devote ourselves to and much that supports the shroud supporting patients and families through the dying process at the end of life’s journey on this earth and as the authentic burial cloth of Je- new life in eternity. sus, according to Breault, who has appeared in numerous nationally televised documentaries airing on the History Channel, Discovery Channel and CBS. Turning to science, Breault talked about the Shroud of Turin The right people, Research Project (STURP), which doing the right thing took place during the 1970s and for the right reason. SERVING PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS 1980s. The scientists did chemi- cal, historical, biological and im- www.NotreDameHospice-NO.org • (225) 243-7358 age studies on the cloth. Notre Dame Hospice does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability or age in admission, treatment, ability to pay, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. One of the main points of de- 20 The Catholic Commentator May 29, 2015 Court denies archdiocese rehearing in HHS lawsuit

WASHINGTON (CNS) – the Catholic faith,” it said. “It A federal appeals court in a is precisely because of this 6-3 ruling May 20 denied a faith that local Catholic enti- petition for rehearing filed by ties are the largest nongov- the Washington Archdiocese ernmental provider of social and its co-plaintiffs in their services in this region.” ongoing legal challenge to the Under the federal Afford- Health and Human Services able Care Act, most employ- contraceptive mandate. ers, including religious ones, Filed in late December are required to cover employ- 2014, the petition asked the ees’ artificial birth control, full U.S. Court of Appeals for sterilization and abortion- the District of Columbia Cir- causing drugs, even if em- cuit to reconsider “the deeply ployers are morally opposed flawed decision” issued ear- to such coverage. lier by a three-judge panel Only those religious em- that conflicted with judicial ployers that meet narrow precedent in ruling that the criteria set by the Obama ad- mandate does not violate the ministration are exempt from rights of religious objectors. the mandate. Nonexempt re- PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE – Workers spent May 21 pouring and shaping concrete for a new parking lot The petition cited last ligious employers can opt out at St. Paul Church in Baton Rouge. The parking lot is located across from the church, which was completed year’s U.S. Supreme Court of providing the coverage us- in 2010. Once completed, the parking lot, which will help alleviate parking issues around the church, will decision in Burwell v. Hob- ing what the administration have a capacity of 50 vehicles. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator by Lobby, in which the high calls a “work around.” They court said the chain of arts must notify HHS in writing and crafts stores need not of their religious objections. LETTER ocesan College of Consultors. Six wishes for you.” comply with a federal man- Then HHS or the Depart- From page 1 Catholic high schools, three in Ba- Bishop Muench said Redemp- date to include a full range of ment of Labor government in ton Rouge and three in neighbor- torist “has emphasized and fos- contraceptives in employee turn tells insurers and third- letter read. “After careful exami- ing areas, have been contacted (by tered your holistic, well-grounded health insurance. party administrators that nation of the documentation you the Catholic Schools Office) to pro- personal development: human, The archdiocese and its they must cover the services presented and within the range vide special consideration of Re- spiritual, moral, academic, intel- co-plaintiffs, asked for relief at no charge to employees. of its competence, this Congrega- demptorist High School students lectual, psychological, social and from the mandate under the But many religious groups tion for Catholic Education has for admission.” ecclesial.” Religious Freedom Restora- object to the notification, deemed that it should not modify In his commencement address He asked the graduates to hold tion Act, or RFRA. saying they still would be the decision that was made. to the Redemptorist graduating high the ideals they acquired from A May 21 statement from complicit in supporting prac- “The decision to close the school class May 8, Bishop Muench said, Redemptorist and to take pride in the archdiocesan officials tices they oppose. is motivated mainly by declin- “We all recognize this is a bitter- the rich history of their alma ma- said the archdiocese and its In a strong dissent, Judge ing enrollment and a consequent sweet moment. It is difficult to be ter. co-plaintiffs planned to pe- Janice Rodgers Brown, lack of financial stability, which the last graduating class from Re- In his final blessing, the bishop tition the Supreme Court to joined by Judge Karen Hen- is well-known, documented and demptorist.” prayed that the RHS graduates review “the D.C. Circuit’s derson, wrote that the plain- studied. Such a decision is in ac- “Esteemed graduates, the way “prosper from what they have re- erroneous decision, and we tiffs “say compliance with the cord with the bishop’s competence you live your lives will pay tribute ceived and reflect those gifts in remain hopeful that final dis- regulations would facilitate ‘to issue precepts which pertain to to the enduring legacy of which their future endeavors. May they position of this case will vin- access to contraception in the general regulation of Catholic you have been a vital part,” he add- model the goals of the Redemp- dicate religious freedom and violation of the teachings of schools ‘” (can. 8-6 #1) and “was ed. “I consider it a privilege to have torist community by their com- rights of conscience.” the Catholic Church. What made following the recommenda- gotten to meet, spent time and mitment to represent the highest “The archdiocese and its law or precedent grants this tion of several Diocesan boards: pray with you in my multiple visits ideals of their formation, and live, affiliates remain committed court authority to conduct an the Diocesan School Board, the to campus each year. Be assured witness and share what they have and determined to serve oth- independent inquiry into the Diocesan Finance Council, the Di- of our continuing prayers and best learned.” ers freely in accordance with correctness of this belief?”

Clothing Donations Needed ! St. Vincent de Paul Stores are community leaders in distributing clothing and furniture to the needy at no charge, and we need your donations of clothing to help us in our mission of charity. Help us to help the poorest of the poor. Last year, we helped over 12,000 people (free of charge) with their clothing needs helping them become self-sufficient. Help us give a hand-up to people in need. Drop your clothing donation off at any St. Vincent de Paul location. We also gladly accept household items, furnishings and appliances in good condition. And we love items from your garage sale. Call our pick-up service at (225) 267-5447 to make your furniture or appliance donation. Drop off your donation at any of our locations. Baton Rouge Locations: 1871 Staring Lane, 12107 Florida Boulevard, 5621 Government Street, and 2655 Plank Road. Other Locations: 824 North Morrison (Hammond), 710 Olinde Street (New Roads), 4171 Hwy. 1 (Brusly-in the Casa Loma Shopping Center), 14504 Plank Road (Baker), and 1402 North Burnside (Gonzales – Our Newest Location!). Help us with our clothing shortage by making your donation today!