Diocese of Baton Rouge Year of St. Joseph & 60TH Anniversary
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Diocese Of Baton Rouge Year of St. Joseph & 60TH Anniversary Curriculum For Catholic Schools & Parish Schools of Religion OVERVIEW “On July 22, 1961, Blessed Pope John XXIII established the Diocese of Baton Rouge, comprising the twelve Louisiana civil parishes located in south Central Louisiana. The Holy Father named St. Joseph Church in the See city, built in 1853-1855 and renovated many times since, to be the new diocese’ Cathedral” (https://diobr.org/history) On December 8, 2020, Pope Francis promulgated the Year of St. Joseph in an Apostolic Letter entitled, “Patris Corde.” This means “With a Father’s Love” in English. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco-lettera- ap_20201208_patris-corde.html This lesson plan has been created to enable students in the Diocese of Baton Rouge to learn about the history of this Diocese and reflect on the role of the Bishop of Baton Rouge in their faith life. Students will also learn story of St. Joseph, Patron of the Diocese, apply his virtues to present-day life, and become aware of the numerous local churches named for St. Joseph, as well as devotions and traditions dedicated to him. This lesson plan is designed to be extended over several class periods if desired. Teachers of the various grade levels will need to adapt this packet of material to their specific situation. Objectives • The learner will acquire knowledge about: o Scriptural foundations of the Holy Catholic Church o God’s Plan for the Church as taught in the Catechism of the Catholic Church o Mission of the Church o History of the Diocese of Baton Rouge o Role of the bishop in a diocese o Facts about the bishops assigned to the Diocese of Baton Rouge. o What is a Cathedral? o Life of St. Joseph as revealed in Sacred Scripture, as well as numerous prayers for intercession and traditions o The various churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge named for St. Joseph 1 Digital Materials 1. Online Prayer to St. Joseph [SEE APPENDIX] 2. Online Resources are available for all grade levels which contains the following information: § A History of the Diocese of Baton Rouge § Duties of a Bishop § Bishops of the Diocese of Baton Rouge § The Cathedral § Suggested Extension Activities • Book for each student in Pre-kindergarten through grade four https://diobr.org/documents/2021/8/St.%20Joseph%20Coloring%20Book.pdf • Liturgical Feast dates celebrating St Joseph [SEE APPENDIX] • Logo for Year of St. Joseph and the 60th Anniversary for the Diocese [SEE APPENDIX] 2 We offer thanksgiving to God for 60 years of vitality as the Diocese of Baton Rouge. 3 LESSON PLAN MATERIALS 60th Anniversary of the Diocese of Baton Rouge Lesson One Foundations of the Holy Catholic Church "I Believe in The Holy Catholic Church" Section One Scriptural Foundations Acts 1:1-12 The Promise of the Spirit Acts: 1:13-14 First Community in Jerusalem • Obedient to Jesus’ final command, the Apostles waited for the coming of the promise of the Father in the upper room. As they waited, they prayed. o How would have the Apostles prayed? o Review with the learner types of prayer: § Vocal (Catechism 2700-2703) § Meditation (Catechism 2705-2708) § Contemplative (Catechism 2709-2719) o Our Father (the prayer Jesus taught them to pray) (Catechism #2759, Mt. 6:9-13) Acts 2:1-11 The Coming of the Spirit Acts 2:42-47 The Communal Life, the Church Section Two God’s Plan for the Church The Church is the Light of Christ, as Christ is the light of humanity. o The Church has no other light than Christ's; according to a favorite image of the Church Fathers, the Church is like the moon, all its light reflected from the sun. (Catechism 748) The Church is instituted and sustained by Christ Jesus. It is the community of faith, hope, and charity, as a visible organization through which he communicates truth and grace to all men." The Church is at the same time: - a "society structured with hierarchical organs and the mystical body of Christ. - the visible society and the spiritual community. - the earthly Church and the Church endowed with heavenly riches." (Catechism 771) 4 Mission of the Church Section Three Matthew 5:14a [Salt & Light] “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” Section Four Missionary Discipleship: Matthew 28:16-20 [The Great Commission] “The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Lesson Two Our Great Land Section One A Short History of the Diocese of Baton Rouge [https://diobr.org/history ] 1700 1. On New Year’s Day, 1722, Fr. Pierre Francois Xavier de Charlevoix celebrated the first Mass in Baton Rouge on an improvised altar in a plantation home. 2. In the early days of what would eventually become the Diocese of Baton Rouge the needs of the various Catholic settlements were met by priest chaplains and religious sisters. They ministered to the needs of the explorers and were missionaries to the Native Americans. 3. The first Catholic church was dedicated on March 16, 1738, in the settlement of Pointe Coupee’. 4. Among the Diocese of Baton Rouge’s most prized historical records are sacramental registers brought by the Acadians expelled from Nova Scotia. In 1774, these settlers erected the church of St. Gabriel, the oldest surviving church structure in the entire Mississippi River Valley. 5. In 1787, the area that comprises the Diocese of Baton Rouge was administered by the Diocese of Havana, Cuba because the Province of Louisiana was under the control of Spain. 6. In 1792, a parish was established by the Spanish in Baton Rouge and its first pastor was Fr. Carlos Burke. A church built before his arrival, whose exact location is unknown, was originally named Our Lady of Sorrows. 5 1800 1. The Spanish controlled colonies in what was called the West Florida region which included Baton Rouge until 1810. It then became known as the West Florida Republic. 2. In 1812, the Territory of New Orleans and the former area of the Republic of West Florida became Louisiana, the eighteenth state of the Union. 3. The area of Baton Rouge was no longer under the control of the Diocese of Havana, Cuba, and according to Spanish law, all vestments, ornaments and vessels placed in Baton Rouge when Our Lady of Sorrows parish first began had to be returned to Spain. Fr. Juan Brady, pastor at that time, sold the church building to the parishioners for $600.00 and deposited that money with the Royal Spanish Treasury. 4. Sometime between 1817 and 1828 the name of the parish was changed to St. Joseph. Planning and construction of a new church was completed between 1852 and 1856. This church structure had a square tower instead of a steeple. In 189, a steeple was added to St. Joseph Church. This steeple had to be replaced with a new one in 1966 because of severe damage from Hurricane Betsy. 5. During the Civil War, St. Joseph Church was badly damaged when the city of Baton Rouge was bombarded by Union boats. 1900 1. In the early 20th century, many Mission-Revivals were held in Churches and communities to bring the Gospel to rural towns. A railroad Chapel Car called St. Paul and manned by Redemptorist fathers held weeklong sessions throughout the area. A circular advertising the mission states, “Travelers can take passage on any part of the road. Travelers are advised to bring no other baggage but good works. Children who have not attained the age of reason are carried free, provided they are held on the lap of their mother – the Church.” 2. With all of the bayous and streams separated by marshland and swamps and very few roads in south Louisiana it was difficult for local people to attend religious services. Fr. Jules Toups, in 1936, began servicing these areas with a floating chapel, Mary Star of the Sea. It was equipped with everything necessary for the celebration of Mass and the administering of sacraments. 3. On July 22, 1961, Blessed Pope John XXIII established the Diocese of Baton Rouge comprising twelve Louisiana civil parishes and naming St. Joseph Church in Baton Rouge to be the new diocese’s cathedral. This Article from the Catholic Commentator shares the explanation of what is a “Papal Bull.” http://thecatholiccommentator.org/pages/?p=27077 Section Two Geography and Servant Leaders 1. The Diocese of Baton Rouge covers twelve civil parishes and a land area of 5,405 square miles. https://diobr.org/geography 6 2.