CHURCH TODAY

Volume XLV, No. 10 www.diocesealex.org Serving the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana Since 1970 October 20, 2014

O N T H E INSIDE Extraordinary Extraordinary Synod Synod of Bishops of Bishops on the Family comes to a close comes to a close

Dialogue about issues facing today’s family has come to a close Agenda for next year’s synod will -- ending a historic two-week Ex- come from dialogue of this year’s traordinary Synod of Bishops. Extraordinary Synod More than 250 people from around the world, each appointed by Pope Francis, participated includ- ing cardinals, bishops, priests, re- ligious order reps, and lay people. While no definitive conclusions were made, the dialogue will be used to set the agenda for the next meeting of bishops to be held at the Vatican in October 2015. Read more about the issues discussed on pgs. 2-3.

This year’s All Saints Day is not a Holy Day of Obligation

Because this year’s All Saints Day falls on a Saturday, the obligation to attend Mass has been aborgated (lifted). But All Souls Day is on Sunday, Nov. 2 -- a day when Catholics are obligated to pray for the dead. Find out more about All Souls Day and why it is important to pray for those who have passed on -- page 11. PAGE 2 CHURCH TODAY OCTOBER 20, 2014 Historic Extraordinary Synod of Bishops comes to a close Archbishop Kurtz hopes synod’s final report will ‘refine and clarify’

By Francis X. Rocca Catholics, cohabitating couples bishop said. Catholic News Service and those in same-sex unions. The controversy over the re- The initial report stated, “In Editor’s Note -- The discussions on these two pages show only port prompted the synod’s Gener- VATICAN CITY (CNS) regard to homosexuality, there what was discussed during the family synod. Nothing on these al Secretariat to issue a statement -- Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz was noted the need for welcom- two pages are definitive conclusions. Pope Francis used the Oct. 14, lamenting that a “value of Louisville, Kentucky, said ing, with the right degree of pru- has been attributed to the docu- he hoped the final report of the dence, so as not to create the im- synod to LISTEN to what people are saying. The Synod in ment that does not correspond to Synod of Bishops on the family pression of a positive valuation October 2015 will generate proposals for the pope’s approval. its nature” and emphasizing that would improve on the assembly’s of that orientation,” the summary it is a “working document, which midterm report in celebrating ex- said. “It was hoped that the same summarizes the interventions and emplary families, encouraging care would be taken in regard to debate of the first week, and is missionary outreach and empha- cohabitation.” sitions which many synod fathers the cardinal said. “You don’t have now being offered for discussion sizing that the church’s pasto- Many members of the synod do not accept and, I would say, to be a rocket scientist to see the by the members of the synod.” ral efforts must be grounded in objected to that statement, saying as faithful shepherds of the flock approach at work, which is cer- Following the cardinal’s ad- Scripture and Catholic teaching. it did not accurately reflect the as- cannot accept. Clearly, the re- tainly not of the church.” dress, the 191 synod fathers split The archbishop, president of sembly’s views. sponse to the document in the dis- Archbishop Stanislaw into 10 discussion groups orga- the U.S. Conference of Catholic Another part of the first re- cussion which immediately fol- Gadecki of Poznan, Poland, pres- nized by language. Archbishop Bishops, spoke to reporters Oct. port that Bishops objected to was lowed its presentation manifested ident of the Polish bishops’ con- Kurtz was one of 18 bishops 15 about the process of recom- the report’s scarce references to that a great number of synod fa- ference, told Vatican Radio that in his English-speaking group, mending amendments to the the concept of sin, and encour- thers found it objectionable.” Cardinal Erdo’s speech was not which also included Cardinal midterm report, which Hungar- aged the assembly to emulate the Cardinal Burke accused acceptable to many synod fathers, Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, ian Cardinal Peter Erdo of Esz- “prophetic tone of Jesus, to avoid leaders of the synod of giving the because it departed from the one of nine members assigned to tergom-Budapest delivered two the risk of conforming to the public a distorted image of the theology of St. John Paul II and draft the synod’s final report. days earlier. mentality of today’s world.” proceedings, almost all of which reflected an ideology hostile to The archbishop said his group Cardinal Erdo’s address Some members of the synod are closed to the press. marriage by seeming to approve completed its work that morning, stirred controversy inside and made their objections public. “All of the information re- of same-sex couples raising chil- a half-day ahead of schedule, and outside the synod hall with its U.S. Cardinal Raymond L. garding the synod is controlled dren, among other ways. had arrived at its recommenda- strikingly conciliatory language Burke, prefect of the Supreme by the General Secretariat of the The midterm report “should tions with “great unanimity.” toward people in situations con- Court of the Apostolic Signature, synod, which clearly has favored be an incentive to fidelity, family Archbishop Kurtz said the trary to church teaching, includ- told Catholic World Report that from the beginning the positions values, but instead seems to ac- ing divorced and civilly remarried the midterm report “advances po- expressed” in the midterm report, cept everything as it is,” the arch- Continued on pg. 10

What was the purpose of the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops?

The purpose of the Extraordinary Synod was not to reach definitive conclusions, but to use the dialogue to set the agenda for the next meeting of bishops to be held at Vatican in October 2015. That meeting will generate proposals for the pope’s approval.

Pope Francis poses with auditors of the extraordi- Brigitte Paul Kelso Insurance, LLC nary Synod of Bishops on the family as he arrives for the Brigitte Kelso afternoon session at the Vatican Oct. Owner/Agent 10. Pictured next to the pope are 2918 S. MacArthur Dr. Italian Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, Alexandria, La. 71301 general secretary of the Synod of Bish ops, and Archbishop Vincenzo Phone: 318.448.2226 Paglia, president of the Pontifical Fax: 318.448.2280 Council for the Family. (CNS photo) [email protected] OCTOBER 20, 2014 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 3 Synod fathers ask: Does the Church need to watch its language? Emerging theme calls for more appropriate language for today’s pastoral care

By Francis X. Rocca two non-voting auditors told Pope Catholic News Service Francis and the rest of the assem- bly that Catholic parishes should VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- welcome same-sex couples. In official reports of the closed- In their remarks, Ron and door talks at the Synod (sin-id) of Mavis Pirola used the word “gay,” Bishops on the family, an emerg- rather than “homosexual person,” ing theme has been the call for a which has been the preferred term new kind of language more ap- in official Vatican discourse. The propriate for pastoral care today. Pirolas may have taken their cue “Language appeared many, from the pope, who famously many times,” Basilian Father used the word “gay” during an Thomas Rosica, the briefer for inflight news conference in July English-speaking journalists, told 2013. reporters Oct.7, the assembly’s The Pirolas also said much of second working day. “There’s the church’s teaching is expressed a great desire that our language in language that seems to be from has to change in order to meet “another planet” and “not terribly the very complex situations the relevant to our own experiences.” church faces.” Not all synod fathers have One bishop, whom Father the same idea of what language Rosica did not name in accor- the church should adopt or dis- dance with synod rules, report- card. In remarks to the assembly edly told fellow participants that Pope Francis listens as Italian Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, left, Oct. 9, Cardinal Andre Vingt- “language such as ‘living in sin,’ speaks during the morning session of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican Oct. 13. At right Trois of Paris, one of three synod ‘intrinsically disordered’ or ‘con- is Cardinal Peter Erdo of Esztergom-Budapest, Hungary, relator for the synod. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) traceptive mentality’ are not nec- presidents appointed by the pope, essarily words that invite people denounced the “contraceptive mentality” he said leads many to draw closer to Christ and the Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier of German Cardinal Walter of the synod, but in September Catholics to think the use of ar- church.” (“Intrinsically disor- Durban, South Africa, told Cath- Kasper, whose controversial he published a widely read essay tificial birth control is not a sin. dered” is a term used by the Cat- olic News Service that “language proposal to make it easier for calling on the assembly to initiate Later that day, Cardinal echism of the Catholic Church to is something we’ve overlooked divorced and civilly remarried a range of major changes in the Vingt-Trois told CNS that, al- describe homosexual acts.) for a good while; we’ve used lan- Catholics to receive Communion church, including in its language, though the church must “find Speaking to the synod Oct. 7, guage that is out of touch with the has been a major topic of discus- which he argued is often “offen- modes of expression and modes Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of way people speak today.” sion at the synod, told CNS Oct. sive” and “humiliating.” of communication that will allow Dublin spoke of the need for new “In the past, it was sufficient 1 that a traditional description of Couples living together out- it to announce the good news so language with which to commu- to say to people, ‘You are going such couples as practicing “per- side of marriage, using contra- that it may be heard,” changing nicate with married couples. to hell if you continue this way of petual adultery” is not acceptable ception or resorting to in vitro pastoral language does not mean “To many, the language of life.’ Hell was a reality and it was in a pastoral context. fertilization -- all activities pro- changing the language in which the church appears to be a dis- something they knew and they un- “If you tell people who live hibited by Catholic moral teach- theologians formulate church incarnated language of telling derstood it. But if you talk about in this way and they do it in a ing -- “deserve more respect and a teaching. people what to do, a one-way dia- hell today, people don’t know responsible way, tell them that more nuanced evaluation than the “When a physician makes a logue,” the archbishop said, ac- what you are talking about,” Car- adultery, permanent adultery, I language of certain church docu- diagnosis, he uses terms to des- cording to excerpts of his remarks dinal Napier said. “So I think the think they would feel insulted ments appears to prescribe. The ignate precisely the disease in published by the Irish bishops’ emphasis is shifting (toward), and offended. We must be very mechanisms of accusation and question, but these terms, if he conference. “The lived experi- ‘how can you be in a loving rela- careful also in our language,” exclusion they have the potential tells them to the patient, he will ence and struggle of spouses can tionship with Jesus, and through Cardinal Kasper said in English. to activate can only block the way not understand them. Therefore, help find more effective ways of Jesus with your brother and sis- “Permanent adultery? It seems to to evangelization,” Bishop Bonny he must explain the diagnosis expression of the fundamental el- ter in the church, if you are living me too strong.” wrote. with words that are not technical ements of church teaching.” in this condition which separates Bishop Johann Bonny of An- The synod heard an example words. In theology, it is the same Following the same session, and alienates you from Jesus?” twerp, Belgium, is not a member of newer language Oct. 6, when thing,” Cardinal Vingt-Trois said. “When one addresses people to announce the good news of Christ, one does not teach a the- ology course. One tells them the contents of the theology but with a vocabulary they can under- stand,” the cardinal said. “I was a professor of theology. When I taught a theology course, I did not give a sermon; that is another literary genre.” PAGE 4 CHURCH TODAY OCTOBER 20, 2014

As we move ahead through of the Church in the light of Pope elections just weeks away, we the month of October it is good Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation: need to examine all candidates for to take note of the two major ob- The Joy of the Gospel. We were all offices in the light of our faith. servances traditionally associated ONE IN reminded that the core mission of It is our responsibility as citizens with this month -- Respect Life the Church is evangelization, the to take active roles in pursuit of month and the month of the Ro- THE sharing of the good news of sal- the public good. sary. LORD vation in Christ proclaimed to all Let me again add a personal This year we mark the 800th Most Rev. Ronald P. Herzog people. The mission began with comment. I have finally been anniversary of the gift of the Ro- Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria our baptism and should continue cleared by my doctor to resume sary. I want to thank all of the pas- throughout our lives. Our Holy driving. That will simplify many tors who held special events com- Father reminded us that we need things. I do appreciate your on- memorating the Rosary month or to reach out in a special way to going prayers and encourage- the Rosary anniversary these past diocese refers to an area in which us with essential evangelization those on the fringes of society. ment. few weeks. It is important to pray the church is not yet firmly estab- ministries here in the diocese -- I want to offer my personal May the Lord bless all of the Rosary together as a commu- lished and therefore, needs out- one of which is the Church Today. condolences and prayerful sup- you as we approach the celebra- nity -- especially with our young side assistance. Since our diocese We would have great difficulty port on behalf of the entire di- tions of All Saints and All Souls people and families. fits that description, we are a mis- without Catholic Extension’s gen- ocesan family to Father Bruce in early November. I just returned from Catho- sion diocese.) erous financial assistance in these Miller who recently experienced lic Extension’s biennial meeting Each year we receive signifi- areas. the death of his mother. of bishops who are shepherds of cant grant money from this Chi- The main focus of the gath- Continue to be vigilant in the ‘mission dioceses.” (A mission cago-based organization to assist ering in Chicago was the mission area of religious freedom. With True ‘reformation’ seeks renewing of the heart and mind

Last year on Reformation we make acts of true reformation in our Catholic faith. Let’s pray Day (October 31) one of my and reparation. Let us reform our with Our Lord, “Father, make us cousins mentioned the Protestant attitudes toward the poor, the un- one.” “holiday” on Facebook. It was a Catholic born, the immigrant, those who For you see, the faith does celebratory post. “Happy Refor- can do absolutely nothing for us. not need to be reformed. We need mation Day!” By Grace Let’s figure out what we can do it. The teachings do not need to Reformation Day marks for them. be refabricated, recalibrated. We Denise Bossert the beginning of the Protestant Let us reform our dreams need it. Freelance -- Denisebossert.com Reformation. It highlights the and goals. Let’s put Christ and Let’s have a little more re- Protestant reformers who began His Church at the top of our list. newing of the heart and mind. new denominations rather than Let’s reform our silent acceptance Reformation of the inner man. remaining within the Catho- answer on the things the culture so many have gone a different of another’s rejection of the faith. That is the true reformation that lic Church. I mention it in this proposes must be weighed care- way and left the Sacraments be- Let’s determine to seek that one leads to Christian unity. month’s column because many fully. She consults Sacred Scrip- hind - the Eucharist behind? out and share the joy we have fallen-away Catholics have basi- ture and Church Tradition and We know that Christian di- cally done the same thing. Some faithful theologians. She gathers vision hurts. We know Our Lord fallen-away Catholics just stop the input of bishops from all over prayed for Christian unity for His practicing any kind of faith, but the world. She ponders the entire apostles and for those who would CHURCH TODAY many go in search of something deposit of wisdom given to her by come to believe through their else. There is something they the Holy Spirit. words (John 17:20). So, what do Volume XLV, No. 10 • October 20, 2014 don’t like, something they want The frustrated one doesn’t we do when we see posts about to see changed, and they are tired have time for all that waiting, Reformation Day or we hear that P. O. Box 7417 • Alexandria, LA 71303 of tapping their feet, waiting for pondering, and praying. someone else has left the Catholic [email protected] 318-445-6424 the Church to see it the way they I’m a preacher’s daughter and Church for another faith commu- see it. a convert to the Catholic faith. It nity? Publisher: Most Rev. Ronald P. Herzog, Bishop of Alexandria We are a people who want provides an interesting point of When we are tempted to get Editor: Jeannie Petrus, ext. 255; [email protected] change, we want it now, and view. Christian division grieves irritated, frustrated or discour- Advertising: Joan Ferguson, ext. 264; [email protected] we’d really like it if the Catholic me. I simply cannot celebrate the aged, let’s remake it into a day in Circulation: Sandi Tarver, ext. 209; [email protected] Church agreed with our point of genesis of denominationalism. I which we reform the inner man. view. When we realize that isn’t affirm the good I see in those of We do a deep and thorough exam- THE CHURCH TODAY (USPS 393-240) is published by the Catholic likely to happen, we are out the other faith communities, of those ination of conscience. We do our Diocese of Alexandria, once a month, free of charge to members of door and on a mission to find the who, through no fault of their own gut check. What do I need the parishes in the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana. Out of diocese faith community that sees truth as own, find themselves outside the to change? What is out of sorts in subscriptions are $20 a year. we see it. Church (CCC #818 and #848). me? Truth is unchanging (Psalm But Reformation Day? No, I see When we are frustrated by The office is located at 4400 Coliseum Blvd., Alexandria, LA 71303. 199:160). Sure, new things come nothing to celebrate in that. Christian division and a culture Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, LA. POSTMASTER: Send up now and then, and Mother Why celebrate Christian divi- that still holds on to anti-Catholic address changes to The CHURCH TODAY, P. O. Box 7417, Alexan- Church knows that a definitive sion? Why delight in the fact that bias, let’s call for a day in which dria, LA 71306

The CHURCH TODAY is a member of the Catholic Press Association. All Saints Day -- Saturday, Nov. 1 Website: www.diocesealex.org Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed Souls To receive a free subscription, call 318-445-6424, ext 255 or e-mail [email protected] (All Souls Day) -- Sunday, Nov. 2 OCTOBER 20, 2014 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 5 A Novena (means ‘nine’) is nine days of prayer Nine reasons you may want to consider praying a novena

By Caitlin Bootsma • Live out the liturgical Consultant to For more novenas, year: Praying novenas in antici- catholicdoors.com offers a list of 226 the VIRTUS® Programs pation of Feast Days is a great go to: way to enrich your participation Novenas Many people are not familiar in the liturgical year. How much with novena prayers, but it is a www.praymorenovenas.com richer will your celebration of Advent Novena devotion that has a long history in the Nativity be if you are pray- the Church. www.catholicdoors.com ing for the nine days leading up All Souls Novena The practice derives from to Christmas? • Share the faith with oth- Novena Before Christmas the tradition that Mary and the www.ewtn.com Apostles waited nine days in the ers: Novenas are a great way to Novena for Impossible Requests Upper Room until the Holy Spirit pray with your family; students descended at Pentecost. This was or those to whom you minister. Novena for Priests undoubtedly a time of intense honored tradition of the Church By praying novenas together, you can unite as a group for a single Novena for the Dead prayer, leading to the many grac- with them. es received at the first Pentecost. In honor of the nine days that intention that is important to all Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory Today, novenas are consid- novenas are prayed, I offer nine of you. ered to be a set of prayers that are reasons you may want to consider • Spend time discerning: If Novena for Marriage and the Family said over a period of nine days. praying a novena. you are in the midst of making an important decision, a novena can Novena for the Needs of Pope Francis Sometimes, like the novena to the • Revive your prayer life: Holy Spirit, novenas are said di- Praying a set of prayers for a set be the perfect way to ask God to Novena for the Protection of the Unborn rectly to God. Other novenas are length of time may just be the re- make His will known for your said asking for the intercession of minder you need to start praying life. People have prayed novenas Novena for the Salvation of Souls and Conversion of Sinners Mary or the saints. daily again. about job offers, marriage pro- posals and where to move. Novena, Miraculous 54 Days Rosary While novenas can be prayed • Practice spiritual disci- individually, many Catholics pline: You might not think it is • Grow closer to the Novena to Our Lady of Good Success around the world will begin to difficult to pray for nine days in Church: The practice of nove- pray a novena on the nine days a row, but it can be. Remember- nas is universal. When you pray a Novena to Our Lady of Hope leading up to a saint’s feast day. ing to keep the prayers with you novena, you are joining with men and women around the world. Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes These prayers are often said with and to pray them consistently will a particular intention in mind, strengthen you in the virtue of • Receive graces: The Lord Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help but, of course, you can pray them perseverance. wants to shower us with graces. even without praying for any- • Become familiar with new When we dedicate time to pray- Novena to Our Lady of Prompt Succor thing specific! saints: There are many novenas ing novenas, we ask humbly for those gifts that God has in store Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary Novenas can be a great way out there. Often the prayers in- of praying for those to whom that clude details about the saints and for us. Novena to Our Lady Undoer of Knots you minister. Additionally, if you their path to holiness. By praying • Increase in holiness: If our teach children (or adults!), you for their intercession, you may ultimate goal in life is to reach Novena to St. Anthony of Padua may consider sharing this time- just find a new friend in heaven. heaven, then what could be more important than growing in a rela- Novena to St. Francis tionship with God? Praying no- Novena to St. Joseph venas signals your openness to FORMER SOCIAL SECURITY JUDGE spending time with Him. Novena to St. Jude Interested in finding out about different kind of novenas? Novena to The Holy Angels PETER J. LEMOINE You can find a very comprehen- Novena to The Holy Spirit Social Security Disability Law sive list here. Or, if you are really ready Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Offices in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Cottonport to start praying more novenas, Adjunct Professor (1994-1997), Northwestern State University you can sign up for www.pray- morenovenas.com, a website that MEMBER: Louisiana State Bar Association, American Bar Association, Baton Rouge Bar Association, Avoyelles Parish Bar Association, National delivers novena prayers right to Organization of Social Security Claimant Representatives, Legal Services for your email account. Purposes of Disability Committee (Louisiana State Bar Association). Like us on PUBLISHED ARTICLES: “The Worn-Out Worker Rule Revisited,” “Significant P.O. Box 5624 Facebook Work-Related Limitations of Function Under 12.05C,” “Questionable Alexandria, LA 71307 Retirement and the Small Business Owner,” “Crisis of Confidence: The Inadequacies of Vocational Evidence Presented at∲ Social Security Disability 3306 Giamanco Street Donald J. Baker, ACF/RF/CF Hearings.” Phone: (318) 473-8751 CONSULTING FORESTER Fax: (318) 473-4045 EMail: [email protected] Licensed Urban Tree Consultant 318-876-3174 Diocese of Alexandria PAGE 6 CHURCH TODAY OCTOBER 20, 2014

Seminarian Burses September Donations

Knights of Columbus Council 9217...... $25.00 Father Adrian L. Molenschot Burse Dr. Joseph Landreneau...... $25.00 Ms. Edna Rabalais Burse Mr. and Mrs. Wendell Crooks...... $40.00 Father Michael Kammer Burse Deacon and Mrs. Rodrick B. Broussard...... $50.00 Monsignor Milburn Broussard Burse Mr. and Mrs. Edward Crooks, Jr...... $50.00 Father Michael Kammer Burse Mrs. Barbara Dobard...... $50.00 Leo Dobard, Jr. Burse Dr. Joseph Landreneau...... $100.00 Monsignor Henry Beckers Burse Anonymous...... $100.00 Deacon Emile Barre Burse ST. ANTHONY CHURCH (Natchitoches) BANK NOTE BURNING. St. Anthony of Padua Church in Natchitoches held Anonymous...... $100.00 a “bank note burning” celebration Sept. 21 after the 11 a.m. Mass. The congregation watched as Father John O’Brien, Deacon Benny Broussard Burse pastor, and Gerry Hooper, head of the Holy Name Society men’s group, torched the bank note for the Activity Hall, Anonymous...... $100.00 built in 2006. After the bank note disintegrated into ashes, the parishioners celebrated with a potluck dinner in the Deacon L. G. Deloach Burse Activity Hall. “Thanks to the hard work and generosity of St. Anthony’s parishioners, the men’s group, the Altar Rosary/ Anonymous...... $100.00 Christian Mother’s group, and bingo committee, the hall note was paid in full, two years earlier than anticipated,” said Deacon Ray Gibson Burse Father O’Brien. Anonymous...... $100.00 Deacon Greg LeBlanc Burse Anonymous...... $100.00 Deacon Todd Marye Burse Anonymous...... $100.00 Deacon Pat McCusker Burse Anonymous...... $100.00 Deacon Richard Mitchell Burse Anonymous...... $100.00 Deacon Ted Moulard Burse Anonymous...... $100.00 Deacon Clifford Pelto Burse Anonymous...... $100.00 Deacon Gary Schupbach Burse Anonymous...... $100.00 Deacon Bill Shaidnagle Burse Anonymous...... $100.00 Deacon William Travis Burse Anonymous...... $100.00 Deacon John Whitehead Burse Anonymous...... $100.00 Deacon Mike Young Burse OLPS LIVING ROSARY. Fr. Dan O’Connor, Total...... $1,840.00 and Fr. Bill Gearheard lead the Living Rosary on Oct. 7. The student body and fac- A Seminary Burse is an invested sum of money, the interest of ulty/staff began at the steps of OLPS which is used in perpetuity to help fund the education of men to school on 21st Street and walked to the priesthood. It may be named for anyone – bishop, priest, re- the OLPS church while saying the ligious, or lay person – by the original donor, and can be added Rosary, where a special Adoration to and allowed to grow. service took place. Each year, OLPS School takes part in this wonderful tradition. Prayer is an important part Contributions to any of the burses or to establish a new burse of the daily life at OLPS School, so to should be sent to the be able to go outside on a beautiful Diocese of Alexandria Chancery Office day and truly experience and enjoy P.O Box 7417, God’s gifts as the Rosary is prayed is a blessing. Alexandria, LA 71306-0417 OCTOBER 20, 2014 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 7

CLERGY RETREAT. Approximately 30 priests from around the diocese gathered Sept. 29 - Oct. 3 at Maryhill Renewal ST. RITA CHURCH (Alexandria) VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR. Florence Center for the annual Priest Retreat. Priests are required to attend at least one retreat a year, (either in the diocese or Sanders received the St. Rita Volunteer of the Year award presented during away). Father Tom Boyer was the guest speaker. the annual volunteer luncheon held Sept. 28. Florence has been a volunteer for many years serving in many different ministries. Congratulations Flo!

ROSARY RALLY. Madeline White, from OLPS parish in Alexandria, hosted an “America Needs Fatima” Rosary Rally on Oct. 11. Neighborhood friends and family joined her in praying the Rosary outside.

CONFIRMATION AT ST. MARY’S TRAINING FACILITY. Bishop Ronald Her- zog administered the sacrament of Confirmation to four residents at St. Mary’s Training Facility on Oct. 12. Pictured are (l-r) Andrew, Cole, Daniel, and Cole with their sponsors. Sister Linda Norsworthy, OLS is St. Mary’s director of Religious Education and Mrs. Vel Wallet is the catechist/confirmation teacher. Sister Mavis Champagne, administrator of St. Mary’s and Deacon E.J. Barre also participated in the Confirmation Mass.

Hunting season is here. Are you ready?

2914 N. Bolton Ave. • Alexandria, LA 442-2325 PAGE 8 CHURCH TODAY OCTOBER 20, 2014 Construction of N.O. Planned Parenthood abortion facility brought to a standstill

Since June 26, 2014, the Planned Parenthood in progress sitting on Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans has remained un- touched. That’s because protests and pesky violations have brought The 2014 Fall 40 Days for Life campaign (Sept. 24- Nov. 2) is more construction to a standstill. than halfway finished and results, so far, are super impressive! The planned 8,000 square- The campaign is simple. For 40 days, prayer groups stand out- foot facility could perform up to side an abortion facility and pray and have pregnacy information and 30 abortions a day and Benjamin resources available nearby. Clapper, the executive director “Saves” (babies that were not aborted when a mother went to an of Louisiana Right to Life, said abortion facility and then changed her mind) have been reported in many Louisianans are rejecting Planned of the campaign cities so far. Since 2007, when the campaign first start- Parenthood’s agenda. ed, the organization claims their efforts have prevented 8,973 abortions, Even though the organiza- leading to the closure of 54 abortion clinics. tion has tried to use misleading The latest report came from Shreveport, Louisiana: wording to describe the purpose NO WORKERS on the construction site of the Planned Parenthood abortion “What a day!” said Chris, the 40 Days for Life coordinator in Shreve- of their new multimillion dollar facility in New Orleans have delayed the project. port. “We had two women who said they were going to have their ba- building, companies aren’t being bies,” he excitedly explained. “Yeah that’s right – two saves!” fooled. Clapper told Townhall: There was another woman who arrived for a pregnancy test, but “Planned Parenthood has by Clapper revealed that one ity. At most, 40 people showed she never entered the abortion facility. She instead visited the pregnan- appealed to contractors across contractor, Barre McNeely, used up.” cy resource center nearby. south Louisiana to build what an unlicensed name; and a sub- Forty too many. In fact, it “So all in all, that’s three turnaways!” Chris said. “Thanks to all who they describe only as a “medi- contractor, Quality Diamond seems most people who have are praying from home and on the sidewalk.” cal office building.” They never Products, LLC, wasn’t licensed shown up to the site have done Other “40 Days of Life” campaigns were also conducted in Baton mention abortion, and rarely do for work in Louisiana. As a re- so to protest. Louisiana has been Rouge and New Orleans. The campaign ends on Nov. 2. you see the words “Planned Par- sult, these companies received named the “most pro-life state” in The name refers to a pattern of several events lasting for 40 days enthood” on proposals, plans, thousands of dollars in fines. the nation for the past five years repeated in the Bible, such as in Noah’s Ark, Moses’ 40 days on Mount or other documents. But even As if construction violations by Americans United for Life. Is it Sinai, and Jesus’s 40 days in the desert. with this deception, people have weren’t enough, the New Orleans any wonder residents are distanc- learned who Planned Parenthood Planned Parenthood is also deal- ing themselves from Planned Par- is and what they truly want to do ing with a lack of enthusiasm. enthood’s doors? on Claiborne Avenue: sell more Take, for instance, the organiza- Here’s hoping construction is abortions. Louisiana is a pro-life tion’s scarcely attended job fair: delayed – forever. Statement of Ownership, state, and people want little to do “Planned Parenthood invited LifeNews Note: Cortney Management and Circulation with facilities that sell abortion.” over 500 companies to a job fair O’Brien is a Townhall web edi- Of the contractors Planned to recruit them to help the con- tor, where this was originally pub- The Church Today • 393-240 • Sept. 30, 2014 Parenthood did manage to hire, struction of their abortion facil- lished. Monthly, Free of Charge two of them have been cited for 4400 Coliseum Blvd. violations. Documents provided Alexandria, LA 71303 • (318) 445-2401

Publisher: Most Reverend Ronald P. Herzog 4400 Coliseum Blvd. • Alexandria, LA 71303 Editor: Jeannie Petrus Advertising: Joan Ferguson • Behavior Modification • In home, Individual, and 4400 Coliseum Blvd 4400 Coliseum Blvd • Obedience and Therapy Group Sessions Available Alexandria. LA 71303 Alexandria. LA 71303 Pet Training • Phone Consultations • 30-day Money Back Guarantee and Phone Assessments Average no. of copies each issue No. of copies of single issue during preceeding 12 months: published nearest to filing date: 985.226.6458 • www.felinecaninecoach.com Total copies 13,378 13,277

Outside county 7,486 7,395

In-county 5,792 5,782 3 ways to listen: Other distribution 100 100 580 AM Total Distribution 13,378 13,277 89.7 FM Percent Requested 100% 100% radiomaria.us Jeannie Petrus, Editor Filing Date: Sept. 30, 2014 OCTOBER 20, 2014 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 9 October is Respect Life Month Pope: Greed, throwaway culture fuel ‘hidden euthanasia’ of elderly

By Carol Glatz situations, their prayers are strong Catholic News Service and powerful.” But there are many who in- VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- stead prey on their fragilities, Pope Francis warned against the and the pope warned against the abandonment and neglect of the “inhuman” violence being waged elderly, calling it a “hidden eutha- against the elderly and children in nasia” rooted in today’s “poison- areas of conflict. ous” culture of disposal and an Harm can also be waged qui- economic system of greed. etly, he said, through many forms In the presence of his prede- of neglect and abandonment, cessor, Pope Francis also thanked which “are a real and true hidden retired Pope Benedict XVI for euthanasia.” staying to live at the Vatican and People need to fight against being like “a wise grandfather at “this poisonous throwaway cul- home.” ture,” which targets children, “A people who don’t take young people and the elderly, on care of their grandparents and “the pretext of keeping the eco- don’t treat them well is a people nomic system ‘balanced,’ where with no future. Why no future? the focus is not on the human be- Because they lose the memory (of ing but on the god of money.” the past) and they sever their own While residential care facili- ties are important for those who roots,” he said. WOMAN EATS LUNCH AT HOME FOR ELDERLY. An 89-year-old lady, eats her lunch by a window at a home for don’t have a family who can care The pope’s comments came the elderly. Pope Francis warned against the abandonment and neglect of the elderly, calling it a “hidden euthanasia.” for them, it’s important these in- during a special encounter and (CNS photo/Debbie Hill) Mass for older people in St. Pe- stitutes be “truly like homes, not ter’s Square Sept. 28. Some prisons,” the pope said, and that 40,000 grandparents, retired men Carrying a cane and look- who only stayed for the next hour, even cheer up grumpy teenagers, their placement there is in the best and women, and their families at- ing strong, the 87-year-old pope leaving before the start of Mass. the pope said. interest of the older person, “not tended “The Blessing for a Long arrived about one hour into the Addressing him as “Your “It’s very good for you to go someone else.” Life” event, organized by the event, which featured music and Holiness,” Pope Francis thanked visit an older person. Look at our These retirement homes Pontifical Council for the Family. testimonies from families. About the retired pontiff for his pres- kids. Sometimes we see them be- should be like “sanctuaries” that Pope Francis specifically in- 10 minutes later, while the famed ence, telling the crowd, “I really ing listless and sad; (if) they go breathe life into a community vited Pope Benedict to attend the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli sang like having him living here in the visit an older person, they be- whose members are drawn to event, making it the third time “Con te partiro” (“I’ll Go With Vatican, because it’s like having a come happy,” he said. visit and look after the residents since his retirement in 2013 that You”), Pope Francis made his wise grandfather at home.” “Older people, grandparents like they would an older sibling, the German pontiff has made a entrance with a small group of The wisdom and love of have an ability to understand very he said. rare appearance in public with his families. He immediately went to older people are instrumental for difficult situations, a great talent. successor. greet and embrace Pope Benedict, building the future, and they can And when they pray about these PAGE 10 CHURCH TODAY OCTOBER 20, 2014 Synod Synod couple calls for ‘robust, creative’ family programs

Continued from pg. 2 By Cindy Wooden In addition, when Catholics talk Catholic News Service about vocations and God’s call to group’s proposed changes had each of the baptized to serve the three basic purposes: “to high- (CNS) -- Existing diocesan church and humanity, they cannot light the importance of the wit- programs and Catholic organi- speak only of priesthood and re- ness of sacrificial, loving families zations aimed at helping Catho- ligious life. “Marriage should be today,” to encourage a missionary lic families fulfill their vocation included in all programs designed spirit of “reaching out and accom- clearly are not strong enough to to explore vocations.” panying people, starting where meet modern needs, a Wisconsin Presenting marriage as a vo- people are,” and “to locate clearly couple told the Synod of Bishops. cation and the immediate prepa- our pastoral avenues and pastoral “We must develop more ration of couples for marriage are outreach ... within the beauty of robust and creative methods to not enough, she said. The church sacred Scripture and our church share the fundamental truth that also needs to review “how we teaching.” marriage is a divine gift from provide for the aftercare of mar- Asked about the midterm God, rather than merely a man- riage that can help couples deep- report’s call for the church to made institution,” Alice Heinzen en their relationship.” recognize the “positive reality” told the synod, reading a speech The Heinzens said they rec- Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., and USCCB president, of non-marital unions when they she and her husband, Jeff, wrote. ognize that their parents’ example talks with Jeff and Alice Heinzen of Menomonie, Wis., as they leave the morn- reflect “authentic family values,” The Heinzens, from the Dio- and their family life growing up ing session of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) the archbishop said his group had cese of La Crosse, were named were major factors in their con- sought to “refine and clarify what synod auditors by Pope Francis tinuing to be active today; Alice that means.” and were chosen to introduce the said she remembers seeing her When the church reaches out work of the synod’s afternoon father leave early to go to Mass to someone, he said, it begins by discussion on pastoral programs before work, praying the rosary “pointing to positive elements designed to meet the challenges together during the month of May that are already in that person’s facing families. Alice is director and attending Sunday Mass as a life or that person’s relationship of the diocesan Office for -Mar family. that will accompany them. It’s not riage and Family Life; Jeff is “To all this we can add our a way of denying but rather it’s a president of McDonell Catholic mothers who reminded us to al- W O R K S H O P S way of amplifying the beauty of Schools in Chippewa Falls. ways love our siblings, to use our our church teaching.” The Catholic Church, its par- best manners with others, and to ishes and organization need to re- save our pennies to help those Archbishop Kurtz said his Oct. 24-25 • May 3 -- OLPS, Alexandria view “the methods by which we less fortunate,” she said. “Our group agreed that “we have to do RETROUVAILLE The presenters for this workshop a better job” in proclaiming “Hu- teach our children about the nature homes were schools of love and (For Troubled Marriages) are Mandi Chapman and Holly of human sexuality and the voca- virtue and our parents were the manae Vitae,” the 1968 encycli- Carbo. To register visit www. cal by Pope Paul VI that affirmed tion of marriage,” Heinzen said. primary educators.” Retrouvaille (announced comprehensivetherapygroup.com the prohibition of contraception, retro-vi) has helped tens of thou- or call 318.445.1651. as a “’yes’ to the gift of faithful sands of couples at all stages of love that’s open to life.” disillusionment or misery in their BEGINNING EXPERIENCE In response to a question marriage. This program can help For Widowed, Separated, Divorced about particular challenges fac- you too. For confidential infor- ing American families, the arch- mation about or to register for the Widowed, separated or di- bishop said “our biggest problem program to be held on Oct. 24-26 vorced? Don’t know where to is that individuals in the United at Maryhill Renewal Center in turn? Struggling with grief or States are tempted to feel that Pineville, call 1-800-470-2230 loss? they are the mercy of statistics.” or visit: www.HelpOurMarriage. Beginning Experience is a Americans need a “sense of inspi- com weekend away toward a lifetime ration,” he said. “We need that to of change held 2-3 times a year live full lives, to live loving lives Nov. 2 at Maryhill Renewal Center in with others.” MARRIAGE PREP PROGRAM Pineville. Program helps griev- (For Engaged Couples) ing single-again persons emerge from the darkness of grief into VIRTUS Strong Foundations: A Mar- the light of a new beginning, Training Sessions riage Preparation Program for and move into the future with re- Catholic Couples will be offered newed hope. Cost is $185, which • Oct. 23 (Thursday) -- 5:45 three times during the upcoming includes two nights’ lodging and p.m., Sacred Heart Church, year. All workshops are held on a meals. Pineville (Youth Center on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, about when the next Beginning Experi- Sanders St.) • Nov. 2 -- St. Mary’s Assump- ence will be held, call Martha at • Nov. 18 (Tuesday) -- 6 p.m., tion, Cottonport • Feb. 1 -- Sacred Heart, Pinev- 985-226-6458 or Anna at 318- St. Joseph Catholic Center, ille 452-2678. Alexandria To pre-register, go to virtus.org For more information, USCCB website on Marriage: call 318-445-6424 x 213. www.fouryourmarriage.org OCTOBER 20, 2014 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 11 All Souls Day is Sunday, Nov. 2 Why do we pray for the dead on All Souls Day?

Often overshadowed by the two days preceding it, Halloween How can I celebrate (October 31) and All Saints Day (November 1), All Souls Day All Souls Day? is a solemn feast in the Roman Catholic Church. It commemo- • Go to Mass rates all of those who have died and are now are in Purgatory, be- • Pray for the faithful departed ing cleansed of their venial sins and the temporal punishments for • Visit a church the mortal sins that they had con- fessed and are atoning for before • Visit a cemetery entering fully into Heaven. On All Souls Day, we not Plenary Indulgence for only remember the dead, but we All Souls Day apply our efforts, through prayer, almsgiving, and the Mass, to their Requirements for Obtaining a Plena- release from Purgatory. ry Indulgence for a soul in Purgatory Historically, the Western tra- on All Souls Day (Nov. 2nd) dition identifies the general cus- tom of praying for the dead dat- • Piously visit a church to pray for the ing as far back as 2 Maccabees faithful departed on Nov. 2 12:42-46. The custom of setting apart PRIESTS PRAYING FOR PRIESTS. The priests of the diocese gathered Oct. 2 for the annual visit to the Clergy Cem- • Say one “Our Father” and the a special day for intercession for “Creed” in the visit to the church certain of the faithful on Novem- etery located at Maryhill. The priests pray the rosary and place a rose on the tomb of all the priests layed to rest there. All of the names of the former priests of the diocese are prayed for and mentioned by name. ber 2 was first established by St. • Say one “Our Father” and one “Hail Odilo of Cluny (d. 1048) at his Mary” for the intentions of the Pope abbey of Cluny in 998. From the liturgical celebration, in time Cluny the custom spread to the one for visiting a church and an- Christian obligation. In the mod- • Worthily receive Holy Communion the entire month of November other houses of the Cluniac or- other for visiting a cemetery. (The ern world, when many have come (ideally on the same day) der, which became the largest and became associated in the West- plenary indulgence for visiting a to doubt the Church’s teaching ern Catholic tradition with prayer most extensive network of mon- cemetery can also be obtained on Purgatory, the need for such • Make a Sacramental Confession for the departed; lists of names asteries in Europe. every day from Nov. 1-8, and, as prayers has only increased. The within a week of (before or after) All of those to be remembered being The celebration was soon a partial indulgence, on any day Church devotes the month of Souls Day adopted in several dioceses in placed in the proximity of the al- of the year.) While the actions are November to prayer for the Holy tar on which the sacrifice of the France, and spread throughout the performed by the living, the mer- Souls in Purgatory, and participa- • that one be free from all attachment mass is offered. Western Church. It was accepted its of the indulgences are applica- tion in the Mass of All Souls Day to sin, even venial sin. in Rome only in the fourteenth There are two plenary indul- ble only to the souls in Purgatory. is a good way to begin the month. century. While Nov. 2 remained gences attached to All Souls Day, Praying for the dead is a PAGE 12 CHURCH TODAY OCTOBER 20, 2014

The St. Mary’s (Natchitoches) Junior High Cheerleaders were invited to perform at halftime of the LSU game on Sept. 27. The cheerleaders spent the day with the LSU Tiger Girls practicing for their halftime routine. The SMJH cheerleaders met cheerleaders from all over the state and shared the field with them in an unforgettable performance in Death Valley. Pictured from left to right are: , Tiger Girl Jenna, , and cheer coach Micah Elliott. We are proud of these girls for representing St. Mary’s.

St. Mary’s (Natchitoches) students elected to State 4-H Board Positions. Three students from St. Mary’s School in Natchitoches were re- cently elected to positions on the State 4-H Board. Pictured are , Food & Fitness Board; , Fashion Board; and , Science, Engineering & Technology Board. Congratulations! OCTOBER 20, 2014 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 13

SACRED HEART SCHOOL (Moreauville) ARCHERY CLUB. Sacred Heart School in Moreau- School is the first school in Avoyelles Parish to offer the club. Pictured above (right) are the students ville recently teamed up with the Archery in Louisiana Schools (ALAS) program to begin offering currently participating in the program and (left) practices “the pull” as coach Joshua an Archery Club for students in grades 4-8. ALAS, the state’s version of the National Archery Lemoine uses bow strings to teach the students beginners archery skills in coordination and bal- in School Program (NASP), was developed several years ago to help educators looking for a ance. ALAS participants are eligible to compete in state, national and world tournaments. Joshua and way to improve student motivation, attention, behavior, attendance, and focus. The program Raquel Lemoine will serve as coaches for the club. In addition, Sacred Heart School received a grant develops micro and macro motor skills as well as listening and observation skills. Sacred Heart recently from the ALAS for equipment for the program.

ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL GARDEN PROJECT. Todd Whatley and Frances Boudreaux, from the Food Bank’s Good Food Project, let get their hands dirty while planting carrot seeds in a raised garden on the the grounds of St. An- thony School in Bunkie. Mrs. Dorothy Juneau’s (far right) 3rd grade class are participating in the school’s garden project.

ST. Mary’s (Natchitoches) BALLOON RELEASE. 1st graders at St. Mary’s honored the Blessed Mother on her birthday, (Sept. 8) with a balloon release. After the kids sang songs and prayed for their loved ones, intentions were written on blue balloons which were released. After the service, they enjoyed blue sugar cookies and blue punch.

OLPS tshirt design winners: Winners of the OLPS Fall Festival t-shirt design contest are (l-r) . The final design is at right. PAGE 14 CHURCH TODAY OCTOBER 20, 2014

Fall Festivals

Oct. 25-26 St. Rita Catholic Church, Alexandria St. Joseph Parish (Marksville) Family Picnic was held on the Church Hall grounds Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. - 2 Saturday: 4 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. -- gumbo, Halloween p.m. Activities included musical entertainment, bingo, youth Jupiter Jump and obstacle course with slide, face painting, costume contest, bingo, games duck pond, games, and prizes. BBQ hamburgers & hot dogs, cold drinks, chips, and cookies were served. Approxi- Sunday: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. -- Dinners for sale, mately 400 people attended this fun and free event. games, white elephant sale

Nov. 1-2 St. Frances Cabrini Church Cabrini Fest, Alexandria Saturday: 9 a.m - 6 p.m. Xtreme Obstacle course run, pancake breakfast, games, food, bingo, silent auction Sunday: 10:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. BBQ chicken dinner

Nov. 8-9 Sts. Francis & Anne Church Autumn Fest, Kolin Saturday: starts at 8 a.m. 5K run/walk, games, crafts, plants, train for kids, lots of fair food, cooking contests, bingo Sunday: starts after 10:30 a.m. Mass

Position Available: Development Director

The Diocese of Alexandria is seeking a dynamic professional for its Director of Development position. Candidates must possess a minimum of 3 years of direct or related experience in fundraising, marketing and stewardship and be able to demonstrate a proven track record of success. Experience: Must be proficient in technology, have The Church Today is planning to the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally feature the choirs in our diocese and in writing, and a strong development/fundraising background. Three years of nonprofit development in the January 2015 issue. experience desired, preferably in church or social service If your choir(s) would like to be environment and knowledge of church organization and procedures. Practicing Catholic strongly preferred. pictured in this special section of the Church Today, please send Education: BS or BA in Communications, Marketing, a good clear (high resolution) or Public Relations or equivalent combination of education and experience. picture of your choir(s) to [email protected] Send resume, cover letter, references and salary requirements by November 1, 2014 to: Diocese of Alexandria, ATTN: or mail to Church Today, Mr. David Brook, P.O. Box 7417, Alexandria, LA 71306-0417. 4400 Coliseum Blvd., Alexandria, LA 71303. The deadline to submit a picture is Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. Diocese of Alexandria OCTOBER 20, 2014 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 15

COMMUNION. OLPS parishioners line up to receive Communion during the outdoor Mass held on the OLPS play- Outdoor Mass: Fr. Dan O’Connor celebrates Mass outdoors with Dea- ground at the end of the school’s annual Fall Festival. con Todd Marye to close the Fall Festival at OLPS.

DINO DIG. The younger kids enjoyed the Dino Dig, one of the many games Clash of Clans. perform to Clash sponsored by the classes. of Clans in the OLPS Talent Show.

Kids on stage. OLPS students play a balloon game on-stage with Stephanie Laborde, a parent and entertainment chair for the bucking bull. An OLPS student gets tossed from the festival. the bucking bull. PAGE 16 CHURCH TODAY OCTOBER 20, 2014 CARA reports takes closer look at women religious orders Story of ‘why’ members have declined in past 50 years takes some ‘disentangling’

By Patricia Zapor “One of the most striking St. Joseph of Springfield exhibit- Catholic News Service findings regarding new entrants ed a sudden increase in new voca- is that almost equal numbers of tions, but rather these two merg- WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A women have been attracted” to ers account for the upswing,” longtime trend of declining num- both kinds of religious orders, the the CARA report said. “In such bers of women in religious orders CARA report quoted. Gautier’s cases, the apparent slowing rate is unpacked a bit in a new study book categorized the two types of decline is not related to an in- by Georgetown University’s Cen- of religious orders according to crease of new vocations; instead, ter for Applied Research in the whether the organizations belong it is these mergers that account Apostolate. to one or the other of two lead- for the increases in membership.” In the report released Oct. ership organizations, the Leader- There are some institutes 13, the social science researchers ship Conference of Women Re- that show consistent growth even of CARA observed that the de- ligious and the Council of Major without such mergers, the report mographical story of women re- Superiors of Women. said. ligious in the United States takes The LCWR’s member or- “These communities do not some disentangling. ganizations, which account for exhibit the growth-followed-by- Although past studies have about 80 percent of the country’s decline pattern and seem to point talked about the rapid decline in women religious, had among to even further expansion into the the number of nuns in the country them 73 postulants, 117 novices foreseeable future,” it said. For starting after the Second Vatican and 317 women who had taken instance, the Religious Sisters of Council, “such studies did not temporary vows in 2009. Mercy of Alma, Michigan, was provide the more nuanced narra- Although its member organi- established in 1973 with nine tive of what decline meant for the zations account for a much small- members. The community has individual religious institutes,” er percentage of the nuns in the continued to grow gradually, and the report said. “How, for ex- U.S., CMSWR organizations had its membership will approach 100 ample, did religious institutes re- about the same number of women by the end of the decade, the re- spond to declining membership?” in formation as did LCWR insti- port predicted. From a peak in 1965 of tutes, said Gautier -- 73 postu- In some cases statistically 181,000, the number of women lants, 158 novices and 304 who significant growth actually rep- religious in the U.S. has steadily had taken temporary vows. resents very few people, Gautier declined to the current 50,000. Some have been bolstered by Directory, a reference book pub- Among other items in the noted. That’s about how many sisters sisters from other countries or lished annually, whether by being report, CARA pointed to several Six institutes that have been there were in the United States women who joined a religious folded into another organization, institutes that stood out in the cited in anecdotes and news re- 100 years ago, said the report: order later in life. Others simply by leaving the United States or data for having a “slowing rate of ports as evidence of a reversal “Population Trends Among Re- stopped serving in the United adapting in another way. decline” in number of members. of the trend toward decline, have ligious Institutes of Women,” by States. The report pointed to a flaw When the authors dug a bit, they increased their membership by CARA staffers Mary L. Gautier “In the face of diminish- in assumptions about the growth found that such slowing some- a combined total of 267 people and Mark M. Gray, and Erick ment,” it said, “women religious in women’s religious vocations times was the result of one com- since 1970. That number, the re- Berrelleza, a Jesuit scholastic at have innovated by responding coming primarily in orders that munity absorbing another. port said, is “too few to have an Boston College. with new models when old mod- are “traditionalist” -- meaning for It cited the merger of the Sis- effect on the overall picture.” CARA found that as their els proved ineffective.” example, those whose members ters of St. Joseph of Springfield, “Whatever these institutes numbers declined, some religious That’s partly why the report wear a full religious habit -- while Massachusetts, in the mid-1970s have done or are doing is unlikely orders reorganized their internal refers to disentangling, Gautier institutes whose members do not with the Sisters of St. Joseph of to offset losses in the tens of thou- structures, while others merged said. Some whole institutes disap- wear a traditional habit are de- Fall River, Massachusetts. sands elsewhere. It is simply not with other religious institutes. peared from the Official Catholic clining. “It is not that the Sisters of enough.”

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Alexandria Business Machines Copiers • Printers • Printer Supplies Faxes • Office Supplies Cost Management for your Business 318-443-0435 5527 Coliseum Blvd. Alexandria, LA 71303-3708 OCTOBER 20, 2014 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 17 Nov. 2-8 is Vocations Awareness Week LSU-A student answers vocation call to join Little Sisters of the Poor

By Jeannie Petrus CT editor Are you considering For Nicole Orzeck, it wasn’t a question of if or when, it was the matter of ‘which one” of the A Religious Vocation? religious communities she would join when she became of age to enter the convent. Ever wonder if God might be calling you to become a Catholic nun “When I was in the 7th grade, or sister? Don’t know where to begin now that you feel drawn to I read a book about Mary and de- looking into religious life? cided then that I wanted to be like her,” said 22-year-old Nicole, 1. Pray -- Be open to listening to God. Embrace the possibility of who graduated from LSU-A this whatever God has in mind for you. past fall. “I talked to Father Chad Partain (at Cathedral at that time), 2. Meet Nuns -- Do you know any real nuns at your parish or who inspired me to seek out dif- school? Interacting with nuns gives you a chance to begin to ferent religious communities.” imagine yourself as a nun and to see how it “fits.” When Nicole was 18 years old, she entered a cloistered com- 3. Talk with a Mentor -- Reach out to a family member or a trust- munity of Carmelite nuns, but soon realized that that kind of NICOLE ORZECK JOINS LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR. Nicole Orzeck, ed friend that will be supportive of you while you explore religious lifestyle was not a good fit for her. from St. Francis Xavier Cathedral parish, is congratulated by Sister Carolyn, life and this feeling of being called to become a nun. She enrolled at LSU-A and the vocations director for Little Sisters of the Poor, after deciding to join the began working on a degree in religious community located in Mobile, Ala. 4. Contact a Religious Community -- You’ll know when it’s the nursing. As a frequent visitor to right time for you to move from learning about religious life to for- the LSU-A Catholic Student Cen- mally exploring it with a specific community. ter, Nicole confided in Lynn Ray, ent focus of ministry. felt in my heart that this is where I the campus minister, about her Some of the ministries of the am suppose to be.” 5. Work with a Vocations Director -- The vocations director of a different religious communities desire to enter a religious com- “Because my grandmother particular religious community is the official person who helps you include schools, hospitals and munity. had Alzheimer’s and I felt com- to get to know the community and to discern God’s call in your life. “Lynn was extremely encour- medical professions, domestic fortable helping her, I knew I aging and supportive of helping and foreign mission work, or- wanted to continue working with 6. Join the Community -- Once you and the community have me to discern my vocation and to phanages, nursing home care and the elderly,” she said. “I choose discover the different communi- working with the poor. the Little Sisters of the Poor, discerned that yes, in fact, God has called you to one another, you ties,” she said. “Lynn also put me After researching several because of its ministry with the go through the formal steps of joining. These include: Aspirancy, in touch with several priests -- Fr. communities on the internet, and elderly, and because ‘it just felt Postulancy, Novitiate, First Vows, Final Vows. Kenneth Michiels, Joy Retnazi- visiting with local sisters, her right.’ ” hamoni, John Pardue, and Blake next step was to visit the commu- As part of her formal discern- Deshautelle -- who were also very nities she was interested in. With ment, Nicole is currently working supportive.” the help of Lynn Ray, she traveled as a CNA (certified nurses aide) at she is experiencing first hand, the tulancy in Illinois, followed by Through the process, Nicole to Mobile, Ala., where she visited the Little Sisters of the Poor Sa- prayer, community, and aposto- three years in New York for no- learned that there are a lot of re- the Little Sisters of the Poor. cred Heart Residence in Mobile. late of the Little Sisters. viatry and first vows; and final ligious communities of women to “I felt ‘at home’ when I vis- She also is living in one of By Nov. 1, (if approved) she vows in Rennes, France, where choose from, each with a differ- ited the Little Sisters,” she said. “I the community homes, where could begin her 9-month pos- the Motherhouse is located. PAGE 18 CHURCH TODAY OCTOBER 20, 2014 Awakening Retreat (Oct. 31-Nov. 2) open to college-age students

The LSU-A Catholic Student sachusetts, New Hampsire, New Organization will be hosting an York, Texas, Virginia, Kentucky, Awakening Retreat Oct. 31 - Nov. and Washington D.C. 2 at Maryhill Renwal Center in The first Awakening Retreat Pineville. in Louisiana was held in 1974 Awakening is a powerful at McNeese State University in three-day retreat for college-aged Lake Charles. The chaplain at men and women. Though the re- the time, now Bishop Sam Ja- treat is Catholic in nature, it is cobs, along with his colleagues open to people of different de- felt the need for a different kind nominations and faiths who wish of retreat. In the words of bishop to discover the Christian message Jacobs .”... we felt we had to first of faith, hope and love. provide them with a ‘conversion’ “People always ask me, ‘Ex- experience before a ‘catechesis actly what is an Awakening Re- experience.” treat?” said Lynn Ray, campus “The Awakening Retreats are minister at LSU-A and Louisiana very dear to my heart,” said Lynn, College. “It’s hard to explain to “because it was during a college someone exactly what it is, so I Awakening Retreat in the 80s that usually tell them, “you just have I expereinced an “awakening” of to experience it.” my own Catholic faith.” The retreat invites partici- Back in the 80s, Lynn was a pants to experience God’s uncon- 2013 AWAKENING RETREAT. Students gather in the main chapel of Maryhill Renewal Center on one of the evenings nursing student at Northeast Lou- ditional love through a variety of the Awakening Retreat held last year. The weekend retreat is open to college-aged men and women. isiana University in Monroe (now of activities including: prayer, ULM). She attended an Awak- ening Retreat at McNeese State songs, fellowship, and discus- was developed in 1965 by the Di- University in Lake Charles. sion. The goal of the retreat is to ocese of Brooklyn, in the United “The Awakening Retreat I provide participants with the op- States. A team of priests, brothers attended in college, re-awakened portunity to ‘contemplate God’s and lay people, under the direc- my faith, and set my life on a role in their lives.” tion of Fr. Douglas L. Brown of completely different course,” she The cost to attend for the the Brooklyn diocese, made use said. “I returned the next year and whole weekend is $30, which of the Cursillo Retreat format, participated as a facilitator for the includes two nights in a private which has its roots in Ignation retreat. This set me on the path to room, all meals, and a t-shirt. spirituality, but adapted it for old- do ministry work and later to do- For more information, call er teenagers. the work I do today as a campus Lynn ray at 318-613-0634 or call The retreat was immediately minister.” Catsy at 318-445-6424, ext. 221. successful. Within three years, For a list of locations for it was adopted in Connecticut, upcoming Awakening Retreats History California, Arizona, Illinois, Mis- through the fall of 2015, go to The first Awakening Retreat souri, Indiana, Maryland, Mas- www.awakeningretreat.info.

Louis Lowrey, M.A.

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Offices located at 207 Church Street, Natchitoches (318) 332-8422 • Pager (318) 252-2945 [email protected] Mail: 109 Royal Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457

Daniel Lacombe Floor Finishing 404 Bordelon Rd., Hessmer, LA 71341 Specializing in installation • Floor Finishing • Ceramic Tile Floors • Hardwood Floors • Reseal Tile Floors Ph: (318) 563-4753 • Cell (318) 305-0241 OCTOBER 20, 2014 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 19 XXXtreme Obstacles -- Are YOU ready for the challenge? Are you tough enough to with and some without ropes. withstand three miles of military There will be “rivers” of water obstacle course challenges? to cross, water-filled trenches to Prove your athletic ability, crawl through, and lots of ropes Saturday, Nov. 1 beginning at 7 to swing through the trees. Sand- a.m. on the grounds of St. Frances which that all in with a 1 mile run Cabrini School. before the obstacle course and a 1 It’s best to work as a team, mile run after the course. so gather up some friends. But if Only the best will survive. you dare, you can go it alone. Just “It will definitely be tough,” beware! It’s tough! said Hines. “But it will be fun. According to Liz Hines, cur- Mud and water will be a big part riculum coordinator and director of the fun, so it won’t matter if it of development, a military style happens to rain on that day.” obstacle course is currently being To register, go to www. constructed in preparation for the cabrinischool.com. The cost is Nov. 1 event. $45 per person if you register as “We’ve had people with a team; or $50 to register as an in- bulldozers digging trenches, and dividual. Any age can participate, people hauling in tires and bales but anyone under 18 must have of hay for some of the 50 plus ob- parental consent form signed. All stacle challenges,” said Hines. participants must sign a “death Several walls have been risk” waiver. All proceeds will constructed for climbing -- some benefit Cabrini School.

10-FT TOWERS TO CLIMB (above) , water-filled trenches and a tire obstacle course are only a few of the challenges that await the tough participants.

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By Jerry Newcombe townhall.com “Children, we have a choice: Either keep the ‘material goods’ we

Earlier this year, an event still have or ‘our faith and our honor.’ If we choose this, we have happened that did not receive to leave.” -- Capt. Georg Von Trapp wide notice. The last of the Von Trapp Family Singers, the last of the children---the real ones--- 1938, the children told their par- room for Hitler. One day Hitler died. ents: “In school we are not per- had all the servants shot on the Her name was Maria---not to mitted to sing any religious songs spot because one of them had be confused with the lady played with the name of Christ or Christ- hummed a Russian folksong. by Julie Andrews, Maria Augusta mas.” The family came to Ameri- Trapp, who died in 1987. Maria This was just the tip of the ca to tour as a music group. But Von Trapp’s death in February iceberg. So they had a family initially it did not go well in this 2014 marks the end of an era. conference, where Captain Von country. Their act was too orient- The Sound of Music deserves Trapp said: “Children, we have ed toward sacred classical music. its accolades as the Movie of the MARIA FRANZISKA VON TRAPP, the last of the original Von Trapp family the choice now.” Either keep “the They were almost reduced to get- Year (1965) and one of the finest made famous in the Broadway musical and the film, “The Sound of Music,” material goods we still have” ting menial jobs unrelated to mu- films ever made. Even my one- died in February of this year. or “our faith and our honor. We sic just to stay in America. Their year-old granddaughter is mes- can’t have both any more….I’d first manager lost money on them merized by the puppet scene. rather see us poor, but honest. and said, “You will never be a hit As a film it is an icon. One Maria didn’t mind the as- losophers are not yet able to get to If we choose this, then we have in America. Go back to Europe.” time the great anti-gambling cru- signment to help the children the bottom of its divine wisdom.” to leave. Do you agree?” They Said Maria: “Back to Eu- sader, Rev. Tom Grey was asked (even though there had been 25 Maria and the Captain got agreed and got away in time. rope, with the Swastika stretching on 60 Minutes to respond to those tutors and governesses before married in 1927; and the Von On a sad note, they later its black spider legs all over the who say gambling is just enter- her) because she viewed it as tem- Trapps began performing musi- learned that their mansion they map.” tainment. Noting the tragic toll porary: “After all---I don’t belong cally as a family after a priest had fled back in Salzburg had But they got another chance the “entertainment” of gambling here; I am just loaned.” But soon friend, Father Wasner, discovered been seized by the Nazis, who from a new manager who said, often takes on its victims, Grey she came to be appreciated by the what talent they had. They be- turned their chapel into a beer “…we shall start by changing asked, “Who watches The Sound whole family, including the Cap- came a smash hit. parlor. Heinrich Himmler himself your name. Trapp Family Choir of Music and then shoots himself tain. Meanwhile, after the Na- lived there and Father Wasner’s sounds too churchy. I am the in the parking lot?” Maria was shocked when she zis took over their native land in room was turned into a guest bed- manager of the Trapp Family What’s fascinating about the asked Maria Von Trapp, “Don’t Singers.” real Von Trapp Family is just how you have an Advent wreath every Eventually, they settled down Christian the true story is. year?” The child replied, “No, in Vermont and created the Von The religious elements come we never did. What is it?” So the Trapp Family Lodge, which still out to some degree in the movie. nun on loan to help the children operates today. So we salute the Yet when the movie was mar- not only brought music to the von end of an era, which proved the keted for Brazil, instead of the Trapp family, but a Christ-cen- wisdom of the statement made in title we know the movie by, they tered Christmas as well. the movie: “When the Lord clos- decided to call it (in Portuguese) The Captain later confessed, es a door, somewhere He opens a “The Rebellious Nun.” But Maria “I always feared Christmas more window.” Or as the elder Maria didn’t really rebel per se. She just than any other day. But this year says in her book, “God’s will hath discovered that God’s call on her you have made it very beautiful no why.” life was to serve God as a wife for us. Thank you.” and mother, not in a cloister. Maria whispered a prayer of In her 1949 book, The Sto- gratitude to Jesus, “I thank You THE VON TRAPP FAMILY. The ry of the Trapp Family Singers, so much for sending me there. original Von Trapp Family singers Maria Augusta Trapp said of her Please help me to draw them all consisted of seven children: Martina, marriage to the Captain, Georg closer to You.” Johanna, Hedwig, Werner, Maria, Von Trapp, “I greeted it with a Her prayer was answered. Agather, and Rupert. But after Maria heart full of happiness and readi- The Captain said to Maria, “I and Georg married, they had three ness to serve God where He need- wish my children would get thor- more children. In real life, Maria the ed me most---wholeheartedly and oughly acquainted with Holy nun was initially assigned just to tutor cheerfully.” Scriptures…Let’s start them with Maria, the daughter of Captain Von Although her role expanded the New Testament, and let’s read Trapp. Ironically, Maria the little girl later, Maria the nun was initially it together every evening until was “of delicate health.” She is the assigned just to tutor Maria, the Easter.” one who died earlier this year, after daughter of Captain Von Trapp. Maria said of their Bible- living to be 99, outlasting them all. Ironically, Maria the little girl reading: “It proved to be the was “of delicate health.” She is Book of Books, the only one in the one who died earlier this year, the whole world to which a four- after living to be 99, outlasting year old girl would listen with en- them all. raptured interest while all the phi- OCTOBER 20, 2014 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 21 Left Behind promotes fundamentalist view of rapture theology

By John Mulderig -- and exists to promote -- rap- Observing all this is the mov- Catholic News Service ture theology. As portrayed here, ie’s trio of main characters: air- that’s the notion that there will be line pilot Rayford Steele (Nico- MOVIE (CNS) -- Catholic viewers stages to the Second Coming of las Cage), his daughter, Chloe will likely feel left out by “Left Christ, the first of which will be (Cassi Thomson), and Chloe’s Behind” (Freestyle). the sudden gathering up to heaven newfound crush, famed journalist REVIEWS In part, that’s a good thing, of all true believers. Cameron “Buck” Williams (Chad since, in bringing the first in a Those unfortunate enough to Michael Murray). Conveniently series of novels by Tim LaHaye find themselves in the situation of for all concerned, Chloe met and at the airport made a nuisance of and Jerry B. Jenkins to the big the title will then face a period of fell for Buck at the airport, just as herself asking if he didn’t recog- screen, director Vic Armstrong tribulation characterized by the he was about to board a London- nize the divine plan behind all has steered clear of the anti-Ca- famines and earthquakes Jesus bound flight helmed by none oth- those disasters he’d been cover- tholicism that characterized the prophesied in Chapter 24 of St. er than you-know-who. ing lately. But would he listen? If overall saga’s print version. Matthew’s Gospel. Halfway across the ocean, he had, there’d be nothing left of What remains, however, is a Not surprisingly, the sponta- the rapture kicks in, and panic him on earth but his clothes and low-rent drama based on an in- neous disappearance of millions breaks out among the unrigh- wristwatch. terpretation of the Apocalypse at of people -- many of them driv- teous. Those at the center of In the end, “Left Behind” odds with church teaching on the ing cars or even airplanes at the the story can’t say they weren’t amounts to little more than a subject. That, by itself, makes this time -- triggers all manner of ca- warned, though. Chloe’s mom, 1970s-style disaster movie with inappropriate fare for youngsters Left Behind. Nicolas Cage stars tastrophe. And the low morals of Irene (Lea Thompson), was a a tedious overlay of misguided -- or poorly catechized adults for in a scene from the movie “Left Be- those rejected by the Lord mean fervent convert who served as a messaging. that matter. hind.” (CNS photo/Teddy Smith, that shoplifting and other forms Christian Cassandra to all around The film contains themes re- Like a previous versions of courtesy Stoney Lake Entertainment) of social chaos are bound to com- her. quiring a solid grounding in faith. Left Behind, this reboot rests on mence tout de suite. As for Buck, a woman back Rated PG-13. Charmingly bizarre fable, The Boxtrolls, features impressive 3-D animation

By Joseph McAleer - CNS Curds Way (get it?). score Snatcher’s evil nature, he His plucky daughter, Win- sidelines as the drag queen Ma- (CNS) --“The Boxtrolls” nie (Elle Fanning), longs for at- dame Frou Frou in a desperate at- (Focus), is a charmingly bizarre tention, but her father only has tempt to mingle with high society. urban fable about rich and poor eyes for brie and camembert. Moreover, Snatcher’s assis- and things that go bump in the Her world is turned upside down tants, Mr. Trout (Nick Frost) and night. when she discovers “monsters” Mr. Pickles (Richard Ayoade), of- This 3-D adventure, featur- roaming the streets at night. fer a running commentary, ques- ing impressive stop-motion ani- These are the Boxtrolls, aptly tioning their boss’s motives and mation, is based on the 2005 chil- named as they are short of stat- reminding the audience of the dren’s book “Here Be Monsters!” ure and wear recycled cardboard difference between good and evil. by Alan Snow. boxes (which double as hiding The Boxtrolls have a bad rap, The setting is Victorian places). Scavengers by nature, because once they allegedly stole England and the quaint village they scour the garbage heaps for a baby along with the garbage. of Cheesebridge, marketed as junk which they transform into The Boxtrolls. Eggs, voiced by Isaac Hempstead Wright, appears with Lovingly raised underground, the “A Gouda Place to Live.” Yes, magical inventions in their under- other animated characters in the movie “The Boxtrolls.” (CNS photo/Focus) boy, named Eggs (Isaac Hemp- the residents are obsessed with ground world. stead Wright) after his box outfit, dairy products, and the mayor, Fearing for his cheese, Lord Snatcher (Ben Kingsley) to root elevated to the ruling class, and is now 11 and curious about the Lord Portley-Rind (Jared Harris), Portley-Rind accepts an of- out and eliminate the Boxtrolls. obtain a seat at the hallowed “upper” world. rules the roost from a mansion on fer from the wicked Archibald In exchange, Snatcher will be cheese-tasting table. To under- Rated PG. PAGE 22 CHURCH TODAY OCTOBER 20, 2014

Cenla Magnificat DIOCESAN Cenla Magnificat, a ministry to Catholic Women, will host a brunch Oct. 25, from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Merci BRIEFS Beaucoup in Natchitoches. The speaker will be Patti Gallagher Mansfield, who was present at Duquesne University in 1967 when the Catholic Charismatic Renewal was born. She has written or (504) 710-6458, [email protected] or Pam Richard, several books and most recently was mentioned by Pope (504) 460-9360 or (985) 809-0773, richj504@bellsouth. Francis during one of his general audiences. net. This retreat is strictly confidential. Tickets ($15 per person) are on sale Oct. 13-22 by call- ing Mary at 318-359-7735, Joan Gahagan, 318-352-8701 Women’s Charismatic Conference (Natchitoches area); Sue Dauzat, 318-240-1256 (Avoy- elles Deanery); Servant House, 318-253-7810 (Avoy- The date for the 2014 Women’s Catholic Charismat- elles Deanery); Donna Reason, 318-240-3824 (Avoyelles ic Conference, originally scheduled for Oct. 4, has been Deanery); June Giglio, 318-876-3712 (Avoyelles Dean- moved to Saturday, Nov. 22 at Maryhill Renewal Center CDA COURT NOTRE DAME 1452. The Catholic Daughters of ery); and Diane Ardoin, 318-419-1547 (Alexandria area). in Pineville. Registration and a continental breakfast be- America, Court Notre Dame #1452, from Our Lady of Prompt gins at 8 a.m. and the conference begins at 9 a.m. We Succor Parish in Alexandria present a check to Bishop Herzog. Adult Faith Series will close with a vigil Mass at 4 p.m. The theme of the Pictured are (from left) Connie Stemmann, finance secretary; conference is “Be Not Afraid.” Our speakers are Aggie Joan Lanius, regent; Bishop Herzog, and Elsie Campbell, vice Neck and Tracy Simpson. Conference fee of $50 includes regent. Everyone is invited to a 10-week Adult Faith Series continental breakfast and lunch. Please contact Diane at on Jesus Christ: Life and Light Revealed in St. John’s 318-419-1547 for more information. Gospel. The series, which began Sept. 2, is held at St. Joseph Church in Marksville on Tuesday evenings from (Monday - Friday) 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the parish office bldg. A Bible (New Interested in Monastic Life? • stuff envelopes for periodic mailouts American Bible) and Catechism of the Catholic Church • be on a “call list” of volunteers, and called as needed (both may be purchased at the Office) are recommended Are you interested in how to live a monastic life with- when there is a need. for the sessions. To sign up, please call 253-7561. Top- out living in a monastery?. Fr. Bob Garrione, parochial • answer the phone during semi-annual (Spring and Fall) ics include Oct. 21: The Great Hour; Oct. 28: The Great vicar at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral has established on- Mariathons for 2-hour shifts Prayer; Nov. 4: Unique Death of Jesus; Nov. 11: Resurrec- line (with the Bishop’s approval) The Monastery of the • make a food dish or a dessert for periodic special events tion of Jesus (New Life & Light). Oblates, Cistercian de Guadalupe, a group of lay broth- at the station. ers and sisters from all over the continental US, Canada, • light housekeeping at the studio Rachel’s Vineyard Australia and England, who learn the beauty of a monastic • work the sound board for 2-hour shifts on the weekend. Benedictine/Cistercian (Trappist) spirituality and how to (Requires a little training to do this.) apply it to their lives, without moving away to live in a • pray on the air The Rachel’s Vineyard ministry for healing after monastery. For more info, call Fr. Bob at 318-445-1451 • make a 3-5 minute presentation about Radio Maria to abortion is having a retreat on the weekend of Oct. 31 – ext 11 or email [email protected]. parishes after a weekend Mass Nov. 2 at the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center, If you think you can volunteer for any of the duties 5500 St. Mary St., Metairie, LA. The price of the retreat listed above, please call Carla at 318-561-6145. is $170 (some financial assistance is available, if neces- Job Opening sary). This Catholic retreat for healing the pain of abor- tion is open to everyone whose life has been touched by Substitute Child Nutrition Technician needed for abortion. All faiths are welcome. For more information the Diocesan Catholic School Cafeteria’s in Avoyelles, and to register, contact Melanie Baglow, (504) 889-2431 Natchitoches, and Rapides Parish. Applicant must be drug-free and able to pass a background screening. Cur- rent position would be on an as needed basis only, with possibilities of leading into a permanent full-time position. Must be available between the hours of 6:00 am and 3:00 pm. M-F. If interested contact the Diocese of Alexandria Child Nutrition Office at (318) 445-6424 ext. 232. Volunteer Opportunities -- Radio Maria

Radio Maria is a Catholic radio station located in Al- exandria (601 Washington Street). Knights of Columbus Council 1134 held a prayer ser- Volunteers are needed to: vice Sept. 11 in front of the St. Joseph Catholic Center for the • answer the phone between the hours of 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 13th anniversary of 9-11. NOTRE DAME SEMINARIANS Deacon Eddie Martin of the Dio- cese of Baton Rouge, and Dutch Voltz and Derek Ducote from the Diocese of Alexandria cheer on the LSU tigers. OCTOBER 20, 2014 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 23 October - November

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

VIRTUS Training 20 21 22 5:45 p.m. 23 24 25 26 Adult Faith Series Sacred Heart of Jesus, Cenla Magnificat 6:30-7:30 p.m. Pineville 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. St. Joseph Church, Merci Beaucoups, Natchitoches Marksville Illuminated Rosary 7:15 p.m. St. Joseph Church, St. Rita Church Fair -- Alexandria Marksville Retrouvaille Weekend -- Maryhill Renewal Center

PRAY FOR FR. P. FAULK PRAY FOR FR. J. FERGUSON PRAY FOR FR. B. DESHAUTELLE PRAY FOR FR. T. FEY PRAY FOR FR. A. FIGREDO PRAY FOR FR. R. GARRIONE PRAY FOR FR. W. GEARHEARD

Marriage Prep NOVEMBER 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. 27 28 29 30 31 1 St. Mary’s Assumption, 2 Adult Faith Series Cottonport 6:30-7:30 p.m. Daylight Savings Time ends St. Joseph Church, Marksville St. Frances Cabrini Fest Rachel’s Vineyard -- Metairie, LA Awakening Retreat -- Maryhill Renewal Center FIRST SATURDAY HALLOWEEN ALL SAINTS DAY ALL SOULS DAY PRAY FOR FR. J. GOOTEE PRAY FOR FR. R. GREMILLION PRAY FOR FR. J. HASIEBER PRAY FOR BISHOP R. HERZOG PRAY FOR MSGR. R. HOPPE PRAY FOR BISHOP R. HERZOG PRAY FOR FR. R. HUMPHRIES 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Adult Faith Series 6:30-7:30 p.m. St. Joseph Church, Marksville

National Vocations Awareness Week PDS Workshop -- St. Rita Holy Family Center Fall Fair -- St. Francis & Anne, Kolin ELECTION DAY FIRST FRIDAY PRAY FOR FR. H. IMAMSHAH PRAY FOR FR. B. IBE PRAY FOR FR. K. ISHMAEL PRAY FOR FR. J. KAYALAPARAMBIL PRAY FOR FR. G. KROSFIELD PRAY FOR FR. P. KULIGOWSKI PRAY FOR FR. F. KUMAI 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Adult Faith Series 6:30-7:30 p.m. St. Joseph Church, Marksville

VETERANS DAY PRAY FOR FR. J. KUMBLUMKAL PRAY FOR FR. P. KUNNAMPURAM PRAY FOR FR. S. KWEBUZA PRAY FOR FR. M. LAIRD PRAY FOR FR. P. LAPALME PRAY FOR FR. R. LEMOINE PRAY FOR FR. R. MATHEWS 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 VIRTUS Women’s Catholic 6 p.m. Charismatic Conference St. Joseph Catholic Center 9:00 a.m. Alexandria Maryhill Renewal Center

St. Frances Cabrini Santuary Society Christmas Shop

PRAY FOR FR. L. MELCHER PRAY FOR FR. A. MESSINA PRAY FOR FR. J. MICHALCHUK PRAY FOR FR. K. MICHIELS PRAY FOR FR. B. MILLER PRAY FOR FR. C. MORGAN PRAY FOR FR. C. NAYAK