Diocese Makes History; Boltin Named Chancellor
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THE CATHOLIC PAGE 8 Path to Sainthood CSeptember 11,ommentator 2020 Vol. 58, No. 16 2020 LPA NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR thecatholiccommentator.org DIOCESE MAKES HISTORY; BOLTIN NAMED CHANCELLOR David. “Their level meet six times to redefine the scope of the Catholic of expertise and annually and for Life Center’s mission and to ask a very Structural their often differ- emergency needs fundamental question is the diocesan ing voice adds an as determined by institution truly fulfilling its mission, extra level of col- Bishop Duca. namely to support the parishes of the changes laboration around The purpose Diocese of Baton Rouge who, in turn, the table. (Boltin) of the meetings serve their people?” is talented, faith- will be to discuss Serving on the Bishop’s Cabinet will filled and ambi- the working of the be Father David, Boltin, Vicar General announced tious and her skill- various depart- Father Tom Ranzino, Judicial Vicar Fa- set will specifically ments of the Cath- ther Paul Counce, Secretary for Catho- serve the interests olic Life Center, lic Schools and current chancellor By Richard Meek of the people of Ba- develop a minis- Father Paul Yi, Secretary for Clergy & The Catholic Commentator ton Rouge.” terial division and Religious Life Father Matthew Lorrain, Boltin’s ap- receive from the Secretary for Communications Father The Diocese of Baton Rouge made pointment head- bishop any an- Chris Decker, Secretary for Evangeli- history when Bishop Michael G. Duca lines several nouncements to zation Father Ryan Hallford, Secretary announced the appointment of Ann structural changes be communicated for Pastoral Services Father Michel Boltin as chancellor. announced by the Ann Boltin to various depart- Miceli and Victims Assistance Coordi- Boltin, the diocesan archivist, is the diocese Aug. 28. ment heads and nator Amy Cordon. first lay person to be appointed chancel- Among the more significant changes CLC employees. Father David said the existing Secre- lor in the 59-year history of the diocese. include the re-establishment of the “The reorganization of the Secre- tarial Model has been simplified and all “I think it is refreshing to have lay Bishop’s Cabinet to serve as an advisory tariat System will more immediately diocesan departments will be grouped persons, especially women, to be in- council to Bishop Duca in administra- impact operations for employees at into one of six secretariats with the volved in leadership positions in the tive matters at the Catholic Life Center. the Catholic Life Center,” Father David purpose of reintroducing clergy into curia,” said incoming Episcopal Vicar According to Father David, the architect said. “Attached to this reorganization, the operational organization of the CLC for Strategic planning Father Jamin of the restructuring, the cabinet will though, will be an evaluative project SEE RECONSTRUCTION PAGE 15 Columbarium to offer peace By Debbie Shelley burial location to serve the diocese,” said Schro- The Catholic Commentator eder. The Garden of Peace and Memorial Colum- When completed, the Garden of Peace and barium is self-funding through sales of niches Memorial Columbarium under construction at and uses no TFT funds for construction or main- Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge will tenance, emphasized Schroeder and Arabie. become an extension of the church’s vibrant Schroeder noted that the Catholic Church prayer life in the center of bustling activity. eliminated its prohibition against cremation in The community identified the need for the 1963. garden in 2015 as part of OLM’s Traditions for As the popularity of cremation among Catho- Tomorrow master campaign for the future de- lics has grown, in 2016 the church updated its in- velopment of its church and school, said Randy structions on how to handle a person’s cremated Arabie, administrator, and Michelle Schroeder, remains in “Ad resurgendum cum Christo” (“To columbarium and stewardship coordinator. Rise With Christ”). The church emphasized that A state-of-the-art lower elementary school the remains are to be treated with respect and in Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge is currently construct- and gym were completed first to accommodate accordance to the church’s belief in the paschal ing its Garden of Peace Memorial and Columbarium to provide a the school’s growing enrollment. mystery and resurrection from the dead. sacred place of rest for its parishioners and local community. “With those buildings done, it was decided to It specifically prohibits the scattering of ashes Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator fulfill our mission of providing a new Catholic SEE GARDEN PAGE 16 2 The Catholic Commentator September 11, 2020 | DID YOU KNOW Mercy & generosity Mission of Catechists’ By Dina Dow the servant he forgave was met with torture and the obligation to pay back the once-for- The sacred Mass readings for the 24th given debt. and 25th Sundays in Ordinary Time offer Did Jesus answer St. Peter’s question remains unchanged an invitation to forgiveness, mercy and an and ours? How often must I forgive one awakening to the generosity of who sins against me? As From the earliest of times, when were themselves baptized in in- God. often as God forgives me God inscribed the Ten Command- fancy, would be instructed by the Kind & merciful (Sirach Life-Giving of my sins against him is ments on a tablet with his finger families who had received a thor- 27:30-38) FAI H as often as we forgive the one for Moses to present to the people, ough catechetical preparation for The author of the Book of Sirach who sins against me. “To re- and the teachings of the prophets, baptism. describes the hateful nature of wrath ceive his mercy, we must admit which was fulfilled in Jesus, God The great catechists in history and anger. Being one of the seven “capital” our faults” (The Catechism of the Catholic has been teaching people about include St. Augustine, who wrote, sins, this action opens a path of vengeance Church #1847). Because of God’s mercy for himself. De Catechizandis Rudibus, or resulting in deep suffering. The alternative our faults we grow in compassion and pa- Each year on Catechetical Sun- “How to Catechize the Ignorant,” to wrath is meekness, a patient endurance tience to forgive the faults of others. Meek- day, this year falling on Sept. 20, linking salvation history to faith, to an offense; a path for forgiveness. To for- ness. We admit our offense, ask for forgive- the church celebrates the role of to hope and ultimately to charity. give is to accept what God has already giv- ness, receive mercy, we show mercy. We catechists in carrying this work of St. Gregory the Great also en to us. How can we be unforgiving and petition in the “Our Father, …forgive us our instructing people on the faith and played an important role in cat- expect God to forgive us? How can I say, “ I trespasses as we forgive those who trespass evangelization. echetical development. He wrote love God,” then turn around and pray that against us…” The Catechism of the Catho- a series of “Books of Dialogue” the one who hurt me will suffer? Again, and again and again. lic Church states in its prologue, which expressed to pastors, par- It is like praying, “Lord, bless all your Generosity of God (Is 55:6-9) “Quite early on, the name cat- ents and teachers the proper way people, except for THAT person who hurt The prophet Isaiah proclaims a mes- echesis was given to the totality of of handing on and giving them the me.” It is a contradiction. As the psalm- sage to seek and call upon the Lord for he the church’s efforts to make disci- content of the faith. ist writes, “The Lord is kind and merciful, is near. God’s generosity is abundant with ples, to help men believe that Jesus Missionary saints, such as St. slow to anger and rich in compassion” (Ps mercy and forgiveness; a far cry from the is the Son of God so that believing Bede, St. Alquin and St. Boniface 103). Can we, who are made in God’s image ways of mankind. When we call upon the they might have life in his name were also extraordinary catechists. and likeness, say, “I am kind and merciful. I Lord in truth, he hears and answers our and to educate and instruct them Because people did not have am slow to anger. I am rich in compassion.” plea. His justice prevails, as does his “holy in this life, thus building up the access to books before Johannes Merciful & forgiving (Mt 18: 21-35) works” (Ps 145). Hence, we magnify the body of Christ.” Gutenberg invented the printing Since our lives are for God, and we live Lord by our lives, in our bodies, doing what According to the United States press, catechesis was passed on for God then we are called to model Christ’s is fruitful in the eyes of God, worthy of the Conference of Catholic Bishops, orally in families and in the litur- actions. Look at St. Peter. He asked Jesus, Gospel of Christ. “In the New Testament, the Gos- gy. The readings from Scripture “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how Labor of love (Mt 20:1-16) pels are the first great ‘Catechism’ in liturgy and the sermons were often must I forgive? As many as seven Jesus, the perfect teacher, likens the which was transmitted orally and lengthy. In a time before televi- times?” kingdom of God to laborers in the vine- then put to writing. Jesus ‘teaches’ sion, radio and social media, they Jesus responds with the parable of the yard.