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THE CATHOLIC PAGE 8 Laura relief effort CSeptember 25,ommentator 2020 Vol. 58, No. 17 2020 LPA NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR thecatholiccommentator.org FEEDING THE SOUL ‘Nutrition of love’ served at St. Gerard By Richard Meek The Catholic Commentator As students and their families picked up a savory dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, paired with green beans and a roll in the parish hall at St. Ge- rard Church in Baton Rouge, “Mama” Seaball Thomas stood proud, a smile sweeping across her face as she assisted handing out each meal. Five days later Thomas was back in the same spot, only on this sun- splashed afternoon that offered a tiny hint of fall she was distributing one of her soul food specialties: red beans and “Mama” Seaball Thomas, right, and Louise Attuso prepare to hand out meatball and spaghetti dinners to Redemptorist St. Ge- rice and smothered chicken. rard School students and their families on Sept. 14. St. Gerard Majella Church is offering free dinners to students on Mondays Thomas, the former owner of Mom- and free meals to area residents on Friday from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator ma’s SilverMoon Café which buttressed the LSU campus, is the chef and one of The program serves free meals on Mon- days meals are offered to the neighbors “We are serving the nutrition of love the organizers of the fledgling Com- days to the families of Redemptorist in the impoverished north Baton Rouge at St. Gerard,” pastor Father Tat Hoang munity Feeding Program at St. Gerard. St.Gerard School students and on Fri- area. SEE GERARD PAGE 16 Finding peace in the Sabbath By Debbie Shelley ing that they are “falling apart” the celebration of the paschal mys- The Catholic Commentator about what’s going on in the state tery. and world. Keeping “Holy the Day of the The coronavirus pandemic, so- With the stark reality there is Lord” is a perfect time to put all cial unrest and the Gulf of Mexico “always something going on” Fa- anxieties, fears, frustration and furiously churning out one hurri- ther Bayhi said the best thing peo- distractions at the foot of the cross, cane after another has many peo- ple can do is “go to God.” according to Dina Dow, director ple caught in distress. “The Lord wants to give us the of the Office of Evangelization and But God, in his rhythm of cre- peace that the world cannot give,” Catechesis for the Diocese of Baton ation, quells robbers of peace with he said. Rouge. the Sabbath, ideally a time of rest, The answer to the suffering is God’s directive to keep holy the rejuvenation and renewal, say found in the light of Christ’s pas- Sabbath is found in the Ten Com- priests and lay leaders in the Dio- chal mystery which is celebrated mandments, Dow pointed out. Keeping the Sabbath holy can be challenging in these cese of Baton Rouge. at Mass on Sundays, according to She said to understand what days of a worldwide pandemic and limited seating ca- With worries stoked by the lat- Father Bayhi. is meant by the Jewish “Sabbath” pacities at churches throughout the Diocese of Baton est hit of Hurricane Laura in Lake As signs of life slowly come back and “the Lord’s Day” one can turn Rouge. But spiritual leaders say the Sabbath is ideally a Charles Father Jeff Bayhi, pastor to church parishes and people re- to the Catechism of the Catholic time of renewal and helps one maintain spiritual of St. John the Baptist Church in turn to Mass they can find the Sab- Church. The Jewish Sabbath is peace. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator Zachary, said people are express- bath rest that only comes through SEE SABBATH PAGE 15 2 The Catholic Commentator September 25, 2020 | DID YOU KNOW The vineyard By Dina Dow provide the path of attitude for us as disciples. Remote pet Jesus emptied himself completely, makes We welcome the beginning of the season known to us God, teaches us his path, guides of fall and pray, especially here in the Gulf us in truth and by his suffering, death and res- South, that the climate enters a period of calm urrection gives us new life. The Catechism of blessings available after a restless hurricane season atop an ev- the Catholic Church states, “The word become er-present pandemic. Such natural flesh (Jesus) in order to save The feast of St. Francis is rapidly doubtedly be much busier as pet occurrences cause ample anxiety, us by reconciling us with approaching, traditionally a time to owners in the pandemic era remain levels which require faith likened Life-Giving God; that we might know make appointments to have the pets quarantined or continue to work to steel: unbendable, resistant and FAI H God’s love; to be our model of groomed, bathed and looking spiffy. from home. rustproof. We ask why, in many cases, holiness; to make us partak- After all, you want Fido and The annual blessing of the ani- would God allow such natural disasters, ers of the divine nature” (CCC, Fluffy to sparkle for the annual mals reflects St. Francis’ love for all only to be met with limitless answers? One paragraphs 456-460). blessing of the animals held at par- creatures, especially the larks that dependable answer is God restores all bro- We, as missionary disciples, take on the ishes nationwide throughout the were often spotted flying in Assisi, kenness into a new creation, transforms anxi- attitude of Jesus as we humbly reconcile commemorating St. Francis’ feast the hilltop town in Italy where the ety into peace and gives us his son to show us with others, as well as promote reconcilia- day, which is Oct. 4. But what’s one future saint was raised. In fact, ac- the way to him. The 26th and 27th Sunday in tion, recognize the good in others and in- to do when the country is in the cording to legend, St. Francis, the Ordinary Time Mass readings require signifi- vite them on the path of holiness, building midst of a pandemic? patron saint of Italy, and his ear- cant commitment and openness to righteous- up one another in virtue, truth and justice. Pets can also be infected with ly brothers were staying at a small ness, justice and being a fruitful disciple of Je- Guided by St. Paul’s witness, we trust in God COVID-19, although research is still hovel but agreed to be displaced by sus. The more we turn toward God, the more through grateful prayer, confidently asking a bit spotty regarding if they can a donkey. we grow in understanding his ways for our needs and for the needs of others. pass the virus along to their owners. St. Francis was a holy man who Yes or no We also stay close to the heart of Jesus in Regardless, owners are not likely to disposed of all of his earthly posses- The Prophet Ezekiel (18:25-28) conveys ways and thoughts that are “true, honorable, take a risk of exposing their beloved sions, much to the chagrin of his fa- a strong message to the Israelites who com- just, pure, lovely, gracious and worthy of the pets to the deadly virus. ther, providing him the freedom to plain, “The Lord’s way is not fair” as his justice Lord” (Phil 4:6-9). We also act upon these Rest easy, relief is readily avail- say, “Our father in heaven.” prevails over evil. Yet the Lord challenges the ways with others in acts of mercy, sharing able. Even though he died at a relative- people by reminding them that perhaps their hope and offering peace. Father John Dear, a priest in the ly young age of 44, he left behind a ways lack in “fairness” since they are choosing The vineyard of the Lord Diocese of Monterey, California, in legacy of inspiration, devotion and inequity over good, wickedness over justice, These two Sunday Masses offer three read- conjunction with PETA has estab- love for the Lord. Two years before death over life. God’s fairness is his justice ings that compare the kingdom of God to a lished a recorded phone blessing he died, he received the stigma- and mercy, since it is he who gives life to the vineyard. This comparison is significant. In that is accessible across the country. ta, which is the real and painful one who chooses to turn from sin and back to the Gospel of St. Matthew (21:28-32) we hear All one has to do is call 1-833-Assi- wounds of Christ in his hands, feet him. Do I say “yes” to that which is good, just of a father who requested both of his sons to si to have your favorite animal, who and side. and fair? Do I say “yes” to God and “no” to sin? go out and work in the vineyard. One refused is likely more of a four-legged or During the blessing of the an- Do I accept life in God or death in sin? Psalm yet later changed his mind and went out while winged family member than a pet, imals, the priest prays a specific 25 invites us to pray, “Remember your mer- the other accepted but never showed up. Jesus blessed and not worry about being prayer as he gently sprinkles the cies, o Lord. your ways, o Lord, make known indicates the first son did the father’s will de- exposed to the coronavirus.