Dunn Finds His Niche in Stitch by Barbara Chenevert the Catholic Commentator

THE CATHOLIC

Car sales a ‘ministry’ PAGE 7

July 25, 2014ommentator Vol. 51, No. 12 SERVING THE DIOCESE OF BATON ROUGE SINCE 1963 thecatholiccommentator.org C SEWING SEMINARIAN Dunn finds his niche in stitch By Barbara Chenevert The Catholic Commentator

The seminarians at St. Joseph Semi- nary College were observing Tet, the Viet- namese New Year, with a huge celebration that featured a lion dance. Since there was a large community of Vietnamese there, authentic costumes were ordered from Vietnam. Only prob- lem was the costumes were made for the smaller frames of Vietnamese people, and for children as well. Seminarian Mathew Dunn, armed only with a needle and thread, was repeatedly asked to repair the costumes as they con- tinued to rip during practices. Everyone in the seminary knew Dunn came with a sewing kit that allowed him to sew on but- tons and make minor repairs to slacks, so logically they called on him for help with the costumes. “After fixing all 12 costumes three or Seminarian Mathew Dunn has taught himself to sew, and within the year has made vestments for the Abbey Youth Festival, as four times, I got tired of it,” said Dunn. “I well as some priest friends. Photo by Barbara Chenevert | The Catholic Commentator SEE SEMINARIAN PAGE 20

Crisis may affect funding

By Richard Meek not yet been finalized. The Catholic Commentator “No matter how you feel about immigration, this is still a humanitarian crisis,” Catholic Charities USA has become said Catholic Charities communications a major player in assisting with the bur- director Carol Spruell said. “And who else geoning immigration crisis in southwest but the church is the one to act.” Texas but the result may be a reduction in Catholic Charities, through its Refugee local refugee funding. and Migration Services office, manages In response to tens of thousands of Louisiana’s four resettlement agencies. In immigrants crossing the border in the the past five years, according to figures re- past several months, mainly from Central leased by Catholic Charities, the state has America, the U.S. Office of Refugee Re- resettled approximately 2,000 refugees, settlement announced it was shifting $94 including asylum seekers, Iraqis and Af- UNIFORMS FOR KIDS – Cheryl Scott and Gerry Malone sort school uni- million away from services for screened ghans who assisted military forces, and forms for the annual Uniforms for Kids program that distributes almost and approved refugees. Those cuts will Cuban and Haitian refugees. 25,000 uniforms to families in need. See story pages 10 and 11. Photo by Bar- affect Catholic Charities Office of Refugee “It is our belief that both populations bara Chenevert | The Catholic Commentator Resettlement, executive director David can and should be helped,” Aguillard Aguillard said, although the amount has SEE CRISIS PAGE 19 2 The Catholic Commentator The Lighter S ide of FAI t H July 25, 2014 | TREASURES FROM THE DIOCESE | DID YOU KNOW New title, same job

What ever happened to in common counsel and en- the associate pastor? deavor with him and also Many Catholics grew up are under his authority.” in church parishes that were (545.1) led by a pastor and an asso- A pastor, on the other ciate pastor. But now days, if hand, is appointed by the one is lucky enough to be in a bishop to shepherd a church two-priest parish, it will like- parish. His duties are ex- ly have a pastor and a paro- tensive, including but not chial vicar. limited to teaching and gov- Not to worry, an associate pastor and a erning the faithful, preaching the word of parochial vicar are titles for the same posi- God, giving Catholic instruction, fostering tion. charitable works, promoting social justice, Since the promulgation of the latest encouraging prayer, evangelizing and nour- Code of Canon Law in 1983, the term pa- ishing the faithful through the sacraments. rochial vicar has been coming into popular Often when a pastor’s position is vacant use. In the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Bishop because of a death, sickness, retirement or Robert W. Muench uses the term rather some other reason that prevents him from than associate or assistant pastor in mak- carrying out his duties, an administrator ing his priestly assignments. may be appointed by the bishop. The ad- Canon Law states, “Parochial vicars are ministrator basically has the same duties priests who render their services in pasto- as the pastor, but those can be limited by ral ministry as co-workers with the pastor the bishop.

| PICTURES FROM THE PAST

The sanctuary at St. Joseph Cathedral, pictured here in the early 1900s, is far different today. The church was renovated in a period from 1966-70 in keeping with guidelines A beautiful painting of Mary adorns the ceiling of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin established by the Second Vatican Council. The Gospel was originally proclaimed from Mary Church in Plattenville. The church was completed in 1856 and according to min- a raised, ornate pulpit which has since been removed. Take note of the Stations of the utes from a parish council meeting on Oct. 14 of that year, a discussion was held with Cross , the chandelier over the sanctuary, the stained glass above the original altar and artist Jean Baptiste Rossi about commissioning him to paint the unfinished ceiling at a several statues. File photo. cost not to exceed $150. On Feb. 9, 1857, the council reached an agreement with Rossi If you have submissions you would like considered for Pictures from the Past, to complete the painting at a cost not to exceed $50. Despite the church sustaining please email them to [email protected]. serious damage in two hurricanes, the painting has had no damage and has not been restored or retouched. “I am confident she will protect the church for a long time,” said longtime parishioner Marian Blanchard. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator CORRECTION: The location of St. John Primary School was misidentified in the July 11 Back to School Section. The correct location is Prairieville. COMING SOON! The New Diocese of Baton Rouge Directory

Pre-order your 2014-2015 Baton Rouge Diocese thecatholiccommentator.org | Facebook.com/TheCatholicCommentator Directory, which has all of the current listings and information on churches, clergy, schools, diocesan Bishop Robert W. Muench Publisher Wanda L. Koch Advertising Manager Father Than Vu Associate Publisher Penny G. Saia Advertising Sales departments and personnel, religious, retreat centers, Richard Meek Editor Lisa Disney Secretary/Circulation deaneries, institutions and organizations. Debbie Shelley Assistant Editor Barbara Chenevert Staff Writer To order, send us your name and address information The Catholic Commentator (ISSN 07460511; USPS 093-680) and mail to The Catholic Commentator, P. O. Box 3316, Published bi-weekly (every other week) by the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge,1800 South Acadian Thru- Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3316 with a check or money way, Baton Rouge, LA 70808; 225-387-0983 or 225-387-0561. Periodical Postage Paid at Baton Rouge, LA. order for $9.50 per directory. Copy must reach the above address by Wednesday for use in the next week’s paper. Subscription rate: $14.00 per year. POSTMASTER, send address changes to The Catholic Commentator, P.O. Box 14746, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4746. July 25, 2014 The Catholic Commentator 3 Legislative official helps balance state politics

By Debbie Shelley of the House Legislative Ser- everyone to live with. And even The Catholic Commentator vices in 2013. if, as often happens, legislators Vincent began his work with make their final decisions for Although partisan politics the House as a legislative ana- political reasons, I believe my and divisive issues can arise lyst for the House Committee colleagues and I are contribut- in state legislative sessions, on Municipal, Parochial and ing to that blending and refin- the overall law making process Cultural Affairs Division. The ing of ideas. keeps government functioning wide variety of issues handled