November 20 2020 Issue A
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THE CATHOLIC Special Sections CNovember 20,ommentator 2020 Vol. 58, No. 21 2020 LPA NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR thecatholiccommentator.org Diocese’s goal is to foster racial unity ne day I was having a should not be playing with lived outside of the African mation special section in this conversation with my those Black children and American experience, feel edition of The Catholic Com- Odad about growing up they should have their own threatened by this unfamiliar mentator is one step to help in Dallas. He explained that game. My dad remarked that description of life in America. build bridges that will bring us his south Dallas neighborhood from that day on the way the They refuse to listen, call- together as one family in faith was made up of mainly Italian, neighborhood children played ing the stories of the Black and community. As Catholics, Jewish and African American together changed a lot. communities’ experience of we know that our strongest families. He remembered that At the end of May this year, inequality propaganda, or fake bond is our faith in our Lord he mostly played on his own with the death of Mr. George news. Maybe they don’t listen Jesus Christ, who commands street, but often the children Floyd, the issues of race and because they just want things us to love one another. We From the Bishop of the neighborhood would equality in our country have to get back to normal. This de- have all been baptized into gather to play baseball at the once again caught our nation’s sire of the African community this family of faith, and we are Bishop Michael G. Duca neighborhood park. It’s just attention. The voice of the to be heard, and the resistance one in Christ. what children did back then. African American commu- of others to listen, sets up a But despite this profound races and ages of our Catholic He remembered one nity has been energized and tragic scenario. There needs unity in Christ, we do not family to be heard and become day, during a neighborhood encouraged to tell its story of to be a way to avoid an ever- know each other well. We, as better known to us. With this baseball game, a policeman what growing up and living in deepening divide within our a church community, have not special section, we hope to pulled up and called the white the United States is like for a community. always taken time or provided foster greater unity and pro- children over to his car. The Black American. The BUILDING BRIDGES: opportunities for all the dif- mote heartfelt conversation policeman told them they While others, who have Racial Healing and Transfor- ferent voices, nationalities, SEE DUCA PAGE 13 GOBBLE UP! Thanksgiving tradition continues By Richard Meek “We would have liked to have had a sit down The Catholic Commentator dinner but we really did not want to do anything that could be a (virus) super spreader event.” A pair of long-standing Thanksgiving Day Acaldo said limiting exposure to volunteers traditions in Baton Rouge will continue al- and patrons was a priority. As a result, because though with a decidedly different look as a re- of the changes the typical army of 300 volun- sult of the coronavirus pandemic. teers will be reduced to about 75. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will host “Louisiana (coronavirus) numbers are its annual Thanksgiving dinner for the home- not looking all that bad but we really don’t less at its men’s homeless shelter and also host know what those numbers will look like come the Holiday Helpers lunch at the Raising Cane’s (Thanksgiving Day),” he said. “No doubt it’s go- River Center, which is open to the general pub- ing to be a challenge; we know that.” lic. Acaldo was thrilled with the news that for However, because of the pandemic, no in- the second consecutive year Congregation B’nai door seating will be available. Rather, meals at Israel in Baton Rouge has agreed to donate the the homeless shelter will be distributed through turkeys through its annual Turkey Train cam- a to-go window and drive through will be avail- paign. able at the River Center, according to St. Vin- Effects of the pandemic will likely reduce cent President and CEO Michael Acaldo. the number of people served, Acaldo acknowl- St. Vincent has been serving hot meals on edged. He said a year ago, the venues provided Thanksgiving Day since 1982 and Holiday close to a combined 1,200 Thanksgiving lunch- STUDENT CENTER – The new Brother Donnan Berry SC Stu- Helpers was established in 1987. es but hopes to distribute at least 1,000 meals dent Center at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge has more “At St. Vincent de Paul we are excited about this year. room and contemporary features to better serve the school’s keeping these traditions alive,” Acaldo said. Acaldo also recognizes the increased diffi- approximately 1,200 students. For the complete story and “COVID-19 has put a lot of question marks in culty in getting food to individuals so his agen- more photos please turn to page 10. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Cath- a lot of things but we had always planned to do cy is partnering with local church groups and olic Commentator both. SEE THANKSGIVING PAGE 16 2 The Catholic Commentator November 20, 2020 | DID YOU KNOW Our only hope By Dina Dow with hope the eternal kingdom. Psalm 23 sheds incredible light on life The liturgical year, Cycle A, concludes with in the kingdom. “The Lord is my shepherd; the celebration of the Solemnity of Our Lord there is nothing I shall want.” This well- Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, as the known psalm gives rise to profound medi- new liturgical year, Cycle B, begins with the tation. Place yourself in pasture filled with First Sunday of Advent. The Sun- lush grass and embrace the day Mass readings fill us with the calm, tranquil moment. light of the kerygma (pronounced Life-Giving Follow God to calm waters, ke-rig-ma), the first proclama- FAI H as he refreshes your soul with tion of the good news of Jesus Christ, quiet. Let the Lord guide you namely “that in Jesus Christ, who was with advice, good counsel, en- crucified, died and rose, salvation is offered lightenment, teachings and movement on the to all people as a gift of God’s grace and mer- right path. Then sit, sit at the table as the Lord cy” (“Mission of the Redeemer” encyclical, St. pours abundant grace of anointing, sanctity John Paul II, 1990). and life, with goodness and kindness to fol- This is the hope in which we live … Jesus, low. For surely, since the Lord is indeed our son of God, lived, suffered, died and res- shepherd, we can fully trust in him for all urrected so that the path to heaven is open that we need for today and in eternity, now A portrait of Father Michael J. McGivney, by Antonella Cappuccio. Courtesy of by his perfect sacrifice which freed us from and forever. the Knights of Columbus bondage of sin and death. Jesus loves us be- Hope in the power yond measure. His mercy endures forever. Normally, when we refer to the power of We place our hope in his kingdom, his power a king, the first thought that may come to Father McGivney beatified and give all glory to our king. mind is the centralized power in one person, Hope in the kingdom the one who holds the scepter, sheer author- The Oct. 31 beatification of Fa- reportedly felt something change The Solemnity of Christ the King opens ity, and unyielding might. Jesus Christ, as ther Michael McGivney at the Ca- within her when she heard the with a reading from the Book of Ezekiel. The our sovereign king holds power with merci- thedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, words of the Gospel about the Ro- prophet proclaims that God is the shepherd ful might. Jesus reveals merciful power in Connecticut was a boost for the man official whose son was healed for the lost and exiled people of Jerusalem his discourse of the final judgment. With an priesthood, the Knights of Colum- by Jesus: “Go, your son lives.” during the Babylonian captivity. Like a shep- invitation, he said to his disciples when the bus and young Catholics. A few days after returning to herd God looks after and tends the scattered son of man comes in glory, having separated Blessed Father McGivney, who Tennessee, an ultrasound indicated flock, rescues them from darkness and pro- the sheep from the goats, “He will place the was an American priest and recog- the unborn child was healed of fetal vides rest and care. Even in our wandering sheep on his right and the goats on his left. nized by the church for his humility, hydrops. Today, Michael McGivney away from the kingdom, the Lord pursues Then the king will say to those on his right, charity and concern for all people, Schachle is an active 5-year-old us. God’s kingdom is rich in mercy, yet he de- ‘Come, you who are blessed by my father. In- founded the Knights of Columbus with Down Syndrome. mands justice. Hence, those who choose not herit the kingdom prepared for you from the in 1882 as a fraternal Catholic’s men Father McGivney is the third to follow him will be separated. For those who foundation of the world.