THE CATHOLIC PAGES 10-11 Finding spirituality in the cane field January 9, 2013ommentator Vol. 51, No. 24 SERVING THE DIOCESE OF BATON ROUGE SINCE 1963 thecatholiccommentator.org C RESCUED Group hopes to restore Bayou Goula church By Barbara Chenevert The Catholic Commentator The Mississippi River overpowered it, forc- ing it to move. Hurricane Gustav was too much for its 140-year-old steeple. Age and a lack of use have taken a toll on its paint and its foun- dation. Yet, unused, without a steeple and in need of renovation, the historic St. Paul Church in Bay- ou Goula stands as a monument to the people of this once flourishing community. “The church brought us through Recon- struction, through World War I and II, and I think this church has a lot more help to give,” said Travis Campesi, one of a group of Bayou Goula area residents who are determined to restore the church to its 1871 beauty. “This church has gotten the community through a lot of problems. When you think of all the people who have come and gone, I don’t see how we can lose it now,” she said. “It was built just six years after the Civil War, when the south was very poor. There was a lot of sacrifice by the people to build this The historic St. Paul Church in Bayou Goula is being restored by the non-profit group, Friends of St. Paul, Inc. Built in 1871, church,” said Mike Guillot, another member of the church retains much of its original structure and furnishings including the cypress pews and altar fixtures. Statues, SEE CHURCH PAGE 9 the tabernacle and the stations of the cross are also intact. Photo by Barbara Chenevert | The Catholic Commentator Diocese announces partnership with OLOL for deacon program By Barbara Chenevert both academic programs of study into a ton, head of the diocesan office of Evan- Holland, president of OLOL College, The Catholic Commentator holistic academic program that will last gelization and Catechesis, and other di- “has repeatedly expressed her interest five years,” said Father Jamin David, ocesan leaders constructed the course in entering into a similar partnership The Diocese of Baton Rouge is enter- coordinator of diaconate formation for of study in consultation with the lead- to provide academic formation for lay ing into a partnership with Our Lady of the diocese. ership of OLOL. leaders as well,” he said. the Lake College to provide academic Under the new partnership, candi- “Courses range from Scripture to Because some of the courses are al- formation for candidates for the perma- dates for the diaconate will take two church history to systematic theology to ready offered at the Catholic college, nent diaconate, beginning in August. courses every fall and spring for a total homiletics and everything in between,” some lay students may be enrolled The new partnership replaces aca- of 60 hours of college level coursework, Father David said, adding the program along with the diaconate candidates. demic formation previously offered beginning in August. was designed to provide a suitable foun- Anyone who meets the standard of ad- through St. Joseph Seminary College, “It is the goal of the diocese and dation of theological knowledge, practi- mission for OLOL can take the courses, both for diaconate formation and for Our Lady of the Lake College to work cal application and theological praxis. Father David said. lay ministers in the Religious Studies toward the creation of a bachelor’s de- Although RSI offered formation for Holland said OLOL College is “excit- Institute. Both programs were discon- gree in theology in the future. These lay leaders in the diocese, Father David ed to serve the Diocese of Baton Rouge tinued when changes in accreditation course credits will be applicable to this said the structure of the new program by partnering in the intellectual forma- standards required RSI courses to be degree,” Father David said. Our Lady was designed so that a curricula for tion of deacons and other lay people in held on the campus of St. Joseph Semi- of the Lake College is the only Catholic lay leaders could be developed in the the Catholic tradition. We can think of nary College in Covington. college in the diocese. future. “The need for trained lay lead- no better way to fulfill our mission as “The new program will integrate Father David said he, Rhonda Paren- ers remains evident,” he said. Dr. Tina SEE OLOL PAGE 3 2 The Catholic Commentator The LIGHTER SIDE of FAI t H January 9, 2015 | TREASURES FROM THE DIOCESE | DID YOU KNOW Scapulars have various meanings There are brown In the middle ages, ones, blue ones, red laity frequently affil- ones, black ones, green iated with religious ones and white ones. orders. They did not They might honor take full vows nor wear the passion of Jesus, the habit, but would the Blessed Mother un- be granted a “reduced der various names, the scapular” that con- blessed Trinity or St. sisted of two pieces of Joseph. wool, about two inches They may help you pray for the conver- by three inches in size and held together sion of sinners, a happy death or healing. by a cord and worn over the shoulder. Scapulars are religious pendants made Soon there developed “personal” scap- of two pieces of cloth connected by a ulars, still smaller in size yet symbolic string that are worn over the neck and can of the apron, that indicated the wearer’s carry indulgences or graces when certain willingness to serve. Scapulars are gen- criteria are met. erally associated with a religious order or Originally a sign of monastic life, scap- confraternity and bear the colors or sym- ulars are derived from the apron-like part bols of that confraternity. For example, of the monastic habit that consists of a the Brown Scapular, the scapular of Our long rectangular piece of material with Lady of Mount Carmel, is one of the most holes for the head. Over time these aprons widely known scapulars and is associated became known as the yoke of Christ, and with the Carmelite Order. receiving the scapular took on solemn Today scapulars may also be made of meaning. metal or wood. Correction A photo caption about the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women’s delivery of books to Dalton Elementary School through Project BRANT in the Dec. 12 issue of The Catholic Commentator incorrectly stated that current donor Carmel Mask donated to Project BRANT in memory of her deceased son. The person who had Stained glass windows provide a backdrop for daily Mass and the tabernacle at Christ the made donations to the project in memory of her deceased son was a previous King Chapel and Student Center on the LSU campus. Created by artist Sam Corso, based on donor, Gladys Ryan. a concept of Paul Dufour, the windows depict the movements of students who come to school and church at LSU and then move on. The windows also celebrate flowing water, not only from the nearby Mississippi River but also from the church’s baptismal font. | PICTURES FROM THE PAST Lent 2015 Issue date: February 6 Ad Space Deadline: January 28 Lent 2015 will feature: • A Collection of Seafood and Lenten Recipes by our readers and advertising restaurants. • Fasting & Abstinence Regulations in the Baton Rouge Diocese, Lenten Retreats, Opportunities for Spiritual Renewal, Fund Raisers sponsored by churches, schools and Catholic organizations, and a listing of St. Joseph Altars. For advertising information call 225-387-0983 thecatholiccommentator.org | Facebook.com/TheCatholicCommentator Bishop Robert W. Muench Publisher Wanda L. Koch Advertising Manager Father Than Vu Associate Publisher Penny G. Saia Production Manager Richard Meek Editor Lisa Disney Secretary/Circulation Bishop Robert E. Tracy met with Pope Paul VI in Rome in December 1974. Bishop Tracy, Debbie Shelley Assistant Editor Barbara Chenevert Staff Writer chairman of the United States Ad Hoc Committee on Migration and Tourist at the time, The Catholic Commentator (ISSN 07460511; USPS 093-680) was in Rome to attend the International Catholic Air Congress, which studied the impact Published bi-weekly (every other week) by the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge,1800 South Acadian of the Holy Year on the world of civil aviation and the services to be rendered to pilgrims Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA 70808; 225-387-0983 or 225-387-0561. Periodical Postage Paid at Baton Rouge, LA. Copy must reach the above address by Wednesday for use in the next week’s paper. Sub- flying to Rome in 1975, and the airport chaplaincy as it relates to the airport community, scription rate: $14.00 per year. POSTMASTER, send address changes to The Catholic Commentator, aircrew personnel and passengers. Bishop Tracy also attended the Opening of the Holy P.O. Box 14746, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4746. Door at St. Peter’s Basilica. Photo courtesy of Archives Department Diocese of Baton Rouge January 9, 2015 The Catholic Commentator 3 OLOL From page 1 the only Catholic college in Baton Rouge than by helping prepare these men to serve all the people of the Baton Rouge area.” Dr. David Whidden, who is an assis- tant professor of theology at OLOL col- lege, added, “Good theology is a ministry to the church, and we are thrilled to help prepare these deacon candidates for fruit- ful lives of ministry shaped by the best the Catholic tradition has to offer.” The diocese has also negotiated a tui- tion break to make the program feasible for all parties involved – the candidate, the diocese and the college, Father David said. “Candidates will be asked to bear the burden of approximately half of the cost of the discounted rate,” he said.