CHURCH TODAY Volume XLVII, No. 11 www.diocesealex.org Serving the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana Since 1970 November 21, 2016 O N T H E INSIDE Diocese welcomes Coadjutor Bishop David Talley to Alexandria Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States; 18 bishops and almost 90 members of the clergy joined the people of the Diocese of Alexan- dria, in welcoming Bishop David Talley as coadjutor to Alexandria during a Mass of Welcome held Nov. 7 at St. Francis Xavier Ca- Welcome thedral. See pages 14-15. Bishop David P. Talley Bishop Talley embraces Coadjutor Bishop of Alexandria his new diocese with joy Even before the Nov. 7 Mass of Welcome, many people in the diocese already had the surprise opportunity to meet Bishop Talley at various events. Find out more about Bishop Talley, originally from Atlanta, pages 8-9. Unique relic of St. John Berchmans coming to Shreveport Dec. 8-18 The Diocese of Shreveport SPECIAL EDITION will host a unique relic – the heart of Saint John Berchmans - at the Cathedral of the same name, Dec. 8-18. Find out more about this unique relic, leaving Belgium for the first time, on page 20. Diocesan Chancery • Archives • Business Office Development and Public Affairs • Catholic Schools and Child Nutrition Office Campus Ministry • Maryhill Renewal Center • Permanent Diaconate The Church Today • Safe Environment • Steubenville South • Tribunal • Vocations D A Bishop Ronald Herzog and the staff of the St. Joseph Catholic Center joyfully welcome Coadjutor Bishop David P. Talley Welcome Bishop Talley! Diocesan Chancery • Archives • Business Office Development and Public Affairs • Catholic Schools and Child Nutrition Office Campus Ministry • Maryhill Renewal Center • Permanent Diaconate The Church Today • Safe Environment • Steubenville South • Tribunal • Vocations St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Parish bids a joyful welcome to Coadjutor Bishop David P. Talley, and looks forward to his guidance and leadership as we share the joy of Christ’s life. Fr. James A. Ferguson, Rector Bishop David Prescott Talley Quick Glance Age: 66 Hometown: Columbus, Georgia Background: Grew up Southern Baptist; converted to Catholicism at age 24 Ordained a Priest: June 3, 1989 Title of Monsignor: May 2001 Ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta: April 2, 2013 Coadjutor Bishop of Alexandria: Nov. 7, 2016 Bachelor of Theology: St. Meinrad Seminary, St. Meinrad, Indiana Master of Divinity Degree: St. Meinrad Seminary, St. Meinrad, Indiana Masters Degree in Social Work: University of Georgia Licentiate in Canon Law: Gregorian Pontifical University, Rome, Italy Doctorate in Canon Law: Gregorian Pontifical University, Rome, Italy Pastor, several Metro Atlanta parishes Vicar General Archdiocesan Director of Vocations Judicial Vicar of the Metropolitan Tribunal Chancellor Director of Priest Personnel Council of Priests Chaplain to Disabilities Ministry Committee for Ongoing Formation USCCB Catholic Campaign for Human Development USCCB Special Assembly Planning Committee USCCB Secretariat of Child & Youth Protection Services His Excellency, The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, D.D., M.A. Bishop of Lake Charles, with the clergy, religious and laity of the Diocese of Lake Charles congratulate Most Reverend David P. Talley on his appointment as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria Welcome Bishop David Talley! We offer our prayers as you begin as our shepherd... ~ Father Chad Partain, and Father Louis Sklar, the parishioners, faculty, staff and students St. Frances Cabrini Church and School, Alexandria PAGE 8 CHURCH TODAY NOVEMBER 21, 2016 Welcome Bishop David Talley! Bishop Talley embraces his new diocese with joy, humility, eagerness to serve By Jeannie Petrus Tell us briefly about your family ties (the Church is the people of CT Editor -- mom, dad, sisters, brothers. God…clerics and laity). The par- I’m the oldest of five (a ishes and missions of a diocese Since the announcement was brother and three sisters). My par- are where we seek to serve the made Sept. 21 that Bishop Da- ents divorced, so I have another Lord’ flock; vid P. Talley from Atlanta would brother from my dad’s second • People with Disabilities. I have be the coadjutor bishop for the marriage. been a chaplain to the community Diocese of Alexandria, everyone of persons living with disabili- seems to want to know so much You grew up in a devout Baptist ties…and abilities, and I have more about him. family and then converted to learned from them…to be avail- What’s he like? Will he be Catholicism when you were 24 able and to love every moment of coming to our parish? When can years old. Do you see this as an life; we meet him? advantage or a disadvantage? • The Presbyterate. I have served Even before the Nov. 7 Mass My brother and his wife are the priests of Atlanta’s presbyter- of Welcome, many people in the devout disciples of the Lord, and ate as their advocate…and have diocese already had the surprise they raised their two children in loved the brothers. opportunity to meet him at vari- a Christ-centered family. He is a ous events. deacon in his Baptist community. When you first learned of On Oct. 29, he visited My middle sister was initi- your appointment, what went Winnsboro for an informal BBQ ated into the Roman Catholic through your head? fundraiser for the seminarians; Church years after I was serving I prayed for Bishop Herzog celebrated the 11 a.m. Mass at St. as a priest. She is a committed and for myself…that we would Francis Xavier Cathedral Oct. 30; member of her Catholic parish. find a way to shepherd the people celebrated a Children’s Mass with In the vocation I have been of Alexandria, in simplicity and the students at St. Frances Cabri- called to, as a successor of the joy…and the holiness that is the ni School on Oct. 31; and on All Apostles, I live and work as a gift of God’s grace. Souls Day, celebrated the noon strong and committed Catholic. Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Still, I hear the Lord’s will…that The Archdiocese of Atlanta is Church in Bunkie, followed by a we seek unity in Him, as a re- probably 4-5 times larger than blessing of the cemetery. deemed humanity. the Diocese of Alexandria. After the Nov. 7 Mass of Those of us who rejoice in BISHOP TALLEY meets with parishioners of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral What is your first impression of Welcome, Bishop David Talley the name CHRISTIAN know Oct. 30 after the regular 11 a.m. Sunday Mass. Alexandria? began his official duties as coad- that we are anointed in Him and Atlanta has one million jutor bishop of the diocese. through his obedient love, we are Catholics, 300 priests and 100 So, until the day that you get called to sanctity and service…. toral roles in the Archdiocese Three gifts in my 27 years as parishes and missions. Our Dio- to personally meet Bishop Talley, and to be one. of Atlanta. Which three minis- a cleric: cese of Alexandria is much, much here’s a brief informal interview tries are your favorite (dearest • Parish Communities. I have with the new bishop. You have served in many pas- to your heart) and why? worked in parish communi- See BISHOP TALLEY, pg. 9 STUDENTS AT ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA SCHOOL in Bunkie received a visit from Bishop Talley Nov. 2 after he celebrated an All Souls Day Mass at the church. (At right) Alongside the pastor, Father Scott Chemino, Bishop Talley explains the meaning of his coat of arms to the eager students. NOVEMBER 21, 2016 CHURCH TODAY PAGE 9 Bishop Talley Continued from page 8 smaller. However, this is but one surrendering to the will of the spiritual and cultural renewal… perspective. Our diocese has such Lord; and Peter in our midst…. …a call unto holiness…to live… richness in the cultural heritage Pope Francis…has asked me to happily, joyfully, as the Father passed on to us. We are a small become a brother and a shepherd desires us to live. To live Jesus minority of the Christian popula- to the people of Alexandria. And Christ. tion in the diocese (save the south- I am happy to say YES, with joy. ern-most part of the diocese)… Explain the meaning behind but we have so much to offer…so What are you most looking for- your motto: “He will give you much given to us as Catholics…. ward to in your new position as a new heart.” Word, Sacrament, Service. We coadjutor bishop? Actually, the English trans- are a Church…..and are called to To assist Bishop Herzog; to lation from Ezekiel is I will give be the light of the world. prepare myself to accept the re- you a new heart (dabo vobis cor sponsibility of living/being the novum). This gift of God (this What will you miss the most instrument of the Good Shepherd; grace) is seen in the Sacred Heart about leaving your home in to listen and learn from the priests of the Lord…and in the gift of the Georgia? and deacons and religious and lay Spirit….living and burning in our PROMISE TO BE AN LSU FAN. At the meeting with clergy and diocesan The whole thing is about faithful; to lead the diocese in a hearts. staff Sept. 21, Bishop Talley was given an LSU cap by Father Scott Chemino, vicar general for the diocese. Although a life-long Georgia fan, he vowed to become an LSU fan. BISHOP TALLEY greets the students at St. Frances Cabrini School as they ST. FRANCES CABRINI KINDERGARTENERS sit on the floor with Bishop Talley and show him their loose teeth.