THE CATHOLIC PAGE 10 CAJUN ST. JOSEPH ALTAR May 24, 2019ommentator Vol. 57, No. 8 SERVING THE DIOCESE OF BATON ROUGE SINCE 1963 thecatholiccommentator.org C FAITH IN BLOOM A flower arrangement created by Yen Tran Nguyen, a parishioner of Sts. An- Volunteer thony of Padua and Le Van Phung Church in Baton Rouge, decorated the church for Mass on Mother’s Day. Photo by creates beauty Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator grandchildren. at St. Anthony “I say, ‘Thank God for everything you gave to me, so I can do whatever I By Bonny Van can, just tell me,’ ” said Nguyen, who The Catholic Commentator commutes one hour to attend St. An- thony. “So I go to school for flowers.” A typical Monday morning at Sts. The seeds of Nguyen’s part-time flo- Anthony of Padua and Le Van Phung ral career were planted when a void was Church in Baton Rouge finds a bevy of created after Sister Ngoc Tuyet Pham, activity, as volunteers scurry about to who previously provided the church ar- remove elaborate floral altar arrange- rangements, was called to continue her ments that were used during the week- education in Houston in July 2017. Af- end Masses. ter Sister’s departure, Nguyen noticed Flower pots are being reworked, an absence of blooms and, going out on and vacuum cleaners are removing the a limb, approached St. Anthony pastor final vestiges of flower petals, stems Father Peter Tan Viet Nguyen ICM (no and greenery. relation) about putting a single fresh The maestro of this floral sympho- flower and candle at the base of both ny is Yen Tran Nguyen, the flower ar- the statue of Mary and the statue of St. ranger at St. Anthony, and her troupe Joseph. includes a gaggle of volunteers who are “I told (Father Nguyen), at least one family members and friends of the flo- flower is alive at Mary and Joseph, ral designer at St. Anthony. one fresh flower so he’s alive and she’s For Nguyen, a beautician for 25 into floral design has become a person- children, two daughters and two sons, alive,” recalled Nguyen. “You know, years and owner of her own salon in al ministry, a way of thanking God who two of whom are doctors. Her daugh- if the church doesn’t have flowers it’s Greensburg, her unexpected detour has blessed her with four successful ters are both married and she has four SEE FLOWERS PAGE 8 Challenge for young Catholics By Debbie Shelley er to “let go” of attending Mass. The Catholic Commentator “It’s not that they intentionally say ‘I am not going to Mass,’ as much as ‘I didn’t get around In a society loaded with “options,” it may to it,’ ” said Sister Renée Daigle, assistant direc- appear young Catholics are drifting from the tor and campus minister at St. Albert the Great faith looking for “something better.” But there’s Chapel and Catholic Student Center at South- hope that through listening, accompanying and eastern Louisiana University. challenging young Catholics to own their faith “They (young adults) are not under their they will walk back into the welcoming arms parents’ roof, so if they are going to church of the church, according to priests and campus it’s going to be their choice not because some- HATS OFF TO GRADUATES – Graduation season for the seven ministers in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. body is telling them to go,” said Sister Renée. Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge recently Father Tom Clark SJ, pastor of Immaculate “I think for some of them it’s the first time that ended. On May 16, St. Thomas Aquinas Diocesan Regional High Conception Church in Baton Rouge, said ex- they know that they have to own their faith. School celebrated its commencement at Holy Ghost Church in ploring options is “all part of growing up.” Therefore it makes them question. Hammond, after which students gathered for the traditional cap College-aged Catholics who consume their “Some of them may be taking a course and a toss. For a complete list of all graduates, please refer to the Grad- time with clubs, fraternities, schoolwork and professor is telling them all kinds of stuff. They uation special section in this issue. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Com- other activities centered around food, coffee start to question, and they might pull away and mentator shops, technology, sports, etc., may find it easi- SEE MASS PAGE 20 2 The Catholic Commentator May 24, 2019 | DID YOU KNOW Holy Spirit, Promise of Hope By Dina Dow to break with the religion of Israel, showing the Church is a covenant community distinct Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! from Judaism, and is a catholic community Alleluia, alleluia! embracing all nations” (The Ignatius Cath- We continue to celebrate the joy of Easter olic Study Bible, Revised Standard Version. as we draw near to summer. The Ignatius Press, 2010). Rea- sacramental life of the church son leads, faith guides and is booming with extraordinary Life-Giving the Holy Spirit enlightens. events: ordination of priests and FAI H Faith is the truth. The Ho- transitional deacons, weddings, bap- ly Spirit reveals truth. Recall tisms, first Communions and confirma- the Catechism of the Catholic tions! The Sixth Sunday of Easter, together Church states, “Believing is possible only by with the celebration of the Ascension of the grace and the interior help of the Holy Spir- Lord prepare us for the coming of “the Advo- it” (CCC Para. 154). Our faith is a grace. The cate, the Holy Spirit” (Jn 14: 26-27), who will Holy Spirit calls us into faith-based action. enlighten our faith, invigorate our love and Therefore, we are constantly seeking under- fill us with hope. standing, meaning, truth, relationship, etc. Faith by means of reason and faith. St. John Paul II The Sunday Mass readings continue with writes, “Faith and reason are like two wings the Acts of the Apostles. We actually hear the on which the human spirit rises to the con- beginning of the Book of Acts, as St. Luke templation of truth. God has placed in the writes to Theophilus explaining the focus of human heart a desire to know the truth in a the first book, the Gospel of Luke, which con- word, to know himself – so that, by knowing tains the account of the entire life of Jesus, and loving God, men and women may also his teachings, passion, resurrection and as- come to the fullness of truth about them- cension. It ends with the promise of the com- selves” (Fides et Ratio, On the Relationship ing of the Holy Spirit to empower the apos- Between Faith & Reason. 1998). How am I tles to be Christ’s witnesses to all. coming to know the truth about myself, my After Pentecost the message of Jesus mission, my calling as a disciple of Jesus? Christ spread rapidly, as the apostles trav- How am I seeking to understand the faith elled across the land to proclaim the good each day through the gifts of the Holy Spirit? news. They encounter many who believe, yet Is this a priority? Am I witnessing the faith also those who are hesitant. St. Paul and St. in my words and actions? Barnabus, while preaching to the Gentiles in Love Antioch, faced the question of circumcision, Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever loves a practice in the Jewish faith established in me will keep my word, and my Father will the days of Moses to indicate initiation into love him, and we will come to him and make the faith. A debate arises as to whether or not our dwelling with him” (Jn 14:23). Love mo- The Botafumeiro hangs from a rope in Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in it is necessary for the Gentiles to partake in tivates, reciprocates, remains and sustains. Spain. The censer is one of the largest in the world. Photo provided by John Folse this sign of Jewish identity to become Chris- Love informs and protects. Love is acces- tian. sible, visible and central. St. John’s Gospel Guided by the Holy Spirit, St. Paul and tells of the final hours shared between Jesus St. Barnabus, travel to Jerusalem for con- and the apostles. They gathered in the up- Botafumeiro sultation with the leaders and elders. What per room for the Last Supper. Jesus has just takes place is the Council of Jerusalem in washed their feet, given the new command- If a smoking Mass can some- dusty and tired from journeying 49AD. “This defining historical moment in ment, predicted the betrayal and denial and times get under your skin, or in your hundreds of miles on the Cami- Christian history was convened to examine unveils his departure. He tells them to follow eyes or nasal passages, be glad that no de Santiago, gathered in the the status of Gentiles who were filling the him means to love him. Because of this, God the incense burner is a small one large church. The giant thurible church. Peter, speaking as head and spokes- will love them and “make a home” in them and not the Santiago de Compestela is swung using a pulley system of person, decisively pronounces the decision (Jn 14:23). What? God is going to live within Botafumeiro. At 5.25 feet in height, ropes. It takes five men to swing that the Gentiles, salvation is through faith me? Yes! He already does! He dwells in us. the Botafumeiro is one of the larg- the Botafumerio, which travels in Jesus Christ.