THE CATHOLIC September ommentator13, 2019 Vol. 57, No. 16 2019 LPA GENERAL EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENT thecatholiccommentator.org C CHAPEL WITH A HEART Sacred Heart celebrates centennial By Debbie Shelley The Catholic Commentator Tiny in stature, the Sacred Heart Chapel in Liv- ingston is rich in history, officially reaching back 100 years but actually dating to the mid-1800s when Aca- dians first settled along the Amite River. Known as “La Cote Francaise,” the settlers, strong in their Catholic faith, began their new lives near what is known as French Settlement and Port Vincent, ac- cording to Roger Baudier, author of “History of The Catholic Church in Louisiana.” The first chapel in the area was dedicated on Aug. The Mission of the Sacred Heart was filled with people of various ages and walks of life during its 100th anniver- 20, 1839 along the banks of the Amite River near Port sary Mass Aug. 25. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator Vincent. But it would not be until 80 years later when the Sacred Heart chapel would be completed and ded- “Sacred Heart is a warm, welcoming community,” tion Church in Denham Springs and a historian in his icated. said Father Frank Uter, pastor of Immaculate Concep- own right, added. “You see the history alive in 2019 as On Aug. 25, the mission of the Sacred Heart Chapel tion and Sacred Heart. “If anyone is a newcomer, they they continue on the same traditions, same prayers, in Livingston celebrated it 100th anniversary of being feel right at home.” same faith.” part of that area’s faith community and family during “It’s a history that’s alive … it’s something ongo- Although a small congregation, many families a special Mass. ing,” Father Uter, also pastor at Immaculate Concep- SEE CHAPEL PAGE 19 Seminarians get peek into future By Richard Meek Turner spent his six-week summer in- The Catholic Commentator ternship at St. Mary of False River Church under the tutelage of pastor Father Pat Spending six weeks along the soothing Broussard and said it was rewarding in waters of the False River in New Roads was many ways. more of a homecoming than a summer as- “It was a great experience,” Turner said. signment for seminarian Tres Turner. While many college students spend their New Roads will always have a special place summers unwinding and dipping their toes reserved in Turner’s heart, as his family’s in the surf, seminarians in the diocese are af- roots run deep through the scenic area that forded an up close and personal peak at their offers year-round spectacular views. Turner’s future. Most of the seminarians will spend BEYOND THE DIOCESE – Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Ba- mom was raised in the area and the fourth- six weeks each summer serving in a church ton Rouge disaster relief specialists C.J. Roy, left, and Lisa Lee, year seminarian was baptized at Immaculate parish, living in the rectory and assisting the right, visit with a victim of flooding in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For the Conception Church in nearby Lakeland by pastor in a number of ways, including minis- complete story, please turn to page 3. Photo provided by C.J. Roy | CCDBR Father Matthew Lorrain, currently the voca- tering to the sick or something as simple as tions director. SEE VOCATIONS PAGE 15 2 The Catholic Commentator September 13, 2019 | DID YOU KNOW All eyes on God By Dina Dow around us, that is in the work, in the flesh, in Have you ever been walking and taken your our neighbor and in the devil is like a weight eyes off the path because of some distraction, hindering our movement, reducing our agility obstacle or detour? The 20th and 21st Sunday and being something to shed.” Mass readings in Ordinary Time (Cycle C) call We are to “run with perseverance” (Heb to mind the importance of focus- 12:1) the long race, which ing our gaze on God in the midst calls for endurance and of persecution, obstacles and tri- Life-Giving ability to cope with pain als. As a result, we experience a FAI H and fatigue caused by sin. Just sense of peace and endurance, as we as in a race, we need to shed strive for holiness each day. everything that cramps our Sank into the mud (Jer 38:6) movements, same as in struggles of life. If we A major prophet of the Hebrew Scriptures want to run towards God, we need to shed all with eyes fixed on God, Jeremiah experi- useless weight. The weight is the sin we have enced tremendous hardship as he persisted committed that pulls us downward and in- in proclaiming messages from God to the clines us to sin again. St. Josemaria Escriva reigning king and princes of Judah. Rather says, “Anything that does not lead to God is a than respond to his warning of the impend- hindrance. Root it out and throw it far from ing conquer of Judah by the Babylonians, the you.” princes of that time had Jeremiah imprisoned We fix our gaze on Jesus, in the same way and subsequently placed in the cistern below a runner, once the race has begun, letting ground. NOTHING distract us from reaching the fi- There, he literally sank in the mud. Imagine nal destination. St. Thomas Aquinas says, “If trying to warn people of life-threatening dan- you want to be saved look at the face of your Members of the Knights of Peter Claver at the 50th anniversary of St. Cather- ger, only to be thrown in the mud pit? When Christ.” Jesus runs ahead of us preaching, and ine of Sienna Church in Donaldsonville in Aug., 1974. The church parish was have you warned another about impending performing miracles. By grace, he impresses established Aug. 6, 1924. Photo provided by Archives Department of the Diocese of Baton Rouge danger only to be pushed away? Did you per- upon our heart to perfect our faith. St. Thom- sist or give up? Jeremiah, fixed on God’s truth, as Aquinas continues, “Jesus is the pioneer/ endured, as the king finally lifted him out of cause/initiator of our faith, as he marked out the mud hole and secretly listened. You are in- the path, took the lead, opened the way, and vited to read the Book of the Prophet Jeremi- set the pace. Everything Christ did in his life St. Peter Claver ah in its entirety. There you will learn the rest is a perfect example for us to follow, most of the story, which is a powerful inspiration of particularly in his passion: he gave up joy; Long before Martin Luther King the homes of the rich” (“Voices of the faith in God. he suffered, endured the cross and merited Jr. became the face and voice of the Saints”). Eyes fixed on Jesus (Heb 12:2) salvation. How will we respond? What is my civil rights movement, and long be- When slave ships were not ar- The author of the Book of Hebrews uses the gaze fixed upon and how it is informing my fore he won the Nobel Peace Prize in riving at the port, St. Peter Claver analogy of a race, popular in early Christian thoughts, actions and decisions? When do I 1964 for combating racial inequality would visit the plantations to minis- times, to encourage perseverance among be- make the time to fix my gaze upon Jesus in through nonviolent activism, there ter to the slaves. His efforts over the lievers. This is only possible if we fix our eyes adoration? was St. Peter Claver. years slowly helped to improve the on Jesus. The author refers to a cloud of wit- The fire of his love Born in 1580 in Verdù, Spain, he situation for slaves. nesses (Heb 12:1), a huge number filling the The Gospel readings from St. Luke turn was educated at He also min- sky as clouds, near the sun, which signifies a our gaze on the fire of God’s love. Jesus illumi- the University of istered to other closeness to God. They are active spectators, nates this fire for us with the fervor of his love Barcelona before members of soci- applauding, shouting, cheering for our endur- for humanity. He greatly desires us to know joining the Jesuits ety as well as trad- ance to remain steadfast during the trials of and receive his love, enough so that it “sets at age 20, accord- ers, visitors, con- life. Who are the cloud of witnesses? the earth ablaze.” This fiery love may cause ing to aleteia.org. demned criminals Noted is the foremost obstacle, which division, as Jesus’ teachings still do today. He volunteered and the sick. weighs us down: “sin that clings so closely” The contradictions are, in fact, an invitation to minister in the St. Peter Claver (Heb 12:2). The enemy prowls, like a wild to know and grow in trust of the truth that is Spanish colonies died on Sept. 8, animal waiting to pounce. Sin surrounds from God alone. As disciples, we are to com- and in 1610 was 1654 and was can- us, taking a foothold. St. Thomas Aquinas mit to the serious work of missionary activ- sent to Cartagena, onized in 1888 by writes, “The occasion of sin that is present all SEE GOSPEL PAGE 15 Columbia. At the Pope Leo XIII. In time, Cartagena 1896, Pope Leo de- was the center of clared him the pa- the slave trade in South America, tron of all missionary work among with thousands arriving annually blacks.