Alexandria, LA 71306-0417

Diocese of Alexandria

Volume XI, No. 12

The Church Today
P.O. Box 7417

December 13, 2010

On the
Inside
Pope’s new book, Light of
the World, is released
Alleluia!
Pope Benedict’s new book, A Savior
is Born!
Light of the World: The Pope,
the Church, and the Signs of
the Times, is a candid interview
with Peter Seewald. The Pope
answers questions about every
issue facing the Church today.
See pg. 2.

Cardinal Raymond Burke

visits Alexandria

Cardinal Raymond L. Burke,

Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal
of the Apostolic Signatura, was
in Alexandria Nov. 30-Dec. 2 to
address the Conference of Chan-
cery and Tribunal Officials of the
Provinces of New Orleans and
Mobile (CCTO). See pg. 11.

Louisiana’s first March for

Life to be held Jan. 22
Louisiana’s first Life March
will be held Jan. 22, 2011 in Baton
Rouge on the 38th anniversary of
Roe vs Wade from 10 a.m. –noon.
Go to page 19 for details.
‘NATIVITY’ BY PHILIPPE DE CHAMPAIGNE. Mary,
Joseph and a choir of angels adore the infant Jesus in
the painting “Nativity” by Philippe de Champaigne. The
Christmas season begins with the Dec. 24 evening vigil
commemorating the birth of Christ and ends with the feast
of the Baptism of the Lord Jan. 9. (CNS photo/Philipp
Bernard, Reunion des Musees Nationaux/Art Resource)
Page 2 December 13, 2010

Pope’s new book released: Light of the World

What did the Pope really say about using condoms?
By John Thavis spite all the controversy over the Theory: Abstinence- “There may be a basis in
Catholic News Service translations. Be Faithful-Condom, the case of some individuals, as
He added: “The pope indi- where the condom is perhaps when a male prostitute
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- cates that, in addition to the case understood only as a uses a condom, where this can be
When Pope Benedict XVI com- he cited, there may be other cases last resort, when the a first step in the direction of a
mented in a new book that using in which one may imagine that other two points fail moralization, a first assumption
condoms to reduce the risk of dis- use of a condom could be a step to work. This means of responsibility, on the way to-
ease could, in some circumstanc- toward responsible sexuality in that the sheer fixation ward discovering an awareness
es, be a step toward moral respon- this area and to prevent further on the condom im- that not everything is allowed
sibility, he used the example of a infection.” plies a banalization and that one cannot do whatever
male prostitute. Here once again is the key of sexuality, which, one wants. But it is not really the
That raised the question: Was passage on the subject in the after all, is precise- way to deal with the evil of HIV
the pope deliberately limiting his book, Light of the World: The ly the dangerous infection. That can really lie only
observations to this particular Pope, the Church and the Signs source of the at- in a humanization of sexuality.”
group? of the Times, when Seewald asks titude of no longer Seewald: “Are you saying,
The answer is no, according the pope whether it was “madness seeing sexuality as then, that the Catholic Church is
to Jesuit Father Federico Lombar- to forbid a high-risk population to the expression of actually not opposed in principle
di, the Vatican spokesman, who use condoms.” love, but only a to the use of condoms?”
presented the pope’s book Nov. Pope Benedict replied: “As a sort of drug that Pope Benedict: “She of
23 at the Vatican press office. matter of fact, you know, people people adminis- course does not regard it as a real
Father Lombardi acknowl- can get condoms when they want ter to themselves. or moral solution, but, in this or
edged confusion over the gender them anyway. But this just goes This is why the that case, there can be nonethe-
question. So Father Lombardi to show that condoms alone do fight against the less, in the intention of reducing
took the question to the pope. not resolve the question itself. banalization of the risk of infection, a first step
“I asked the pope personally More needs to happen. Mean- sexuality is also a part of the enable it to have a toward a different way, a more
if there was a serious or impor- while, the secular realm itself struggle to ensure that sexuality is positive effect on the whole of human way, of living sexuality.
tant problem in the choice of the has developed the so-called ABC treated as a positive value and to man’s being.
masculine gender rather than the
feminine, and he said no, that is,
the main point -- and this is why I
didn’t refer to masculine or femi-
nine in (my earlier) communique
-- is the first step of responsibil-
ity in taking into account the risk
to the life of another person with
whom one has relations,” Father
Lombardi said.
“Whether a man or a woman
or a transsexual does this, we’re
at the same point. The point is the
first step toward responsibility, to
avoid posing a grave risk to an-
other person,” Father Lombardi
said.
For his part, Peter Seewald,
the German journalist who posed
the questions in the book, said at
the news conference today that
“there is no difference between
male prostitute and female pros-
titute” in the pope’s remarks, de-
December 13, 2010
USCCB to Congress: Dream Act is ‘right thing to do’
WASHINGTON—In a let-
ter to Congress December 2,
Coadjutor Archbishop Jose Go-
mez of Los Angeles, chairman
of the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB)
Committee on Migration, called
on Congress to pass the Devel-
opment, Relief, and Education
for Alien Minors Act (DREAM),
calling it “the right thing to do.
“With the passage of the
DREAM Act, we can welcome
a new generation of Americans
who will one day become leaders
of our nation,” wrote Archbishop
Gomez.
The DREAM Act would
provide a path to citizenship for
thousands of young persons with-
out legal status who were brought
to the United States as children by
their parents. Under the legisla-
tion, young people who complete
two years of higher education
or two years of military service
would be eligible for legal per-
manent residence and eventual
citizenship.
“It is important to note that
these young persons entered the
Page 3
What is the
Dream Act?
Under the DREAM Act, deserv-
ing immigrant youth can adjust to
permanent resident status provided
that they
• entered the United States
before age sixteen,
• have been physically present
in the United States for not less than
five years,
YOUTH GROUP DISPLAYS DREAM ACT BANNER IN LOS ANGELES. The youth group at Our Lady of the Rosary • demonstrated good moral
of Talpa Church in Los Angeles displays a special banner Dec. 2 they created in support of students who would be character,
helped by the DREAM Act and all immigrants affected by the lack of congressional action on comprehensive immigra-
• have no criminal record and do
tion reform. The group of high school and college age students designed their banner around the theme of this year’s
Our Lady of Guadalupe procession and Mass. (CNS photo/Victor Aleman, Vida Nueva) not threaten national security, and
•have earned their high school
diploma.
United States with their parents at have incredible talent and energy ported the DREAM Act, as well This bill also offers students a
a young age, and therefore did not and are awaiting a chance to fully as comprehensive reform of the fair opportunity to earn U.S. citizen-
enter without inspection on their contribute their talents to our na- nation’s immigration system.
ship if they commit to and complete
own volition. We would all do the tion. We would be foolhardy to “There are times when a pro-
same thing in a similar situation,” deny them that chance.” posal should be enacted because, at least
Archbishop Gomez said. “They The USCCB has long sup- simply put, it is the right thing • two years of college or
• two years of honorable service
in the military.
In addition, this legislation will
apply to students in both public and
private education, including those
attending Catholic schools.
to do. This is one of them,” the
Archbishop said. “The DREAM
Act represents a practical, fair,
and compassionate solution for
thousands of young persons who
simply want to reach their God-
given potential and contribute to
the well-being of our nation.”
Page 4 December 13, 2010

The days of Advent are grad-
ually transforming into Christ-
mas. What began as a glimpse
into the non-defined future of the
return of the Lord in glory has
now receded through the ministry
of John the Baptist and will lead
us to the celebration of the histor-
ic birth of Jesus. The richness of
our many cultures and traditions
again opens for us, allowing us
to again enter into the mystery of
God-with-us.
We have now completed the
very richly busy year of our an-
niversary and the blessings have
been extraordinary. Our many
events were possible only be-
cause so many people spent their
time and energy. My personal
thanks to all of you who helped
in any way. My hopes and expec-
tations as we began the planning
two years ago have been exceed-
ed beyond anything I could have
hoped for! Throughout the year
we have captured many of the
moments on video and during the
months ahead we plan to create a
commemorative DVD enabling
us to relive this centennial year.
The last few weeks have
been marked by significant feasts
and celebrations. The formal
opening of our new Immigration
Center led us into the Thanksgiv-
ing holiday. We then hosted the
annual Conference of Chancery
and Tribunal Officials with Ray-
mond Cardinal Burke as our guest
speaker. This was his first visit to
the United States since receiving
the ‘red hat’ as a newly desig-
nated Cardinal. Dec. 3, the feast
of our patron, St. Francis Xavier,
marked the formal closing of our
Jubilee year even though the great
feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
would add a final event to close
the year. Of course, we also cel-
ebrated our national patron feast,
the Immaculate Conception, on
Dec. 8.
I have been invited by the
Superior General of the Con-
gregation of the Sons of Mary
Mother of Mercy in Nigeria to
ordain eighteen deacons in mid-
December. Father Remi and Fa-
ther Ignatius are members of this
Congregation that is marking its
40th anniversary this year. I will
most likely be in Nigeria as you
read this. It is a great opportunity
and I am delighted to strengthen
our ties to the Church in another
part of our world. We are truly a
‘catholic’ Church. I will return in
time for Christmas.
I pray that the remaining
days of our Advent Season will
give us the time to celebrate the
Lord’s presence with us, not just
in history or at the end of time,
but this year! May the new year
of 2011 bring you and your fami-
lies the richest of blessings!

Christmas celebrates more

than just a baby in a manger
Sister Margie Lavonis, CSC
Freelance Writer
Sisters of the Holy Cross
About a month ago our choir
started practicing a new hymn for
Christmas titled, From the Cradle
to the Cross. To me the words
express the real meaning of the
Feast of the Incarnation or Christ-
mas as we call it.
So often during this season
we focus on a sweet, helpless lit-
tle baby and often forget his great
mission, the reason he became a
human being. This little child in
swaddling clothes changed the
world forever. The Word (of God)
became flesh and dwelt among us.
He came to bring justice and love
to the world and commissioned us
to do likewise. We don’t merely
celebrate a child. We celebrate a
savior who fed the hungry, healed
the sick, set captives free, and so
on. This is the true meaning of
Christmas.
When the parties are over,
cards sent, gifts given and Santa
goes back to the North Pole, we
continue to celebrate “Emmanu-
el, God with us.” The babe in the
cradle began his journey to the
cross and in doing so showed us
how much God loves us. He rose
from the dead and calls us to re-
veal this love to all. In a sense we
are called to give birth to Jesus in
the world, to “incarnate” him.
As we celebrate this mys-
tery of the Incarnation, take some
quality time to reflect on how we
have or have not given birth to
our God, who is love, during this
past year.
One of our great saints, Tere-
sa of Avila, was to have said that
Christ has no hands and feet but
ours, etc. Jesus tells us over and
over that he came to reveal his
father’s love. During his earthly
life he commissioned his follow-
ers to do the same. It is the cen-
tral theme of his ministry.
During this season of Christ-
mas, and remember it does not
end after Dec. 25, the daily Scrip-
ture readings from the letters of
Saint John remind us that God
is love. He tells us that it is only
when we abide in love that we
abide in God! When we love oth-
ers, God loves. He goes on to say
that if we claim to love God but
hate our neighbor, we are liars.
These are strong words to ponder,
especially in light of all the war
and violence we see and experi-
ence around us. Note that he did
not say to love only the neighbors
we like or are easy to be around.
This love must extend to all.
God’s word challenges us in-
carnating God in the world must
become a habit for we who call
ourselves Christian. It is not re-
served for special times of the
year. The poor always need food
and clothes. Homeless centers
always need people to help with
meals. Nursing homes are filled
with people who appreciate visits,
not just at Christmas. Friends like
to hear from us at other times of December 13, 2010 Vol. XL, No. 12
the year too. The spirit of kind-
ness and generosity must flow
from our baptismal call to love.
God waits every day to be
given birth in our world. We are
God’s body. God becomes flesh
in us and in our daily actions.
During this beautiful season,
let us reflect on how we will con-
tinue to give birth to the God of
peace and love throughout the
New Year. The only New Year’s
resolution a Christian needs to
make is to be a more loving and
hope-filled person in a world that
is in need of much healing. Try to
make every day a little Christmas.
December 13, 2010
10 simple ways to keep Christmas meaningful
I say it every year: “This year
I will make Christmas special and
not get sucked into the hustle and
bustle of shopping, baking, parties,
and traveling.”
But like every other year, I
eventually fill up my calendar with
events and obligations that pull me
farther and farther away from ‘the
reason for the season.”
It all comes to a head on
Christmas Eve, when the whole
family gets together and attends
Mass. To others in church, it may
look like a unified family attending
Mass together, but do they really
know all the stress and commotion
it took to get everyone dressed, out
the door and into the car, in time
for us to drive to Mass and find a
seat in the unusually once-a-year,
crowded pews?
On Christmas morning, my
focus turns to making sure all of
the gifts I hid over the past few
months are re-discovered and
still wrapped (in case one of the
kids found it already and tried to
secretly unwrap it). By the time
the kids are all up, and we’ve
savagely opened all the presents
that took me months to shop for
and hours to wrap, it’s all over.
I see how quickly I can pick
up the ripped paper, the empty
boxes and plastic wrappings, and
What do you get for the person
who has everything?
A set of 2010
Anniversary
Books
$56 for set
$30 for 11.5 X 11.5 book
$10 for 8 X 8 books
$10 for ornament
Available at the St. Joseph Catholic Center,
Hours: Mon-Thur. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.,
Fri. 8 a.m. - noon or call 318-445-6424, ext 255
stuff them into one over-sized
plastic bag ready for one trip out
to the curb.
For years, I’ve thought that at
this point, Christmas was over.
Not exactly.
Christmas actually starts on
December 25 and is celebrated
the next 12 days (that’s right the
12 days of Christmas are not just
about a partridge in a pear tree).
So, I discovered, it’s not too
late to celebrate Christmas!
With no baking, decorating,
shopping, wrapping, or other
obligations to divert my attention,
I can enjoy the peacefulnesss of
the season and satisfy my spiritual
hunger. You can too.
The Christmas season
includes the following feast days:
• Feast of the Holy Family.
This feast is celebrated on the
Sunday in the Christmas “octave”
- an 8-day period after Christmas.
It is a fitting day to thank God
for our own families and pray for
a deepening of mutual love, in
imitation of the Holy Family.
• Feast of the Holy
Innocents, Dec. 28. On this day,
we remember the children killed
by Herod in his determination to
end the life the Messiah. This can
be a day of prayer for the innocents
of today who are explited and
abused -- may people now pray on
this day for the victims of abortion
-- and an opportunity to think
about bringing the compassion f
Christ to those in need.
• New Year’s Eve, Dec.
31. This is a day that almost
instinctively lends itself to prayer.
Many churches have prayer
vigils, exposition of the Blessed
Sacrament, and Benediction
during this evening, watching for
God’s sign is simplicity. God’s sign is the baby. God’s sign is
that he makes himself small for us. This is how he reigns. He
does not come with power and outward splendor. He comes
as a baby-- defenseless and in need of our help. He does not
want to overwhelm us with his strength. He takes away our fear
of his greatness. He asks for our love: so he makes himself a
child.
-- Pope Benedict XVI, 2006
the New Year.
• Feast of Mary, the Mother
of God, Jan. 1. The octave day of
Christmas is both a feast honoring
Mary, the Mother of God, and a
day of Prayer for World Peace.
Our celebration of the New Year
can be deepened by prayer that our
world will be open to the peace
Jesus offers.
• Feast of the Epiphany,
Jan. 6. Epiphany means
“manifestation,” and so this feast
is the celebration of God’s glory
being manifested to all nations,
symbolically through the Magi.
This is a good day to set the Magi
in the nativity scene and share their
story from the Gospel of Matthew.
Epiphany is also a traditional
day to bless homes. This blessing
incorporates inscribing the year,
bracketing the initials of the Magi
(Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar)
above the door, usually in chalk,
like this: 20+C+M+B+11.
(Another tradition claims
Page 5
the intials stand for Christus
manisionem benediacat, meaning
“May Christ bless this home.”)
• Feast of the Baptism
of the Lord. This is the final
“Christmas” feast, celebrated on
the first Sunday after Epiphany,
and commemorates God’s
revelation of the divinity of Jesus
at his baptism in the Jordan River.
It’s a good day to celebrate our
own baptism, our “new birth” in
Christ and our entrance into his
Church.
Excerpts from “How to
Celebrate Christmas as a
Catholic,” a publication of Our
Sunday Visitor, 200 Noll Plaza
Huntington, IN
PENANCE SERVICES
• Dec. 14 – St. Patrick’s,
Montgomery, 6 pm
• Dec. 14 – St. Joseph,
Marksville, 6:30 pm
• Dec. 15 – OL of Lourdes,
Vidalia, 5 pm
• Dec. 15 – Immaculate Conception,
Natchitoches, 6 pm
• Dec. 15 – St. Mary’s,
Cottonport, 6 pm
• Dec. 15 – St. Joseph’s,
Colfax, 6 pm
• Dec. 15 – OLPS,
Alexandria, 6:30 pm
• Dec. 15 – Sacred Heart,
Pineville, 6:10 pm
• Dec. 16 – OL of Sorrows,
Moreauville, 5:30
• Dec. 17 – OL of Lourdes,
Winnfield, 6 p.m.
• Dec. 19 – St. Joseph,
St. Joseph, 5 pm
• Dec. 20 – St. Louis,
Glenmora, 5 pm
• Dec. 20 – Mary, Mother of Jesus,
Woodworth, 6 pm
• Dec. 20 – St. Francis of Assisi,
Powhatan, 6 pm
Page 6
Dominican Sisters are thriving; average age is 28
While the last 40 years have
seen an overall drop in the num-
ber of women entering religious
life, at least two Dominican Or-
ders of Sisters and a handful of
other U.S. orders are thriving.
This fall, for example, the
Dominican Sisters at St. Cecilia
in Nashville, Tenn. has 27 pos-
tulants entering the convent, and
the Dominican Sisters of Mary,
Mother of the Eucharist in Ann
Arbor, Mich., has 22 postulants.
Other orders, like the Carmelites
in Los Angeles and the Sisters of
Life in New York are close be-
hind with 15 postulants each.
So, why then, are these two
and other thriving U.S orders
attracting more, and typically
younger women?
For one reason, these orders
emphasize traditional practices,
like wearing long, flowing black
and white habits and because of
its emphasis on following a ca-
reer in education.
It’s not so much a fashion
statement (sister’s habit) as much
as a desire for a radical simplicity
or saying ‘I am about the work of
God. I want to witness to that,’”
said Sister Catherine Marie, ex-
ecutive director of St Cecilia’s
campus in Nashville.
“Young people want to help
others understand some of the
deeper aspects of the life and
that’s beautifully done in the
classroom,” said Sister Joseph
Andrew Bogdanowicz, vocation
director for the Dominican Sisters
Pray for vocations
YOUNG DOMINICAN SISTERS. The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor, Mich., has
22 postulants entering the convent and the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecelia in Nashville, Tenn. has 27. The Domini-
cans are the fastest growing religious order in the world.
of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.
The late Pope John Paul II
plays a large role in the new trend,
according to several vocation di-
rectors and campus ministers.
At World Youth Days, the
pope challenged young people
to live their Catholic faith in a
radical way and to not be afraid
to seek out God’s will for their
lives. Many of the postulants and
young sisters have said that they
first started thinking about voca-
tions at a World Youth Day.
Another reason for the in-
crease in the interest in religious
life, according to vocation direc-
tors and young sisters, is more
campus ministries nurturing and
promoting vocations.
Not long ago it was a “rar-
ity and oddity” to be a college
student discerning a vocation.
But now girls are coming from
campus ministries, particularly at
public schools, that have Eucha-
ristic adoration, Scripture study
and daily Mass.
“If you put these together,
it’s a recipe for falling in love
with the Lord,” she said.
At the University of Illinois,
campus minister Sister Sarah
Roy, a young Sister of St. Francis
of the Immaculate Conception,
said religious vocations weren’t
talked about much when she at-
tended the university. Now the
campus ministry makes the op-
tion more visible, and she sees
how the students themselves are
more willing to consider it.
December 13, 2010
Likewise, a discernment
group at Boston University pro-
vides young women with the op-
portunity to discuss religious life,
visit nearby communities and
participate in retreats at the end of
each semester.
Sister Olga Yaqob, an Iraqi
who is a member of the Mis-
sionaries of the Virgin Mary who
leads the group, said the overall
purpose is to help the girls be-
come familiar with the will of
God and prepare them to respond
with a “yes” to whichever voca-
tion they are called by God.
Other contributing factors to
the increase, according to those
interviewed, include:
-- Web sites making informa-
tion on discernment and religious
communities easily accessible.
-- Dioceses working with re-
ligious communities to promote
vocations.
-- More general interest in
spirituality among a growing
number of young adults.
It’s uncertain still whether
the current increase in interest
will lead to a significant increase
in the number of those entering,
according to Holy Cross Brother
Paul Bednarczyk, executive di-
rector of the National Religious
Vocation Conference, an organi-
zation in Chicago serving voca-
tion directors.
“It’s still too soon to say;
however, this is very good news,”
he said.
December 13, 2010
Fr. Raj named Provencial Superior of MSFS
Rev. Anthony Dharmaraj,
MSFS, pastor of St. Mary’s As-
sumption Church in Cottonport,
has been named the Provincial
Superior of the South-East Prov-
ince of India, by the Superior
General of his congregation (Mis-
sionaries of St. Francis de Sales).
The new appointment means that
“Father Raj” will be leaving the
Diocese of Alexandria and mov-
ing back to India, where he will
be installed as the new Provincial
Superior on Jan. 24.
Father Raj said he received
word of the promotion Nov. 25,
first in a phone call from his supe-
rior, followed by a note that read:
“The General Council has
decided to appoint you as the Pro-
vincial of South-East Province. I
know you enjoy the confidence
of confreres and of the General
Council. In accepting this deci-
sion you will be called to guide
and lead a province that needs
you. Above all it is God who
needs you for his Congregation.
May God give you his wisdom
and courage to say yes to Him.”
As Provincial Superior, Fa-
ther Raj will be responsible for
making appointments for 140
priests, and for giving them guid-
ance and direction in their voca-
tion. The position is a three-year
term.
“I have mixed feelings about
this appointment,” said Father
Raj. “I am happy that my su-
perior has this confidence in me
and that I will be able to serve
the Lord on a different level. But
with this position, comes a lot of
responsibility and a lot of work.
I know that everything happens
Page 7
nine years and it has been a won-
derful, wonderful experience. The
people have been very good to
me. They have always been will-
ing to help and are so supportive
of the Church. I will miss them
tremendously.”
At the same time, Father
Raj will happy to return to India
where his aged parents are liv-
ing. “I will be approximately five
hours (driving) away from my Father Luke Melcher
parents, which is good,” he said.
Father Anthony Dharmaraj
“Now I will be able to visit them
more often and be more involved
Fr. Melcher
for a reason, so I will continue
in their lives again.”
Father Raj came to the dio- to pursue
to trust God and serve where he cese in 1996 and served at St. Pat-
wants me to serve.”
“I am sad to leave my parish
rick Church in Ferriday for five
years, followed by his appoint-
doctorate
of St. Mary’s Assumption, too,” ment at St. Mary’s for the past Rev. Luke Melcher, chaplain
he said. “I have been in this parish nine years. for the Louisiana College and
LSU-Alexandria Catholic Stu-
dent Organization, has been giv-
Burses en permission by Bishop Ronald
Herzog to pursue a licentiate (li-
Donations in November cense) in Sacred Liturgy (SL.L),
and a doctorate in Sacred Liturgy
Knights of Columbus #9217............................................................ $10.00 (SL.D) through the Pontifical Li-
Msgr. Molenschot Burse turgical Institute at the Pontifical
Roderick Broussard......................................................................... $50.00 University of Sant’ Anselmo in
Rome.
Msgr. Milburn Broussard Burse
After completing the 3-5 year
Hope Sansing.................................................................................... $50.00
license and doctoral program, Fa-
Father Peter Norek Burse ther Melcher will be qualified to
Dr. Joseph Landreneau.................................................................. $100.00 teach Liturgy as a professor of
Msgr. Henry Beckers Burse Liturgy at the Pontifical College
Mrs. Kathleen Voltz........................................................................ $100.00 Josephinum in Ohio.
Gus Voltz Burse Effective May, 2011, Father
Mr & Mrs. Matthew Schupbach..................................................... $200.00 Melcher will leave the diocese
Msgr. Steve Testa Burse and move to Europe, where he
Harold Beridon Family................................................................... $210.00 will prepare for his studies in
Msgr. Timmermans Burse Rome by becoming proficient in
French, Italian, Koine Greek, and
Total this month.............................................................................. $720.00 Latin. Italian is necessary for
his academic classes and the lan-
guage he will have to use to write
and defend his dissertation. The
other languages are necessary for
research. In October, he will be-
gin the academic degree program
and live at the North American
house of studies for priests, the
Casa Santa Maria in Rome.
Father Melcher said he has
always felt the desire to pray and
study more deply and to help men
become priests. He has felt a call-
ing to do this for several year; but
only recently did he act upon it.
“I talked to the Bishop (Her-
zog) about this and he recognized
it as a ‘calling within a calling,’”
said Father Melcher. “The bish-
op’s awareness of the teaching
needs of the Josephinum and
his awareness of my openess to
serve, has led to this opportunity.
Page 8 December 13, 2010

ST. AUGUSTINE CHURCH - ISLE BREVELLE, BLESSING OF MAUSO-

LEUM & SIDEWALKS. Invited guests and dignitaries who came for the Oct.
31 Blessing of the Mausoleum & Sidewalks are representatives of the Sis-
ters of the Divine Providence, Sister Jane Ann Slater, CDP, Superior Gen-
eral and Sisters of the Divine Providence Congregation; Sisters of the Holy
Family, Sr. Greta Jupiter, SSF, Assistant Congregation Leader and Sister of
Holy Family Congregation; Holy Ghost Father, Father John Skaj, C.S.Sp. and
Brother Michael Suazo, C.S.Sp. from Pennsylvania.; Father Jacob Thomas,
Pastor representating Diocesan Priests; Thomas Roque, Sr., Chris Sylvia and
Anita Evans, Organizers; and Dee Hawthorne, Music Director. The various
sidewalks named are St. Augustine, St. Joseph, Henriette Delille, Holy Ghost
Fathers, Diocesan Priest, Sisters of Divine Providence and St. Isadore (the
Patron Saint of Farmers).

St. Patrick Church hosts its first

12-hour First Friday Adoration
The congregation, along with
Father Harold Imamshah of St.
Patrick Church in Montgomery
hosted its first 12-hour First Fri-
day Adoration Nov. 5.
The evening began at 6 p.m.
with the Rosary, along with the
Sacrament of Reconciliation, fol-
lowed by Mass at 9 p.m. After
Mass, the Holy Hours of Adora-
tion began and included Benedic-
tion of the Blessed Sacrament.
At midnite, Fr. Harold and
the congregation shared an hour
of fellowship in the church hall.
Knowing that some of the congre-
ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA CHURCH, NATCHITOCHES. St. Anthony of
gation had been fasting through-
Padua Church’s Altar Rosary Christian Mother’s Society welcomed four new
out the day, a light meal was pro-
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION. Father Harold Imamshah, pastor of St. members Oct. 2. From left are Candi Dupree, Sandra Roque, Father John
vided during the fellowship.
Patrick Church in Montgomergy leads the congration in its first 12-hour First O’Brien, Kanika Revels and Rebecca Jones.
At 1 a.m., Fr. Harold led a
procession with the Blessed Sac- Friday Adoration Nov. 5. Parishioners from the church spent 12 hours in the
rament outdoors and the remain- church participating in the Rosary, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Mass,
ing hours were spent in Eucharis- and Eucharistic Adoration.
tic Adoration.
Participating in the 12-hour
Adoration hours were the Third The 12-hour Adoration came St. Patrick plans to co-host
Order of The Alliance of the Holy to an end with the celebration of another First Friday Adoration
Family from San Antonio, Dal- the Holy Eucharist at a 5 a.m. soon with its sister church, St. Jo-
las, and Houston. Mass on Saturday. seph in Colfax.
December 13, 2010 Page 9

THE NEW IMMIGRATION CENTER, located at 4210 South MacArthur Drive RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY. Bishop Ronald Herzog, Father Pedro Sierra-Posada, Bishop Bruce MacPherson
in Alexandria, was dedicated Nov. 23. The center, open by appointment only, of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana, and Rev. Ellen Alston, superintendent of the Alexandria District of
offers a wide variety of services to immigrants in the area. the United Methodist Church, Peter Fears and Lady Carlson (partially hidden), representing the Northern and Central
Louisiana Interfaith Cluster, participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Immigration Center.

Local faiths unite to establish immigration center

By Jeannie Petrus
CT Editor
The grand opening of the
new Immigration Center, located
at the Newman Methodist Church
Outreach Center, 4210 South Ma-
cArthur Drive in Alexandria, was
held Nov. 23.
Participating in the ceremo-
ny, representing all of the entities
that collaborated in the communi-
ty-wide project, was Bishop Ron-
ald Herzog, of the Catholic Dio-
cese of Alexandria; Bishop Bruce
MacPherson, of the Episcopal
Diocese of Western Louisiana;
Rev. Ellen Alston, superintendent
of the Alexandria District of the
United Methodist Church; and
Lady Carlson and Peter Fears,
representing the Northern and
Central Louisiana Interfaith Clus-
ter.
The new Central Louisiana
Interfaith Immigration Center
became a reality June 22 when
the Federal Board of Immigration
Appeals, an agency under the
jurisdiction of the Department
of Justice, granted it recognition
as an agency legally authorized
to handle immigration-related
petitions under present laws. Cluster and the collaborative
In addition, it granted José
Colls, executive director of the
Center, partial accreditation as a
representative. In those instances
where an agency does not have
an attorney, it grants recognition
to non-lawyers who posses
the training and knowledge in
immigration law to counsel
immigration clients, complete
immigration forms, and represent
clients before the Citizenship and
Immigration Service (CIS). The
partially accredited representative
can fill out CIS forms and
accompany clients to CIS
interviews.
“All of us in the Northern
and Central Louisiana Interfaith
institutions and organizations are
thrilled to bring this much-needed
service to the people of Central
Louisiana,” said José Colls.
“We are proud that the efforts
of so many people involved in
this project for the past three to
four years, has now come to full
fruition.”
The center will provide the
following immigration-related
services:
•Family Petitions – Processing
of request from US Citizens and
Lawful Permanent Residents who
desire to bring their blood relatives
and spouses to the United States.
•Adjustment of Status –
Processing of paperwork for
alien nationals who, after having
been granted lawful conditional
residence, want to adjust their
status to that of a lawful permanent
resident.
•sNaturalization – Processing
of paperwork for Lawful
Permanent Residents, who after
having accrued five years as such
are eligible to become American
Citizens
.•Processing of non-
immigrant employment visas
petitions – A service to individuals
and employers who require
foreign workers for seasonal work
in the US.
•Translations of documents
from Spanish to English and
conversely.
•Instruction of English as a
second language for those seeking
citizenship.
The services outlined above
will be available to all individuals
without regard to race, color,
national origin, or ethnicity.
Page 10 December 13, 2010

$500,000 Challenge Grant issued to

Catholic Extension Service donors
A $500,000 Challenge Grant the Catholic Extension service it is inspiring that so many Catho-
to Catholic Extension donors has each year, including one that par- lics in 2010 rose to Mr. Dreihaus’
been issued again this year by tially funds the Church Today. challenge!   The announcement
Richard Driehaus, well-known “We are very grateful to the came during Catholic Extension’s
Chicago philanthropist and Catholic Extension service for the annual Thanksgiving reception at
founder of the Richard H. Drie- generous funds that we receive the Drake Hotel.   Mr. Driehaus
haus Foundation. The Challenge from them,” she said. “With their explained that his challenge grant
Grant is designed to help build support, many of our ministries is meant to encourage new donors
support for the Catholic Exten- are strengthened.” to give while also motivating cur-
sion’s faith building initiatives Especially in light of the na- rent donors to increase their level
to strengthen the ministries of tional decline in charitable giving, of giving.
Catholic communities across the
country.
As with his 2010 Challenge,
Mr. Driehaus will match the con-
tributions of the first 500 people
to give $1,000 to become 2011
members of Socius Circle.   Last
year’s challenge attracted almost
1,000 new donors and raised
$3.75 million.
These contributions enabled
the organization to increase its
support by early 20 percent - from
$14.9 million in grants in 2009 to
$17.7 million in 2010
Since 2000, Catholic Exten-
sion has awarded $1,678,212 to CARDINAL RAYMOND L. BURKE & BISHOP RONALD HERZOG. Cardinal
the Diocese of Alexandria. Ac- Raymond L. Burke, newly elevated Cardinal and Prefect of the Supreme Tribu-
cording to Ann Masden, the dio- nal of the Apostolic Signatura, was in Alexandria Nov. 30-Dec. 2 to address the
cese receives several grants from Conference of Chancery and Tribunal Officials. He celebrated Holy Mass Dec.
1 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral and then greeted the congregation outside
after Mass. It was his only public appearance in Alexandria during the confer-
ence. Bishop Herzog concelebrated the Mass with the Cardinal. (Photo by
Jeannie Petrus, Church Today)
December 13, 2010
Cardinal Raymond Burke visits Alexandria
Cardinal Raymond L. Burke,
Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal
of the Apostolic Signatura, was
in Alexandria Nov. 30-Dec. 2 to
address the Conference of Chan-
cery and Tribunal Officials of the
Provinces of New Orleans and
Mobile (CCTO).
It was his first public appear-
ance as a cardinal after being el-
evated to the College of Cardinals
Nov. 20 by His Holiness Pope
Benedict XVI in Rome.
Cardinal Burke’s position as
Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal
of the Apostolic Signatura is com-
parable to that of the Chief Justice
of the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Cardinal’s education
background, which makes him
one of the world’s leading au-
thorities on Canon Law, includes
a Doctorate in Canon Law (JCD)
with specialization in jurispru-
dence, Pontifical Gregorian Uni-
versity, Rome, Italy, 1984; Di-
ploma in Latin Letters, Pontifical
Gregorian University, Rome, Ita-
ly, 1983; Licentiate in Canon Law
(JCL), Pontifical Gregorian Uni-
versity, Rome, Italy, 1982; Mas-
ter of Arts in Theology, Pontifi-
cal Gregorian University, Rome,
Italy, 1975; Bachelor of Sacred
Theology (STB), Pontifical Gre-
gorian University, Rome, Italy,
1974; Master of Arts in Philoso-
phy, The Catholic University of
America, Washington, DC, 1971;
and Bachelor of Arts in Philoso-
phy, The Catholic University of
America, Washington, DC, 1970.
Cardinal Burke grew up in
Wisconsin and was the son of a
dairy farmer. He said all he ever
wanted to do was become a par-
ish priest.
He was ordained a priest in
1975 at St. Peter’s Basilica by
Pope Paul VI, ordained a bishop
in 1995 at St. Peter’s Basilica by
Pope John Paul II, and in 2004 in-
stalled as the eighth archbishop of
St. Louis.
Cardinal Burke is the fifth
person who served as Archbishop
of St. Louis to be elevated to the
College of Cardinals, after John
Page 11
Joseph Cardinal Glennon (1946),
Joseph Elmer Cardinal Ritter
(1961), John Joseph Cardinal
Carberry (1969), and Justin Fran-
cis Cardinal Rigali (2003).
“(Being named a cardinal)
was a very emotional moment for
me,” he said. “It is a great expres-
sion of confidence in me by the
Holy Father and a new and much
greater responsibility. It has taken
time for me to gain the confidence
in myself.”
During the three-day confer-
ence in Alexandria, he addressed
four issues in canon or church
law: new grounds being used in
marriage nullity cases, the proper
administration of temporal goods
(finances), the bishop’s role in
overseeing his tribunal and the
relationship among the tribunal of
the local diocese and the appellate
tribunals.
CARDINAL RAYMOND BURKE sits in the Office of the Vicar General Dec. 1 He also travelled to Lake
for an interview by the Church Today. Cardinal Burke, who was elevated to Charles one evening and ad-
the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI on Nov. 2, was in Alexandria dressed the New Life Counseling
Nov. 30-Dec. 2 for the Conference of Chancery and Tribunal Officials of the Center, a group that offers alter-
Provinces of New Orleans and Mobile (CCTO). natives to abortion; but also gives
the mothers the support they need
when they choose life, both dur-
ing the pregnancy and after birth.
In his talk, the Cardinal
noted, “We are presently experi-
encing in our nation a period of
intense struggle in the advance-
ment of the culture of life over
the culture of death, which would
destroy our nation. Sadly, our cul-
ture has robbed from the work of
education its very first lessons,
the lessons without which nothing
else which the culture can teach
us makes any sense.”
The Cardinal also celebrated
Mass Dec. 1 at St. Francis Xavier
Cathedral with Bishop Ronald
Herzog concelebrating.
Page 12 December 13, 2010

Diocesan School Events

ST. MARY’S - NATCHITOCHES,

D.A.R.E. WINNERS. Saint Mary’s
students graduated from the
D.A.R.E. Program recently. The
students learned many important
facts about drug and acohol abuse
throughout the past few weeks and
participated in a very special cer-
emony to celebrate their success.
Winners of the D.A.R.E. contests are ST. FRANCES CABRINI BOOKMARK WINNERS. Art teacher Violet Kie-
essay winner; sewetter, stands with the winners from St. Frances Cabrini School who placed
workbook winner; in the Rapides Parish Bookmark Contest. (front) won 1st
workbook winner; and place  in the 1st grade category and (middle) won 2nd place
essay winner. Standing with the stu- in the 5th grade category.    (not pictured) won 1st place in the
dents is Sheriff Victor Jones. kindergarten category.  The preliminary stages of the contest included 3,000
entrants with 18 overall winners.
OLPS BOOKMARK CONTEST WINNERS. OLPS students who won on
the school level of the Rapides Parish Bookmark contest are 1st grade-

2nd grade– (Grand Prize Winner),

3rd grade-
4th grade- (Grand Prize Winner),
5th grade-
6th grade- (Grand
Prize Winner), Those
who placed on the parish level are (Grand
Prize winners) and (2nd Place winners).

OLPS COLORING CONTEST WIN-

NERS. Congratulations to the follow-
ing winners of the Gene Hymel OLPS
Coloring Book Contest:
1st place, 2nd place,
3rd place &
4th place. Hymel is a former
student of the diocese and a trans-
plant from New Orleans after Katrina.
He gave several coloring books that
honored OLPS and sponsored a col-
oring contest for the 4th graders.

KC POSTER CONTEST WINNERS.

from St. Mary’s School (Natchi-

toches) won first place for their art-
work in promoting Substance Abuse
Awareness. Natchitoches KC Coun-
cil 1357 sponsors the poster contest
each fall and this year has awarded
$50 for first in each category. Pic-
tured (from left to right) is
Grand Knight Ken Gardner, and
December 13, 2010 Page 13

MENARD NAMES MALL AREA AFTER BOBBY DISTEFANO. Holy Savior

Menard High School honored Bobby Distefano (center) Nov. 10 by dedicating
the mall area of the school in his name. Distefano and his family were present
for a celebration of the Mass, followed by a dedication ceremony. Distefano
retired last year after serving in several teaching and administrative capacities
at Menard for 41 years.

MENARD STUDENTS NOMINATED

FOR WENDY’S HIGH SCHOOL
HEISMAN AWARD. Holy Savior Me-
nard High School’s Chance Ortego
and Samantha Lessen have been
honored with a nomination for the
prestigious Wendy’s High School
Heisman Award. The program,
awarded in conjunction with the col-
legiate Heisman, celebrates the
achievements of the nation’s top high
school seniors both in and out of the
classroom. Nominees are chosen for
this award based on their GPA, civic
involvement, sports, awards, clubs,
and positions held.

SCOOT TO SCHOOL. Menard held a

“Scoot to School Day” recently, where
students were allowed to ride their
bikes or a scooter to school.

MENARD’S COCA-COLA SCHOL-

ARS SEMIFINALISTS. HSM seniors
Sarah Peterman and Samantha Less-
en have been named semifinalists
for the 2011 Class of the Coca-Cola
Scholars Program. Peterman and
Lessen will compete with 2,100 high
school seniors who are in the running
for $3 million in college scholarships
that Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
will award in the Spring.

EXCHANGE CLUB’S STUDENT OF

THE MONTH. Martin Masden of the
The Exchange Club, presents Emilie
Harmeyer of Menard High School,
a plaque and scholarship check for
being selected Youth of the Month.
The Exchange Club, an all-volunteer
service organization, helps develop
and maintain community-based child
abuse prevention programs, sup-
port’s Youth Programs, American-
ism, and Community Service.
Page 14
St. Frances Cabrini School
Phone: 318-448-3333
1. 6 Bathroom remodels ($600 each)
2. Replacement of the roof on the main school
building ($40,000)
3. Six Smartboards/Promethean Boards
($3,500 each)
4. Venetian Blinds for 10 classrooms
5. Playground Equipment for 6-12 year olds
6. Document Cameras
7. Copy Machine for the Office
8. New Sound System for Drama Club
9. Drop ceilings in classrooms
10. Lego Tables
Radio Maria
Phone: 318-561-6145
1. 15 microphones @ $100 ea.
2. 3 headphones @ $89 ea.
3. 5 wireless lavaliers @ $600 ea.
4. 5 wireless microphones @ $600 ea.
5. 6 compact mixers @ $100 ea.
6. 1 boom mic stand @ $95 ea.
7. 5 mic stand cases @ $20 ea.
8. 15 desktop mic stands @ $15 ea.
9. 55 male mic connectors @ $2 ea.
10. 55 female mic connectors @ $2 ea.
Natchitoches Parish
Businesses
Advertise in
The Church Today St. Romain Oil Co., Inc.
Contact Joan Ferguson
318-445-6421 x264
December 13, 2010
Sacred Heart School St. Mary’s School
Phone: 318-985-2772 Phone: 318-352-8394
1. iPads (15 @ $550) 1. 20 laptops @ $800 =$16,000
2. Set of 30 classroom dry erase boards 2. Books for the library:
(2@ $200) High school, $1,000
Middle school, $1,000
3. 4 drawer letter size filing cabinet (4 @ $300) Elementary, $1,000
Pre-school, $1,000
4. CD players (4 @ $50)
3. Science equipment, $1,000
5. DVD/VCR/TV combos (2 @ $350)
6. Mobile Workstation (1 @ $375)
Holy Savior Menard High
Phone: 318-445-8233
7. iPod Touch (5 @ $230)
1. 45 Laptops @$1,000 each ($45,000)
8. Updated pull down map of the US ($150) 2. 10 Smart Boards @ $3,500 ($35,000)
9. Subscriptions to Math Gym (4 @ $20 ea.) 3. Bleachers of Gym $25,000
4. Computer Books 30 @ $50.00 ($1,500)
10. Musical classroom instruments:
Rhythm instruments $100 5. Journalism Books 30 @ $60.00 ($1,800)
Hand bells $30
Tone blocks $20 6. Glass Doors for the Gym $10,000
Jingle jingles $15.00
7. Adobe Creative Suite Computer Software for
Rhythm sticks $20 Art and Journalism Labs $9,000
Jingle taps $15
8. Laminating Machine $1,000
9. Chapel Ceiling Repairs $5,000
St. Mary’s Assumption School
Phone: 318-876-3651 10. Lab Tables 15 @ $100.00 ($1500.00)
1. Portable Building for a Computer Lab
St. Mary’s Training Center
2. 12 computers for lab Phone: 318-445-6443
3. 12 computer tables for lab 1. Children’s tables & chairs ($30/chair; $60/table)
4. 6 Printers for lab 2. Funding for materials to build 125 beds
for children ($150/bed)
5. 1 Smart Board for Lab
3. Equipment for Day Program; any donation
6. Electronic outdoor Message Board
4. 2 refrigerators ($400 each)
7. Portable Stage for Gymnasium
5. Floor mats for the main kitchen area ($800)
8. 250 Folding Chairs for Gymnasium
6. Repainting and new wallboard for the main
9. Playground equipment dining area ($2,000)
10. Tuition Scholarship fund 7. Dental chair for the dental clinic ($9,000)
Wholesale Fuels & Lubricants
(318) 964-2424
December 13, 2010
Making a list and checking it twice!
Catholic schools, charities have wish lists too!
St. Joseph School
Phone: 318-922-3401
1. Early Childhood Science Exploration Kit
(3 @ $200 ea.)
2. Smart Boards (3 @ $3,500 ea.)
3. Printers for Computer Lab (10 @ $300)
4. Repairs/improvement to High School Library
new fire escape ($60,000)
5. Donations towards activity bus
6. Microscope (5 @ $130)
7. Videos for Religion department ($300)
8. Elmo projector (2 @ $700)
9. Primary student desk (20 @ $100)
10. CD player ($100)
OL of Prompt Succor School
Phone: 318-487-1862
1. Promethean Board (6 @ $3,700)
2. DELL Wireless laptop (8 @ $1,200)
3. DELL Desktop PC (15 @ $800.00)
4. Promethean ActiView (3 @ $585)
5. Promethean ActiVotes (1 set @ $1,200)
6. Promethean ActivExpressions
(1 set @ $1,800)
7. Promethean ActivWand (7 @ $68)
8. Class set of calculators (3 @ $100)
9. Flip Video camera (1 @ $200)
10. Microscope (2 @ $130)
Page 15
Did you know you can receive tax credit on your Louisiana income tax return by donating technology
to a school? Here is how it works--if you make a technology donation to a school, you are allowed a
credit on your Louisiana Income Tax return valued at 40% of the total donated. Please take a look at
the wish lists here...perhaps you can put a little joy in a classroom, help provide a hot meal at Manna
House or help spread the Word this Christmas!
Bishop’s Wish List
Phone: 318-445-2401
Manna House 1. Maryhill Renewal Center Endowment Fund
Phone: 318-445-9053
2. Tuition Assistance Endowment Fund
1. 10 100-lbs of food from Food Bank ($18 ea)
3. Burses (Seminary Education)
2. 7 cases a month of styrofoam cups ($15 ea.)
3. 10 cases/mo. of 600 disposable forks ($11 ea.)
St. Anthony School
4. 2 cases a month of 4,500 paper napkins
($20 ea.) Phone: 318-346-2739
5. 3 cases/mo. of 80 55-gal. garbage bags 1. New catwalk ($9,000)
($19 ea)
2. New air conditioner / heater ($5,000)
6. Gas & maintenance for delivery truck
($35 per week) 3. Ceiling fans ($1,500)
7. Maintenance of commercial dishwasher 4. Color laser jet cp3525n printer
($125 per month)
5. 2 smartboards ($2,500)
8. 1 commercial meat slicer ($700)
6. Computers (10 at $600)
9. New kitchen flooring ($1,500)
7. Tuition assistance ($10,000)
10. Purchase & prepare 2 acres of land for new
Manna House facility ($250,000) 8. New TV with VCR-CD
9. 2 Elmo cameras @$400 each
Avoyelles Parish
Businesses
Advertise in
The Church Today
Contact Carla Moreau
318-346-7829
Page 16 December 13, 2010

LC/LSUA students visit nuns at cloistered monastery

By Fr. Luke Melcher Latin, Greek, and Vietnamese.   coming a nun.  
Chaplain, LSU-A CSO I was privileged to be the cel- Because being incorporated
ebrant and homilist of this Holy into such an austere and prayer-
“Road TRIP!”   Mass, especially for these nuns filled community takes time and
After a Hail Mary, an Our who prayed for my vocation to serious thought, these young la-
Father, and a Glory Be, 12 stu- the priesthood ever since I was dies from South Louisiana will
dents from LSUA and Louisiana an undergraduate in Lafayette al- look forward to at least six more
College piled in cars on an early most 12 years ago.   years of formation before they
Saturday morning (Oct. 23) and If there is any doubt, women may be solemnly professed as
caravanned to Lafayette for an are still responding to the call of Carmelite nuns.  
impromtu road trip. the Divine Lord to be His alone. Daily, they take part in the
Now, what would make a New religious vocations to the Sacred Liturgy of the Church.
group of students give up their contemplative, cloistered life is a Central is the Holy Mass.
Saturday morning?   most remarkable sign of hope and “The Catholic Church saw fit
We had the rare opportunity indicate the vitality of the Church.  to name prayer as an apostolate,
of having a parlor visit with a con- As I distributed Holy Com- and She gave this to Carmel,” as
templative and cloistered group ROAD TRIP TO MONASTERY. Father Luke Melcher, chaplain at LC and munion to the nuns through the Mother Regina informed us in the
of Discalced Carmelite nuns at LSUA, and students from Louisiana College and LSUA took a road trip Oct. window in the enclosure, I no- parlor visit after the Holy Mass. 
the Carmelite Monastery of Mary, 23 to visit the cloistered sisters at the Discalced Carmelite Monastery of ticed two young ladies no more The Carmelite vocation is
Mother of Grace in Lafayettte.   Mary, Mother of Grace in Lafayette. than 18 years old.  They are pos- prayer, but it is most aptly de-
When I initially approached tulants, in their first stage of be- scribed by St. Therese of Li-
the students about going to visit
a group of nuns, I did not have
many who were interested at the students, as well as a new reactions to the beauty of the mu-
first.  At some point, the idea of bride and graduate of Louisiana ral of Christ Crucified on the back
visiting nuns went over like me College, Mrs. Jessica Thompson wall of the chapel, indicated to
inviting them to get their teeth Bertrand.   me this was already a hit.  
drilled.  But as time went on and Coming to the doors of the The Holy Mass began with
the trip came nearer and nearer, monastery chapel, everyone the chanting of the nuns, who
the inevitable happened.   Names huddled together, smiling and re- commemorated the Saturday me-
began to appear on the sign-up straining a joy yet to find voice as morial of Our Lady.  The sacred
sheet.   I gave a few final instructions be- music sung by the nuns was ce-
Perhaps they became natural- fore we entered.  One could have lestial and immediately struck
ly curious about meeting women mistaken the scene for the admis- me.  
who have renounced everything sion to a rock concert.   “Father, even though I didn’t
in the world to become brides of One of the nuns who works understand every word, I just
Christ.  Or maybe it was the cool- outside of the enclosure, known knew it was about God.  I thought
factor that they lived behind walls as an “extern sister,” greeted us in I was in heaven,” commented one
and grills, wore sandals and habits the vestibule with a warm smile of the students.  
and veils, and were organic veg- and the Carmelite salutation, The nuns chanted the ordi-
etarians long before the Whole “Praised be Jesus Christ.”   The nary of the Holy Mass with hym-
Foods movement came around.   response is “Now and Forever!”  nody in 4 languages: English,
Long before we ever stepped The sister ushered us into the
foot on the monastery, the prayers chapel, where, one by one the stu-
of the nuns carried each one of dents genuflected, entered a pew,
us there.  Mrs. Chris Riche, staff and knelt for a period of prayer
sponsor of Jacobs Society at before the Holy Mass.  Occasion-
Louisiana College, helped bring ally peeking, their dropped-jaw

Celebrate 100 years and growing!

December 13, 2010
Cloistered monastery
seux as “love in the heart of the
Church.”   It is a love, a prayer
beyond the scope of words.
Most particularly, they pray
for priests and often adopt a semi-
narian and a priest as a prayer-
partner throughout their lives.
Their prayer life also includes
two hours in silent, mental prayer
before the Blessed Sacrament,
penances, and devotions like the
rosary and novenas for certain
feasts and solemnities.       David and Bubba Om, broth-
Once we sat down in the
parlor with the entire community
of nuns on one side of a large
wooden grill and the students on
the other side, we experienced
real fellowship.   The nuns are
very gracious and also very, very
funny.  We laughed and laughed.   of the Church.
 During our visit, Jordan Del-
aney, a freshman at LSUA, gave
the nuns a funny card from all us
and bag of clementine oranges.
Mrs. Leanne Bonnette, UL stu-
dent, gave the nuns a chocolate
cake because she had heard that
the nuns love chocolate! There
eyes got so big, and I knew then
the students were a hit. They
passed these items in a drawer be-
low the grill because direct con-
tact with the nuns is restricted.
Each student shared a little bit
about themselves and introduced
themselves to the nuns.  The nuns
were genuinely interested in the
students and their futures.   shake his hand, one by one. He
ers at LSUA, shared about their
recent baptism and conversion to
Catholicism and their family’s tri-
als in Cambodia. Two of the nuns
were from communist oppressed
Vietnam, and they shared their
experiences about the persecution
The nuns’ interests were sis-
terly and motherly, quite ecclesial
and feminine characteristics. So
encouraging! Even Mother Re-
gina corrected me a few times as
only a loving mother can.
We concluded our parlor vis-
it with the chanting of the Salve
Regina, a blessing, and the in-
vestiture of the Brown Scapular
given by the nuns.
Travis Vanlangendonck, an
LC student, couldn’t help himself
from wanting to shake a nun’s
hand in gratitude. In fact, we all
had a good chuckle as Mother Re-
gina allowed each of the nuns to
was so happy.
As we consider the new
evangelization of western cul-
ture typified in this meeting of
post-modern college students and
contemplative nuns, we can see
the forging of something entirely
new. The newness is found in the
rediscovery of ancient wisdom
and Christian devotion which
does not ignore the vicissitudes of
history and generational particu-
larities but definitely transcends
them.
Page 17
Teen/Young Adult Events
HOLY SPIRIT RETREAT FOR TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS, JAN. 7-9
The annual Holy Spirit Retreat for Teens and Young Adults will
be held Jan. 7-9, 2011 at the Landmark Hotel in Metairie.
Speakers include Fr. Steve Bruno, vocation director for the Arch-
diocese of New Orleans; Br. Guy Lafranz, CFR, (the former Matt
Bourgeois of Academy of Our Lady), Timmy McCaffery (Jesuit
High), Lindsay Hymel Binder (St. Mary’s Academy), Nathan Hal-
loran (Jesuit High), Casey Sprehe (Augustine Institute and CCRNO)
and Liz Mansfield. Music will be provided by the St. Margaret Mary
Praise Band led by Pat Duffey and Mike Walden.


Online registration at www.ccrno.org until Dec. 6. $160 includes
meals and t-shirt. For questions email Casey Sprehe at youth@ccrno.
org or call the CCRNO Office at 504-828-1368.
JAN. 8-9 S.A.L.T. RETREAT
The Office of Religious Formation and Training will offer
S.A.L.T. retreats at Maryhill Renewal Center for all students in grades
9-12. The weekend retreat is filled with fun, music, talks on the faith,
adoration, reconciliation and Mass. The retreat dates are Jan. 8-9, Feb.
12-13 and March 5-6. The deadline to register for the January retreat
is Dec. 15. For more information, visit www.diocesealex.org and click
on “Youth Ministry” or call our office at 318-445-6424 ext. 221.
Page 18
St. Joseph Seminary to sponsor Abbey Youth Festival
Alexandria seminarian encourages youth from diocese to attend
By Ryan Thompson
Alexandria Seminarian
St. Joseph Seminary
To the Catholic Youth in Di-
ocese of Alexandria:
Peace be with you and greet-
ings from St. Joseph Seminary
College in St. Benedict, La.!
My name is Ryan Thompson;
I am a
seminar-
ian from
our dio-
cese, and
it is a joy
to share
w i t h
you a bit
about my
forma-
Ryan Thompson tion to
the priest-
hood and extend to you an invita-
tion to Abbey Youth Fest, a youth
rally coordinated by my semi-
nary.
I am currently in my fresh-
man year of undergraduate for-
mation here at St. Joseph’s, and
I could not be happier that our
Lord has called me to study here.
The experience of seminary thus
far has been  amazing, and I am
continuing to grow in love and
knowledge of our Catholic  faith
and our God. Along with 74 other
seminarians studying for dioceses
spreading from Texas to Florida,
I am tucked away in the beautiful
piney woods of Southeast Loui-
siana on the 1,200 acre grounds
of a Benedictine monastery. The
beautiful charism, traditions, and
liturgies of the Benedictines have
contributed greatly to my experi-
ence in seminary, and on behalf
of St. Joseph’s, I invite you, the
youth of our diocese, to spend
a day with us worshipping the
Lord, discerning your vocation,
and experiencing the richness of
the Benedictine life.
On March 26, 2011, St. Jo-
seph Abbey will host its eleventh
Abbey Youth Fest, which is a full
day of contemporary Catholic
music, inspiring keynote speak-
ers, and the celebration of the
Mass. As the sun sets, we unite
with the Benedictines in the
Evening Prayer of the Church,
Vespers, and the night ends with
candlelit Adoration of the Blessed
Sacrament underneath the stars.
Throughout the festival, you will
have the opportunity for personal
prayer in an outdoor chapel, con-
fession with visiting priests, a
tour of St. Joseph Abbey, and ex-
posure to several religious orders
and various ministries who set up
information booths to share their
charisms with the thousands of
Catholic youths in attendance.
I personally  have never at-
tended Abby Youth Fest, but
from all the wonderful things  I
December 13, 2010
seph’s Abbey, several priests and
religious from all over the coun-
try, and thousands of Catholic
youths in worshipping our Lord
and searching for the vocation to
which He call us.
As I bring my letter to a
close, I’d like to share with you
some fun facts about the semi-
nary, the Abbey, and Abbey Youth
Fest.
• The first Benedictine monastery
dates to around 530 AD
• Saint Joseph Abbey was found-
ed in 1889
ABBEY YOUTH FESTIVAL. This year’s Abbey Youth Festival will be held • Saint Joseph Seminary College
March 26 in St. Benedict, La. Early registration is already in progress until Jan. has 75 seminarians representing
24. The Abbey Youth Festival, an apostolic service of Saint Joseph Abbey 19 different dioceses
and Seminary College, is a day of evangelization and vocational discernment • The Benedictine monks at St.
by means of Liturgy, prayer, worship, music and education appropriate for Joseph Abbey raise peacocks as
Catholic young people. For more information, go to www.abbeyyouthfest.com a hobby
• In Abbey Youth Fest’s 10 year
history, 529 groups have attended
have heard about the previous our awesome  Lord to come out • In 2006, Abbey Youth Fest host-
years of the event  and with all and join us at Abby Youth Fest. ed over 4,000 youths
the planning we have  begun to The theme for Abbey Youth • Abbey Youth Fest is held out-
do for this one, I believe that all Fest 2011 is, “Ever Ancient, Ever doors and has never been can-
of us youth  should make it! It New,” which is taken from St. celled due to rain
will be an event that  will allow Augustine’s, Confessions. With • Past speakers and performers
us to experience  our Lord in the youth speaker, Paul George, and have included Jason Evert, Jim
most intimate way and to really Catholic musician, Matt Maher, Caviezel, and Matt Smith
grow in our own individual vo- the event will provide reflections For more information and
cations.  The seminarians here at upon and an experience of the pictures from previous festivals,
St. Joseph  are working hard to beauty of God. So ask your youth check out our website at www.
make  Abbey Youth Fest a great minister to get a group together AbbeyYouthFest.com and find
event, and I would like to person- and make the trip to South Loui- us on Facebook. You are in my
ally  ask anyone out there that  is siana! I hope that you will be able prayers; may our hearts, like St.
looking for an amazing experi- to join me, 74 other seminarians, Augustine’s, find eternal rest in
ence with  wonderful people and the Benedictine monks of St. Jo- the heart of God.
Get it ALL at Say
ou b Office Supplies e
Y
b Office Furniture s!
b Office Equipment
1405 MacArthur Drive
Alexandria, LA 71301
318.448.4225 or 1.800.766.4819
December 13, 2010
CatholicQuiz.com offers games,
quizzes for youth, families, teachers
Saint Mary’s Press and
CatholicQuiz.com are partnering
to build co-branded online, in-
teractive games and quizzes for
Catholic youth, families, and re-
ligious education teachers in par-
ishes and schools.
CatholicQuiz.com is an in-
teractive Web site with games
and quizzes that build religious
understanding, curiosity, and
confidence in learning the Catho-
lic faith. The Web site presents
content appropriate for Catholic
parishes or schools seeking to
respond to the needs of its young
people and families in a medium
where students are already com-
fortable and savvy. Games ex-
plore God, Church, Scripture,
morality, prayer, saints, Sacra-
ments (preparation for First Com-
munion and Confirmation), etc.
“Partnering with Saint
Mary’s Press creates a wonder-
ful opportunity to develop digital
media resources linked to cur-
riculum and designed to advance
the evangelizing and catechetical
mission of the Church,” said Mi-
chael J. McKay, STD, cofounder
and principal author.John Vi-
tek, president and CEO of Saint
Mary’s Press, adds, “Catholic-
Quiz.com’s innovative and con-
temporary spirit matches up well
with the long-standing commit-
ment of Saint Mary’s Press to
constantly pursue innovation and
creativity in pedagogy and tools
that help young people deepen
their relationship with Jesus
Christ through the Church.”
Saint Mary’s Press and
Page 19
CatholicQuiz.com are currently
partnering to offer a weekly Sun-
day readings quiz and cross-pro-
motion of the parish subscription
program. A dynamic new tool to
help teachers implement the U.S.
Bishops’ Framework for High
School Religion Curriculum is
in development and will provide
young people with cutting-edge
technology to get them excited to
learn about their faith.
Saint Mary’s Press is an in-
ternational Catholic publisher
dedicated to bringing the Good
News of Jesus Christ to young
people through Catholic parishes,
schools, and families. Catholic-
Quiz.com is a worldwide Internet
community engaged in teaching
and learning the Catholic faith
through interactive online games
and quizzes. For more informa-
tion, visit www.smp.org  and
www.CatholicQuiz.com.
Page 20
Chicken Soup for the Soul’s Christmas books always a hit
Christmas
Cheer
Stories about the
Love, Inspiration, and
Joy of Christmas
Everyone loves
Christmas and the
holiday season. We
reunite scattered fam-
ily members, watch
the wonder in a child’s
eyes, and feel the joy of giving
gifts. A Chicken Soup for the
Soul, Christmas Cheer, brings
about the love, inspiration and
joy of Christmas. The rituals of
the holiday season give a rhythm
to the years and create a founda-
December 13, 2010
tion for our lives, mas through being with family,
Christmas and seeing the won-
as we gather with the gifts we
family, with our give, the love Magic der in a child’s eyes
communities at we share, 101 Holiday Tales of to goodwill, love,
church, at school, and the mag- Inspiration, Love, and and the true mean-
and even at the ic we create Wonder ing of Christmas.
mall, to share the for others. This book will de-
special spirit of A Chicken Christmas is a magical light every reader,
the season, bright- Soup for the time of year — a time from the young to
ening those long Soul Christ- of family, friends, and the young at heart,
winter days. mas brings traditions. And all the and bring back the
back the memories of childhood joys, blessings, and excitement of magic of the holiday season.
through the eyes of children on the season are captured in Chick- “Santa-safe” for kids!
Christmas en Soup for the Soul: Christmas -----
Stories to Rekindle the Spirit Christmas day and inspires good
deeds by reminding us how the Magic with its 101 new holiday Chicken Soup for the Soul series
smallest gesture can truly change stories covering everything from by Jack Canfield
Children experience Christmas finding the perfect Christmas tree, and Mark Victor Hansen
through magic, anticipation, and a life.
learning about the baby Jesus. As
we mature, we experience Christ-
December 13, 2010 Page 21

Tangled gives new twist to classic tale Rapunzel

By John P. McCarthy
Catholic News Service

NEW YORK (CNS) -- After

“Shrek,” it’s easy to forget that
filmmakers once played fairy
tales straight. Walt Disney, the
studio synonymous with such
traditional interpretations, offers of Flynn’s roughneck accomplic-
another enjoyable example in its es whom he double-crossed.
50th full-length animated release. After a slow start, directors
Largely irony-free and lack- Nathan Greno and Byron How-
ing the snarky quality of many ard blend lighthearted romance,
movies aimed at kids, “Tangled” vigorous action sequences, and a
(Disney) is a throwback Uncle few rather tepid songs by veteran
Walt would recognize and ap- composer Alan Menken into a
plaud. So will families. pleasant whole. The film’s merely
Fortunately, that doesn’t serviceable voice work and visu-
mean it’s static or staid. Enough als may keep it from the ranks of
contemporary touches, in addi- animated classics, but the overall
tion to computer-generated ani-
‘TANGLED’. A child born to a king and queen possesses golden locks with healing properties, magic for which the package is a good introduction to
mation (projected in your choice
infant is kidnapped by the evil crone Mother Gothel (voice of Donna Murphy). In a secluded tower, Gothel raises Ra- the Disney formula.
of 3-D or 2-D), ensure “Tangled”
punzel (voice of Mandy Moore) as her daughter, using her captive’s hair to restore her own youth while never letting Keeping up with the times,
is an equally dynamic and whole-
the girl step outside her prison. (CNS photo Disney) the filmmakers tweak the dam-
some vehicle for its “love con- sel-in-distress motif by having
quers all” theme. Rapunzel save Flynn more often
queen possesses golden locks On the eve of her 18th birth- ary Levi), chances upon the tow- than the reverse.
Following the outlines of the
with healing properties, magic day, Rapunzel, though unaware er after robbing the palace. Still, they remain true to
German folk tale Rapunzel, pop-
for which the infant is kidnapped of her true identity, is desperate With the help of her versatile the most vital, enduring values
ularized by the Brothers Grimm,
by the evil crone Mother Gothel to escape so she might experience mane, Rapunzel persuades him by equating romantic love with
the plot is a melange of ele-
(voice of Donna Murphy). In a a display of floating lanterns that to accompany her into the world self-sacrifice, free of any tawdry
ments recognizable from “Snow
secluded tower, Gothel raises Ra- her parents stage every year to she’s never known and has been distractions. Rapunzel and Flynn
White,” “Cinderella” and “Sleep-
punzel (voice of Mandy Moore) commemorate their lost princess. taught to fear. Accompanied by don’t kiss until they’re married
ing Beauty.” The influence of the
as her daughter, using her cap- Adopting the guise of an Rapunzel’s pet chameleon, Pas- and the movie’s edgiest bit in-
“Shrek” franchise is also discern-
tive’s hair to restore her own overprotective parent, Gothel re- cal, they’re chased by Maximus, volves a drunken, superannuated
ible, without any adverse effects.
youth while never letting the girl fuses. But then a boastful young a zealous horse of the Imperial cherub winking at Mother Go-
A child born to a king and
step outside her prison. thief, Flynn Rider (voice of Zach- Guard, as well as Gothel and two thel.
But, along with mild swash-
buckling violence, the film does
include many slapstick pratfalls
and cartoon ouches courtesy of
our frying-pan- and hair-wield-
ing heroine. Since sun worship
seems to be the prevailing cult in
Rapunzel’s fictional realm, more-
over, there’s a distinct but inof-
fensive pagan undertone to the
proceedings.
Finally, those shepherding
preschoolers should anticipate
a few tears during a potentially
upsetting climactic scene. Rest
assured, however, that a happi-
ly-ever-after wrap-up is quickly
forthcoming.
The potential of that ear-
lier brief interlude to elicit such
strong emotional reactions is
proof of the degree to which
“Tangled” succeeds.
The Catholic News Service
classification is A-I -- general pa-
tronage. The Motion Picture As-
sociation of America rating is PG
-- parental guidance suggested.
Some material may not be suit-
able for children.
Page 22
RED RIVER CHORALE
TO PRESENT TWO CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
Red River Chorale will present two Christmas concerts
titled, Christmas Through the Ages. The first one will be
held on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier
Cathedral in Alexandria. The second concert will be held
on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Magale Recital Hall
in Natchitoches. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for
students. For more information, call 318-484-4463.
ST. RITA CHRISTMAS TOUR OF HOMES
A tour of five homes will be featured Dec. 19 by St.
Rita Church. The first four homes you are invited to visit
from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. (at your own leisure). From 4 p.m. – 5
p.m., all tourists are asked to make the Rectory their final
stop, where we will have refreshments and entertainment!
Tickets are $20 for adults, and $10 for children under 12
and can be purchased Nov. 29 at the Parish Office, or at any
of the homes the day of the tour. For more information,
contact Debbie Brown at 445-7141 ext 10.
ST. RITA NEW YEAR’S EVE DANCE
St. Rita Church will sponsor its annual New Year’s
Eve dance on Friday, Dec. 31 at St. Rita Church’s Holy
Family Center. Doors open at 8 p.m.; music starts at 9 p.m.
Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple and may be
purchased at the church office. Music will be provided by
The Neighborhood Stars R & B Band from New Roads,
La. For more information, call Courtney at 880-8665 or
Nicole at 542-8006.
SACRED HEART’S NEW YEAR’S EVE DANCE
Hosted by the John Paul II Knights of Columbus
Council #14657, the Sacred Heart (Pineville) New Year’s
Eve Dance will be held Dec. 31 in the Activities Building
from 8 p.m. to midnight. Doors open at 7 p.m. There will
be music, hors d’oeuvres, favors and FUN! All proceeds
help the KCs support our church! Call Ray Paul at 201-
9022 for more information.
NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING
SPRING CLASSES
The Spring Series of Natural Family Planning classes
(NFP) will be held on the Saturdays of Jan. 8, Feb. 5, and
March 5. All classes will be held from 9:30 a.m. – noon.
Location TBA. You must attend all 3 classes to complete
the course. There is a one time fee of $135 for the Student
Kit. NFP is a 100% natural, safe, and moral way to space
or achieve pregnancy. To register, call Michael or Leah
Pelto at 318-640-8678 or email: michaelandleah@
suddenlink.net.
Avoyelles Parish
Businesses
Advertise in
The Church Today
Contact Carla Moreau
318-346-7829
KC COUNCIL 9217 , BELLEDEAU, cooked a gumbo dinner
Nov. 3 for the weekly free lunch for LSUA students at the LSUA
Catholic Student Center. The council fed about 110 people.
Pictured are Amos Lacombe, Kermit Laborde, Tom Washer,
Leonard Assmann, Joe Gremillion, Jessie Laborde, and Joe Arno.
KC COUNCIL 1134. Council members and their wives cooked a
ham dinner Dec. 1 for the weekly free lunch for LSUA students
at the LSUA Catholic Student Center. The council fed about 100
people.
AMICUS CLUB RODEO
The 49th annual Amicus Club Rodeo will be held
Friday and Saturday, Jan. 21-22, 2011 at the Rapides
Parish Coliseum. The rodeo will be held at 7:30 p.m. on
both nights, and also at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are
$10. All proceeds from the PRCA Rodeo will benefit St.
Mary’s Residential Training School.
MARY’S AUTISM CONFERENCE
St. Mary’s Residential Training School is hosting its
December 13, 2010
6th annual autism conference in Shreveport on Jan. 28.
This year four distinguished speakers will present on
many new topics, including the treatment of feeding
problems typically associated with autism, early
identification of autism, and improving family ties, as
well as treating self-injury.
The speakers include Gina Green, Ph.D., BCBA-D,
Henry Roane, Ph.D., BCBA-D, and Shahla Ala’i-Rosales,
Ph.D., BCBA, as well as Heather Kadey, M.S., BCBA.
The conference will last 1 day, and is divided into
general track tutorials in the morning that are open to all
attendees and a choice of one workshop in the afternoon.
If you register by Dec. 31, the registration fee is $75
per person or $60 for university students with proof of
enrollment. Beginning Jan. 1, 2011, the registration fee
will be $100 per person and $75 per student. For more
information please visit St. Mary’s website at www.
stmarys-rts.org, or call Bo Vets at (318) 445-6443 ext:
2149.
TWO HEARTS MINISTRY TO OFFER
DREAM THERAPY WORKSHOP
Jim and Christy Gootee and the Two Hearts Team
will be offering a weekend on “Wholeness and Holiness
Through Christian Dream Therapy” at Maryhill Renewal
Center, Jan. 29-30 from 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. This is an
opportunity to grow spiritually by finding out how to pay
attention to God’s symbolic language communicated in
our dreams.
The retreat will look at the importance of dreams in
both the Old and the New Testament as well as in the
lives of some of the early saints. We will examine
guidelines to identify which of our dreams are significant
and cautious against misuse of dreams. The retreat will
combine teaching and workshop, allowing you time to
work on and share your own dreams. Bring a Bible and
a dream notebook in which you have written one or two
of your dreams. We will privde you with a variety of
tools and approaches to help you analayze your dreams.
The $115 retreat cost includes a reference book and
retreat manual. No meals are provided but many
restaurants are nearby. $35 additional cost per night for
room at Maryhill. Mail name, address, phone and $35
non-refundable registration to: Two Hearts, P. O. Box
7206, Alexandria, LA 71306. Write yes or no for room
Friday and Saturday. Web address: www.jimand
christygootee.com
ABBEY YOUTH FESTIVAL
Don’t miss the worship, discernment and fun on Mar.
26 for the Abbey Youth Festival in St. Benedict, La.
Festival speakers include Matt Maher, Paul George, Judy
McDonald, Archbishop Gregory Aymond, and the monks
and seminarians of St. Joseph Abbey+Seminary College.
Early registration is now through Jan. 24. For more info,
go to www.abbeyyouthfest.com
December 13, 2010
Monday
13
PRAY FOR FR. P. KUNNAMPURAM
Penance Services:
20
5:00 p.m. St. Louis,
Glenmora
6:00 p.m. Mary, Mother of
Jesus, Woodworth
6:00 p.m. St. Francis of
Assisi, Powhatan
PRAY FOR FR. J. MICHALCHUK
27
PRAY FOR FR. M. NOEL
Catholic Schools
3 4
back in session
PRAY FOR FR. J. PALATHARA
10
PRAY FOR FR. R. RABALAIS
Page 23
December - January
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
14 15 16 17 18 19
Penance Services: Penance Services:
6:10 p.m. St. Patrick, 5:00 p.m. OL Lourdes, Penance Service
Montgomery Vidalia 5:30 p.m. St. Rita Church
6:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. St. Joseph, Colfax OL Sorrows, Moreauville Christmas Tour of Homes,
Catholic Schools Christmas Youth Musical
St. Joseph, Marksville 6:00 p.m. St. Mary’s Assumption, 1:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m.
begin Christmas break 6:30 p.m.
Cottonport Advent Series: Alexandria
Advent Series: - close of day St. Joseph, Marksville
6:00 p.m. Immac. Conception, 6:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m. St. Joseph Catholic Penance Service:
Natchitoches KC Hall, Natchitoches
Center, Alexandria 5:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. St. Patrick Hall, Ferriday 6:10 p.m. Sacred Heart St. Joseph, St. Joseph
Pineville Red River Chorale Concert
6:30 p.m. St. Mary’s, Cottonport
6:30 p.m. OLPS, Alexandria 7:30 p.m. Magale Hall,
Red River Chorale Concert Natchitoches
FOURTH SUNDAY
7:30 p.m. Cathedral, Alex. of ADVENT
PRAY FOR FR. L. LAIRD PRAY FOR FR. R. LEMOINE PRAY FOR FR. R. MATHEWS PRAY FOR FR. J. MEDINA-CRUZ PRAY FOR FR. L. MELCHER PRAY FOR FR. A. MESSINA
Advent Series:
21 22 Advent Series:
23 24 25 26
5:30 p.m. St. Joseph Catholic 6:00 p.m.
Center, Alexandria KC Hall, Natchitoches
6:00 p.m. St. Patrick Hall, Ferriday
6:30 p.m. St. Mary’s, Cottonport
CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS DAY
PRAY FOR FR. K. MICHIELS PRAY FOR FR. B. MILLER PRAY FOR FR. J. MONTALBANO PRAY FOR FR. C. MORGAN PRAY FOR FR. C. NAYAK PRAY FOR FR. J. NELLIKUNNEL
28 29 30 St. Rita
31 JANUARY 1 2
New Year’s Eve Dance
8:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Pineville FEAST of MARY,
New Year’s Eve Dance MOTHER OF GOD
7:00 p.m.
FIRST SATURDAY
NEW YEAR’S EVE NEW YEAR’S DAY
PRAY FOR FR. K. OBIEKWE PRAY FOR FR. J. O’BRIEN PRAY FOR FR. D. O’CONNOR PRAY FOR FR. C. OGBONNA PRAY FOR BISHOP HERZOG PRAY FOR FR. R. OWUAMANAM
5 6 7 Natural Family Planning
8 9
Classes
9:30 a.m.-12 noon
Holy Spirit Retreat for Teens/Young Adults - Metairie
FEAST of
S.A.L.T. Retreat - Maryhill Renewal Center
THE EPIPHANY FIRST FRIDAY
PRAY FOR FR. B. PALLIPPARAMBIL PRAY FOR FR. J. PALLIPURATH PRAY FOR FR. J. PARDUE PRAY FOR FR. C. PARTAIN PRAY FOR FR. T. PAUL PRAY FOR FR. G. POOKKATTU
PDS Training for
11 12 13 14 15 16
PDS Church Office users
8:30 a.m.
St. Joseph Catholic Center,
Alexandria
PRAY FOR FR. J. RETNAZIHAMONI PRAY FOR FR. J. ROBLES-SANCHEZ PRAY FOR FR. E. RODRIGUEZ-HERNANDEZ PRAY FOR FR. J. ROY PRAY FOR FR. I. ST. ROMAIN PRAY FOR FR. C. SCOTT