february 22

CommentatorT H E C A T H O L I C

February 22, 2012 Vol. 50, No. 1 S E R V I N G T H E D I O C E S E O F B A T O N R O U G E S I N C E 1 9 6 3 thecatholiccommentator.org

A Letter to Louisiana Catholics:The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

recently ruled that Catholic institutions must provide health insurance that offers sterilizations, abortion inducing drugs, and contraceptives. This is a direct attack on the religious liberty of Catholic institutions which serve ALL people, not just Catholics.

As we have read, on Friday, Feb. 10 President Obama offered some changes to the original HHS ruling. Instead of Catho-lic institutions having to provide the objectionable coverage, the insurance companies would do it. There are three major problems with that supposed compromise. First, Catholic institutions would still have to pay for this objectionable cover-age. Second, in many cases Catholic dioceses are self insured. Third, individuals would be forced to pay premiums for this coverage.

So nothing has been fixed by the President’s recent action.If the Administration will not rescind this violation of the

First Amendment, then Congress should.Please send a message to respectfully request your U.S. Sen-

ators and Congressman to co-sponsor the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467) that has been introduced by Rep. Jeffery Fortenberry and Sen. Roy Blunt. This measure ensures that the rights of conscience of Catholic institutions will be respected.

You can do this by following the link to VoterVoice on the home page of our website at laccb.org.

Sincerely yours in Christ,Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New OrleansMost Rev. Robert W. Muench, Bishop of Baton RougeMost Rev. Sam G. Jacobs, Bishop of Houma-ThibodauxMost Rev. Michael Jarrell, Bishop of LafayetteMost Rev. Ronald P. Herzog, Bishop of AlexandriaMost Rev. Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake CharlesMost Rev. Michael G. Duca, Bishop of ShreveportMost Rev. Shelton J. Fabre, Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans

Revised contraceptive mandate prompts reaction from Catholic groupsBy Carol Zimmermann

Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON — A former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican and the president of The Catholic University of America were among 300 signers of a letter who called President Barack Obama’s revision to a federal contraceptive mandate “unacceptable” and said it remains a “grave vio-lation of religious freedom and cannot stand.”

On Feb. 10, Obama said religious employers could decline to cover contraceptives if they were morally opposed to them, but the health insurers that provide their health plans would be required to offer contraceptives free of charge to women who requested such coverage.

The change came after three weeks of inten-sive criticism that Department of Health and Human Services’ contraception mandate would require most religious institutions to pay for coverage they find morally objectionable, de-spite a limited religious exemption.

Now questions have been raised over how the revision announced by the president will pertain to the many dioceses and Catholic or-ganizations that are self-insured and whether it could still force entities morally opposed to con-traception to pay for such services.

The letter signed by former Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon of Harvard and Catholic University’s John Garvey, along with professors and other academics, and Catholic and other religious leaders, said it was “an insult to the intelligence of Catholics, Protestants, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Jews, Muslims and other people of faith and conscience to imagine that they will accept an assault on their religious lib-erty if only it is covered up by a cheap account-ing trick.”

Other critics also said the change was a mat-ter of semantics and still failed to address the conscience rights of faith groups and the issue of religious liberty.

Supporters, who included organizations such as Catholics United and Catholic Democrats, said it was a viable response that would keep conscience rights intact and address the health care needs of women.

Still others who opposed the contraceptive mandate said the revision could be a step in the right direction but needed more study because many questions “remained unanswered.”

Catholic Charities USA said Feb. 16 that con-trary to media reports the organization has “not endorsed” the revision announced by Obama.

“We unequivocally share the goal of the U.S. Catholic bishops to uphold religious liberty and will continue to work with the USCCB (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops) toward that goal,” it said in a statement posted on its web-site.

“Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge joins our bishop, Most Rev. Robert W. Muench, our sister agencies around the coun-try and Catholic Charities USA in standing in solidarity with the USCCB and the LCCB (Loui-siana Conference of Catholic Bishops) in reject-ing the HHS mandate,” said Catholic Charities executive director David Aguillard in a recent statement.

Referring to the report that a White House spokesperson said Catholic Charities USA endorsed the changes to the HHS mandate, Aguillard said, “The White House’s statements were completely false and led to a flurry of news reports in that Catholic Charities had split from the Bishops. That simply is not the

SEE HHS PAGE 20

By Laura DeaversEditor

“The Light is ON for You” will take place in 15 churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge during Lent. This successful effort to provide weekly opportunities for Catholics to receive the sac-rament of reconciliation will be-gin Feb. 27.

“The Light Is ON for You” al-lows those who want to receive

the sacrament of reconciliation the opportunity to have several priests available at the churches participating in the program. Those going to confession can choose to confess their sins “face to face,” talking directly to the priest, or do so kneeling behind a grill or screen.

The churches participating in “The Light Is ON for You” will have priests available for con-fession from 6 to 7:00 or 7:30

p.m. Aids for preparing one’s self to receive the sacrament will be available in the church-es.

Most other churches will pro-vide extra hours for Catholics to receive this sacrament of for-giveness. Some churches will offer prayer services focused on reconciliation with priests available for confession after penitents have an opportunity to prepare themselves to receive

the sacrament.Bishop Robert W. Muench

said in a letter to the people of the Diocese of Baton Rouge that everyone should take the oppor-

tunity to go to confession during Lent, no matter how long it has been since receiving God’s grace through this sacrament.

SEE LIGHT PAGE 19

The Light is ON for You again being offered in diocese during Lent

2 The Catholic Commentator February 22, 2012

| DID YOU KNOW | IN THIS ISSUE

| INDEXCLASSIFIED ADS 18

COMING EVENTS 18

ENTERTAINMENT 14

FAMILY LIFE 5

INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL NEWS 4

SPIRITUALITY 7

VIEWPOINT 16

YOUTH 12

The Catholic Commentator (ISSN 07460511; USPS 093-680)Published bi-weekly (every other week) by the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge,1800 South Acadian Thru-way, Baton Rouge, LA 70808; 225-387-0983 or 225-387-0561. Periodical Postage Paid at Baton Rouge, LA. Copy must reach the above address by Wednesday for use in the next week’s paper. Subscription rate: $12.00 per year. POSTMASTER, send address changes to The Catholic Commentator, P.O. Box 14746, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4746. Website: thecatholiccommentator.org.

Bishop Robert W. Muench PublisherFather Than Vu Associate PublisherLaura Deavers Exec. Ed./Gen. Mgr.

Debbie Shelley Assistant Editor

Wanda L. Koch Advertising ManagerPenny G. Saia Advertising Sales

Lisa Disney Secretary/CirculationBarbara Chenevert Staff Writer

CommentatorT H E C A T H O L I C

Month

Please pray for the priests, deacons and religious women and men in the Baton Rouge Diocese. | PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PRAY FOR US

Feb. 26 Rev. Robert Merced OP Dcn. Frank E. Bains Sr. Georgeann Parizek RSCJFeb. 27 Rev. Andrew J. Merrick Dcn. J. Phillip BeJeaux Br. Eugene Patin CSsRFeb. 28 Rev. Victor G. Messina Dcn. Willie M. Berthelo Sr. Sr. Johanne Pedersen CSJFeb. 29 Rev. Michael A. Miceli Dcn. William B. Blair Jr. Sr. Anh-Tuyet Pham ICMMar. 1 Rev. Cleo J. Milano Dcn. Daniel S. Borné Sr. Cecile Poitras SSJMar. 2 Rev. Sylvester Minj IMS Dcn. Claude H. Bourgeois Sr. Christine Pologa CSJMar. 3 Rev. Eliécer Montañez MCM Dcn. Eugene F. Brady Sr. Penny Prophit OSF

Mar. 4 Rev. Michael J. Moroney Dcn. Jerry W. Braud Sr. Maria Rabalais CSJMar. 5 Rev. Sylvester Minj IMS Dcn. Patrick Broussard Sr. Anne Michelle Ramagos CSJMar. 6 Rev. Caye A. (Trey) Nelson III Dcn. Barry G. Campeaux Sr. Barbara Richter MSCMar. 7 Rev. Hung Viet Nguyen ICM Dcn. Michael T. Chiappetta Sr. Geraldine Riendeaux CSJMar. 8 Rev. Tan Viet Nguyen ICM Dcn. Norman Christophe Sr. Brendan Mary Ronayne OSFMar. 9 Rev. Nicholas J. (Jack) Nutter III Dcn. Randall A. Clement Sr. Cynthia Sabathier CSJMar. 10 Rev. John F. Osom MSP Dcn. Samuel C. Collura Sr. Thérèse St. Pierre CSJ

Any child who gives up candy for Lent will be quick to tell you that Sundays are not considered part of the season.

And technically they would be accurate.

Lent, the period of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for Easter, is 40 days long. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends in the Roman Catholic Church at sundown on Holy Thursday, a span of 46 days.

From the earliest days of the church, Sunday, the day of Christ’s resurrection, was a day to be celebrated and Christians did not fast or do other forms of penance on that day.

Therefore, the church expanded the period of fasting – Lent – to six full weeks, each with only six days of fasting, Monday through Saturday, (36 days) and added the days of Ash Wednesday, and the Thursday, Friday and Saturday fol-lowing Ash Wednesday to complete the 40 days of Lent.

The number 40 has carried signifi-

cance in the church since ancient times. The tradi-tion of Lent being 40 days is taken from various Bible stories: the 40 years the Israelites wandered the wilderness in search of the promised land, the 40 days and nights of flood waters before God established a covenant with Noah, the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert in prayer and was

tempted by the devil.When Lent ends with the evening ser-

vice on Holy Thursday, Catholics then enter into a Paschal fast, a holding back in anticipation of the resurrection. In encouraging Catholics to observe a pas-chal fast, the Second Vatican Council said, “Let the Paschal fast be kept sacred. Let it be celebrated everywhere on Good Friday and, when possible, prolonged through Holy Saturday so that the joy of the Sunday of the Resurrection may be attained with uplifted and clean mind.”

The word Lent is derived from the Old English word lencten which means spring as Lent is a time for renewal.

HUSBANDS AND WIVES MARRIED FOR MANY YEARS give their time and the wisdom they have gained about marriage to engaged couples. The married couples can talk about what to expect and what will not happen once the marriage vows are stated. PAGE 5

THE HOLY CROSS FAMILY MINISTRIES BEGAN 73 years ago to encourage people to pray the rosary. This ministry, now

worldwide, has incorporated additional programs to foster this devotion to the Blessed Mother. PAGE 7

CASSANDRA WILL HAS DONE CHURCH WORK since she was a little girl. Now she is the di-rector of religious education at St. Augustine Church and serves the Diocese of Baton Rouge in various

ways. PAGE 8

FATHERS GERARD BURNS AND JASON PALERMO reflect on the life of Father Jerome Dugas who died Feb. 4. PAGE 11

CorrectionMarch 4 is the date of the Reconcilia-

tion Prayer Service at St. Paul the Apos-tle Church, 3912 Gus Young Ave., Baton Rouge. The service will be at 6:30 p.m.

The reason for Lent being 40 days

salmon • speckled trout • boiled craw

fi sh, crabs, shrimp

WE CATER CRAWFISH BOILS13434 Perkins Road (near Siegen) 225-769-8171 • FAX 225-769-8970

mah

i-m

ahi

•

grou

per

•

tuna

•

red

fi sh

•

red

sna

pper

Daily Lenten Specialsseafood plates, poboys and gumbo

Featuring New Menu with daily seafood specials

Fridays during lentfresh Gulf fi sh entrée specials

Boiled Crawfi shMonday & Tuesday nights (All you can eat)

Shop our Marketfor the freshest salt and freshwater fi sh,

oysters and crabmeat

Newly

Remodeled!

February 22, 2012 The Catholic Commentator 3


A simple box, covered in blue paper, is bringing St. Jean Vian-ney families to prayer.

Denise Louviere had the idea of making a Rosary Box for the chil-dren attending St. Jean Vianney’s Parish School of Religion in Ba-ton Rouge to bring home so they could pray the rosary with their family. Louviere is the director of religious education at St. Jean.

Families are encouraged to pray the rosary as many times as possible, but at least once during the week they have the Rosary Box. The box holds ev-erything needed for the family rosary – several rosaries, a book on how to pray the rosary, a dia-gram of how to recite the rosary with notation of the prayer that is to be prayed on each bead of the rosary, a small statue of the Blessed Mother, a prayer card and a journal. On the inside of the box cover is a picture of the Blessed Mother, which many families use as a focal point for their family rosary.

“The Rosary Box Project has helped to evangelize the fami-lies,” said Patsy Burgess, the first- grade PSR teacher. She said the project has been very good be-cause it brings families together to pray. “Denise has been sur-prised how many families have come forward to take the box home each week,” Burgess added.

Louviere said she takes re-sponsibility for evangelizing the family in any way she can which includes supporting the parents at home. “This is so awesome,” she remarked.

Every week brings more inter-est from the ones who have not taken the Rosary Box home as they see their fellow students re-ceiving the bag with the Rosary Box or giving the bag to another student, said Lindsey Falcon, who teaches fourth-grade.

With 23 classes each year, Burgess said more than 23 families have said they want to have the Rosary Box for a week. Another box will be added in the coming weeks so that all fami-lies who are interested can participate.

Families are asked to write in the Rosary Box journal when they pray the rosary, telling about the experience and what praying the ro-sary together meant for the family, said Betty Wright, religious educa-tion assistant.

When eighth-grader Allen Vignes’ fam-ily had the Rosary Box, they went to his grand-parents’ house so the generations could pray together.

Alexis Columbia, a sixth-grader, said the

Rosary Box has made a big dif-ference in her family. She ex-plained that her stepfather is a volunteer fireman, which often takes him away from the fam-ily. The night the family had set aside to pray the rosary as a family, Alexis’ stepfather rear-ranged his schedule so he could join them. “He is also trying to rearrange his schedule at the fire station so he can go to Mass with the family,” Alexis added happily. She said her brothers, Mason, an 11th-grader, and Collin, a ninth-grader, were also very interested in praying the rosary.

St. Jean Vianney parishio-ner Mary Bordelon has led the rosary for the St. Louis King of France Knights of Columbus Auxiliary for many years and so is quite devoted to this special prayer to the Blessed Mother. She was pleasantly surprised by the intentions the family mem-bers wanted to pray for during their week. Her family includes

son, Andrew, who is in the 11th- grade at Denham Springs High School, and daughter, Lauren, who is in the eighth-grade at Ju-lian Parc Junior High.

“The rosary really brought the kids together as we gathered around the kitchen table, be-cause that is the center of every-thing for us,” said Bordelon. The children had special intentions for people they know who are going through difficult times. Days later the siblings checked on each other to ask how the per-son they prayed for was getting along.

The parents of sixth-grader Joshua Verret, fourth-grader Zachary Verret and first-grader Theresa Verret said it is dif-ficult to find time for prayer in their busy lives but they often lay on the floor in their children’s bedrooms to express prayers of

gratitude. Stacy and Jason Ver-ret said they realized what the family gained by praying the ro-sary together and saying other prayers as a family. They want to work on finding more time to pray together, starting with one night a month.

Stacy Verret said each child wanted to lead a decade of the rosary. “I didn’t know what to expect, but they did well.”

Laura Tran was able to pray the rosary with her two chil-dren, sixth-grader Angelina and second-grader Aiden, but it was difficult for her husband to join them since he is accustomed to praying the rosary in his native tongue, Vietnamese, and the children do not know the lan-guage.

The night Daniel Van Oss and his family prayed the rosary they invited to their house his parents

and aunts because he grew up praying the rosary with them.

Van Oss said it was a good op-portunity for his two children to have the same experience he had.

So all of the families can learn about the experiences each fam-ily had while praying the rosary, Louviere plans to make copies of the journal that is in the Rosary Box at the end of the school year.

Louviere’s daughter, Lizette Leader, who is principal at St. George School, was so impressed with the Rosary Box when she was saw it that she is now using it in her school.

St. Jean’s director of religious education is already think-ing about what she can do next school year to evangelize the families with children in the St. Jean Vianney Parish School of Religion.

The Campbell family – Ben, Katie, Anna and Jennifer – pray the rosary at their kitchen table. They are using the image of the Blessed Mother and the information that is contained in the Rosary Box distributed by the St. Jean Vianney Parish School of Religion to learn about praying the rosary. Photos by Laura Deavers | The Catholic Commenta-tor

St. Jean Vianney families pray the rosary together

A picture of the Blessed Mother on the in-side of the Rosary Box provides an image to reflect on while saying the five decades of the rosary.

CD or IRA About to Roll Over and Play

Dead? Learn the Safe and Secure Way to Earn

Stock Market Linked Returns Without

Market Risk to Your Principal.

Call now for a FREE copy of the book Growth Without

Risk O’Mire Financial

Services 1.800.844.3254

exterior shuttersCustom Made New Orleans Style Exterior Shutters,

View Carre Commission Approved.

Visit our showroom at

6032 Crestmount Dr. Baton Rouge, LA

4 The Catholic Commentator NATIONAL | INTERNATIONAL February 22, 2012

JAMES R. COXE, III and ASSOCIATES

Notary in OfficeTELEPHONE (225) 924-7597

“In Home Consultations on Request”

Personal InjuryAUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS

WRONGFUL DEATHPRODUCT LIABILITY

SEAMAN/HARBOR WORKERS CLAIMSMEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Family Law

General PracticeWILLS and SUCCESSIONS

CORPORATIONSSOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

REAL ESTATESCRIMINAL DEFENSE

��

��

Personal Bankruptcy

Tax-Deferred Annuities • IRA • Rollovers

Tired of Watching Your Retirement Funds Vanish in the Stock Market?

Call now: Frank Lamulle 504-458-0957

3.75%Includes Current Yield +

1% Bonus

APY

Don’t kiss your hard-earned retirement dollars goodbye. Instead, roll them over to Catholic Life Insurance and watch them grow! Because our fixed annuities are not tied to the ups and downs of the stock market, we guarantee that you’ll have more in our IRA or Annuity tomorrow than you have today.

*Interest rates are subject to change & vary by plan. Rate guaranteed for 1st year. Minimum guarantee is 2.00%

Future of Catholic health care seen in service to community, poorBy Nancy Frazier O’Brien

Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON — Even with health reform, some people will remain uninsured, and Catholic health care must continue to be known for its “special predilec-tion for the poor,” said panelists at a Washington colloquium. “Without that, we would have a hard time distinguishing our-selves from other not-for-profit hospitals,” said Robert V. Stanek, retired president and CEO of Catholic Health East in Newtown Square, Pa., and current chair-man of the board of trustees of the Catholic Health Association. Corrine Parver, health policy attorney and former executive di-rector of the health law program at American University’s Wash-

ington School of Law, expressed dismay that only 60 percent of those who are uninsured today are expected to be insured by 2019, when the health reform law is fully implemented. That situation will give Catho-lic hospitals “an opportunity to provide more community ben-efit,” she said. Jesuit Father John Haughey, a research fellow at George-town University’s Woodstock Theological Center, focused on Catholic health care’s role as a continuation of Christ’s heal-ing ministry. He said that un-derstanding should infuse any Catholic health care institution, “from the CEO down to the one who mops the corridors.” The three speakers were part of a panel discussion during a

daylong colloquium Feb. 14 at The Catholic University of America in Washington. Sponsored by the university’s Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies and its School of Nursing, the confer-ence had as its theme, “Learning from the Past, Planning the Fu-ture.” Reviewing changes in Catholic health care over the past few de-cades, Stanek said most Catholic hospitals are now part of health care systems, many of them mul-tistate, and the number of women religious who are hospital admin-istrators or CEOs has gone from 770 in 1968 to eight now. As lay leadership of Catholic health care continues to grow, he said, the challenge will be to keep the systems true to their faith-based mission. “The Catholic health minis-try will be strengthened when we hold onto the concept that we are not institution-based, but based on healing, on the personal touch,” Stanek said. “If our health care delivery system is truly per-son-centered, the Catholic minis-try will be alive and well regard-less of what form it takes.” He said this is the first gen-eration of lay leaders not working side by side with women religious in Catholic health care. Stanek said the lay leadership has progressed from saying, “Sis-ter, tell me what to do” to asking “What would the sisters do?” But they need to continue to progress to the point of asking, “What will we do, from a perspective totally consistent with our heritage?” he said.

Saying that the “variety of rapidly emerging technologies will impact Catholic health care very strongly in the future,” Stanek said he did not believe the major emphasis of health care in the future will be large acute-care hospitals. “We can’t afford as a society to continue to treat people in the most expensive vehicle pos-sible,” he said. Parver, a member of the board of trustees of Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Md., said home- and community-based health care is the wave of the future and described some of Holy Cross’ outreach pro-grams to underserved and vul-nerable segments of the popula-tion. In addition to two health cen-ters for uninsured adults, she said, the hospital has programs focusing on preventive care and treatment for several diseases – including breast cancer, diabe-tes and heart problems. In the policy arena, Parver expressed concern that some major employers have said they might not continue offering health insurance to their em-ployees under the new health

reform law. In addition, she said, it is not clear where the money is going to come from for expansion of the Medicaid pro-gram, as required by the law. Father Haughey said the major responsibility of Catho-lic health care institutions is to represent “Christ’s healing pres-ence, one that is sufficiently tan-gible with God’s presence that it can ignite or reignite faith and hope and love in its patients and personnel.” He warned against a tenden-cy toward “nostalgic piety” or to the “myopic” view that reduces “responsibility for the religious mission of the institution to the pastoral care unit.” What people should experi-ence through Catholic health care is “more than competence, though that; more than efficien-cy, though that too; more than professionalism, though that too,” Father Haughey said. “It is people giving of them-selves, emptying themselves to serve their brothers and sisters. ... If that is what is experienced in your facility,” he said, “you are extending Christ’s healing mission in that facility at this time.”

Mari Etzel, 25, a nurse who works as a volunteer at Christ House though the Catholic Volunteer Network, treats a patient in 2011 at the medical facility in Washington. Panelists at a recent conference said home- and community-based care is the future of Catholic health care. Photo by Bob Roller | CNS

Only 60 percent of those who are uninsured today

are expected to be insured by 2019, when the health reform law

is fully implemented.

We are on the web at thecatholiccommentator.org.

February 22, 2012 FAMILY LIFE The Catholic Commentator 5

By Debbie ShelleyAssistant Editor

Some married couples in the Diocese of Baton Rouge have shared the blessings and experi-ences from their relationship to help others prepare for the sac-rament of holy matrimony.

For the past 20 years, An-gela and Dewey Angelloz have served the church by sponsoring engaged couples, first as mem-bers of St. Alphonsus Church in Greenwell Springs and now as members of St. Aloysius Church in Baton Rouge. They use the program “For Better and For Ever” by Father Robert Ruhn-ke CSsR, who trained them for the program. The book utilized as part of the program covers: family of origin, finances, rais-ing children, spirituality, sexu-ality, cohabitation, mixed faith marriages, blended families and being involved in the church community.

Over the course of six to eight months, the Angellozes meet in their home with the engaged couple, which helps the be-trothed to see how marriage is lived out on a daily basis.

The candlelit meetings in-clude an opening prayer, read-ing of Scripture and discussions of the topics covered in the book.

According to Dewey Angelloz, the discussions help the couple open up and talk about issues. Sometimes the conversations can get emotional, especially the ones that focus on family of origin.

“That’s when the Kleenex comes out really quick,” Dewey Angelloz said.

The sponsors help the couple they are mentoring make an inventory of qualities in their relationship to help them deter-mine if they are ready to marry. “We’re not here to fix things, we are here to walk with them,” Angela Angelloz said.

She said by showing the en-gaged couple their support, they let them know they are not alone and that they are part of a church family community.

Although the Angellozes have been married for 30 years, they say it is interesting to note dur-ing their discussions with en-gaged couples how much their own perception about family has changed.

Some couples going through marriage preparation have been married before, are of mixed races or come from different socio-economic backgrounds. Married couples whose own backgrounds reflect such diver-sity may effectively help them on their journey towards mar-riage.

Boyd and Yolande Charles, members of St. Jude Church in Baton Rouge, have sponsored couples in that parish who were preparing for marriage. Both spouses have been married be-fore. Yolande Charles grew up in Louisiana, and her husband, who is 20 years older than her, grew up in South Carolina. Boyd Charles grew up in the Baptist church and his wife is a cradle Catholic.

Yolande Charles said she and her husband have had to “meld

their lives together,” but they keep their marriage strong by compromising and talking about issues as they arise.

As did the engaged couples who meet with the Angellozes, the engaged couples who met with the Charleses assessed their own relationship.

“During this mentoring pro-cess you’re sharing your experi-ences,” Yolande Charles said.

Married for 29 years, the Charleses conveyed to engaged couples they worked with that they themselves are not per-fect. “We have our challenges,” Yolande Boyd said.

The Charleses said it is impor-tant for married couples to help engaged couples see how spe-cial their relationship with each other is.

“Our faith taught us to be kind and loving towards each other. It’s a thread that runs through-out our life,” Yolande Charles said.

According to the Charleses, husbands and wives should see each other as best friends.

The Charleses are among the couples who say World Wide Marriage Encounter (WWME) is one of the marriage enrich-ment programs that benefitted them in helping other couples in marriage preparation pro-grams.

Don and Sherry Leger, who are very active in ministry at Immaculate Conception Church in Denham Springs, said they drew upon their WWME week-end experiences during the five years they helped couples at Christ the King Church on the

LSU campus prepare for mar-riage, as well as in leading Mar-ried Couples League retreats at St. Joseph Abbey in St. Bene-dict.

The Legers, who have been married for 35 years, said they developed their communication and listening skills during the WWME weekend they attended in 2002. In the monthly WWME Sharing Circle meetings, which provide couples who have at-tended a weekend with ongoing support and encouragement, spouses continue to sharpen their communication skills by sharing letters they write to each

about their feelings on various topics. Because Don Leger pre-fers to communicate by written word, Sherry Leger said the ex-ercise is an effective way for him to express himself. She added that she prays to the Holy Spirit to guide her in the words she should use.

The Legers emphasize to couples preparing for marriage that if they don’t learn to com-municate with each other, when their children leave home they will have difficulties. Don Leger said spouses let each other know their expectations by communi-cating.

After being married for many years, husbands and wives may feel that they know each other well, but as they grow older they face different challenges that may debunk that assumption. By communicating, they help each other address those issues, according to the Legers.

Sherry Leger added that the goal of spouses should be to help each other be the best person he or she can be.

Husbands and wives should un-derstand how special their rela-tionship is, said Yolande and Boyd Charles, who have mentored cou-ples preparing for marriage at St. Jude Church in Baton Rouge. Photo provided by Yolande Charles

Dewey and Angela Angelloz meet with couples who are pre-paring for marriage at St. Aloy-sius Church in Baton Rouge. Photo provided by Eric Frank Photography

Communication is critical in a marriage, according to Sherry and Don Leger, center, who have helped cou-ples prepare for marriage at Christ the King Church in Baton Rouge. The Legers said World Wide Marriage Encounter is a great way to develop communication skills. With the Legers are their children, from left, Jo-seph, Casey and Katherine. Photo provided by Babycakes Photography

Married couples source of guidance, encouragement for engaged couples

“We’re not here to fix things, we are here to walk with

them.” Angela Angelloz

Sponsoring couple member for engaged couples at

2x2.5” Rest.general.cc’12

11817 Jefferson Hwy at Airline225-753-1440

www.ResthavenBatonRouge.com

You’re invited for a private tour ofResthaven Gardens...and our largeMausoleum and Funeral Home withChapels. Ask about our cost-savingprearrangement plans. Please call.

The Only on-SiteCrematorium in Baton Rouge

Resthaven Gardens of MemoryResthaven Gardens of Memory


Question Corner Father Kenneth Doyle

Q During Lent, our par-ish does not perform the sacrament of baptism,

and holy water is removed from the fonts. Is this proper and is it required? (Swedesboro, N.J.)

A No church law prohibits baptisms during Lent, and the matter is up to

local discretion. A fair number of parishes choose not to do Lenten baptisms. Canon 856 of the Code of Canon Law says that baptisms should ordinarily be done on Sundays or, if possible, at the Easter Vigil. This guideline is based on the intimate link between Christian baptism and the saving resurrection of Jesus. Some pastors make the judgment that once Lent has begun, it is reasonable to delay the baptism of a healthy infant until Easter to highlight that connection. The baptisms of adult converts are almost always done at the Easter Vigil ceremony. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that infants should be baptized “shortly after birth” (No. 1250) and Canon No. 867 is a bit more specific, noting that “parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks” after birth. “Shortly” and “few” are seen by some pastors as an opportunity to wait until Easter, once Lent has begun. An infant in danger of death should, of course, be baptized immediately, as Canon No. 867 points out. As for removing the holy water from fonts, I suppose that if baptisms are delayed until Easter, it makes some sense to empty the baptismal font to signify the “dryness” of the Lenten desert experience before the life-giving joy of Easter. But, I would argue against it if the baptismal font doubles as a holy water font where people sign themselves with water when they enter church.

Q Why, if we truly are children of a loving Father, does the Catholic Church push so much guilt on us? I have been faith-

ful to my spouse. I’ve tried my best to raise my children in the Catholic faith. I’m honest and hardworking. I go to Mass and receive Commu-nion every Sunday. Unless illness prevents me, I support my parish and I respect people of all races, colors and religions. Why is it, then, that in the Mass we have prayers of guilt and repentance? How many times a day do I have to say “I’m sorry,” and why am I “unworthy” to receive Communion? (Cov-ington, Ga.)

AThe stock answer to this question has two elements. First, it’s the reminder

that God is perfect and we are not (Prv 24:16: Though the just fall seven times, they rise again) and that we are forever in need of God’s forgiveness and strength. It would then be pointed out that the Eucharist is a prize of infinite value -- standing, as it does, that Jesus died and rose for us and now offers himself to us in intimate friendship -- and that we should never consider ourselves worthy of such surpassing gener-osity. But your question is well-rea-soned, deeply felt and deserves

further comment. I’m wondering whether your dismay has been triggered by the revised lan-guage of the Confiteor in the new translation of the Roman Missal. If so, I can understand your concern, and a brief history lesson might help. An ancient Christian document called the “Didache” noted that the early Christians gathered for Eucharist on the Lord’s Day “after first confessing their sins.” For centuries, the Confiteor was the private prayer of the priest and the servers. It was recited at the foot of the altar as Mass began. With the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, when lan-guage moved to the vernacular and the Confiteor was extended to the assembly, its wording was softened to reflect a contemporary spirituality. It sought to balance a healthy self-regard with a proper humility in the face of human weakness. Perhaps the latest English version of the Con-fiteor tips the balance too far back in the direc-tion of self-flagellation. I sometimes wonder, as I look out at a Sunday congregation, how many of them are really guilty of “most grievous fault.” I prefer the wording of other options for the penitential rite, especially the one that high-lights that God sent Jesus “to heal the contrite of heart.” It asks for the Lord’s promised mercy. As for the protestation of our unworthiness just before Communion, those words reflect the faith of the centurion (in the eighth chapter of Matthew) who has complete trust in Christ’s power to save his dying servant. Though we understand that the gift of the Eucharist exceeds our merits, we count on its healing power as we receive it.

FATHER DOYLE is chancellor for public information and a pastor in the Diocese of Albany, N.Y. Ques-tions may be sent to him at [email protected] and 40 Hopewell St., Albany, NY 12208.

The Light is ON for You

To find the original 4 pages printed by The Catholic Commentataor in 2010, go to

thecatholiccommentator.org, click on issues, 2010, February 13 extra. They can be printed from the website.

Shane T. Bennett, CPA, CVAA Professional Accounting Corporation

• Income Taxes • Monthly Bookkeeping

• Non-Profit Taxation3752 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Ph. 225-343-4715, FAX [email protected]

Can baptisms be performed during Lent?

February 22, 2012 SPIRITUALITY The Catholic Commentator 7

Meeting Scarboro Mission Father Harvey Steele in the Dominican Re-

public when I was a 27-year-old seminarian was a great blessing.

I met him when I was the houseguest of an old college classmate. Jim Hagan was build-ing roads there, working in his father’s construction company.

Jim and his wife, Barbara, helped Father Steele in many ways, and they wanted me to meet him. Eager to learn more about this priest’s ministry to the poor, I jumped at the chance.

Father Steele had devoted himself to learning the principles of the co-op and credit union movements in order to help the poor.

We met and talked at length. He invited me on a tour of the villages he served. He was train-ing local men to become leaders in the co-op movement.

The next day we traveled early over the muddy terrain. The bumpy ride made it difficult to hold a conversation, but I learned

a lot about his ministry. As soon as we arrived at the first village, the whole town came out to greet him with enthusiasm.

Men, women and children were shouting, “Padre Pablo, Padre Pablo,” the name they had affectionately bestowed on him years earlier.

In the background of the jubilation, I saw the dismal signs of poverty: dirt floors, flimsy straw shacks and wood stoves on the ground where people cooked beans.

I was amazed at how easily Father Steele mingled with the men gathered around our Jeep. They all laughed repeatedly throughout the conversation. The same ritual of conviviality was repeated at each village.

When it was time to leave, the children and the barking dogs raced after our Jeep as the children waved goodbye.

I had seen missionaries in action before, but never anything like this. Here was a white man who commanded the respect

and admiration of this group of people of the Dominican Republic.

Father Steele, a soft-spoken, gray-haired Canadian, had won their confidence by teaching them how to transform poverty into prosperity and hope.

Father Steele and I remained friends. After my ordination, he

asked me to join him. I warmed to the idea and asked my bishop to release me, but I was turned down.

Instead I was sent to study for a doctorate in canon law and soon became the judicial vicar of the diocesan marriage tribunal. The refusal was understandable but disappointing. I often wonder what my life would have been had I been given permission.

Father Steele was eventually thrown out of the Dominican Re-public by the country’s dictator Rafael Trujillo. I helped Father Steele resettle in Panama where

he established an international training center for the co-op movement.

He died April 7, 1999. Many of the nonprofit corporations he helped create have millions of dollars in assets.

He has been sorely missed by friends and faithful followers all over Latin America, and it makes me think of the verse, “By their fruits you will know them.”

FATHER CATOIR is chaplain of an emergency assistance program and writes on spirituality for Catholic News Service.

Spirituality for Today

Father John Catoir

My most unforgettable experience


In 1939, Father Patrick Peyton CSC was a young seminarian dying of tuber-culosis when he prayed the rosary and was healed through the Blessed Moth-er’s intercession. He spent the next 51 years of his priesthood serving the spiri-tual needs of families and encouraging them to pray the rosary. The ministry he founded, Holy Cross Family Minis-tries (HCFM), which is headquartered in Massachusetts and serves 17 different countries on five continents, educates families about the rosary and encour-ages the praying of the devotion.

Representatives from HCFM, Beth Mahoney, mission director, and Ann Melanson presented “Thinking Good Thoughts,” which included lessons on the history of the rosary and how to pray it, for kindergarten through fourth-grade students at Our Lady of Mercy School Jan. 31-Feb. 2. At the end of the lessons, students formed a living rosary using yarn, plastic eggs and stones.

Sherri Montagnino, OLOM early child-hood religion teacher, had met Mahoney at a meeting of the National Catholic Educational Association in New Orleans last year and talked with her about pro-moting family prayer at OLOM School, which led to Mahoney and Melanson coming to the school as part of Catholic Schools Week.

Mahoney stated HCFM fosters the praying of the Marian devotion through different ministries. Its Family Rosary ministry sponsors family retreats, con-ferences, seminars, parish missions, days of reflection and rosary rallies. The ministry also sponsors the Rosaries for the World Campaign, which began with a goal to send one million rosaries to Rus-sia, and through which approximately 20 million rosaries have been sent to families, schools and church parishes on every continent. Family Rosary ministry also sponsors the “Try Prayer! It Works!” creative contest, in which students from the Diocese of Baton Rouge participate.

The ministry further provides several online prayer resources on familyro-sary.org, including an interactive rosary, blogs, daily, weekly and family prayers, weekly homilies, seasonal inspirational messages and e-cards. Additionally, the ministry created a family rosary mobile application for smart phones.

Through its Family Theater Produc-tions ministry, HCFM evangelizes, en-tertains and educates families through mass and social media. Since 1947, Fam-ily Theater Productions has produced more than 600 radio and TV programs featuring hundreds of celebrities, with more than 10,000 broadcasts worldwide.

HCFM also conducts research and educates people concerning the impact of urban poverty on families through the ministry of the Father Peyton Family In-

stitute, which was founded in Lima, Peru, in 1997.

Mahoney and Melanson said the OLOM students were knowledgeable of but eager to learn more about the rosary, which Mahoney said is “catechism on a string” and “very scriptural.” She said the presentations for the younger children covered the basics about the rosary and its prayers, and delved deeper into the mysteries of the devotion for the older students.

“We strive to show them how the mys-teries of the rosary are the mystery of our lives,” Mahoney said.

She added, “a lot of youth are getting

serious about the rosary” especially since Blessed Pope John Paul II wrote an apos-tolic letter in 2002 on it. She said their interest is seen through their praying the devotion at World Youth Day, in the class-room and other settings. She said youth can foster the devotion in their families and carry forth the mission of Father Peyton, who is a candidate for sainthood and who coined the phrases, “The family that prays together stays together,” and “A world at prayer is a world at peace.”

“We try to educate families on the im-portance of Jesus’ words ‘Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst,’” Mahoney said.

Holy Cross Family Ministries representatives Beth Mahoney, center, left, and Ann Melan-son instruct Our Lady of Mercy School second-graders in how to pray the rosary. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

Holy Cross Family Ministries fosters praying of rosary around the world

Insurance Solutions!David T. Didier, President

Senior Financial Advisor

Senior Products:• Life Insurance/Final Expense – Term Life, Whole Life, Universal Life• Medicare Supplements, Senior Dental, Cancer • Annuities, Safe Income, Guaranteed• Estate Planning

Since 1984225-573-5096800-935-9750

[email protected]

Affordable, All A or A+ rated by AM Best


By Barbara ChenevertStaff Writer

Cassandra Will has been the queen of a Mardi Gras krewe, a furniture salesperson and a sub-stitute teacher. But bring up the topic of the Catholic church and you will find her real passion.

The director of religious educa-tion at St. Augustine Church in New Roads, Will said she found her call in passing on the faith to the largely African American and poverty-prone community that she serves with tenacity.

“Don’t call Cassandra Will into the kitchen, because I won’t know what to do. But tell me what you need to get something done and I will get it for you. I can get around any obstacle,” she said. “I know a lot of people in the diocese and I don’t hesitate to ask them for help.”

Will is determined to teach the people of St. Augustine Church about the Catholic faith and about African Americans’ role in its growth.

“When people think of black Catholics, they think we are converts. But we have long lega-cies. This is the only faith I have known,” Will said, pointing out that there are generations of Catholics in her family.

The oldest of eight children, Will has been in church ministry since she was 12.

“I started as a reader. I was among one of the last groups confirmed at the age of 11. They didn’t know what to do with us after confirmation. So some of us started attending daily Mass. Then pastor Father John Koyne encouraged the students to read at Mass.

“That started me, and eventu-ally I read at Sunday Mass also.”

When Will reached high school Sister Rose, a sister of the Holy Spirit, started a high school, group that met once a month on Sunday. But when some in her group wanted more, Will said she became a religious education aide for the elementary grades.She was also the first president of the CYO at St. Augustine, helping with many community service projects.

After high school she attended Southern University where she received a bachelor of science in psychology. She returned to New Roads and did some odd jobs including tutoring, substitute teaching and working in retail.

After a couple of years, Sister

Celeste Barrot asked her to be-come a catechist. “I was reluctant at first but agreed to become the fifth-grade catechist, and then I became active again in church ministry,” serving on the Parish Council, singing in the choir as well as other ministries.

When the late Bishop Stanley Ott began the RENEW program in the diocese, Will joined a group that met with the pastor at the rectory. He presented them with a challenge to work with people who wanted to become Catholic.

“Everybody was stunned. This was uncharted territory. Before this, people who wanted to become Catholic just talked to a priest. Father was laying the groundwork for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

“He formed an RCIA team and trained them … I don’t know how it happened but I became the RCIA coordinator,” Will said.

In the 1990s the Sisters of the Holy Spirit notified St. Augustine Church they would be leaving, and a search began for a director of religious education.

“I had a vivid imagination. If we did something in class, I would make an environment for it. The other catechists observed this and asked me to apply for the job,” she said. She was hired Feb. 1, 1994, and was the first full-time African American DRE in the di-ocese.

Will went to work immediately encouraging students to take part in religious education class-es, service projects and commu-

nity activities. And she worked with parents to give them the tools to catechize their children at home.

Father Lowell Case SSJ, cur-rent pastor of St. Augustine, de-scribed Will as enthusiastic and hardworking. She is dedicated to the safety and protection of youth, he said. She holds classes every day and is an integral part of coordinating the children’s choir and liturgies for the sacra-ments.

Will said she finds time for her own spiritual life on walks. “I have become fascinated with nature and I pray while walking. It is a rewarding prayer experi-ence,” she said.

As a single woman, Will easily identifies with her community. Many of the women are single. They can do a lot for themselves., she said.

She is the president of Dioc-esan Council of Catholic Women and serves on several diocesan committees overseeing religious education and the RCIA process.

She is determined that children in her community see the role of African Americans in religious life. In the meeting hall where religious education classes are held, she displayed mementoes of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. during January, making sure that the children understood that even though he was not Catholic, his message of change through peaceful methods is.

This month her displays re-flect Black History month, and throughout the year, she will highlight the lives of black saints.

She also makes sure the chil-dren know about service and is proud that this poor community has generously given to many causes. Will has worked with community leaders to assist the children of her church parish and the area. She opened an af-ternoon summer day camp at St. Augustine for children who had been attending a morning pro-gram at the public school. She called the camp a remarkable evangelizing tool that brought people to the church campus who had not been to church in a long time.

Will said she has learned to do a lot with a little and has mastered the art of recycling and tapping into community resources to give students what they need. “My last name isn’t Will for nothing. You know what they say ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way.’ ”

Cassandra Will shows passion for Church

Cassandra Will

Women in ministry

SPREADING THE FAITH ANDCARING FOR GOD’S PEOPLE IN A

WORLD OF NEED.THE SOCIETY FOR THE

PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH

www.onefamilyinmission.org

Commentatort h e C a t h o l i C

s e r v i n g t h e d i o c e s e o f b a t o n r o u g e s i n c e 1 9 6 2

Want to get the word out about your

St. Joseph Altar? The Catholic Commentator will publish in the March 7 issue a list of St. Joseph Al-tars that will be held in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. If you would like to submit a listing, in-clude the date(s), place (street address), times and a phone number with a contact name. • The Catholic Commentator P. O. Box 14746 Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4746• Email [email protected] • FAX to 225-336-8710

The deadline to be included is Feb. 29.For more information call 225-387-0983.


Unusual PlantsExciting displays, landscape

shrubs, beautiful color!

Ponds & Fountains

Fish; Pumps; Filters;

Water lilies

13827 Coursey Blvd.Baton Rouge, LA Harbsoasis.com

225-756-2720

Anthony’s ItAlIAn DelI10248 Florida Blvd.Mon. - Sat. 9:30 - 6

Baton Rouge’s only TRUE ITALIAN Deli Since 1978

225-272-6817 Phone orders welcome

Friday LENTEN Shrimp Specials! Shrimp Spaghetti and Italian-Style Marinated Shrimp Poboys

(225) 284-10982415 Dogwood Ave.

Baton Rouge, LA 70808-2123

http://www.bumbabella.comCustom Made, Hand Smocked

Dresses, Gowns & Bonnets:Christening,

Flower Girl, Christmas, First Communion, Easter

P045151 4/04

State Farm®

Providing Insurance and Financial Services

Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710

Joe Skibinski, Agent1953 Perkins RdBaton Rouge, LA 70808Bus: 225-387-0201 Toll Free: [email protected]

Visit thecatholiccommentator.org.Of cardinal importance: new princes of the church on their role

By Francis X. RoccaCatholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Practical-ly everyone knows two things about cardinals – that they wear red hats and elect the pope. But what other purpose do these men serve in the Catholic Church?

On the eve of the Feb. 18 con-sistory where Pope Benedict XVI was scheduled to expand the College of Cardinals by 22 new members, the three North Americans among them shared some thoughts on the meaning of their new role.

“Every priest and certainly every bishop has a responsibil-ity to care for church universal,” said Cardinal-designate Edwin F. O’Brien, “but a cardinal really has a very clear role in a pastoral concern for the church universal.”

“It’s a wider focus on the church and how we can help the Holy Fa-ther and inform the Holy Father as to the needs of the church uni-versal as we experience them,” Cardinal-designate O’Brien said.

Unlike most of his peers work-ing in Rome, Cardinal-designate O’Brien has not been named to run a Vatican office. Instead, Pope Benedict has made him head of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

The order, which has its roots in the medieval crusades, now works to help Christians living in the Holy Land by running hospi-tals, orphanages and schools.

That mission has lately “taken on a special urgency,” said Car-dinal-designate O’Brien, as war and civil unrest in the Middle East have made the always-pre-carious position of Christian mi-norities there even more threat-ening.

But the cardinal-designate, who will continue to administer the Archdiocese of Baltimore un-til the pope names his successor as archbishop there, said that he will also remain involved in ef-forts to defend religious freedom in the United States, from what he called the “steps being taken on every level of our government to limit our options as Catholic and Christian people.”

“I’m still an American,” Car-dinal-designate O’Brien said. “I will not interfere, but I will sup-port my successor in every way possible, and my brother and sister Catholics in every way pos-sible, to turn this tide around. It’s

gone too far and we’ve been too complacent for too long, and we have to take action.”

Cardinal-designate Thomas C. Collins of Toronto said he re-cently drew inspiration from a biography of St. John Fisher, a cardinal who was martyred in 1535 for refusing to recognize King Henry VIII as head of the English church.

“The red robes, those spec-tacular scarlet robes of the car-dinals, the reason for that is the shedding of blood,” Cardinal-designate Collins said.

Most cardinals, of course, do not expect to be killed as wit-nesses to the Catholic faith. An-other model for his new role, Cardinal-designate Collins said, is St. Charles Borromeo.

The 16th-century archbishop

of Milan, a towering figure of that century’s Catholic Reforma-tion, experienced a kind of non-physical martyrdom in the sense that “he was with his people even in the midst of plague ... and he was also very firm in terms of the civil power,” Cardinal-designate Collins said.

New York’s Cardinal-desig-nate Timothy M. Dolan struck a characteristically informal note when he told Basilian Father Thomas Rosica of Salt and Light Television that “in the long run it doesn’t amount to much” becom-ing a cardinal.

“In the vocabulary of the church, we don’t like to use words like ‘promotion’ or ‘honor’ or ‘dignity’ or ‘prestige,’” the car-dinal-designate said, “because Jesus told us not to.”

Pope Benedict XVI is flanked by Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan of New York, left, and Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, at the start of a meeting of the world’s cardinals in the syn-od hall at the Vatican Feb. 17. Photo by Paul Haring | CNS



Lent is the time in the church year for Catholics to pray, sacrifice and help others. Every Lent Catholics are called to give aid to people in need through the Rice Bowl program and the collection for Catho-lic Relief Services. These two programs help people around the world as well as at home.

David Aguillard, director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, had an opportunity to visit several towns in Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in west Africa, to see work being done by Catholic Relief Services to relieve hunger and bring dignity to the people.

Surrounded by six countries Burkina Faso is almost 106,000 square miles with a population of 15.8 million.

Aguillard said CRS invited him to visit Burkina Faso as part of CRS’s global soli-darity initiative to provide educational awareness of its work and to raise con-sciousness of people in need in other parts of the world.

“As someone once said, hope lies in our ability to be disturbed,” Aguillard said. “I am reminded both that concern for the poor is rooted in our Christian faith and

embedded in our governing tradition dat-ing back to the laws of ancient Israel. We should be disturbed these days.”

Two of CRS’s greatest challenges in Burkina Faso are child brides and perse-cuted women accused of witchcraft. And, hunger is ever present in this country that has one of the lowest GDP per capita fig-ures in the world.

CRS has been able to provide a home for young teenage girls who run away when their families force them to marry men who are much older, reported Aguillard. Orders of religious women provide refuge for the young girls escaping forced mar-riages, but their future is uncertain be-cause the religious women have meager resources, said Aguillard. The American Catholic Church through Catholic Relief Services has built buildings where the girls can raise pigs, providing them food and a marketable product to help raise money for the center.

Aguillard explained that the ultimate goal of the center is to reunite the girls with their families but it takes time to heal the wounds of humiliation that the girls and their families have suffered.

In this primitive country, people need to find a way to place blame on someone or something when disaster strikes. Vil-

lage will scapegoat women and blame them for practicing witchcraft, which the villagers believe caused the catastrophe.

The women might be beaten, their home burned and be banished from the village.

SEE CRS PAGE 11

Catholic Charities director sees first hand CRS’s work in Africa

Watch for the Spiritual Retreats special section in the The Catholic Commentator. This section will list retreat cen-ters and serve as a guide for those seeking places and programs during Lent and throughout the year for spiritual renewal and

continuing spiritual education in the Catholic faith.

A special section of

The Catholic Commentator

Coming March 7Spiritual retreatS

CenterS

The Diocese of Baton Rouge and Outlying Areas

Spiritual Retreat Centers

Renewal Reflection Prayer Peace

Commentatort h e C a t h o l i C

s e r v i n g t h e d i o c e s e o f b a t o n r o u g e s i n c e 1 9 6 2

The deadline to be included is February 28.For more information call 225-387-0983.

A gulf-seafood restau-rant with local owner-ship, management and an executive chef from Commander’s Palace in New Orleans. The ambience is created by the best service staff dressed in traditional New Orleans white waiters jackets, smooth jazz and fresh flowers.

18135 E. Petroleum Drive, Baton Rouge • 225-752-7135Reservations accepted, but not required.

Open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday 5 to 10 p.m. • Sundays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday through Friday $9.99 Lunch Specials with $1 Martinis!

Where the Gulf of Mexico meets Old New Orleans

Sundays: The best piano brunch in town!

A woman, who was branded as a sorcerer and banished forever from her village, lives as an outcast in a community of women – who like her have been accused of witchcraft – with a small group of Catholic nuns. Photo by David Aguillard | Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge



After suffering from Parkinson’s dis-ease for more than two decades, Father Jerome A. Dugas, 76, died Feb. 4 at Ol-lie Steele Burden Manor nursing home in Baton Rouge. Bishop Robert W. Muench, along with Fathers Gerard Burns, Jason Palermo and Cleo Milano, was the pri-mary celebrant of Father Dugas’ funeral Mass on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at St. John the Evangelist Church in Plaquemine. Three dozen of their fellow priests joined them.

He served as parochial vicar at Ascen-sion of Our Lord Church in Donaldson-ville, Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in White Castle, Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge, and at St. Mary of False River Church in New Roads, af-ter recovering from cancer. He was pastor of St. Anne Church in Morganza and St. Vincent Church in Innis, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge, and then as the second pastor of St. Clement Church.

In addition to his pastoral duties, Father Dugas coached high school football and basketball and taught high school stu-dents at the Brothers of the Sacred Heart School in Donaldsonville, Catholic High School of Pointe Coupée, Catholic High, St. Joseph’s Academy and St. John the Evangelist. He was also a prison chaplain and a school administrator.

He was an avid fan of all sports but his favored sport was tennis. He wrote sev-eral books including “From My Side of the Net” and most recently “Game, Set, Murder.”

Father Burns, one of Father Dugas’ nephews, gave the homily at the funeral Mass.

Father Burns attributed his uncle with setting the example as a priest, which led the young man to consider becoming a priest. “It was during visits to him at St. Joseph Seminary when I was a young boy that I began thinking of following in his

steps,” said Father Burns.Father Dugas was one of the first priests

ordained for the Diocese of Baton Rouge 50 years ago. Father Burns told the story of Marie Caballero Dugas, Father Dugas’ mother, saying when she was handed Je-rome shortly after he was born, “This is going to be my priest.”

“Thus Jerome’s path of life was ‘given’ to him at his birth. Uncle Jerome, a most gifted individual, could have been many things: a farmer, a father, a coach, a writer, a teacher, a principal, a warden, a cowboy, a professional athlete, a tour guide, an explorer, a personal trainer or a marriage and family counselor, just to name a few. But since he chose to become a Catholic priest, he ended up becoming all of these things,” said Father Burns.

“The generosity exhibited by Father Du-gas was known by his personal family and his parish family,” said Father Burns. “He

would think of himself last and often used his personal finances to help students and individuals in need, sometimes to the point of neglecting himself.”

Father Jason Palermo, who grew up in Plaquemine when Father Dugas was as-signed to St. Clement and taught at St. John High School, gave the homily for the Vigil Wake Service Feb. 7. The young priest described Father Dugas, who had taken the nickname of Padre many years ago, as a hero because he touched many people’s lives, embodied virtues and was humble because of the trials he endured. “A true hero usually overcomes trials and hardships to accomplish something great,” said Father Palermo.

In addition to the obvious trials brought on by Parkinson’s and the diagnosis of cancer years before, Father Dugas strug-gled with nervousness when he had to deliver Sunday homilies, Father Palermo explained. “People loved Padre’s homi-lies because of their practical insight and brevity.”

“Padre’s trials made him an ideal priest,” said Father Palermo. “His weaknesses al-lowed him to have a truly pastoral heart.”

Now a pastor himself, Father Palermo encouraged the congregation to live out some of the virtues Father Dugas dem-onstrated in his life: a great listener, be-ing open to people’s culture, beliefs and opinions, delegation of duties, educating, optimism, love of church and priesthood.

Father Jerome Dugas remembered for his generosity to all

Bishop Robert W. Muench incenses the casket holding the body of Father Jerome Dugas at the beginning of the funeral Mass for Father Dugas Feb. 8 at St. John the Evangelist Church in Plaquemine. Photo by Laura Deavers | The Catholic Commentator

FROM PAGE 10The women may be taken in by a group of religious sisters who receive aid from CRS.

Food insecurities characterize daily life, Aguillard said. To raise the position of women in the communities while pro-viding food to families, food is distributed in the school rooms only to the girls at-tending.

He said it’s not unusual to drive along and see women and girls trudging along under the weight of the burden they are carrying while young boys are playing and having fun without a care.

In a town where CRS dug a well for clean drinking water, Aguillard was able to see the difference in the health of the

children as compared to other towns that did not have this critical life com-ponent.

CRS is able to address the immediate need while transforming the Gospel val-ues that everyone be given the opportuni-ty to become fully human and participate in community life, stated Aguillard.

Catholic Relief Services doesn’t only improve the material lives of people, it changes their cultural expectations.

A percentage of the money collected through the Rice Bowl and the CRS col-lection to help people in countries around the world actually stays in the Diocese of Baton Rouge to fund the work done by Catholic Charities.

CRS: Ways are found to have girls attend school

12 The Catholic Commentator YOUTH February 22, 2012

St. Jean Vianney School re-cently hosted the Louisiana Body Walk, a component of LSU Ag Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Smart Bodies pro-gram that teaches kindergarten through fifth-grade students how to make good choices for a healthy lifestyle.

During the in-school field trip, students toured a 35-foot by 45-foot enclosed exhibit that rep-resented the human body, with 10 stations, including the brain, mouth, stomach, small intes-tine, heart, lung, bone, muscle, skin and pathway to life.

At each station, parent vol-unteer presented a five-minute activity focused on healthy choices

“Smart Bodies supplied our school with a healthy school kit that included Organ Wise Guy’s DVDs, upper and lower elemen-

tary teaching kits, two organ dolls, posters and CDs,” stated SJV physical education teacher Bridgette DiGerolamo. “We in-troduced the material and char-acters in class before the Body Walk so the students were fa-

miliar with the concepts.”She added, “The LSU Ag staff

was easy to work with, orga-nized, and energetic. They real-ly helped raise the energy level in the room which created a fun learning atmosphere.”

SCOUT SUNDAY – St. Joseph School Cub Scouts Pack 186 celebrated Scout Sunday on Feb. 7 at St. Jo-seph Church, Ponchatoula. Members of the pack, are, from left, front row, den leader Suzanne Trux-illo, Carter Alston, Jake Noda, Preston Truxillo, Matthew Pellittieri; middle row, Preston Davidson, Jonah Schmitt, Seth Swanner, Hayden Broussard, Triston Truxillo, pack leader Chris Delatte; back row, den leader Caroline Swanner, Nicholas Delatte, Ryan McGill Jr., Dane Schmitt and den leader Ryan McGill. Photo provided by Suzanne Truxillo

To engage his senior class in the writings of Geoffrey Chaucer, the author of “The Canterbury Tales,” Jason Chauvin, English and jour-nalism instructor at Catholic High School of Pointe Coupée, gave the students the assignment to write scripts and create movies based on “The Knight’s Tale,” the first of “The Canterbury Tales.”

To acknowledge the students’ work in completing the assign-ment, Chauvin hosted an Acade-my Awards-style event on Jan. 27. Red Bulb Awards were presented in 17 categories. These awards got their name because they were made with red light bulbs that had been used for an old score-board. Chauvin made the bulbs into trophies and presented them to the winners in each category.

“The award ceremony was unique,” says senior Jude St. Ro-main. “I was a little disappointed I didn’t receive best supporting actor, but I still had an awesome time.”

One of the project assignments was to find a creative name for the group making the movie

The Red Bulb winners were: best cinematography, FNH Pro-ductions; best art direction, Sunny Day Entertainment; best foreign film, Rubik’s Cube Pro-ductions; best animated feature,

Sunny Day Entertainment; best screenplay, Sunny Day Entertain-ment; best adapted screenplay, Starlit Productions; best visual effects, Trailer Park Productions; best costume design, Trailer Park Productions.

Also, best actor, Connor Roy; best actress, Queeny Battley; best supporting actor, Austin Bass; best supporting actress, Brooke Traweek; best song from a mo-tion picture, Super 8 Productions; best fight, Tell’em Productions; best editing, Connor Roy and Thomas LeBlanc; best director, Tyler Laurent; and best picture, The Knight’s Tale, Tell’em Produc-tions.

CHSPC student Heather Jewell contributed to this article.

Catholic High of Pointe Coupée presents awards

Jason Chauvin presents a Red Bulb award to Thomas Camper for his work on his movie proj-ect. Photo provided by Catholic High School of Pointe Coupée

St. Jean Vianney hosts Body Walk program

Parent volunteer Amy Giarrusso leads fourth-grade students in an ac-tivity about what smoking does to the lungs and airways during their tour of Louisiana Body Walk. Photo provided by St. Jean Vianney School.

THROAT BLESSING – Students at Holy Family School held a free dress day on Feb. 3 to cele-brate the end of Catho-lic Schools Week. That day several eighth-graders helped with the Blessing of Throats to mark the feast of St. Blaise. While reciting the blessing, Lance Ev-ans, left, holds candles to the throat of kinder-gartner Caleb Jones. Photo provided by Holy Family School

February 22, 2012 YOUTH The Catholic Commentator 13


St. Michael the Archangel High School junior Matthew Hawkins, 17, plays a “mean bass guitar” that moves the youth at his school to dance and shout and see fun in their Catholic faith.

Hawkins, who plays the up-right and electric bass guitar for the St. Michael High School Jazz Band, began playing mu-sic as a fifth-grade student at St. Theresa of Avila School. He stopped playing the trombone in the seventh-grade and picked up the bass guitar during the summer of his eighth-grade year.

When Hawkins was a fresh-man at St. Michael, Kevin An-dry, the school’s band director, asked him to take up the trom-bone again and to play with the jazz band. Hawkins said upper classmen helped him relearn how to play the trombone. To return the favor, Hawkins moti-vates his fellow band members to give their best effort to the St. Michael band.

Hawkins said when the youth hear that the St. Michael band will be playing at school or oth-

er functions, they come to join “a party going on.” Through his music ministry, he strives to help them see that they can cel-ebrate their faith.

Hawkins has been a jazz fan

for a long time. He especially likes listening to the baseline of 1970’s jazz music. His favor-ite jazz bass players are Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten. He said he and his half-brother, Chad Hawkins, who also plays the upright bass guitar, stud-ied jazz together and taught each other techniques they had learned.

“That was a cool experience,” Hawkins said.

Chad Hawkins lives in Ger-many and plays with the band, the Silverettes, which records music for EMI Records. Mat-thew Hawkins plays with the band, Strawberry Jam, which plays funk, jazz and blues mu-sic at benefits and private func-tions.

Hawkins keeps up with his busy schedule by setting pri-orities. In addition to playing in the St. Michael band, he shows livestock, which he has been doing since the third-grade. His father, Carey, gave him a pair of goats in his third-grade year and an Ayshire dairy cow, Ka-trina, when he was in the sixth- grade. Hawkins has won 30 belt buckles from local, district and state 4-H livestock shows. He said Katrina, which he recently

sold, won state competition al-most every year.

Showing livestock gives Hawkins time to spend with his father. “When we’re at Lamar Dixon (Expo Center, for the 4-H and FFA State Livestock Show), it’s just us working together.”

Hawkins, an honor student, said his father understands music is important to him and allows him to pursue that pas-sion as long as he keeps up his grades and fulfills his many other responsibilities.

A member of St. Mark Church in Gonzales, Hawkins said he sees the importance music can have on people to increase their interest in their faith. He plays

music at the Music, Prayer, Praise and Play (MP3) rallies in the diocese.

“Playing at the MP3 rallies is an awesome experience,” Hawkins said. “I get to use my talent in the best way possible – to praise God.”

At the rallies, Hawkins said the house band has to have a “feel for what is happening” and understand the nature of wor-ship as it plays upbeat songs during the praise portion of the rallies, and slow things down for the quieter prayer times.

The MP3 rallies give Hawkins a chance to “rock out” and help youth see the fun side of the Catholic faith.

Matthew Hawkins, 17Hometown: GonzalesSchool: St. Michael the Archangel High SchoolChurch: St. Mark

Hawkins encourages peers to celebrate faith through music

NEW GYM – On Jan. 29, St. Peter Chanel School held a ribbon cutting and blessing of its new gym/multi-purpose building following the 11 a.m. Mass. Participating in the ribbon cutting are Father Ed Fuss, center, honorary chairman of the SPC Capital Campaign; Father Vincent Dufresne, pastor of St. Joseph Church, Paulina; St. Michael Church, Convent; and Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Gramercy; Joanna Foltz, principal of SPC; Melanie Verges, superintendent of Catholic schools for Diocese of Baton Rouge; members of the SPC Capital Campaign Steering Committee, SPC School Board members, elected officials, architect Joshua Hoffpauir and contractor Scott Deumite. Photo provided by St. Peter Chanel School

OOLS OF OUR fAITHOOLS OF OUR OOLS OF OUR twith

ImmaculéeMarch 16-17, 2012

The Cajundome Convention Center, Lafayette, LA Friday 6-9pm (doors open at 5pm); Saturday 9am-4pm

Immaculée comes again to share about the “Tools of our Faith,” which can inspire us to grow closer to God and to live a life full of meaning and purpose as God intended.

for more information or to register:

www.immaculee.com

AND THEIR PROMISES

• Tour classrooms, labs and facilities

• Meet faculty members

• Learn about financial aid (including TOPS) and scholarship opportunities

• Enjoy FREE food and giveaways

ololcollege.edu

Saturday, March 10 9 am – 12:30 pm

Our Lady of the Lake College Library Commons

5339 Didesse Dr, BR

For more information, call (225) 768-1700.

14 The Catholic Commentator ENTERTAINMENT February 22, 2012

USCCB Office for Film & Broadcastingclassifications:A-I – General patronageA-II – Adults and adolescentsA-III – AdultsA-IV – Adults, with reservationsL – Limited adult audienceO – Morally offensive

Motion Picture Association of America ratings:G – General audiences; all ages admittedPG – Parental guidance suggested; some material may not be suitable for childrenPG-13 – Parents are strongly cautioned to give special guidance for attendance of children under 13; some material may be inappropriate for young childrenR – Restricted; under 17 requires accom-panying parent or adult guardianNC-17 – No one under 17 admitted

MOVIE REVIEWS

The Secret World of Arrietty(Disney)

Poignant animated fable, based on Mary Norton’s 1952 novel “The Bor-rowers,” in which a sickly 14-year-old boy (voice of David Henrie) accidentally discovers a family of miniature people living unobserved in the secluded coun-try house to which he has been sent to prepare for a risky operation. Despite his best intentions, his insistence on be-friending the daughter (voice of Bridgit Mendler) of the diminutive clan — and trying to help her parents (voices of Amy Poehler and Will Arnett) — imperils the little trio’s previously happy life together. Beautifully crafted visuals and a tone of

gentle melancholy characterize this Eng-lish-language version of a 2010 Japanese film, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, which also features voice work by Carol Burnett as the manse’s meddlesome housekeeper. The materialism of the pro-tagonist’s unseen parents is contrasted with the deep bonds and traditional val-ues that unite his newfound pal and her devoted folks. Brief mild peril. A-I; G

This Means War(Fox)

Director McG’s ill-conceived blend of action flick and romantic comedy tracks the rivalry between two CIA agents and best friends (Chris Pine and Tom Har-

dy) after both fall for a perky consumer goods tester (Reese Witherspoon). While they bring the resources of the spy world to bear in a frantic effort to thwart each other, she turns for advice to her closest pal (Chelsea Handler) whose pointers, meant to be comic, are more often low-minded. The occasional one-liner aside, the humor rarely works, while the path to a generally moral — though not unmixed — wrap-up is strewn with explosions, gunplay and hand-to-hand combat. Con-siderable action violence, skewed sexual values, brief semigraphic premarital sex-ual activity, a few instances of profanity, some adult humor and references, at least one use of the F-word and about a dozen crude or crass terms. A-III; PG-13

Chronicle(Fox)

Reasonably original, curiously dark exploration of the troubling results that ensue when mere mortals obtain godlike powers. After stumbling on a mysteri-ous object, a trio of Seattle teens (Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell and Michael B. Jordan) find themselves endowed with telekinesis and the ability to fly. Though initially they do no more with their new-found gifts than goof around and play pranks, darker emotions and more seri-ous consequences soon come to the fore, especially for DeHaan’s character, who’s struggling to cope with an alcoholic fa-ther (Michael Kelly) and a dying mother (Bo Petersen). Director Josh Trank con-veys all this in the pseudo-found footage style of “The Blair Witch Project.” Though it feels more than a little overused, that conceit nonetheless contributes to an atmosphere of realism and lends ur-gency to the moral debates in which the principals engage — discussions which, for viewers of faith, will likely represent the film’s main appeal. Limited action violence, scenes of physical abuse, an implied premarital encounter, a scatter-ing of profanity, at least one rough term, pervasive crude language and an obscene gesture. A-III; PG-13

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island(Warner Bros.)

Leaden adventure — improbably sourced from books by Jules Verne, Robert Louis Stevenson and Jonathan Swift — follows an intrepid teenager (Josh Hutcherson) and his stepfather (Dwayne Johnson) to a South Pacific island crawling with natural anomalies and opportunities for derring-do. Joined by a helicopter pilot (Luis Guzman) and his daughter (Vanessa Hudgens), the pair encounter the young hero’s explorer grandfather (Michael Caine). Director Brad Peyton helms a mostly wholesome sequel to 2008’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” though one marred by a somewhat casual attitude toward youth-ful sexuality as well as by a few potty jokes. With its merely serviceable visu-als, logically suspect script and lame expository dialogue, the project fails to

evoke significant awe or wonderment. Some teen sensuality, several moderately scary sequences, a few uses of suggestive language, occasional toilet humor. A-II; PG

Safe House(Universal)

Excessively violent and unconvincing espionage thriller in which the low-rank-ing but loyal CIA operative (Ryan Reyn-olds) who runs the agency’s safe house in Cape Town, South Africa, tries to keep a veteran agent-turned-traitor (Denzel Washington) alive and in custody after a massive raid on the facility leaves ev-eryone else who was guarding the pris-oner dead. Perfunctory exchanges about personal and institutional corruption in screenwriter David Guggenheim’s script offer no more than a scant cover story for director Daniel Espinosa’s real agenda: to showcase lengthy fist fights, bloody stabbings and fatal shoot outs. Constant, sometimes gory, violence, torture, cohab-itation, fleeting sensuality with partial nudity, occasional rough and crude lan-guage. L; R

The Vow(Screen Gems)

Stricken with partial amnesia as the result of a car accident, a Chicago artist (Rachel McAdams) awakens from a coma with no memory of her romance with, or marriage to, her husband (Channing Ta-tum). So he sets out to win her heart all over again, despite the opposition of her controlling parents (Sam Neill and Jes-sica Lange) who would prefer to see her reunite with her more conventionally respectable ex-fiance (Scott Speedman). Based on real events, director and co-writer Michael Sucsy’s well-intentioned but flawed love story celebrates the ex-traordinarily determined marital fidelity of Tatum’s character, and strikes a gener-ally amiable tone as it does so. But shal-low characterizations — mildly bohemian hubby takes on conniving 1-percenter in-laws — and an initial relationship too cute to be credible undercut its impact. Brief nongraphic marital lovemaking, a premarital situation, fleeting rear nu-dity, adultery theme, numerous sexual references and jokes, at least one use of profanity, a couple of rough and about a half-dozen crude terms. A-III; PG-13

Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance(Columbia)

Nicolas Cage returns as the monosyl-labic Johnny Blaze in the sequel to the 2007 comic book-based cult hit “Ghost Rider.” Co-directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor set the story eight years after the first installment, with a French monk (Idris Elba) promising to lift Johnny’s de-monic curse – whereby he’s periodically transformed into a skeleton that spits fire – if he’ll rescue a boy (Fergus Riordan) from Satan’s clutches. Constant hand-to-hand and gun violence, fleeting crass and profane language. A-III; PG-13

February 22, 2012 ENTERTAINMENT The Catholic Commentator 15

The British-Irish boy band One Direction almost never came to be. The five

band members tried out as solo performers for the “X Factor” and all were rejected as contes-tants. Upon a suggestion from one of the judges, they formed themselves into a band and ended up finishing third in the seventh series of the competi-tion. Now they have released their debut album “Up All Night,” and off that disc is their initial single “What Makes You Beautiful.” The song rose to the top spot on the British pop charts last fall. In the song, a guy wonders why a certain girl doesn’t realize her natural attractiveness. He tells her that “you light up my world like nobody else,” for she is so beautiful. Indeed, she seems “insecure” about being who she is. Yet, when the song’s character thinks about the situation, the fact that she fails to recognize her physical qualities is just another reason that “makes you beautiful.” Most likely, he is right. Physical attractive-ness is a gift from one’s gene pool. Some have it with abundance, but most of us have less. Still, how you take care of your body and the attitudes that you foster about life add much more to your genuine attractiveness than what genes have to offer. Perhaps the girl in the song appreciates her body, but she is wise not to make it a focus of her attention. Maybe she is more aware of the gifts that others possess. Sure, as the song suggests, it is normal to notice another’s physical characteristics. But good looks alone are not enough to make a last-ing connection. Rather, initial physical attrac-tions often evolve quickly depending on how

another demonstrates interest in our world. Friendship is built on caring, not physical appearance. The song’s story can be broad-ened to include any type of personal gift. It is helpful to see what you can offer to our world, but it is not necessary to dwell on such knowledge. Instead, go out and act, using your gifts to help others. For example, if you are natural-ly talented at math, the gift might be recognized, but this is not what is important. Instead, focus on using your talent to help others in your class who are struggling with their math homework.

That you are smart in math is just part of who you are. What you do with that gift is what makes the difference. Your life and your abilities, both what comes naturally and what you acquire through lots of effort, are not the measure of your worth. Rath-er, your dignity and worth are innately provided by being made unto the image and likeness of your creator. If you are from God, then you are surely good. You have nothing to prove but much to give. Appreciate the gifts that you can offer to our world and thank our God for bringing them to you. Then, look way beyond yourself and ask: How can I help? A world of God’s family awaits your answer, and by helping, your beauty is forever revealed.

MARTIN is an Indiana pastoral counselor who re-views current music for Catholic News Service.

Your comments are always welcome. Please write to me at [email protected] or at 7125 West Country Road 200 South, Rockport, IN 47635.

You’re insecure; Don’t know what for; You’re turning heads when you walk through the door; Don’t need makeup; To cover up; Be-ing the way that you are is enough

Everyone else in the room can see it; Every-one else but you

Refrain:Baby you light up my world like nobody else; The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed; But when you smile at the ground it ain’t hard to tell; You don’t know it; Oh, oh; You don’t know you’re beautiful; If only you saw what I can see; You’ll under-stand why I want you so desperately; Right now I’m looking at you and I can’t believe; You don’t know; Oh, oh; You don’t know you’re beautiful; Oh, oh; But that’s what

makes you beautiful

So come on; You got it wrong; To prove I’m right; I put it in a song; I don’t know why; You’re being shy; And turn away when I look into your eye, eye, eyes

Everyone else in the room can see it; Every-one else but you

(Repeat refrain.)

Baby you light up my world like nobody else; The way that you flip your hair gets me over-whelmed; But when you smile at the ground it ain’t hard to tell; You don’t know; Oh, oh; You don’t know you’re beautiful

(Repeat refrain.)

What Makes You Beautiful

Sung by One Direction | Copyright © 2011 by Syco Music/Sony Music

Nothing to prove, much to give

On The Record Charlie Martin

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 01 11 21 31

41 51 61

71 81 91

0 12 2 22 32

42 52

62 72 8 92 2 03 13

23 33 43

53 63 73

83 93 04

14 24 34

44 54

64 74 84 9 04 5 15 25

35 45 55 65

75 85 95

06 16 26

moc.scilohtacrofsemagdrow.www

ACROSS1 Donate a portion of money to

church6 His Holiness10 Head of Québec14 What Catholics receive on the

first day of Lent15 Gemstone16 Affirmative votes17 Sears subsidiary18 Paris pop19 Our Lady, ___ of Christians20 Like some colleagues22 Young girl24 The Dead and the Red25 50 ___ (“Candy Shop” rapper)26 Yucky28 Prayer-song32 NT epistle33 Commits a capital sin34 Haunch35 Meadows36 St. Francis de ___37 Veni, vidi, ___38 Female members of religious

orders (abbr.)39 Fragments40 Baby’s ailment41 The Eucharistic Prayer43 Servant44 Solid45 Small yeast cake46 Mark with oil49 Best friend of David53 Monk’s room54 To me, to Pierre56 Lasso57 112, to Nero58 Certain letters59 Young eel60 Car with removable panels61 She, in Paris62 TinyDOWN1 “___, eat; this is my body.” (Mt

26:26)2 Doctrines

3 Demonstrative pronoun4 Arianism and Gnosticism5 Holds in high regard6 John, Paul and John Paul7 Newspaper essay8 Golf goal9 Bread and Wine10 Island from which the Bounty

sailed11 Looked at12 Cast leader?13 Sports buff’s TV station21 Marian month23 Insects25 Lawsuits26 Severe27 Capital of Tibet28 Mea ___29 Mary, Our Lady of Mount

Carmel, is patron saint of this South American country

30 Lawful31 Big picture32 “Casablanca” role33 Landed proprietor of Scotland36 Deficiency in quantity37 Evaporating rapidly39 Chinese detective, Charlie

___40 Nightclub42 One of the Twelve43 Sometimes it’s mini45 Diocese in Idaho46 Bookkeeper (abbr.)47 Immediately following48 Medley49 Second of the twelve

Minor Prophets of the Old Testament

50 Possess51 “A dillar, a dollar, ___ o’clock

scholar”52 Not one, down home55 Gibson, director of The

Passion of the Christ

Solution on page 18

16 The Catholic Commentator VIEWPOINT February 22, 2012

The Bottom LineAntoinette Bosco

In ExileFather Ron Rolheiser

After 37 years, a farewellto faithful readers

In gratitude ....

As a columnist, I’ve always harbored a certain type of

paranoia about being overly personal or exhibi-tionistic in my writing or in thinking that my own emotional ups and downs are of interest to oth-ers. I’ve tried to respect that fear. Occasionally, however, circumstance dictates that I do write something more personal. This is such an occasion.

I want to express my gratitude for all the prayers and support that I have received during these past seven months while undergoing treatments for cancer. That desert-journey has finally ended, and with a good result. A month ago, I finished my last chemotherapy treat-ment and, two weeks ago, after a battery of medical tests, was pronounced “cancer-free.” To God, fam-ily, friends, colleagues and to the many of you who have supported me in prayer: Thank you!

John Updike, in a poem entitled, Fever, once wrote about what illness might teach us:I have brought back a good message from the land of 102 degrees:

God exists. I had seriously doubted it before; but the bedposts spoke of it with utmost confi-dence,

the threads in my blanket took it for granted, the tree outside the window dismissed all com-plaints,

and I have not slept so justly for years. It is hard, now, to convey how emblematically

appearances sat upon the membranes of my consciousness; but

it is truth long known, that some secrets are hidden from health.

Indeed some secrets are hidden from health! What secrets did I learn from my loss of health?

The initial diagnosis of cancer caught me by surprise and for a time left me mostly numb and frightened. But, after having surgery and having the projected treatment (six months of chemotherapy) and the projected long-term prognosis (good chance for a cure) explained to me, I prayerfully laid out a number of con-version-steps that I hoped this illness and its bitter treatment would conscriptively impose on me. I resolved to make this time of treatment a grace in my life: I would slow down my life, not just during treatment but forever afterwards. I would learn to be more patient. I would be rigor-ously faithful to a daily practice of contemplative prayer. I would no longer take life, love, friend-ship and health for granted, but would finally, after years of failed resolutions, begin to live more inside of the wonder of God and life and not have my energy so absorbed by the demands of work and agenda.

What happened? Old habits die hard, even under the pressure of illness. After six months of treat-ments, on my better days, I sense some modest improvement. Some of my resolutions have borne fruit, but I’m still a long way from the ideals that I had set for myself. My old habits have been quick to reassert their grip on my life.

But life is what happens to you while you are planning your life, so too conversion. Having cancer taught me some lessons other than the ones I’d planned. Most important among these was this: Like everyone else in this world, I’ve always wanted joy in my life – friendship, love, celebration. But, and this has been the big handicap in finding these, I have always (however unconsciously) felt that the joy and celebration I so longed for could only come my way when I was finally free from all anxiety, emotional tension, pressure, overwork, illness, frustration and stress of all kinds. We nurse this strange fan-tasy that it is only after all our bills are paid, our health is perfect, all tensions within our families and friendships are resolved, and we are in a peaceful, leisure space that we can

finally fully enter life and enjoy it. In the meantime, we put our lives on hold as we perpetually gear up, get ready, and wait for that perfect moment to ar-rive where we can finally rejoice within life.

While undergoing cancer treatments, I learned something. When I first started the treatments, I began marking a calendar – day one, day two, day three – consciously putting my life on hold, putting myself into a posture of waiting, marking away the days until, in my fantasy, the treatments ended and I could live life again. But, strangely, as the days un-folded, to my own surprise, I found that I was living through one of the richer and happier periods in my life. Inside the tiredness, nausea and neuropathy, I was finding a rich enjoyment in friendships, col-leagues, work, and (on days when I could actually taste them) food and drink. The six months within

which I was undergoing cancer treatment, turned out to be, to my own surprise, six happy and deeply meaningful months.

As John Shea puts it: Life includes suffering. When you are spending all your energies to only rejoice in that part of life that does not include suf-fering, you will not enter into life because you will be dominated by fear and exclusion and not faith. Cancer taught me this lesson and, for that and your prayers, I am most grateful.

OBLATE FATHER ROLHEISER, theologian, teacher and award-winning author, is president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas. He can be contacted through his website ronrolheiser.com.

There comes a time for all of us when we have to make a difficult

decision, maybe one that is painful. That is what I am feeling as I write this. The time has come to end my longstanding, wonderful relationship with Catholic News Service and with my faithful readers. My work with CNS began 37 years ago, in 1975, when the late Richard Guilderson, one of the greatest gentle-men I ever met, and who then worked for Catholic News Service, called me. He complimented me on my years of writing for Catholic publications and asked me to be a columnist for CNS. I thanked him and said I’d think about it. He knew, of course, I’d never refuse such an honor. We had worked together at the Long Island Catholic, the newspaper for the Rockville Centre Diocese. Back then, I was working full time with the Health Sci-ences Center at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. I was the sole support for six children who were still at home (an older adopted son, Sterling, had served in the Navy and was by then married and a father). Mr. Guilderson encouraged me to write about the chang-ing issues facing Catholic women. Our place in the world was expanding, with new doors opening as many familiar ones slammed shut. I found excitement in this new opportunity to write for Catholic women, but also to work with tremendous Catholic female editors. Over the years, I had many responses from my Catholic female readers, sometimes men, too, who, reading about the sorrows I endured in the 1990s as a mother of three deceased sons, offered condolences that brought me joy and lessened my tears. I have had letters from readers that brought humor, smiles and often laughter into my life. I have also heard from readers bearing great pain. While I knew my responses could not take away their sorrow, I could always hope that perhaps something I wrote could help, even if just a bit. One truth we must all learn in life is that we are not always in charge of what happens, but we can and must take charge of how we respond to life’s challenges. Right now I face a major challenge: growing old. But no complaints: God is good, and celebrations are frequent when you have grandchildren. And I do have a few: 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren (thanks to my adopted son Sterling in heaven). Now I can look forward to spending more time with them, and perhaps, as one of my beloved granddaughters suggest-ed, write another book. Again, I want to say thank you from my heart to all those I call sisters and brothers because of our fidelity to our Lord Jesus, because of the church he gave us and the teachings he left us. This is, as a nun once told me long ago, “the gift that keeps giving” – and I learned long ago that if Sister said it, it has to be true. Finally, I must say thank you to Carole Greene, who has been my main editor for a quarter century. She is a faith-motivated professional – and a friend.

BOSCO, a mother, author and career journalist, writes for Catholic News Service from Brookfield Center, Conn.

I would learn to be more patient. I would be rigorously faithful to a daily practice of contemplative prayer. I would no longer take life, love, friendship and health for granted, but would finally,

after years of failed resolutions, begin to live more inside of the

wonder of God ...

February 22, 2012 VIEWPOINT The Catholic Commentator 17

The mission of The Catholic Commentator is to provide news, information and commentary to the people of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholics and their neighbors alike. In doing so, The Catholic Commentator strives to further the wider mission of the Church: to evangelize, to communicate, to educate and to give the Catholic viewpoint on important issues of the present day.

Another Perspective

Father John Carville

Consider This Stephen Kent

Remember, human, you are dust

To paraphrase somebody, “A journey of 40 days begins with a single step.” One can always

spot Catholics on the first day of Lent by the black mark on their foreheads. Unfortunately, while we Catholics in South Louisiana place great emphasis on Ash Wednesday, judging from our packed churches, many do not see the symbol of ashes as the beginning of a journey through Lent to Easter. Because good beginnings help to as-sure good endings, let’s spend a little time considering the meaning of Ash Wednesday and how it may point us to a fruitful passage of Lent.

The minister who places ashes on your forehead may choose one of two formulas: “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel” or “Remember, man (woman), you are dust and to dust you will return.” The first for-mula, “Turn away from sin...,” calls for repentance and fits the histori-cal beginning of the use of ashes in the liturgy. In fourth century church documents we find the first use of ashes to distinguish those who were in the Order of Penitents. This group had committed serious sins like murder or renunciation of the faith in the face of persecution. Their journey of reconcil-iation with the Christian community could take years, not a mere 40 days.

But it began with the first step, ac-ceptance into the Order of Penitents. On Ash Wednesday, the penitents declared their offense out loud before the whole assembly, asked forgiveness, put on special penitential garments (sack cloth) and received ashes which were poured, not smudged, on their heads.

By the end of the first millennium the institution of public penitence had all but disappeared. However, the use of ashes at the beginning of Lent con-tinued and eventually was extended to all the faithful. A prayer of blessing for the ashes was added, as well as two prayers for their administration to the faithful.

While the first prayer calls for repentance, the second, “Remember, man (woman), you are dust...,” calls for remembering our mortality and

fits well with prepara-tion for Easter through the 40 days of Lent.

The “dust formula” affirms that the human person is genuinely an earth creature subject to all the realities and limitations of mat-ter. This mass of dust is no self-starter. By itself it is as lifeless as the moon. The human person depends from conception to death on God’s gift of life. As a Dominican preacher, Father Jude Siciliano OP, puts it, “...we are a daily creature of God’s daily care, endlessly being formed and being continually breathed into. ... Our lives are continually surrounded by the loving kindness of God, who wills for us more good than we can will for ourselves.”

In the “dust formula” we are invited to remember what God remembers in Psalm 103:

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him,

For he knows how we are formed; he remembers that we are dust.

Man’s days are like those of grass; like a flower of the field he blooms;

The wind sweeps over him and he is gone, and his place knows him no more.

But the kindness of the Lord is from eter-nity to eternity toward those who fear him (vv 14-17).

Lent is a time of re-membering what God remembers. He notes our sins and removes them from being a danger and threat. For God knows that we are

dust and that we are going to die, and this evokes in God concern and love. What matters is God’s gracious act of removal. But we, too, have to remem-ber them and ask his mercy.

If we remember God’s mercy and trust his forgiveness, we acknowledge our humanity, our origin from dust, and long for our ultimate Easter hope – the resurrection!

FATHER CARVILLE is a retired priest in the Diocese of Baton Rouge and writes on spiritual matters for The Catholic Com-

A ‘faith app’ would be helpful

One of the lesser effects of the adoption of the new translation of the

Roman Missal is the ubiquitous presence of worship aids. These laminated cards, found in virtually every church, contain the prayers of the Mass to assist the congregation to be,

literally, on the same page. (The typography with the priest’s words in red, the congrega-tion’s in black, are reminiscent of similar prompting cards during altar boy days to help us stumble through the memorized phonetic Latin.) These worship aids take us off autopilot for prayers, pointing out how common it is

to respond without thinking. Stumbling over rubrics may be embarrassing but essentially harmless. Not so is the mind-less, not looking into the mean-ing of faith. Since aids for worship are found within a church on Sun-days, what about a faith aid for taking the results of that wor-ship into the world during the week? Call it “a belief aid.” We are called to bring our faith into the world. Pope Bene-dict XVI recently emphasized the need for an “engaged, articulate and well-formed Catholic laity” with the courage and critical skills to articulate the “Christian vision of man and society.” To do this, we have to know what we are talking about in or-der to counter the unholy trinity of pragmatism, utilitarianism and consumerism as described by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan. “It is a bedrock feature of modern political and legal theory that only neutral, utili-tarian principles can provide a basis for public policy discus-

sions and law, and that appeals to transcendent values, such as religion, cannot legitimately be presented,” Cardinal Dolan said recently at Fordham University Law School. What gives believers the right to bring their faith to civic affairs? Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain noted at a Wash-ington state Senate hearing, that “not everyone holds our faith and beliefs, but the universal

principles that form the basis for our position are readily discern-ible by all people. They tran-scend any particular society, government or religious com-munity; in fact, they are built into human life itself.” National Football League quarterbacks, despite their megamillion-dollar salaries, still carry a list of plays on their wrist into a game. They practice daily but still see the need for immediate reference about how to act in specific situations. A quick fact-check is neces-sary for an election year, maybe not on wristbands, but perhaps a “faith app” on mobile devices. Such a good belief aid is the

Catholic Social Teaching Prin-ciples podcasts. Paulist Father Larry A. Rice reflects briefly on the major themes of Catholic social teaching, and how they should shape our lives as citi-zens of the world and as people of God. It can be downloaded at usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/podcast-issues.cfm. Worship aids help us say the right words. Belief aids help us put those words into action. KENT, now retired, was editor of archdiocesan newspapers in Omaha and Seattle. He can be contacted at [email protected].

Mission Statement

For God knows that we are dust and

that we are going to die, and this evokes in God

concern and love.

Worship aids help us say the right words. Belief aids help us put those words

into action.

18 The Catholic Commentator COMING EVENTS February 22, 2012

St. Gerard Majella Mission – Father Tom Donaldson CSsR will present a Lenten mission, “We are Called to Be Christ,” Feb. 26-28, 5:30 p.m., at St. Gerard Majella Church, 5354 Plank Road, Baton Rouge. For information call the St. Ge-rard Majella Church office at 225-355-2553.

Empowerment of the Holy Spirit Meetings – Our Lady of Mercy Church will host “Empowerment of the Holy Spirit” meet-ings on Thursdays, March 8 through 29, 6:30-8 p.m., at Our Lady of Mercy Parish Activity Center, 444 Marquette Ave., Baton Rouge. The meetings will include Scripture-based talks and reflections. There is no charge or pre-registration required. For information call the Our Lady of Mercy Church office at 225-926-1883.

St. Joseph Spirituality Retreat – Paula D’Arcy, writer and retreat and conference leader, will host a two-day re-treat, “There Are Larger Places: The Journey into Freedom,” on Friday, March 9, 7-9 p.m., and Saturday, March 10, 9 a.m.– 2 p.m., at the St. Joseph’s Academy Dining Hall, 3080 Kleinert Ave., Baton Rouge. During the retreat, sponsored by the St. Joseph Spirituality Center, participants will have the opportunity to look at how to embrace deep spiritual issues in their lives. The fee will be $100. For information and to register call the

St. Joseph Spirituality Center at 225-383-3349.

Healing Workshop – Father Henry Gautreau will present an intergenerational healing workshop on Saturday, March 10, 9 a.m., at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 6490 Hwy. 44, Convent. Bring a bag lunch. Father Gautreau will cel-ebrate Mass at 1 p.m. For information and to register call 225-869-3085.

Organ Concert – Stephen Hamilton, concert organist and minister of music emeritus at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in New York City, will present a free concert, spon-sored by the Baton Rouge chapter of the American Guild of Organists and St. Aloysius Church, on Sunday, March 11, 2 p.m., at St. Aloysius, 2025 Stuart Ave., Baton Rouge. Hamilton will perform Marcel Dupre’s “Le Chemin de la Croix” (Stations of the Cross), which was inspired by poetry written by Paul Claudel that follows the framework of the Stations of the Cross. Baton Rouge residents Joe Chrest, founding member of Swine Palace Theater, and Drew La-monica Arms, instructor and advisor at the LSU Honors College, will interpret the poetry for each station. For infor-mation call the St. Aloysius Church office at 225-225-343-6657 or email [email protected].

Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites – The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites welcomes those who are interested in developing their prayer life according to the teachings of the Carmelite saints. Meetings are held the second Sunday of each month at Our Lady of Mercy Parish Activity Center in the St. Gabriel Room, 444 Marquette Ave., Baton Rouge, at 1:30 p.m. The next meeting will be March 11. For infor-mation call 225-926-6962 or email [email protected].

Divorce Support Group – St. Aloysius Church, 2025 Stuart Ave., Baton Rouge, will host a 12-week support group for divorced and separated Catholics, “The Catholic’s Divorce Survival Guide,” Sundays, 1-3 p.m., beginning March 11 at the St. Aloysius Media Center. Meetings include a DVD se-ries presentation on the subject of how to find hope and healing following divorce, as well as large and small group discussions. For information call Angela Falgoust at 225-343-6657, ext. 3031 or 225-278-7321 or email angelafa [email protected].

Prayer Intentions Program – Catholic Life Television will air prayer intentions beginning Monday, Feb. 27. Prayer requests will remain on the list for one month. To add a name to the list call 225-242-0218 or email television@d iobr.org.

Enclosed is $9.50 for the first 15 words + 15¢ for each word thereafter + 25¢ per line for each special effect (all caps, centered line, bold lettering); for a total of $___________for each issue.

Mail to: The Catholic Commentator, P.O. Box 3316, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3316

PHONE

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY

Announcements—Business Services—Cards of Thanks—For Rent—For Sale—Help Wanted—Positions Wanted—Legal Notices (other )

Circle Category:

Advertisements will

not be published

without full payment in

advance.

DATES TO RUN:

Print Your Ad Here

Anthony's Furniture Specialties. We restore hurricane damaged furniture. If it's furniture we do it all! Refinishing, re-upholstery, pick up and delivery, etc. 2263 Florida Blvd., BR. 225-413-2607.

LEBLANC’S TREE & STUMPREMOVAL, INC.

Prompt service–Free estimatesFULLY INSURED

E. H. “Eddie” LeBlancPhone 383-7316

Mr. D’s Tree Service3 Licensed Arborists

Free EstimatesFully Insured

Don Decell & Carl Babin, owners225-292-6756

BROUSSEAU'S PaintingInterior and exterior painting. Experi-enced and reliable. Free estimates. Call 225-241-8488 or 225-928-7194.

Donnie’s Furniture Repair & Uphol-stery. We do refinishing, repairs, caning, painting of furniture and upholstery. In business 39 yrs. Pick up and delivery. 10876 Greenwell Springs Rd. 225-272-2577.

THOMAS LUNDIN, CPAAccounting and taxes for businesses, non-profits and individuals; business, computer, financial, and management services. 30 years’ experience; profes-sional, prompt and personal attention. 225-296-0404.

St. Joseph is the Patron Saint of a Peaceful Death. St. Joseph Hospice is available to support families as they face end-of-life decisions. Peace, comfort, dignity and support can make every day "a good day." Call 225-368-3100 for more information.

Kitchen counter tops. Call for free es-timates. John O'Neill 225-938-6141 or 225-683-6837.Baton Rouge Care Service. Serving Ba-ton Rouge and surrounding areas since 1960. Registered sitters, nurses, and nurses aides for the sick and elderly in the home, nursing homes and hospitals. Licensed and bonded for private duty care. 225-924-6098 or 225-667-0480. www.batonrougesittersregistry.com.

The Catholic CommentatorPO Box 3316Baton Rouge LA 70821-3316

For help placing your classified ad, call 225-387-0983. All classified ads are prepaid. Credit cards are not accepted.

Pennington Lawn and Landscape225-806-0008

Lawn & bed maintenance. Clean-up neg-lect. Call for your free estimate.

Business servicesWhile we at The Catholic Commenta-tor do our best to bring reliable ad-vertisers to our readers, we are not responsible for any claims made by any advertiser.

Announcements

In sales employment advertisements, the advertiser must name the product or service to be sold. Ads must state how wages will be paid (salary, com-missions, etc.) if money is mentioned. The ad must also state if there is an in-vestment required.

Greenoaks Park Cemetery. 2 plots in Garden of Roses. Value $4190, sell $3000. Call 225-954-0333 day, 225-261-6149 evenings.

HOPE HAVEN MARBLE & GRANITE, LLC1056 N. Airline Hwy., Gonzales, LA 70737

Tombs – Monuments – Vaults – Vases – BenchesPhone (225) 644-8466 Fax (225) 644-8467 [email protected] Ronnie Rodrigue, Sr., Owner

For sAle

cArds oF thAnks

Business services

HOUSEKEEPERMature, Dependable

20+ Years Exp., ReferencesDebbie

225-266-7655

Business services

Thanks to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Jude for prayers answered. DT

Dave’s Bicycle Repair and Sales. Free pickup and delivery, free estimates, ex-pert economical repair on all brands. 225-924-4337 or www.davesbicyclerepair. com.

1 plot in Roselawn Cemetery. $1800. 225-926-7070.

help WAntedAscension of Our Lord Cemetery. 2 crypts in St. Peter’s Corner Crypt 118 tier E; value $4900, asking $4500. 225-717-0270.

Join a group tour visiting:Germany, Austria, Switzerland &

BudapestJune 2012

Trip fee includes: air, hotel, some meals and guided tours.

Contact: Donna KirklandPhone: 225-803-6013

Email: [email protected] additional details

visit: www.donnakirkland.com

Copy EditorPosition available at The Catholic Com-mentator for part-time copy editor. Ap-plicants must have a degree in print journalism or English grammar. Send resume to P. O. Box 14746, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4746, [email protected] or Fax 225-336-8710. No phone calls or visits. Deadline for submitting resumés is Feb. 29, 2012.

T I T H E P O P E T E T EA S H E S O P A L A Y E SK M A R T P E R E H E L PE S T E E M E D M A I D E N

S E A S C E N TS L I M Y C A N T I C L E

I T H E S L U S T S H I PL E A S S A L E S V I C IS R S C H I P S C O L I CA N A P H O R A V A L E T

H A R D B A B AA N O I N T J O N A T H A NC E L L A M O I R I A T AC X I I G E E S E L V E RT T O P E L L E T E E N Y

moc.scilohtacrofsemagdrow.www

Thanks to St. Jude and Sacred Heart of Jesus for prayers answered. RG

Anyone with knowledge of the where-abouts of Kim Mary Boudreau is asked to contact the Diocesan Tribunal at 225-336-8755.

Free to a good home. A 2-year-old male Australian shepherd mix. Neutered, healthy and has had shots. Very energet-ic, house broken and would make a great family pet. Call 225-324-1369.

legAl notices

St. George Church. 2 mausoleums, A-16 $650. Call 1-985-449-7532

Business services

ClassifiedAds Work!

For assistance in placing an ad,

call 225-378-0983.


Belgian Father Jaak Seynaeve, a member of the White Fathers, was known by many people in Baton Rouge once he began spending his sabbaticals at LSU teaching courses in biblical lit-erature.

When he retired as a profes-sor at the Missionary Institute of London in 1990, he began spend-ing at least half of each year in the Diocese of Baton Rouge teaching, preaching and cel-ebrating Mass. He also became an adjunct to the faculty of reli-gious studies at LSU and helped establish LSU’s program in the academic study of religions.

In January 2007, Father Sey-

naeve returned to Belgium where he lived in the White Fa-thers’ community until his death on April 17, 2011.

To support Father Seynaeve’s teaching at LSU and to perpetu-ate the academic study of reli-gion, his family and many Baton Rouge friends endowed two pro-fessorships. The Jaak Seynaeve Enhanced Professorship in Bib-lical Studies supports teaching and research in the academic study of the bible and is current-ly held by Delbert Burkett, a New Testament scholar, professor of religious studies and chair of the department of philosophy and religious studies.

The second endowment is to provide for the academic study of all manner of Chris-tian history, thought and life by bringing noted scholars to the campus for public lectures, supporting conferences and enabling the teaching of class-es. Edward H. Henderson, LSU professor of philosophy man-ages this fund.

In the past year Father John Carville, former vicar general of the Diocese of Baton Rouge and a retired diocesan priest, has received funds to teach a bioethics class. An Honors’ College seminar on “C.S. Lewis and the Oxford Christians and a similar course in the philoso-phy curriculum have been pos-sible through funds from this endowment.

This year the professorship is sponsoring two visiting lec-tures. The first is “The Unseen Lord in Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’,” which Rev. Mrs. Flem-ing Rutledge, an Episcopal priest, will deliver on March 7. Rutledge, the author of “The Battle for Middle-Earth: Tolk-ien’s Divine Design in the Lord of the Rings,” is a lecturer, preacher and teacher. She is known for having a special in-terest in how Biblical theology intersects with contemporary culture, current events and pol-itics, literature, music and art.

Rutledge’s lecture will be on the LSU campus in Coates Hall, Room 152 at 7 p.m.

David Hein, a professor and co-editor and contributor to “C.S. Lewis and Friends: Faith and the Power of Imagination,” will give the second lecture, “C.S. Lewis and Rose Macaulay: Two Ways” on April 25.

Lecture to address presence of God in Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ FROM PAGE 1

Churches having “The Light Is ON For You” this year are:

Feb. 27, Mar. 5, 12, 19 & 26 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Apr. 2 – 5:00 to 6:15 p.m.St. Jean Vianney, 16166 South Harrell’s Ferry Road, Baton Rouge

Feb. 29, Mar. 7, 14 & 21 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Immaculate Conception, 865 Hatchell Lane, Denham Springs

Feb. 29, Mar. 7, 14, 21 & 28 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Holy Ghost, 601 North Oak St., HammondSt. Augustine, 809 New Roads St., New RoadsSt. John the Baptist, 402 S. Kirkland Drive, BruslySt. John the Evangelist, 57805 Main St., Plaquemine

Feb. 29, Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28 & Apr. 4 6:00-7:30 p.m.

St. Thomas More, 11441 Goodwood Blvd., Baton RougeSt. Aloysius, 2025 Stuart Ave., Baton RougeSt. George, 7808 St. George Dr., Baton RougeOur Lady of Mercy, 445 Marquette Ave.,Baton Rouge

Feb. 29 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.St. Helena, 122 South First St., Amite

Mar. 7 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.Mater Dolorosa, 609 West 3rd St., Independence

Mar. 14 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.St. Joseph, 15710 Hwy. 16, French Settlement

Mar. 21 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.St. Joseph, 255 North 8th St., Ponchatoula

Mar. 28 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.St. Margaret, 30300 Catholic Hall Road, Albany

LIGHT: Schedule of churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge

Help Wanted

The Catholic CommentatorPO Box 3316Baton Rouge LA 70821-3316

For help placing your classified ad, call 225-387-0983;

all classified ads are prepaid.

Help Wanted Help Wanted Help Wanted

Diocese of Baton RougeCatholic Schools Office

Advancement CoordinatorThe Diocese of Baton Rouge has thirty schools in eight civil

parishes with strong Catholic identity the focus in all schools. The district is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and ACT and Terra Nova standardized test scores are above state and national average. Catholic schools in the Dio-cese of Baton Rouge…Evangelize Hearts,

Educate Minds, andEmbrace the Future

The Catholic Schools Office serves the community by sup-porting schools through positive communication, promotion of effective curriculum and instruction, responsible coordination of resources, and acknowledgement of outstanding service and accomplishment.

The Advancement Coordinator participates in the ministry of Catholic Education by serving both the Catholic Schools Office and the schools throughout the diocese in working with funding and grants and with advancement efforts to foster vi-tality of the Mission. The position is full-time and year-round.Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Practicing Catholic • Bachelor’s Degree Required; Master’s Degree Preferred • Work Experience in Catholic Education Preferred • Demonstrated Ability in Effective Communication and Collaboration • Availability prior to or by July 1, 2012

Submit letter of interest, resumé with references, and copies of transcript(s) to

Superintendent Catholic Schools Office P.O. Box 2028 Baton Rouge, LA 70821-2028 • www.csobr.org

Deadline for Application: March 30, 2012The schools of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, admit students of any

race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activi-ties generally accorded or made available to students at its schools. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administra-tion of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

Diocese of Baton Rouge Catholic Schools Office

High School Principal School Year: 2012-13

Redemptorist Schools, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As a part of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Redemptorist High School serves a diverse student population of approximately 300 in Grades 7 – 12 on its North Baton Rouge campus. The 65-year-old school participates in district accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. As the instruc-tional leader of the high school, the principal works with the ad-ministrative head of school, the elementary principal, and the special education director in fostering the mission and ministry of the school through collaborative leadership, clear communi-cation, and consistent efforts toward continuous improvement.

Applicants must meet the following criteria: • PracticingCatholicRequired• ExperienceinCatholicEducationPreferred• LouisianaDepartmentofEducationCertification, Teacher or Administrator • DemonstratedAbilityasanEffectiveLeader• AvailabilityonJuly1,2012

Submit letter of interest, resumé with references, and copies of transcript(s) to: RedemptoristSchoolsPrincipalSearch Superintendent CatholicSchoolsOffice P.O.Box2028BatonRouge,LA70821-2028 www.csobr.org

Deadline for application: March 30, 2012 The schools of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, admit students

of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, pro-grams, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at its schools. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.


FROM PAGE 1case.” The HHS mandate and the so called “accommodation” undermine our religious free-dom, he said. “We are remaining true to our Catholic identity and our call to serve the poor and those in need,” said Aguillard. For over two years, CCUSA Leadership has been work-ing in tandem with the US-CCB to bring the matter to a close. “Unfortunately, the administration seems to have decided to ignore the many efforts made to find a workable

solution that increases access to health services while respecting our religious freedoms,” he said. Michael Galligan-Stierle, president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universi-ties, told Catholic News Service that his organization has “con-veyed to the administration that we are interested and deeply committed to ongoing conver-sation” about the issue. “We look forward to more in-depth, serious negotiations based on religious liberty being the primary issue on the table,” he added.

Holy Cross Father John Jen-kins, president of the University of Notre Dame, who has called the HHS mandate “profoundly disturbing on many levels,” said Obama’s revision was a “wel-come step toward recognizing the freedom of religious institu-tions to abide by the principles that define their respective mis-sions.” In a Feb. 10 statement on the university’s website, he said that a “number of unclear and unre-solved issues” must be addressed and he hoped they would be dis-cussed in future meetings of U.S. bishops and other religious lead-ers and White House officials. An Obama administration of-ficial who asked not to be named told CNS Feb. 13 that the White House planned in the coming weeks to convene “a series of meetings with faith community leaders” about the HHS man-date. A particular focus of the meetings, he said, would be self-insured group health plans that cover the employees of many

Catholic dioceses and institu-tions. The Catholic Health Associa-tion, in a Feb. 13 statement on its website, said it was looking for-ward to “reviewing the specifics of the changes in the mandated benefits.” “On Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, we were notified that our organiza-tions would not have to buy or refer employees for contracep-tion and other services. We were also told that the self-insured plans would be accommodated in this,” the CHA statement said. “At this time, there are many unanswered questions about specifics. We now have the chal-lenging work of reviewing the proposed rules, examining their impact and giving input before they are finalized. “As more is known about this, we will be getting that informa-tion out to the membership as quickly as possible.” As published in the Federal Register Feb. 15, the final rule said HHS “will work with stake-

holders to propose and finalize this policy” before it takes effect in August 2013. A Feb. 10 statement by the Cardinal Newman Society said it would “continue to work with Catholic colleges and universities to find the most acceptable solu-tion to this violation of their reli-gious liberty. But there can be no compromise that does not elimi-nate the mandate.” Last fall, 18 Catholic colleges asked the Obama administration to exempt all religious individu-als and institutions from being forced to participate in the fed-eral contraception mandate. The Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor, Mich., issued a Feb. 13 statement taking the Obama administration to task for failing to “comprehend Catholic moral reasoning and the full-meaning of the principle of religious lib-erty.” They called it “insulting” that the Obama administration suggested the revision would be “net cost neutral.”

HHS: There can be no compromise that does not eliminate the mandate

february 22

Documents