The Catholic Commentator

08/01/2020

http://thecatholiccommentator.org/pages/?p=54695

During a time when COVID-19 would have people live quietly in despair, church parish music ministry programs in the Diocese of Baton Rouge are striving to bring back worship, hope and life.

08/01/2020

Deacon Taylor Sanford, left, and Father Mathew Dunn, right, were ordained by Bishop Michael G. Duca on Aug. 1 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge. For coverage of the ordinations, see the Aug. 14 issue of The Catholic Commentator. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator

06/23/2020

St. Gerard Majella Church in Baton Rouge will celebrate the feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help on June 27 with a Mass on Saturday, June 27 at 4 p.m. Novenas will continue to be prayed before the daily 9 a.m. Mass through June 26. For more information, call 225-355-2553.

06/09/2020

Message from Bishop Michael G. Duca:

Change through listening

This week, we as a nation, watched the horrific and heart breaking death of Mr. George Floyd while being subdued by police in Minneapolis. (Before you read on, remember now what your first feelings were when you read this first sentence.)
We can view this as an isolated event, but even then, it is by any measure of human common decency a profound disregard of the human dignity of Mr. George Floyd who when he cried out for help, his cries were ignored.

Read more here:
http://thecatholiccommentator.org/pages/?p=53989

06/05/2020

06/05/2020

Mass attendance encouraging

As many churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge reopened the weekend of May 16-17, pastors were not sure what to expect.

Sure, safety measures were in place, several parishes had established a reservation protocol and pews were distinctly marked for social distancing.

But the underlying question was how many people would actually attend.

Using the first two weeks of reopening as a small sample size, the results have been encouraging.

http://thecatholiccommentator.org/pages/?p=54122

Photo: Small bottles of holy water, missalettes and armbands that say “Pray Louisiana!” on one side and “Heal Our Land” on the other were distributed after all Masses at St. Patrick Church in Baton Rouge the weekend of May 23-24. The parish requested 500 bracelets from Gov. John Bel Edwards’ office. The idea was originally introduced at the governor’s Prayer Breakfast on March 10.

05/27/2020

Call to serve leads to diaconate program

Alexander Campbell has walked a winding vocational discernment trail, but its end will find him making history. He will be part of the first class to be ordained permanent deacons since the Diocese of Baton Rouge and Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University entered a partnership to provide formation through FranU’s theology program.

Read the full story here: http://thecatholiccommentator.org/pages/?p=53964

05/24/2020

Good neighbor: St. Paul the Apostle Church in Baton Rogue

Cars lined Gus Young Avenue as St. Paul the Apostle Church in Baton Rouge dished out jambalaya lunches seasoned with faith, hope and charity to some of the area’s poorest residents on May 8.
“When I looked at the unemployment figures this morning for the area, it was near 20 percent. In this neighborhood it’s probably closer to 70 percent unemployment,” said St. Paul pastor Father Rick Andrus SVD as he scooped jambalaya into Styrofoam containers. “That’s why we needed to do something like this.”

Read the full story here:
http://thecatholiccommentator.org/pages/?p=53946

05/23/2020

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Received $5,000 Entergy Grant

Baton Rouge, LA -FranU received an emergency aid grant of $5,000 for 48 students who graduated early from both the respiratory therapy and the nursing programs. Students will be able to use this aid as a substitute for lost wages to cover the immediate cost of living expenses or expenses related to entering professional practice while continuing to pursue their degrees. The funding will provide much-needed relief for students who will fill essential roles in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vice President of Business and Economic Development for Entergy Louisiana Eduardo "Ed" Jimenez said, "We truly believe that we are only as strong as our communities. So we took a look at what was needed the most during these difficult times and knew that helping the health care industry was critical. As a company that responds when major disaster strikes, we understand the value and importance of having as many frontline employees as possible. This contribution is our way of providing support to health care students to accelerate their graduation and get them in the frontlines to assist with the COVID-19 health crisis."

FranU received calls from area hospitals and health systems desperate for respiratory therapists (RRTs) and nurses, positions short-staffed before the onslaught of COVID-19 in Louisiana, and critical in the fight against the virus.

FranU responded to the call for help by graduating 11 respiratory therapy and 37 nursing students early on April 27. However, many students lost their part-time jobs because of recent layoffs, upon which they rely on paying tuition and affording daily needs. In addition to covering the everyday cost of living expenses, the early graduates were also required to pay for expenses related to entering professional practice: exam prep courses, exam fees, licensing fees, new uniforms and equipment.

The expectation is that 100 percent of these graduates will be employed within the next few months, serving the community's most urgent needs related to this pandemic.

Photos by Rachel Street

05/15/2020

A Vatican staff member in protective gear sanitizes the holy water font inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican May 15, 2020, ahead of the resumption of Masses during the COVID-19 pandemic. (CNS photo/Yara Nardi, Reuters)

05/12/2020

BISHOP'S ANNOUNCEMENT

The Diocese of Baton Rouge announced today that Catholic churches may re-open for congregational worship as early as this weekend, starting with Vigil Masses Saturday afternoon, if they can conform to strict directives regarding occupancy, social distancing and sanitary conditions.

The diocese said it expects all its parishes to celebrate public Masses the weekend of May 23/24.

Baton Rouge Bishop Michael G. Duca announced the action in a letter to a quarter million Catholics who live in the diocese's 12 civil parishes. The letter is being distributed by church parishes to their faithful on their websites and on other social media platforms.

The bishop's action comes after Governor Edwards relaxed restrictions on certain types of public gatherings, effective May 15.

The bishop's letter says that the Sunday Mass obligation will continue to be dispensed indefinitely, and it urges those who are vulnerable or recovering from the coronavirus to stay home and prayerfully watch Masses that will continue to be live-streamed. It also outlines new guidelines for the communal celebration of Mass, the distribution of Holy Communion and reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The bishop's earlier directives concerning funerals, marriages, baptisms, the anointing the sick and taking Holy Communion to the homebound will remain in effect for the time being.

"Gathering together under these new guidelines is a big undertaking by your pastor and parish staff," the bishop said. "Expect that each parish will begin public Masses when prepared and will adopt different options that reflect the size of the parish, number of priests, available resources, readiness and parishioner support," he added.

"I invite you not to compare what is going on in another parish with your parish’s situation. Be patient with your pastor and accept that it will take a few weeks to accommodate this new reality," the bishop said.

The text of Bishop Duca's letter to the faithful is attached. Parishioners are urged to be in touch with their parish offices for information on when and how their churches will return to congregational worship.

For additional information please contact:

Deacon Dan Borne'
Communications Secretary
Diocese of Baton Rouge
[email protected]
225-229-9500

Kelly Alexander
Media Liaison
Diocese of Baton Rouge
[email protected]
225-936-7373

05/07/2020

COUPLES GO ON WITH MARRIAGE PLANS DESPITE RESTRICTIONS

Church pews were mostly empty as bride and groom met at the altar, but that’s where God’s presence filled any lack as they established their lifelong relationship, say couples in the Diocese of Baton Rouge who have married during the coronavirus pandemic.

Read the full story here:
http://thecatholiccommentator.org/pages/?p=53773
Pictured below, from left, Sidney and Michael Batson with Fr. Jamin David; Megan and Michael Willis; and, Irene and Christopher Lilly.

05/07/2020

GRAB N GO MEALS BEGIN MONDAY, MAY 11

The Diocese of Baton Rouge Child Nutrition Program announced it will be offering Grab N Go meal services at four sites beginning May 11.
The program will be offering free breakfast and lunch curbside pickup service for all students in the Baton Rouge area. The service is available for all students 18 years of age and younger regardless of school enrollment.
Drive-thru meals will be provided on Mondays only from 10 a.m.-noon.
Each student will receive a package containing five breakfasts and five lunches. Walk-up service will also be available but all should maintain proper social distancing, according to program officials.
Packaged meals will be distributed first-come/first serve basis at the following schools in Baton Rouge: Our Lady of Mercy Church, St. Francis Xavier, Redemptorist St. Gerard and St. Jean Vianney.
Nutrition program staff members will be wearing face masks or face shields when appropriate. Also, the temperature of each staff member will be taken before entering the café.
They will also be cleaning and sanitizing their work areas when on the school campus.

04/30/2020

RE-CONSECRATION OF THE USA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Most Rev. José H. Gomez, the Archbishop of Los Angeles and President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), will lead the bishops of our country and those of Canada to renew the consecration of the two nations to the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Through a collective dedication or entrustment of a nation to Mary, an act of consecration is meant to be a reminder to the faithful of the Blessed Mother’s witness to the Gospel and to ask for her effective intercession before her Son on behalf of those in need. More information concerning this re-consecration can be found on the USCCB website, at www.usccb.org/about/communications/consecration.cfm
The brief liturgy and prayer of re-consecration at 2 pm CDT on Friday, May 1, will be televised live from Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral in Los Angeles with Archbishop Gomez presiding. Here in the Diocese of Baton Rouge it will be broadcast by CatholicLife Television on Cox Channel 15, on its Roku channel, and live on its webstream (www.catholiclifetv.org/…/catholic-life-tv-s-24-hours-live-b…). It also will be aired live on the EWTN television network and its page, www.facebook.com/ewtnonline.
In a letter to the bishops of the U.S., Archbishop Gomez said: “This will give the Church the occasion to pray for Our Lady’s continued protection of the vulnerable, healing of the unwell, and wisdom for those who work to cure this terrible virus.” Each year, the Church seeks the special intercession of the Mother of God during the month of May. “This year, we seek the assistance of Our Lady all the more earnestly as we face together the effects of the global pandemic.”

04/26/2020

SJV ‘faces’ comforting to Father Ranzino

On a recent March day, Father Tom Ranzino walked into St. Jean Vianney Church in Baton Rouge with the expectation of celebrating daily Mass in front of pews and pews of emptiness.

But as he approached the altar, he found internal comfort in the smiles of more than 200 photos of families or couples strategically placed in the church. Some of the photos even offered messages of encouragement.

Filling the church with family photos of parishioners was the brainchild of Jarja Carville, who is involved in several ministries at St. Jean Vianney. She was inspired by something similar she had seen on social media and thought, “This is so cool. We need to do this.”

Read the full story here:
http://thecatholiccommentator.org/pages/?p=53571
Photo submitted by Jarja Carville

04/26/2020

St. George 'Angels' providing masks for health workers

Blending with the unique sound of prayer, sewing machines hum and scissors snip as parishioners assemble masks to help protect people from the coronavirus as part of the St. George Mask Angels Ministry.

Read the full story here:
http://thecatholiccommentator.org/pages/?p=53646

Erin, left, and Sarah Johnson sew masks for the St. George Mask Angels Ministry.

04/26/2020

FranU accelerates nursing and respiratory therapy graduates

At the end of April, as the rest of the world continues to remain in lockdown, 37 nursing students from Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University in Baton Rouge will emerge from their own self-isolation, online classes and simulated clinics to suit up and join the ranks of health care workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, 11 seniors in the respiratory therapy program at FranU will graduate on April 27, a few weeks early.

http://thecatholiccommentator.org/pages/?p=53642 -53642

Photos by Rachel E. Street | FranU

04/26/2020

Parishes tapping into technology to reach parishioners

Church parishes have been creative in reaching out to their parishioners – livestreamed Masses, video messages from the pastors, social media posts, online resources, emails, virtual meetings, phone calls or grocery deliveries – to say “we miss you, we love you and we can’t wait until we come together again and celebrate the Eucharist.”

Read the full story here:
http://thecatholiccommentator.org/pages/?p=53650 -53650

St. Benedict the Moor Church in Bertrandville reprinted the family and individual portraits from its 2020 parish directory and placed them in the pews for people watching its livestreamed Easter Mass to see. Photo provided by Jerilyn Williams

04/24/2020

News from Catholic High School of Pointe Coupee in New Roads:

Congratulations to the CHSPC Rally students who ranked first in their event at the 2020 District Literary Rally in Baton Rouge. By achieving this accomplishment, the following students have qualified to compete at the State Literary Rally this spring. Unfortunately, State Rally was canceled due to Covid-19. However, it does not diminish these students’ accomplishments. Great job to all of the students who participated this year!

CHSPC had a student rank first in every event that they participated in. That is an impressive 23 topped ranked Hornets!

Cameron Decateau
Anna Jean Eaves
Jack Allen
Jake Eaves
Tyler Coursey
Grant Scronce
Andrew Trepagnier
Holden Glaser
Jenna LaCour
Ryan Morel
Anna Vosburg
Reese Morrison
Jenna Guidry
Hannah Sonnier
Bryce Vielee
Abby Elliott
Maria Aguilar
Kamryn Newchurch
Emily LaGrone
Gavin Bordelon
Hayden Cox
Mathew Morrison
JT Beatty

04/23/2020

Alise Ashford has been selected as the new principal for Holy Family School in Port Allen effective July 1, according to a statement from Holy Family Church pastor Father David Allen. Ashford served as interim principal for the 2019-2020 school year.
In his statement, Father Allen thanked members of the school’s interview committee for their role in the search for a new principal. He added that a number of applicants responded to the search, with three candidates chosen for interviews and the committee unanimously recommended Ashford for the position.
“(Ashford’s) references and evaluations from the staff at Holy Family School were notable; especially the desire of current teachers and staff to return next year under her leadership,” said Father Allen. “(She) presented ideas for the continued development of Holy Family School and its staff in forming the whole child in the educational process. She also gave insights into more long-range planning and financial vision for Holy Family School in the coming years.”

04/21/2020

Pick up your copy of The Catholic Commentator at the following distributors:
http://thecatholiccommentator.org/pages/?cat=38

04/18/2020

DID YOU KNOW?

In ancient times, oil was a sign of abundance and joy.
In the Old Testament, in particular, kings, priests and, occasionally, prophets were anointed with oil, symbolizing that person’s goodness and healing presence in the community.
Throughout Sacred Scripture the spiritual symbolism of oil is evident, perhaps nowhere as prominent as in well-known Psalm 23 “You anoint my head with oil,” which signified favor and strength from the Lord.

Read the full story here:
http://thecatholiccommentator.org/pages/?p=53381

Pictured: Bishop Michael G. Duca anoints the hands of Father Tim Grimes during the ordination Mass in May. Chrism oil is used during ordination.

04/17/2020

St. Gerard students, parishioners face struggles -
see how you can help

On a recent afternoon, with the streets eerily quiet as residents nested in the safety of their homes, Father Tat Hoang CSsR was sweeping near St. Gerard Majella Church in Baton Rouge when he was approached by a family of six.

The parents and four children were in the church yard of where Father Hoang is pastor and asked if he had any food to spare. He responded that he had clothing to share but no food.

“They really needed some food,” Father Hoang said, saying it was uncertain as to how recently the family had eaten.
Reaching into his pocket, Father Hoang, almost magically, discovered he had a few more dollars than expected and was able to help buy the family hamburgers from a nearby fast food restaurant.

Read the full story here and how you can help:
http://thecatholiccommentator.org/pages/?p=53400

04/17/2020

Catholic High School continues online learning through the end of the school year

A letter from CHS principal Lisa Harvey to parents and students was posted the school's website and sent via email.

Dear Parents and Students,

This afternoon, Governor John Bel Edwards officially suspended classes on school campuses for the remainder of the semester. While this is not a surprise, it is still disheartening and is a cause for disappointment and sadness that our school community will not be reunited on campus this school year.

Therefore, Catholic High School will continue with the Teacher Supported Online Learning (TSOL) program through the conclusion of this school year. Because our established program is working well, there will be no disruption or changes in our procedures. I strongly encourage students to continue checking in on time with attendance, completing their assignments, and keeping up with school work. I also encourage you to contact your teachers or administrators with any concerns about the TSOL. We are all here to support our students through this program so do not hesitate to reach out.

Plans for the conclusion of the school year in May regarding final assessments and grades are still being discussed, but we do know that final exams as would typically take place will not happen. I will communicate that finalized information within the next couple of weeks.

I sincerely thank both our students and our parents for your cooperation during these unprecedented times. Even though we are separated by distance, the Catholic High community remains strong, united, and working towards the same goal: providing a holistic education for the students of CHS in the tradition of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. Our mission remains strong and vibrant, just as it has for the past 125 years.

May God bless you, your families, our school, our city, and our world. Until we are reunited again in person, remember Go Bears!

Ametur Cor Jesu. Loved be the heart of Jesus.
Lisa Harvey
Principal

04/17/2020

Students participate in adoration

More than a dozen pre-K students, clad in pajamas for a special lesson of the day on hibernation, tiptoed into St. Jude the Apostle Church in Baton Rouge with their index finger on their lips to remind them to stay quiet.

Single file, with their eyes on their teacher who, with her index finger on her lips, kept turning around to check on her charges. The students were making their first visit to eucharastic adoration.
“We practiced because I wasn’t sure how pre-K would spend their time, which was only five minutes,” said pre-K teacher Vicky Driesse. “We did a whispering Hail Mary, Our Father and Glory Be this morning in the classroom. They used a whispering voice, it wasn’t loud so it worked out pretty well.”

04/11/2020

More scenes from neighborhood Stations of the Cross.

04/11/2020

15 neighborhoods throughout Baton Rouge participated in Stations of the Cross from sunrise to sunset on Good Friday.

04/09/2020

Finding hope in Easter

Easter this year provides a special opportunity to connect our own circumstances with the events of that first Easter – the darkness of Jesus’ walk to Calvary, his death on a tree and disappointment and fear as we ask, “Where is he?”“What could be more encouraging than the faith that says death is not permanent? That is what the mystery of Easter tells us. Jesus’ resurrection teaches us to not flee from crosses with fear in our hearts, but to remain steadfast in the face of sacrifice, suffering and even death,” said Father Todd Lloyd, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Lakeland.
Facing the sacrifices and disappointments of not being able to gather at Eason Easter and celebrate that glorious message at Mass because of the coronavirus invites us to reflect on the suffering and wounds Christ endured in his redemptive work.

04/08/2020

Bishops offer prayer for healing from coronavirus and an end to pandemic

PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- Here is the text of "A Holy Week Prayer for Healing From the Coronavirus" released by the bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in America:
Almighty God, our Father in Heaven, this week, we your children enter into the most solemn time of the liturgical year.
During Holy Week, we Christians will relive the sorrow of the passion and death of your Son, Jesus Christ, and will experience the joy of his triumphal resurrection on the third day, Pascha.
Our Jewish brothers and sisters, your chosen people, will relive the Passover, when through the blood of the lambs, You protected them from the angel of death and your servant Moses led them from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land.
We pray you, protect everyone throughout the world from the present angel of illness and death.
Welcome into your kingdom all those who have fallen asleep in the Lord from this disease.
May your Son, the Supreme Physician of our bodies and souls, heal all those who are afflicted and suffering from this illness.
May Jesus Christ journey with those who are experiencing their personal passion and journey to Calvary that they will share in the resurrection with him.
Comfort and console the grieving families that accompany their loved ones on their final earthly journeys.
May the Holy Spirit bestow his gifts upon all those who provide medical care to the afflicted and sustain them with fortitude, courage and endurance.
May the wisdom of the Holy Spirit guide the researchers in finding cures and developing treatments that will destroy this modern-day plague.
Finally, may the Most Holy Mother of God extend her blessed mantle of protection over all of us.
Almighty Lord, we humbly beseech you to hear and grant our prayer.
Amen.

Photo: A bed is seen inside a room at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans April 5, 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic. (CNS photo/Kathleen Flynn, Reuters)

04/08/2020

Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper
Mass from St. Joseph Cathedral with Bishop Michael Duca
Thursday April 9, 2020
6:00 p.m.

Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday)
From St. Joseph Cathedral with Bishop Michael Duca
3:00 p.m.

The Easter Vigil of the Holy Night (Holy Saturday)
Mass from St. Joseph Cathedral with Bishop Michael Duca
Saturday, April 11, 2020
8:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
Mass from St. Joseph Cathedral with Bishop Michael Duca
Sunday, April 12, 2020
10:30 a.m., and repeated at Noon, 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
CatholicLife TV Schedule
Cox Cable Ch. 15 (Baton Rouge)
Spectrum/Charter Cable Ch. 198 (Hammond)
Spectrum/Charter Cable Ch. 10 (St. James Civil Parish)
Fidelity Cable Ch. 14 (New Roads)
Also available on YouTube, Roku and Facebook

04/07/2020

FranU to graduate 37 nursing seniors a month early to join the workforce and help combat COVID-19

Baton Rouge, LA-In response to the request from Governor John Bel Edwards to support the health care surge in light of COVID-19, FranU faculty and leadership committed to keeping students on track to completion and graduate seniors a month early to help support the health care needs of the state and nation.

School of Nursing Dean, Dr. Amy Hall said that Schools of Nursing were asked by the Governor's Office, LAICU and LSBN to consider graduating the senior nursing students early to help strengthen the nursing workforce and increase the numbers of nurses who can care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Like the respiratory therapy program, we have adjusted the curriculum to allow our seniors to graduate early. We are happy that we can help provide nurses to care for patients during this unprecedented time," stated Hall

Hall continued, "The students will have their degrees conferred on April 27 along with the RT students. This has taken a lot of collaboration across all the departments at the University. I'm impressed by the collaboration and support we have gotten as we are charting these unknown waters. It's also a great way for FranU to support our area hospitals by increasing the nursing workforce a few weeks early. When we spoke with the senior nursing students, they seemed very excited to be able to graduate early. They did not voice any concerns and I have no concerns with them graduating early either."

Chief Nursing Officer of Our Lady of the Lake Nicole Telhiard said, "We are grateful for the commitment and partnership of the University. FranU has been such a critical sourcing partner for talent as we continue to grow and expand our ministry. As we work to meet the challenges of this current pandemic, we are blessed to have our University respond in such a profound way by ensuring we can continue our work, by having nursing graduates transition into professional practice to take care of our patients. It is because of solid talent partnerships like these we are prepared to serve."

President and CEO of LAICU Kenya Messer conveyed that postsecondary institutions reported healthcare-related programs are currently facing barriers such as hospitals closing student clinical opportunities, standardized board testing requirements, and opportunity for verification of temporary licenses.

“In response to the barriers in which healthcare-related programs are facing, public and private postsecondary institutions are allowing online simulation learning for students to complete necessary clinical requirements (made possible by executive order for the Governor), and ensuring graduation of on-track students in healthcare-related programs to graduate in April or May,” stated Messer.

To determine licensure response to the COVID-19 crisis, the following measures have been implemented: All recently graduated health care students can apply to their respective licensure boards in order to receive a temporary working permit; standardized tests such as NCLEX for nursing have been suspended to allow students the opportunity to apply for temporary licenses upon graduation; and testing time requirement extensions will be granted for the duration of the emergency and until testing resumes. In addition, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals fully understands the challenges and stands at the ready to reduce barriers for eligible health care graduates to support the health care COVID-19 effort.

04/06/2020

Palm Sunday recognized at home

To celebrate Palm Sunday, church parishes around the diocese of Baton Rouge encouraged their parishioners to post a palm branch on their doors or windows. Parishioners responded with many beautiful displays. Palm Sunday marked the beginning of Holy Week, a time of devotion to the Passion of Jesus.
From St. Benedict the Moor Church in Napoleonville.