By Anna Rose Riccard
Pro-lifers, take note. Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War* recently had the biggest opening weekend of any movie ever.  It has already made over 1.6 billion dollars worldwide, and if you haven’t seen it, you certainly know someone who has. This blockbuster has captivated the culture and provides a perfect opportunity to start a pro-life conversation.

By Chelsy Gomez

In recent weeks, the eyes of the world were drawn to Liverpool, England as the life of 23-month-old Alfie Evans hung in the balance.

By Aaron Matthew Weldon
Shortly after my wife had given birth to our first son, I held my little boy and was immediately struck by his helplessness.  Before that moment, I may have had some idea of how dependent a child is on others, but it became very real when my wife handed him to me on that sweltering summer day in Washington, D.C.  Those moments at the beginning of life, as well as at its end, show us in a vivid way one of the deepest truths about being human: we are radically dependent on others.

I had been brought up to believe that life is always a gift, but it certainly didn't feel like one when I gazed in shock at a positive pregnancy test. As a mom who had my first baby in college, I know that an unexpected pregnancy can sometimes bring fear, shame, and doubt.


By Tom Grenchik
Millions of Americans are deeply concerned about abortion. And tens of thousands of health care professionals do not want to be forced to participate in abortion in any way. Yet everywhere you look, great pressure is being exerted on individuals and institutions to cooperate in abortion.

By Tommy O'Donnell

British scientists have created a substance that mimics a mother's womb, allowing human embryos to implant on the side of a petri dish and continue their development long past the previous technological limit of seven to eight days. In short, this new technology makes it possible to grow human beings in a lab. Completely removed from the context of a nurturing family, they are cultivated solely for experimentation, often under the guise of curing common problems related to pregnancy and fetal development.


By Anne McGuire
 
In the midst of the many attacks on human life these days, we are called to help establish a “culture of life” that has at its heart the understanding that each of us is deeply loved by God, created to be with him, and offered redemption through Christ’s death and Resurrection. We can vote in a way consistent with respect for life, take part in Respect Life Month observances each October, and participate in events like the March for Life each January. But is there anything else we can do?


By Richard M. Doerflinger
 
I was waiting for a plane one recent morning when messages of hope started jumping out at me.

LAKE CHARLES  -- A funeral brochure, produced by Diocese of Lake Charles and disseminated to all 38 church parishes and all funeral homes in the diocese, includes important information regarding cremation and Words of Remembrance, two issues that surface often when planning funerals.


LAKE CHARLES – Christina R. Jarreau, a teacher with 14 years experience in both public and Catholic education, has been named principal of Immaculate Conception Cathedral Catholic School (ICCS) for the 2014-2015 school term.

By Mary McClusky
                                              
My husband and I had just celebrated the two-year anniversary of buying our first home, and we were still getting the previous owners’ mail. As I read the Planned Parenthood fundraising letter complaining that decreased access to abortion is an “undue burden” on women, I mumbled, “What about the burden of death on those babies and their poor mothers?” It felt satisfying to rip up the plea for money and throw it in the trash.

By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
State lawmakers should always acknowledge the Lord’s presence, Bishop Glen John Provost of Lake Charles said during the homily of a special legislators Mass on May 22 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge.

LAKE CHARLES  -- This year’s Catholic Charities Jazz Brunch featured soft jazz, the piano of Bishop Glen John Provost, and the bluegrass tunes of the Holy Mountain Bluegrass Band with Father Edward Richard, M.S., but above all provided good food and fellowship.
   Held Sunday, May 18  at the Lake Charles Country Club, the event is the major fundraiser for Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana.

By Audra Nakas, Guest Columnist
 
“Hey, whatcha doin’?”
 
I clutched my rosary a little tighter.

LAKE CHARLES --  The hiring of Christopher Fontenot as principal of St. Louis Catholic High School (SLCHS) was announced during a faculty and staff gathering at the school on Friday, May 9, according to Mrs. Kimberlee Gazzolo, superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lake Charles and The Very Rev. Marcus Johnson, V.F., rector of St. Louis.


The prayer intentions of Pope Francis and Bishop Glen John Provost for the month of Mayl.

By Deirdre A. McQuade
On May 13, West Philadelphia abortionist Dr. Kermit Gosnell was found guilty of 237 crimes. Among his convictions were three counts of first-degree murder of infants born alive during attempted late-term abortions, one count of infanticide, and the involuntary manslaughter of a patient who died from complications of anesthesia administered by an unlicensed nurse. The following day, Dr. Gosnell was sentenced to life in prison.

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By Kimberly Baker
 
"Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia." So begins the Regina Coeli prayer, which replaces the noon-time Angelus during the Easter season. Because the Easter season extends well into May, we are able to use this special prayer to Mary during much of the month traditionally dedicated in her honor.

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LAKE CHARLES - The Reverend Dean Bryan Thompson was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Lake Charles Saturday, May 26, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, was the ordaining prelate.

By Kimberly Baker

The upcoming celebration of Father’s Day is a fitting time to examine the irony that in our current culture, fatherhood is rarely mentioned.

WASHINGTON, DC - Catholic dioceses and organizations, currently numbering 43, from across the country have filed religious liberty lawsuits against the federal government to challenge the Obama administration’s contraception mandate.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — “The Pontifical College Josephinum sends you forth to be heralds of Jesus Christ and his Gospel,” said Very Reverend James A. Wehner, STD, Rector / President, to the seminary’s 2012 graduating class. The second Saturday of May was “a glorious day” for the graduates and their family and friends, who gathered for the 113th Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercises of the only pontifical seminary outside of Italy.

Lake Charles seminarian, Deacon Bryan Thompson, who will be ordained on Saturday, May 26, was a member of the graduating class, earning his Master of Divinity and a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (STB).

“This pontifical, national seminary provides a formation experience in which seminarians can hear the word of God, study the word of God, and discern the word of God within an apostolic community,” said Father Wehner. “Yet no seminary can do this alone. The whole Church stands in solidarity with each of our seminarians today, as we salute these men and thank God for their accomplishments.”
   
Father Wehner was the principal celebrant for the Baccalaureate Mass held in Saint Turibius Chapel, the largest of the seminary’s four formal worship spaces. He was joined at the altar by Reverend Monsignor Daniel Torres, Vicar General of the Diocese of Lake Charles; Reverend Monsignor Ronald Groth, also of Lake Charles; Reverend Joseph McGaffin of the Diocese of Phoenix; Reverend Brian Van Hove, SJ, chaplain to the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan; and 2011 alumnus Father Joaquin Zermeno of Brownsville, as well as many priest-faculty of the Josephinum and of the Columbus diocese.
    
“What a glorious day!” said Msgr. Torres, homilist. “We give thanks to Almighty God for the wondrous gifts of these graduates of this fine intuition of Catholic faith.” Msgr. Torres encouraged the graduates to live a life of mercy toward others, even in the face of life’s difficulties. “The reality is that the world is tough,” he said. “Graduates, you must realize that it will be tough, but every day can be a glorious day if you live in Christ and are rich in his mercy. What you have learned can blossom if you truly live in Christ and are strong in your prayer life, humble in your spirit, listen with your ears and heart, and are merciful as Christ is.”
   
The Baccalaureate Mass was followed by a celebratory reception for the family and friends of the graduating seminarians. More than 200 visitors were on campus for the day’s festivities.
   
Graduates and guests returned to Saint Turibius Chapel later that morning for Commencement Exercises. Honored guests were Most Reverend Frederick F. Campbell, Bishop of Columbus and Vice Chancellor of the Josephinum, Monsignor Torres, and Reverend Paul Noble, Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Columbus.
    Degrees were conferred by Father Wehner; 30 seminarians from 16 different dioceses were granted degrees from the Josephinum’s College of Liberal Arts, Pre-Theology Program or School of Theology.
  
A Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy, history or classical studies was awarded to 9 graduates of the College of Liberal Arts. Seven seminarians earned a Bachelor of Philosophy or a Certificate of Achievement in Philosophical and Theological Studies, indicating their successful completion of the Pre-Theology Program.
   
The degree Master of Divinity, which signifies fulfillment of the requirements for priestly ordination, was awarded to 13 graduates from the School of Theology, 6 of whom completed the additional academic requirements of a Master of Arts in dogmatic theology, moral theology, biblical studies or evangelization. The Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (STB), a pontifical degree conferred by the Josephinum in affiliation with the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, was awarded to 8 of the deacons.
   
Graduates of the School of Theology will return home to their respective dioceses for ordination to the priesthood this spring. A majority of pre-theologians and collegians will continue their vocational discernment as they undertake graduate theological study.
College Senior Alford Enfield of the Diocese of Phoenix spoke on behalf of the Class of 2012 and offered words of advice and encouragement to his brother seminarians:  “We are here first and foremost to discern if God is calling us to the priesthood,” he said. “Trust the formation process; fully invest yourself into the program. Our priestly fathers have told us that we cannot fail, regardless of whether we go on to theology and eventually the priesthood, or become good, holy, humble Catholic laymen. Is the Josephinum perfect? Of course not. But this is a good, holy place where boys grow into men, and men grow into the holy men of God that they were always intended to be.”
   
As a national seminary, the Pontifical College Josephinum educates priesthood candidates from an average of 25 dioceses throughout the United States; the 113th Baccalaureate and Commencement marks the institution’s 124th year of forming men for service to the Universal Church. It also is the final year for Father Wehner, a priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, who concludes his three-year tenure as rector this spring. On July 1, 2012, he will assume responsibilities as Rector/President of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, LA. “It has been a privilege and an honor to be your pastor,” he said in his final remarks during Commencement. “Christ is the King of kings, and today is victory for him. May God always be with you.”

By Richard M. Doerflinger

The “Freedom From Religion Foundation” has placed a full-page ad in the Washington Post. It urges Catholics to “quit the Catholic Church” over its teachings on sex and procreation, asking: “Will it be reproductive freedom, or back to the Dark Ages?”
  

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By Susan E. Wills
There was great news this week on the abortion front. The journal Obstetrics & Gynecology reports that abortion rates in the United States continue their steady decline—an 8 percent drop between 2000 and 2008, to under 20 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44.

LAKE CHARLES – Honors and awards were heaped on the Class of 2011 of St. Louis Catholic High School the day before the school’s commencement cermonies and nearly $5 million in scholarships were offered to the graduates.

The most prestigious of the honors, the St. Louis Award, went to Catherine Delahoussaye and Kevin Hardy on graduation night. The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, was the main speaker at the event and presented the St. Louis Awards to the winners. The St. Louis Award goes to a male and female senior student voted as the outstanding Christian student at the school by their peers and approved by members of the faculty.

The awards, made possible the Lake Charles Serra Club of Lake Charles, are presented to students who have shown the following characteristics: Love of God and Neighbor, Strong Moral Character, Desire to Serve Community, Courage to Stand up for Christian Principles, a Daily Christian Lifestyle, and Proper Use of God-Given gifts.
  
The various other awards included: 

President’s Honor Awards and Louisiana House of Representative Awards:
Valedictorian: Lauren Snider; Co-Salutatorians: Ashlyn Courville and Ellen Landry

Daryn Beaugh, Bruno Beltran, Chelsea Bose, Anna Breaux, Manon Burns, Corynne Caballero, Kenneth Caruthers, Callie Clement, Ashlyn Courville, Catherine Delahoussaye, Andrew Derouen, Carlin Donart, Carmen Hawkins, Rebekah Hoffpauir, Mary Klumpp, Cameron Landry, Ellen Landry, Rachel Livingston, Sarah Lorio, Jessen Mayo, Maria-Josee’ Mendez, Michael Minaldi, Anne Monk, Kay Nelson, Laura Prejean, Shelby Quirk, Nadeen Saqer, Casey Savoie, Cory Snead, Lauren Snider, Hannah Veazey, Alessandra Villamil, and Hiren Zaveri.
National Merit Commended Students: Danielle Bercier. Manon Burns, Ellen Landry, Rachel Livingston, Maria-Josee’ Mendez, (also recognized as a National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar), and Anne Monk.Semifinalist in the National Achievement Program: Jordan Aubey. National Merit Finalists: Bruno Beltran and Lauren Snider (Beltran also named a National Hispanic Program Recognition Scholar)

Student of the Year: Rachel Livingston, District Winner

Skylar Bailey, 4th,     Accounting I; Bruno Beltran, 1st /overall, Calculus, Kade Billeaudeaux, 2nd,     Nutrition & Food; Manon Burns, 1st, English IV; Blake Glaub, 4th, Advanced Math, Functions & Statistics; Rachel Livingston,    1st, Computer Applications; Felix Navejar, 1st/overall; Lauren Snider, 1st, Physics; Christopher Tommasi, 1st, Financial Math; Hannah Veazey, 1st, Family & Consumer Science and Luke Woodard, 1st, Environmental Science.

Chelsea Bose received an individual award in her performance and Nadeen Saqer received an individual award in her performance,

Bruno Beltran, 1st/tied 1st, overall Calculus; Manon Burns, 2nd, English IV; Rachel Livingston, 1st, Advanced Math, Functions & Statistics; Felix Navejar, 1st /overall, Environmental Applications; Lauren Snider, 1st, Physics
   
Plauche’ DAR Special Award: Collin Todd; Caldarara Student Council Award: Catherine Delahoussaye; and Library Society Award: Kobe Crowell


American Legion Award: Ashlyn Courville and Ben Bernard; Scottish Rite Patriotism: Hannah Babineaux and Andrew Derouen; Service Above Self Award: Ellen Landry; The Catholic Youth Leadership Awards: St. Margaret Parish: Sarah Lorio and Andrew Derouen and Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish: Laura Prejean.

Knights of St. Peter Claver Award: Alyssa Frank; Mayor’s Community Commitment Award: Manon Burns and Ashlyn Courville; PPG National Merit Scholarship: Bruno Beltran; Principal’s Scholar/Athlete Awards: Lauren Snider and Daryn Beaugh; and the Wendy’s High School Heisman Awards: Rachel Livingston and Kristopher Albarado.

Keith Jones Award: Hannah Veazey; George Rodrigue Scholarship: Andrew Derouen; Sasol Scholarship: Chelsea Bosel Zeta Phi Beta Scholarship: Chelsea Davis, Jon Marie Guillory, Katlyn McZeal; Propeller Club Scholarship: Andrew Derouen; Black Heritage Festival Scholarship: Kevin Hardy; Pi Kappa Alpha Scholarship: Kevin Hardy; SW LA Center for Health Services: Bruno Beltran; Tournament of Stars Scholarship: Ben Bernard; NAUW Scholarship: Darien Bartie; Celebrate Team Award: Kay Nelson; ACTS Theatre Award: Dietrich Jessen; John Jackson Showman Award: Andrew Gary; and Beauregard Parish Cattleman’s Association: Claire Jones

Centenary College: Daryn Beaugh, 1825 Scholars Award and will be participating in the soccer program at Centenary; University of Louisiana at Lafayette:  Catherine Delahoussaye, UL Lafayette Centennial Scholarship and Lauren Ryder, UL Lafayette Academic Scholarship; University of Louisiana at Monroe: Bryce Laningham, Academic Excellence Tier I Scholarship; Louisiana Tech University: Sarah Lorio, LA Tech Outstanding Student Scholarship; Taylor McMahon, LA Tech Outstanding Student Scholarship, LA Tech Counselor’s Choice Scholarship; Kay Nelson,  LA Tech Outstanding Student Scholarship; Alexander Shows, LA Tech Outstanding Student Scholarship, School of Architecture Freshman Scholarship; and Cory Snead, LA Tech Outstanding Student Scholarship.

University of New Orleans: Danielle Keys, Jackson Scholarship and Brittany Thierry, Privateer Merit Award; Nicholls State University, Jessen Mayo, President’s Scholarship and Academic Enrichment Scholarship; Tulane University: Manon Burns, Presidential Scholar and selected for the Honors Program; Callie Clement; Tulane Legislative Scholarship and Tulane Honors Program; Nadeen Saqer, Distinguished Scholar and Honors Program.

Loyola University-New Orleans: Jordan Aubey, Loyola University Dean’s Scholar and Rebecca Walker, Loyola Scholarship; Oklahoma Christian University, Chelsea Bose, Presidential Academic Success Scholarship, the Dennis and Bonnie Young Scholarship; Trinity University-San Antonio, Texas: Kenneth Caruthers, President’s Scholarship; Wheaton College, Illinois: Rachel Livingston, President’s Award; University of South Carolina:     Anne Monk, Cooper Scholars Award

University of Dallas: Laura Prejean-University of Dallas President’s Scholarship;
Millsaps College: Louis Todd, Millsaps Award; Texas Christian University: Ashlynn Courville, Chancellor’s Scholarship; Springhill College: Kara Baggett, Ignatian Leader Scholarship; Daniel Piper, Gautrelet Award; and Sarah Winterton, Gautrelet Award.

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge: Bruno Beltran, Flagship Scholars Resident Award; Corynne Caballero, Academic Scholars Resident Award; Andrew Derouen, Tiger Excellence Resident Award; Carmen Hawkins, Tiger Excellence Award;     Ellen Landry, Flagship Scholars Resident Award;     Michael Minaldi, Academic Scholars Resident Award and Charles McClendon Scholarship; Casey Savoie, Academic Scholars Award.

McNeese State University: Hannah Babineaux, H.C. Drew Scholarship; Danielle Bercier, Honors College Scholarship and Choral Service Award; Benjamin Bernard, Lake Charles American Press Scholarship; Anna Breaux, Distinguished Achievement Award; Desiree Burgess, Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Achievement in Visual Arts; Tyler Churchman, Distinguished Achievement Award; Kristen Fontenot, H.C. Drew Scholarship;     Jack Fry, H.C. Drew Scholarship; Blake Glaub, Band Scholarship; Cameron Landry, H.C. Drew Scholarship; Maria-Josee’ Mendez, Honors College Scholarship; Felix Navejar,  Distinguished Achievement Award; Samuel Roques,  Distinguished Achievement Award; Lauren Snider, Honors College Scholarship; Garrett Soileau, MSU Foundation Achievement Award; Hannah Veazey, Board of Supervisors Scholarship and Residence Hall Scholarship; Alessandra Villamil, H.C. Drew Scholarship.

Athletic Scholarships: Women’s Basketball, Jon Marie Guillory, Nicholls State University; Men’s Basketball, Kevin Hardy, McNeese State University. Football: Kristopher Albarado, Football scholarship to the University of Southern California; Dillon Berlin, McNeese State University. Softball: Kacie Franklin, Bossier Parish Community College and Louisiana Softball Coaches Association Scholarship; Baseball: Ryan Kade Billeaudeaux, LSU-Shreveport and Blue and Gold at LSU-S; Scholarship to that university; Robert Reid Chavez, Marion Military Institute in Alabama; Isaac Lacombe, LSU- Shreveport; Mason Thigpen, Louisiana College; Collin Todd, McNeese State University; Jacob Williams, McNeese State University.

Track: Stephen Eccles, McNeese State University and an H.C. Drew Scholarship; Tennis: Jordyn Goody, Xavier University and an academic scholarship to Xavier; Meyer Schwartzberg, Springhill College and the Gautrelet Award; Bowling: Bryce Laningham and Felix Navejar

Msgr. Irving A. DeBlanc Service Award: Callie Clement.

Seniors - Readers: Hannah Reed and Nevin Andrepont; Loyalty: Corynn Caballero and Dietrich Jessen; Scholarship: Ashlyn Courville and Andrew Derouen; Leadership: Ellen Landry and Collin Todd; Christian Community: Catherine Delahoussaye and Daryn Beaugh

Juniors - Loyalty: MaryKate Core and Sam Boyer; Scholarship: Victoria Knollmeyer and Jonathan Vogel; Leadership: Madison Blackwell and Matthew Gallier; Christian Community: Caryn Meschwitz and Sal Ange.

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By Richard M. Doerflinger
Soon Congress will consider protecting conscience rights for health care providers, especially the right not to be forced to participate in abortion. 

ROME -- More than a million pilgrims, the largest crowd to ever witness such an event, was on hand Saturday morning for the Beatfication of Blessed John Paul II by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.

By Deirdre A. McQuade           
Last May I wrote how America is trending decidedly pro-life -- despite assertions to the contrary from abortion advocacy groups like NARAL Pro-Choice America, formerly known as the National Abortion Rights Action League.

LAKE CHARLES – The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of the Diocese of Lake Charles, was the key speaker at the 2010 Commencement Exercises of 150 St. Louis Catholic High School seniors on Tuesday, May 18.
  
Bishop Provost was joined by Very Rev. Marcus Johnson, the school’s Rector; Mrs. Kimberlee Gazzolo, Superintendent of Catholic Schools; Ms. Deborarh Frank, President of St. Louis; and Deans of Students, Mrs. Dee Butts and Mr. Tony Johnson in conferring diplomas to the graduates.
  
The Bishop also presented the St. Louis Awards to Hannah Vidrine and Jared France.  The St. Louis Award, the highest honor that can be bestowed on a St. Louis graduate, is given each year  to a male and female senior voted outstanding Christian student by their peers and approved by members of the faculty.
  
The awards, sponsored by the Serra Club of Lake Charles, are presented to students who have shown the following characteristics: Love of God and Neighbor, Strong Moral Character, Desire to Serve Community, Courage to Stand up for Christian Principles, a Daily Christian Lifestyle, and Proper Use of God-Given gifts.
  
In his address to the graduates and their families and friends, Bishop Provost asked graduates to consider that as they complete a chapter in life, something is left behind and something is left to be accomplished. As graduates move on to the next phase of their lives, he asked them to keep in mind that when they build their house, they should keep God a part of it, or their labor will be in vain. Bishop Provost reminded graduates that God is always with them, and that they should be faithful to the principles they have been taught in their Catholic education. He asked them to remember that God has a plan for them and is building a house for them.
  
There were 30 Honor Graduates in the Class of 2010, including Co-Valedictorians, Farid Abdel-Raouf Abu-Shamat and Jonathan Doucet, who joined together to give their valedictory address to the those in attendance. It was noted that 2010 St. Louis graduates were offered a total of $2,623,793 in scholarships. 
  
Closing the commencement ceremony was the singing of the St. Louis Alma Mater by the senior members of the St. Louis Concert Choir, accompanied by the Spirit of St. Louis Band.
  
Other clergy in attendance included Msgr. Harry Greig, Msgr. Jace Eskind, Msgr. James Gaddy; Very Rev. Daniel Torres, Rev. Keith Pellerin, Rev. Whitney Miller, Rev. Ruben Buller, Rev. Joseph Gosselin, M.S., Rev. Gerard Boulanger, M.S., Rev. Alan Trouille, Very Rev. Aubrey Guilbeau, and Rev. Nathan Long.
  
Deacon Scott Conner, St. Louis Catholic High School Chaplain, gave the opening prayer and Father Johnson prounced the Benediction.


President’s Honor Awards and Louisiana House of Representative Awards:
Co-Valedictorians: Farid Abu-Shamat and Jonathan Doucet


Honor Graduates

Farid Abu-Shamat,  Monica Aleshire, Rachel Bourdeau, Rebecca Carleton, Diana Charles, Shelby Churchman, Jonathan Doucet, Caroline Downer, Courtney Foch, Katherine Fontenot, Jared France, Alexandra Gallier, Hannah Hughes, James Jarnagin, Sydney Kaspar, Antonio Kufoy, Mary Laborde, Tammy Ly, Victoria McDaniel, Sally McPherson, John Miller, Claire Mosley, Hilarie Nixon, Christine Palma, Kyle Paulk, Nicholas Richardson, Hannah Vidrine, Celeste Woodard, Emily Yokubaitis, Kathryn Zimmerman,

National Merit Awards

National Merit Commended Student: Julie Vaughan; Semifinalist in the National Achievement Program: Todd Guillory; National Merit Semifinalist: Jared France.

Student of the Year: Jared France, District Winner

Golden Achievement Award

St. Louis received a plaque for the Golden Achievement Award, which is presented to schools whose students earned the most college credits at LSU Spring testing. St. Louis seniors earned a total of 260 credit hours of college credit.

District Literary Rally

Jonathan Doucet, 1st  ,Calculus; Jared France, 1st/Overall, Physics; Hannah Hughes, 1st, English IV; Scott Solari, 2nd, Financial Mathematics; Ryan Vinson    , 1st/Overall, World Geography

State Literary Rally
Jared France, 1st , Physics; Ryan Vinson, 4th World Geography.

Senior actors T.J. Forest, Shaley Racca, and Blaine Simon took first place at the District Play Rally with the performance of the drama “Play the Hand That’s Dealt” and received an excellent at the State Play Rally. Simon was recognized as the Most Promising Actor at the District Rally and Racca was awarded a scholarship to the McNeese Theatre Department

Rebecca Carleton was rated Superior in Original Oratory and received 2nd place in overall competition in both District and State Speech Rally.

Alex Reinauer was rated Superior in Original Oratory and placed 1st overall in Radio Speaking at District. He received a superior rating in oratory at State Speech Rally.

Plauche’ DAR Special Award: Jimmy Jarnagin

Caldarera Student Council Award: Caroline Downer

Key Club Governor’s Award: Jimmy Jarnagin

Library Society Award: Quentin Ange


National and Community Awards

American Legion Award: Shelby Churchman and Jonathan Doucet; Scottish Rite Patriotism: Emily Ieyoub and Quentin Ange; Service Above Self Award: Hannah Vidrine; The Catholic Youth Leadership Awards, St. Margaret of Scotland Parish: Claire Mosley and Jared France; Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish: David Bellard; Catholic Daughter Scholarship: Jared France; Prudential Spirit of Community Award: Timothy Forest; Mayor’s Community Commitment Award: Quentin Ange; Army Scholar/Athlete Awards: Jonathan Doucet and Claire Mosley; Wendy’s High School Heisman Award: Maggie Laborde; Zeta Phi Beta Scholarship: Kenneth Brown, Chloe Edwards, and Rahseema Clark;
Papa John’s Scholarship: Caleb Poe; Black Heritage Festival: Alexus Green;
Knights of St. Michael: Treville Belcher and Joseph Pousson; Conoco Scholarship: Caroline Downer; Kiwanis Scholarship: Jimmy Jarnagin;

Delta Sigma Theta Scholarships: Gabrielle Gloston, Delta Gems Scholarship
Keelan Garrett, Jacob Nixon, and Craig Rodriguez: Beautillion Self Help Awards; 4-H Scholarship: Anna Espey; Health Systems 2000 Scholarship: Anna Espey;
Tournament of Stars Scholarship: Monica Aleshire; ACTS Theatre Award: Tyler Spence

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

University of Louisiana-Lafayette: Treville Belcher Academic Excellence Scholarship; James Berry, Academic Excellence Scholarship;     Hannah Vidrine, Academic Excellence Scholarship. Louisiana Tech: Jose Calles, Outstanding Student Scholarship. Birmingham Southern: Russell Stutes, Greensboro Scholarship. Centenary: Pamela Choucino, Music and Academic Scholarship; Julie Vaughan, Trustee’s Scholarship and Academic Award Scholarship.

Northwestern State University: Alaina Davis, Presidential Ambassador Scholarship and NW Purple Pizzazz Pom Pom Line Scholarship. LSU Eunice: Alyse McCall, Chancellor’s Scholarship. TCU: Hannah Hughes, Dean’s Scholar.
University of Dubuque: Trevor Duplechian, Presidential Scholarship and ROTC Scholarship. Springhill College: Emily Yokubaitis, Portier Scholar.

Xavier University of Louisiana: Cydney Chatters, Xavier University Scholarship and an Xavier Biomedical Scholar Summer Program Scholarship; Gabrielle Gloston, Xavier University Scholarship. Tulane University: Jared France, Dean’s Honor Scholarship, awarded to top 75 members of the incoming class. Loyola University New Orleans: Kaley Cooling, Koyola University New Orleans Scholar; Blaine Simon, Drama Scholarship and Loyola Scholarship.

McNeese State University: David Bellard, Distinguished Achievement Award; Stephen Blackwell- Distinguished Achievement Award; Christopher Eisen, H.C. Drew Scholarship; Emma Fuselier, H.C. Drew Scholarship and Residence Hall Scholarship;     Emily Ieyoub, H.C. Drew Scholarship; Sydney Kaspar, H.C. Drew Scholarship and Com-STEM Scholarship; Katie Losey, Distinguished Achievement Award;     Victoria McDaniel, Distinguished Achievement Award and Residence Hall Scholarship; Samantha Peters, Distinguished Achievement Award; Grace Piatt,  Distinguished Achievement Award;     Shaley Racca, Theatre Scholarship;     Alex Reinauer, Speech Rally Scholarship;     Nicholas Richardson, Board of Supervisors Scholarship and Residence Hall Scholarship;     Kathryn Zimmerman,  Distinguished Achievement Award.

Louisiana State University: Devyn Beaugh, LA Freshman Merit Award;     Paul Broussard,  LA Freshman Merit Award;  Rebecca Carleton,  LA Freshman Merit Award;     Diana Charles,  LA Freshman Merit Award;     Shelby Churchman, LSU National Scholars’ Award; Jonathan Doucet, LSU Alumni Association Top 100 Scholarship;     Caroline Downer,  LA Freshman Merit Award;  Zachary Drouilhet, LSU Centennial Award;
Campbell Flynt,  LA Freshman Merit Award;  Katherine Fontenot,  LA Freshman Merit Award;     Adam France,  LA Freshman Merit Award;     Andrew Francois,  LA Freshman Merit Award;     Todd Guillory, LSU National Scholars’ Award; James Jarnagin,  LA Freshman Merit Award;  Mary “Maggie” Laborde, LSU Alumni Association Top 100 Scholarship;     Tammy Ly,  LA Freshman Merit Award;     Sally McPherson, LSU Alumni Association Top 100 Scholarship and Manship School of Mass Communication Walter Hitesman Scholarship; John Paul Miller,  LA Freshman Merit Award; Hilarie Nixon, Chancellors Leadership Scholarship; Christine Palma, LSU National Scholars’ Award;     Kyle Paulk, LSU Alumni Association Top 100 Scholarship;     Joseph Pousson, LSU Centennial Award;     Ricky Shetler,  LA Freshman Merit Award;     Matthew Viator, LSU Centennial Award.
   
Athletic Scholarships
Women’s Basketball: Paige Gauthier,  walk-on for the 1010-11 Women’s Basketball season at Xavier University of Louisiana. Paige also received an Xavier Housing Award. Men’s Basketball:  Keelan Garrett, Nicholls State University.
Soccer: Daniel Spell,  University of Mobile. He has also received the Dean’s scholarship to that university;     Rahseema Clark,  McNeese State University; Alexandra Gallier,   McNeese State University. She has also been awarded a MSU Foundation Achievement Scholarship. Football: James Bice,  McNeese State University: .Kenny Brown ,  McNeese State University, Baseball: Ty Griffen,  McNeese State University. Track: Courtnei Carter, McNeese State University.


Msgr. Irving A. DeBlanc Service Award:  Hannah Vidrine.


*Farid Abdel-Raouf Abu-Shamat (Valedictorian), *Monica Leigh Aleshire, James David Allen, Joel Albert Andrepont, Kamon James Ange, Quentin Armand Ange, Devyn Scott Beaugh, Alexander Blake Begnaud, Treville Steven Belcher, David Joseph Bellard, Christopher Eugene Bercier, James Hertzog Berry, James Conrad Bice, Stephen Alden Blackwell, Cory Michael Bono,*Rachel Marie Bourdeau, Dana Michelle Breaux, Paul Allen Broussard, Kenneth Sylvester Brown, Jr, Megan Deon Buckley.

Jose' Manuel Calles, III, Ethan Garrett Caraway, *Rebecca Ann Carleton, Courtnei J'Nai Carter, *Diana Louise Charles, Cydney Lauren Chatters, Pamela Rita Choucino, *Shelby Sophia Churchman, Rahseema Shannel Clark, Glenn Paul Comeaux, Jr, Christian Paul Coody, Kaley Catrice Cooling, Alaina Chauntel Davis,  *Jonathan Samuel Doucet (Valedictorian), *Caroline Elizabeth Downer,
Zachary Robert Drouilhet, Trevor Luke Duplechian, Brittany Nicole Durio, Chloe Rachel Edwards, Christopher Michael Eisen, Lacy Leigh Ellis, Anna Elizabeth Espey.

Anthony Davis Ferrer, Campbell Craig Flynt, *Courtney Elizabeth Foch, Amanda Kaye Fontenot, *Katherine Julie Fontenot, Lauren Elizabeth Foreman, Timothy Joseph Forest, Adam Josef France, *Jared Michael France, Andrew Joseph Francois, Emma Camille Fuselier, *Alexandra Beth Gallier, Jon Keelan Garrett,
Paige Antoinette Gauthier, Gabrielle Faith Gloston, Alexus Isjaneka Green, Ty Sebree Griffen, Todd Christopher Guillory.

Jonathan Hunt Harless, Brian Louis Hebert, Andrew Michael Hedlesky, Trent Garth Helms, *Hannah Camille Hughes, Emily Elizabeth Ieyoub, *James Andrew Jarnagin, Katherine Mary Jones, Alexander Scott Jordan, *Sydney Elizabeth Kaspar, William Alexander Kohler*Antonio Kufoy, *Mary Margaret Inez Laborde, Richard Sage Labove, Katie Michelle Losey, Sarah Michelle Lowery, *Tammy Ly.

Megan Nicole Manceaux, Sarah Elise Manning, Alyse Christine McCall, Ashley Marie McCall, Ashley Meiners McCay, Kade Michael McCoy, *Victoria Lynn McDaniel, *Sally Kay McPherson, Christina Ronnette Mesh, Maria Dell-Antoinette Metoyer, Russell Eric Metoyer, II, *John Paul Miller, Mary Megan Miller, Sarah Elizabeth Miller, *Claire Renee Mosley,

Sadie Rose Newell, Brent Wayne Newman, Jonathan Patrick Newman, *Hilarie Lauren Nixon,  Jacob Harold Nixon, *Christine Camille Palma, Michael Anthony Palma, *Kyle Logan Paulk, Adrienne Jaimie Perry, Samantha Leigh Peters
Marie Camille Pettaway, William Barr Pharr, Grace Delayne Piatt, Charles Zachary Pate Picard, Caleb Ryan Poe, Joseph Richard Pousson.

Shaley Michelle Racca, Regan Lea Ratliff, Alex Richman Reinauer, Gialile Keity Remar, Sarah Beth Renard, *Nicholas Craig Richardson, Lauren Ann Ricklefsen
Craig Jamal Rodriguez, Tyler Wayne Romero, Lucy Marie San Miguel, Ryan Daniel Scarborough, Worth Michael Shelton, Richard Dean Shetler, II, Blaine Ryan Simon, Scott Thomas Solari, Daniel James Spell, Tyler Hundley Spence,
Russell Joseph Stutes, III, Jonathan Grant Sutton, Stephen Michael Sylvester.

William Shou Tang, Ali Frances Thibodeaux, Stephanie Anne Thies, Elizabeth Lawrence Thompson, Julie Catherine Vaughan, Matthew Scott Viator, *Hannah Aileen Vidrine, Tyler Burton Vincent, Ryan Taylor Vinson, Anna Camille Ward,
Tremayne Necole Washington, Paris Rena Waters, Kathleen Elizabeth White, Laura Marie White, Joelle Alyse Whitehouse, Jonathan Luke Williams, Lanie Kay Williams, Frederick Murphy Winterton, Ashley Marie Witt, *Celeste Kay Woodard, *Emily Suzanne Yokubaitis, *Kathryn Olivia Zimmerman.
* -  Honor Graduates.

...

LAKE CHARLES – St. Henry Catholic Church and Rev. Arturo Lozano, Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Lake Charles, recently hosted the quarterly statewide meeting of Hispanic Ministry Directors. A total of 27 members of the clergy, religious and laity involved in Hispanic Ministry attended.
  
The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, was on hand for the opening prayer and spoke to the group about the importance of their ministry.
  
Father Lozano presented a history of Hispanic Ministry efforts in the Diocese to Bishop Provost and to Rev. Jose Burgues, director of the Southeastern Pastoral Institute (SEPI) located in Miami.
  
Dioceses of Louisiana represented, in addition to Lake Charles, were Alexandria, Houma-Thibodaux, Lafayette, Shreveport and New Orleans. These meetings are held with the purpose of sharing ideas and offering support for each other on-going projects, activities and future plans. Each diocese presented its progress on current projects and offered its future plans. Training and information regarding provincial, regional and national issues that affect Hispanic Ministry are also available.
  
“We discussed several on-going issues during the meeting but one of the highlights was the presentation by Father Burgues  of the Community Evangelization School,”  Father Lozano said. “This is a program that, if brought to Louisiana, would expand the methods of evangelization and would benefit small communities where it is hard for people to travel.
  
“Requirements for these “Evangelizers” are that they must attend the School of Ministries, a 20 weekend courses offered by SEPI and a weekend training to begin teaching,” Father Lozano continued. “It was decided that each diocese would select personnel believed capable of teaching these basic courses and ask for a SEPI instructor for the training where they will receive the materials needed to start.”  
  
The Southeastern Pastoral Institute includes 30 dioceses in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Caroline, Tennessee and Kentucky. It was created in 1978 to assist the bishops of Regions V and XIV of the United States in their pastoral ministry to Hispanic Catholics.  It is an educational and service organization that assists these dioceses to develop and train leaders in their faith and culture for the integration of the Hispanic community in the life of the Church and society.

LAKE CHARLES – The Third Annual Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic School “Heavenly Fish Festival” was a great success. Participants had a fund day fishing and eating at the weigh station located at Calcasieu Point, according to Lisa Jakel, Director of Advancement for the school.
  
“Many thanks go first and foremost to Monsignor (James) Gaddy,” she said. “He is the greatest ambassador of all in this joint venture as he encouraged everyone to contribute to the cause of this event in some way, shape or form. The generosity of all of the sponsors was truly amazing! From the Blue Marlins to the Angelfish, each contribution has blessed all the students at OLQH School.”
 
Others who helped make the day a success included  school principal Joann Wallwork as well as Diane Jackson, Pam Fontenot, Barry and Donna Barger, CheryLeblanc, Patsy Beverung, Merle Mouton, Susan Pruitt, Dawn Witherwax, Meris Courville, Bob Crooks, Terry Guillory, the ACTS Group and Ed Theriot’s crew from Port Aggregates.
  
“It was a whale of a success,” Jaketl said. “What a great event to end the 2009-2010 school year as this worthwhile fundraiser supports what we believe in most…the mission of Catholic Education.”
  
The top youth division spot went to Lauren Gayle who boated a 5.49- pound stingray.

Youth, other species:  Lauren Gayle, John Paul Marceaux, Andrew Wagoner, Jonathan Perry, Lauren Storey, Adam Jarreau, Logan Bertrand, Aidan Welsh, John Noble, Jr., Isabella Lundy, Nicholas Hilliard, Tim Curol, and Allison Vincent.   
   
Adult, redfish:  Jonathan Primeaux, Boyd Pousson, Scott Duplechin, John Gregory, Brock Brame, Alfred Palma, Jason Verzwyvelt, Keith Colby, Terry Kenedy, Laurie Verzwyvelt, Clay Kenedy, and Carley Williams

Youth, redfish:  Sidney Witherwax, Anna Leigh Drost, Luke Queenan, Kali Hudson, Jacob Hebert, Jeremy Palma, Andrew Duncan, Griffin Gibson, Charlie Drost, Simon Santacoloma, Nadiva Vizier, Ella Savoie, Ryan Bower, Mia Sanders, Colby Trahan, Drake Pousson, Paris Reale, Kathleen Hilliard, Joshua Storey, Kaitlin Colby, and Connor Williams

Adult, trout:  Willie Moreno, John Perry, Stanley Baldwin, Neil Duncan, Paul Moreno, Zac Courville, David Moreno, John Noble, Jacob Snider, Mike Kaough, John Palma, Chris Bertrand, and Barrett Hamilton

Youth, trout:  Adam Grueber, Cooper Gregory, Will Moreno, Haley Goodwin, Ryan Kenedy, Sabrina Brame, Hugh Manuel, Emma Jarreau, Austin Guillory, Grant Tassin, Jack Lefort, Bonnie Brame, Will Gage, Matthew Vincent, Shreve Gage, William Heinen, Emily Labiche, and Catherine Jester

Adult, flounder:  Garland Prejean, Jordan Brashear, Duane Witherwax, James Latour, John Perry, Sr., and Don Kay

Youth, flounder:  Cameron Witherwax, Brant McNeese, Dakota Courville, Brogan McNeese, Bray Peavy, Andy Kay, Connor Welsh, Thomas Lundy, Brooks Drost

Wharf:  Mary Catherine Burr.

Redfish Spots:  Molly Baggett, 19: Jacob Verzwyvelt, Eric Vizier.   

LAKE CHARLES – More than 11,000 people, including clergy, religious, and lay volunteers such as educators, coaches and others, were trained through the Office of Child and Youth Protection during 2009, according to Mrs. Bernell Ezell, Director of the Office.
  
Attendance at a Safe Environment Initial Training Session and the subsequent screening process is mandated by the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People approved by the U.S. Bishops in 2002 and is the policy of the Diocese of Lake Charles. The annual update lessons that are required of “all adults who have ongoing unsupervised contact with minors in any diocesan, parish or school program” is diocesan policy.
  
“This system has been ongoing in the Diocese since 2003,” Mrs. Ezell said. The initial training sessions are two-hour programs, of which about 40 per year are held, either at the Diocesan Chancery or “on the road” out in the Diocese.
  
The screening process includes reference checks, criminal background checks, the initial training session and the annual update lessons. “These annual updates are a policy requirement of the Diocese,” she continued. “In some dioceses it is done every three or five years, but here it was considered much too important to not maintain an annual renewal.”
  
The annual training updates are prepared and placed on the Diocese of Lake Charles website.
  
The initial training sessions provide a wealth of information including defining the types of abuse one might come across and show behavioral indicators that everyone can watch for to indicate whether a child may be suffering abuse.
   
“We talk about not just sexual abuse but also physical and emotion abuse in addition to neglect of the child,” Mrs. Ezell said. “Making sure everyone understands the importance of reporting, whether it is the knowledge that abuse is taking place but also the suspicion of such abuse, particularly if some of the signs are evident. We also provide the procedures for reporting to both civil and diocesan authorities as well as the code of professional conduct and dealing with boundary issues.
  
“We also go over things to say and do, as well as things not to say or do, if a child has divulged to someone that they have been abused,” she continued. “Throughout there is always the reminder of the importance of prayer for the safety of children and also prayer for their parents as well would-be perpetrators.”
  
Some of topics included in the annual updates are e-safety, e-mail, and social networks as well as cyber-bullying. “In addition, we address real life bullying as well as family violence,” Mrs. Ezell said.
  
Following the hurricanes of the past five years, additional information was added to the training. “This adds discussion of how stress under difficult situations can effect parents in their decision making regarding children,” Mrs. Ezell said.
 
According to Mrs. Ezell, she is greatly aided by people in each and every church parish and school in the diocese. “There are individuals in each place who serve as safe environment coordinators,” she said. “These individuals see to it that employees and volunteers attend initial training and do the yearly updates. They also prepare and maintain files for each person in their particular parish or school.
 
“We have been very fortunate that all of those people who are safe environment coordinators in our Diocese have other jobs as well, but because of their commitment to the safety of our children, they have worked with great dedication,” said Ezell. “It is because of such dedication that we have had successful results in all of our audits.”
  
In fact, the Diocese was informed in December of its compliance with the Charter following the 2009 audit.
  
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has contracted with a professional group to do the audits (the Gavin Group) and with an independent agency to conduct studies (John Jay College).
  
According to these reports and studies the number of cases of abuse in the U.S. took place during much earlier time periods. In the most recent audits, there have been relatively small numbers of reported cases.
  
“This makes sense, because back when those cases occurred, neither the psychological nor the medical communities had today’s information about child sexual abuse and those who perpetrate such abuse,” Mrs. Ezell said. “As we have become more informed as a society we have also determined how to better prevent such things from happening to our children.”
  
The Office of Child and Youth Protection also provides training for children as well as their parents.
  
“The program used by the Diocese to educate the children is called “Circle of Grace” with lesson plans available to all of the Catholic schools as well as religious Education programs in the parishes,” Mrs. Ezell said. “It teaches that every person has his or her own “circle of grace” to be loved and respected in the same way God loves and respect us. One thing to point out here is that the program is not sex education, which is better left to the parents.
 
 “With all of these processes in place, Catholic Church activities may be the safest place for children in the United States today,” she concluded.
  

LAKE CHARLES -- The Diocese of Lake Charles received an excellent mark in its recent audit of the Safe Environment Program.  The Gavin Group, an independent agency, located in Massachusetts and contracted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has been responsible for audits of the dioceses of the United States to review procedures and to ensure the protection of children and young people each fiscal year.
  
The Diocese is in compliance and has been promoting safeguards by having in-service meetings on a regular basis for employees, catechists, students, and new employees.  Clergy, religious, and seminarians are in compliance and continue to be updated annually in their knowledge of promoting a safe environment for all children. These annual updates are available on the Diocese of Lake Charles website – lcdiocese.org.  The Diocese also requires those working with children to undergo a mandatory criminal background check through the local city and parish police agencies.
  
The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People requires dioceses to provide “safe environment” training each year to those employees and volunteers who have “regular” contact with children. In addition, dioceses were asked to establish a victims’ assistance office that could provide a point of contact for persons who may have been sexually abused by someone working under diocesan auspices.  Mr. Scott Riviere, a licensed youth counselor and Catholic layperson, has been appointed by Bishop Glen John Provost to be the Victims Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese, taking over the post on July 1. Father Whitney Miller will continue to serve as Victims’ Assistance Coordinator until then. The Diocese also had implemented on its website information on how to contact officials of the Diocese to report child sexual abuse.
  
Mrs. Bernell Ezell, Director of Child and Youth Protection for the Diocese, has been instrumental in working with church parishes and Catholic Schools to have everyone in compliance with the safe environment guidelines.  Mrs. Ezell provides training for all adults who have regular contact with children through Safe Environment Initial Training Sessions, which are held in the diocesan Chancery and in the churches of the diocese.
  
For more information on initial training sessions please contact Bernell Ezell at the Diocese at 337-439-7400, Ext. 305. 

LAKE CHARLES – LoveThinks, a  program that introduces to young adults the skills needed to create a healthy relationship , will be held Saturday, July 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Chancery of the Diocese of Lake Charles, 414 Iris Street.
 
Cost is $15 for registration prior to July 5, and $20 after July 5 or at the door.
 
For more information or to register, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 337-439-7400, Ext. 301.

LoveThinks Young Adult Flyer.pdf (130.19 KB, 2010-05-24 13:15)

HACKBERRY – On Sunday, June 6, the Feast of Corpus Christi, St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Hackberry and Our Lady of the Assumption Chapel in Johnson Bayou will hold a Eucharistic Procession immediately following the 9:00 a.m. Mass in Hackberry.

The procession, in honor of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ truly and substantially present in the Blessed Sacrament, will be offered to thank Almighty God for the graces of the Year for Priests, which closes in mid June, and to beseech Him to grant us a peaceful hurricane season this year, according to Father Rommel Tolentino, pastor.
  
Everyone is invited to participate and there will be a reception in the parish hall at the conclusion of the procession.

...

By Theresa Notare
Our faith tells us that all is gift—human life, the created world, the call to participate in God’s love through Jesus our savior—all is gift. 

ORDINATION CLASS OF 2010 COMPLETED COLLEGE, HELD JOBS,
PARTICIPATED IN PARISH MINISTRY BEFORE ENTERING SEMINARY
 
WASHINGTON — The vast majority (92 percent) of men being ordained to the priesthood report some kind of full-time work experience prior to entering the seminary, most often in education. Three in five (60 percent) ordinands completed college before pursuing the priesthood, with one in five (20 percent) also receiving a graduate degree. One in three (34 percent) entered the seminary while in college.
           
The median age of ordinands is 33. The youngest member of the Class of 2010 is 25; 11 men are being ordained at the age of 65 or older. On average, men were 18 when they first considered their vocation.
           
This analysis is part of The Class of 2010: Survey of Ordinands to the Priesthood, an annual national survey of men being ordained priests, conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), a Georgetown University-based research center. The entire report can be found at www.usccb.org/vocations/classof2010, as well as on the new www.ForYourVocation.org which is set to launch on April 25, Good Shepherd Sunday and the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The survey was commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
          
 “One important trend evident in this study is the importance of lifelong formation and engagement in the Catholic faith,” said Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston, chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations. He noted that, along with their education and work experience, half to three-quarters of the Class of 2010 report they served as an altar server, lector, Eucharistic minister or other parish ministry.
          
“Most ordinands have been Catholic since birth,” said Cardinal O’Malley, “Four in five report that both their parents are Catholic. Almost eight in 10 were encouraged to consider the priesthood by a priest. This speaks to the essential role the whole Church has to play in fostering vocations.”
           
The survey had a response rate of approximately 77 percent of the 440 potential ordinands reported by theologates, houses of formation, dioceses, and religious institutes. They included 291 men being ordained for dioceses and 48 for religious orders, such as the Jesuits, Dominicans and Franciscans.
           
In other findings, CARA reported:
    

•  Close to two in five (37 percent) have a relative who is a priest or religious.       
• Two thirds report regularly praying the rosary (67 percent) and participating in Eucharistic Adoration (65 percent) before entering seminary.
• More than half of ordinands (55 percent) report having more than two siblings, while one-quarter (24 percent) report having five or more siblings. Two in five (38 percent) are the oldest child in their family.
•  Seven in 10 report their primary race or ethnicity as Caucasian/European American/white (70 percent). Compared to the adult Catholic population of the United States, ordinands were more likely to be Asian or Pacific Islander (10 percent of responding ordinands), but less likely to be Hispanic/Latino (13 percent). Compared to diocesan ordinands, religious ordinands are less likely to report their race or ethnicity as Caucasian/European American/white.
• Nearly one-third (31 percent) of the ordination class of 2010 was born outside the United States, the largest numbers coming from Mexico, Colombia, the Philippines, Poland and Vietnam. Between 20 and 30 percent of ordinands to the diocesan priesthood for each of the last 10 years were born outside the United States.
• Eight in 10 (85 percent) report they have seen the “Fishers of Men” DVD published by the USCCB.

Four others promoted

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Investiture of two new members into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and the promotions of four others from the Diocese of Lake Charles highlighted the recent meeting of the Southern Lieutenancy.

  
Sir Edward Mason and Lady Sandra Mason, both of St. Henry Church in Lake Charles, were invested into the Order. New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond was the investing prelate.
  
Sir Erwin Engert, M.D., was promoted to Knight Grand Cross while Lady Julie Engert was promoted to Lady Grand Cross. Sir Robert McCall was promoted to Knight Commander with Star. All three are from Lake Charles. Lady Geneva Prudhomme of Jennings was promoted to Lady Commander with Star.
  
Sir Bernard Beaco of Lake Charles, who serves as the Section Representative for the Diocese, led the 10-member delegation at the annual meeting which included more than 400 members from Louisiana , Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

...

Three others receive promotions

Special Historic Preservation Award
  
LAKE CHARLES – Now 102 years old, Sacred Heart Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic School has been honored by the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation with a 2010 Preservation Honor Award.
  
At the organization’s recent annual conference in Shreveport, the school, which was founded in 1908 – the first private, parochial school for African-Americans in the city – was presented with the award by organization secretary, A.C. Bourdier of Lake Charles. The presentation was made to Herman Metoyer, a former principal of the school as well as an alumnus, who accepted on behalf of the school.  Bourdier, who worked diligently with Metoyer to nominate the landmark, noted that the school is now automatically included on the list of Calcasieu Historic Preservation Awards to be given in January.
 
Local African-American businessmen saw the great need for a school to educate their children and eventually hired Miss Eleanor Figaro, who, along with Miss Mary Ryan, began teaching in a building located at the corner of Enterprise Boulevard and Mill Street with 18 students.
  
In 1910, a new structure was built at the corner of Louisiana Avenue and Pine Street, which would be nicknamed the “little red schoolhouse”.
  
In August 1919, the church parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus was established and for two years the Christmas Mass was celebrated in the “little red schoolhouse” by Father Anthony Hackett, a priest of the Holy Ghost Fathers.
  
It was in May 1922 that the relationship between Sacred Heart and St. Katharine Drexel began as Father Hackett secured the services of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. Mother Katharine Drexel, the daughter of Francis Drexel, the scion of a wealthy Philadelphia family, used her inheritance from her father to finance her religious order the order to buld schools for Native Americans and African Americans across the Untied States.
  
Her financial contributions to the school and the parish built the convent, which housed, initially three nuns who would began teaching in the school. She also provided funds the addition of a second story to the church and four classrooms into which the school operations were moved.
  
Saint Katharine Drexel made several personal visits to the school over the intervening years, thus becoming the only Saint of the Catholic Church to walk its grounds and halls or any other school in the city. Pope John Paul II canonized her on October 1, 2000 at the Vatican. During her lifetime, she financially provided for the establishment of 60 schools as well as Xavier University in New Orleans.

By Deirdre A. McQuade

Several years ago, the abortion advocacy organization, NARAL, decided to drop the word “abortion” from its name.

By Tom Grenchik 

Americans have until May 26 to intervene in the death sentences of countless members of our human family. 

By Susan E. Wills

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently expanded over-the-counter (OTC) access to the “emergency contraceptive” Plan B to 17-year-old girls and boys.

Q&A ON SWINE FLU
 
WASHINGTON — The U.S. bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship has posted on the Web a series of 10 questions and answers related to participation at Mass during the time of the swine influenza (swine flu).
The information echoes that published in 2006 at the time of the avian (bird) flu and was developed in conjunction with the U.S. Center for Disease Control.

The 10 questions and answers can be found at http://usccb.org/liturgy/swineflu.shtml
Previously, the Q&A noted, “in those localities where the outbreak of the disease has been the most significant, bishops have introduced several liturgical adaptations in regard to such practices as the distribution of Holy Communion and the Exchange of the Sign of Peace in order to limit the spread of contagion.”

Also, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals are working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevension, encouraging aggressive prevention of the swine flu.

Because of the rapidly evolving situation people are encouraged to monitor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu for the most up-to-date information about swine flu. The State Department of Health and Hospitals website, http://www.flula.com may also be visited for more information.

The Q&A also re-emphasized “the need to practice good hygiene” now.

“Ministers of Holy Communion should be encouraged to wash their hands before Mass begins, or even to use an alcohol based anti-bacterial solution before and after distributing Holy Communion.”

The Q&A added that priest, deacons and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion ministers “should instruct people who feel ill not to receive from the cup.”

The Q&A also noted that “the need for the introduction of widespread liturgical adaptations for the prevention of the transmission of influenza in the diocese of the United States of America is not evident at this time.”

 

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