Bishop Provost Reflects on Pursuit of Wisdom
By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles
LAKE CHARLES — One of Bishop Glen John Provost’s favorite things to do as Bishop of Lake Charles is celebrate the annual Catholic Schools Week Mass. He has been doing so for 19 years.
“It is always a pleasure to celebrate Catholic Schools Week with all of you,” he said as he looked out among the many students from across the Diocese of Lake Charles. “I look forward to this special Mass every year, with this year falling on the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas.”
In celebration of National Catholic Schools Week that kicked off on January 25, His Excellency was joined on Wednesday, January 28, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception by the Very Rev. Ruben Buller, Pastor of the Cathedral; Very Rev. Keith Pellerin, Pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church; and Rev. Michael Beverung, Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral. Assisting as Master of Ceremonies was Very Rev. Joseph Caraway, Chancellor.
Seniors from St. Louis Catholic High School and eighth-grade students from the other five Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lake Charles gathered to reflect on the importance of the gift of their faith-based education. They were among the 2,249 students enrolled across the diocese.
The sacred music, provided by Our Lady Queen of Heaven and Saint Louis choirs and directed by Colette Tanner, added to the uplifting and prayerful occasion.
Several students were chosen to assist with various parts of the Mass. Ellie Clantonfrom St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic School served as Lector. Gift bearers were Lauren Bougard and Sophie Richard, both from Our Lady Immaculate Catholic School. Altar Servers from St. Louis Catholic High School were Harrison Hurt, Alex McCall, Matthew Landry and Benjamin Duplichan; and from Immaculate Conception Cathedral School — Briggs Hurt and Donovan Reeves.
Reflection on Wisdom
Seeking the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas, patron of schools and universities, students, philosophers, theologians, apologists, academics, and chastity, Bishop Provost reflected on wisdom, especially for students.
“From the earliest of times of recording thought, mankind has grappled with the question of wisdom,” the bishop said in his homily. “What is it? Where does one find it? How does one acquire it? The Book of Wisdom tells us simply to ask.”
I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.” — Wisdom 7:7
Bishop Provost pointed out that humility and faith are prerequisites for the pursuit of Wisdom.
“If we think we know it all, then we cannot admit there is something else to learn. That leads not only to ignorance but also to stupidity,” the bishop warned.
“When we ask for something, we trust or have faith that the person being asked will grant the request,” he remarked. “Like a child asking a parent for a favor or a student seeking permission from a teacher, each has faith that the elder or the superior will grant what is being asked for.”
St. Thomas Aquinas understood that the fear of God spoken of in the Bible has more to do with faith than anything else, Bishop Provost noted.
“For this reason, the Church made him the patron of Catholic schools and why we honor him today,” he said. “Scholars have observed that St. Thomas Aquinas was a brilliant thinker because he could argue both the opposing view as well as his own.”
Understanding that humility and faith are virtues, St. Thomas Aquinas approached every question, every challenge with these two attitudes of mind.
“No thinker worth his or her salt can do without these two virtues,” said Bishop Provost. “A student in Catholic school should learn that lesson as well.”
Bishop Shares His Talent
Following Mass, Bishop Provost interacted with the students by inviting them to ask questions. Knowing what an accomplished pianist the bishop is, the final question was a request from the choir for him to play a piece.
He kindly obliged. In honor of one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music, Bishop Provost played a movement from Mozart’s Fantasia in D minor, much to the delight of the students, teachers and principals gathered.
Since childhood, the bishop has studied music, enjoys playing the piano, and served as house organist at the seminaries where he attended in high school and college.
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lake Charles — all accredited by Cognia — are St. Louis Catholic High School, Immaculate Conception Cathedral School, St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic School, and Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic School, all in Lake Charles; Our Lady’s Catholic School in Sulphur; and Our Lady Immaculate Catholic School in Jennings.
The annual Catholic Schools Week Mass was coordinated by Sister Mary Kathleen Ronan, R.S.M., Director for the Office of Religious Education for the Diocese of Lake Charles; and Hannah Beard, Administrative Assistant.
To learn more about Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lake Charles, call the Office of Catholic Schools at 337-433-9640, Ext. 400.
School representatives joining Bishop Glen John Provost outside the Cathedral of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception before the Catholic Schools Week Mass on January 28 are front row, from left, Ana Boudreaux (OLI), Emily Bougard, (OLI), Henry Anderson (OLS), and Jaleigh Roque (OLQH); middle row, from left, Thomas Abendroth (ICCS), Cecilia Reeves (ICCS), Abby Gatlin (SMCS), and Genevieve Thomas (OLS); back row, from left, Lee O’Quin (OLQH), Benjamin Duplechin (SLCHS), Olivia Tassin (SLCHS), and Kyle Stevenson (SMCS).
