The Power of Prayer - St. Aloysius Church

Vol. 27 No. 6
June 2012
The Power of Prayer
Why Daily Mass?
At St. Aloysius, a small community of daily worshipers celebrates the Word and the Eucharist far beyond the Sunday obligation.
Second-graders celebrate First Eucharist. Page 6
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They come, all ages, sizes, occupations and manner of dress. Some
come early, some right on time, some
a little late, some even in rain, sleet,
and snow. They come, day after day,
year in, year out.
Where? To daily Mass.
Why? What draws this small
community of daily worshipers to celebrate the Word and the Eucharist
far beyond their Sunday obligation?
Several parishioners who attend
daily Mass regularly at St. Aloysius
reflected on what draws them to
this sacred practice. Their reflections
serve to support and amplify what
the Catechism and Blessed John Paul
remind us: “The Church draws her
life from the Eucharist. The Second
Vatican Council rightly proclaimed
that the Eucharistic sacrifice is the
‘source and summit of the Christian
life.’”
Life is busy with families, jobs
and extracurricular activities. There
are those who may desire to attend
daily Mass, but who simply cannot.
There are others, however, who can
and perhaps these reflections may
Letter from the Pastor: Prayer
simply a way to spend time
with God. Page 2
Ignatian Examen as a part of
daily prayer. Page 2.
serve as an invitation to them to
come and experience the gift of weekday Mass:
***
The “preposterous” idea of going to daily Mass came to me at a
time in my life when I had a very
demanding job and was still raising my kids. I thought there was
no way, but I started going to early
morning Mass before work and it
became a habit and a gift.
***
I began daily Mass not with
the purest of motives. A friend who
went daily invited me to go with her
and have coffee afterward. I was
more interested in the friend and
the coffee than the Mass! I was to
learn that the Lord can use even
our shallowness to draw us where
Continued on page 6
Father Jamin bids farewell to St. Aloysius. Page 3
Inside Alive
Letter from the Pastor ................................... 2
Mass schedule................................................. 2
Child Care Center news .................................. 3
School news ................................................... 4
Scouting news . .............................................. 8
June 2012, ALOYSIUS ALIVE, page 1
Letter from the Pastor:
There really
is an app for almost everything.
I recently saw an
app called Wederbank, which is
advertised as “an
app that helps you keep track of
favors…. Did a friend help you
paint the house, help you move
or lend you a book? Or did you
help a friend to get a job, pay
for dinner or feed the cat? Wederbank can activate your favors, let you communicate about
them and together you can seal
the deal.”
This quid pro quo mindset,
I suspect, is operative also in our
faith life. The Bible, both Old
and New Testaments, abounds
with examples of people wondering why God doesn’t hear
their prayers when they are fasting and praying so fervently or,
worse yet, why they’re afflicted
and suffering when they lead a
virtuous life. Hasn’t God heard
of Wederbank?! If we keep God’s
commandments, shouldn’t God
at least be nice and considerate?
This utilitarian pragmatism
is also evident in the way we approach prayer. We’re often told
that if we keep up a regular regimen of prayer, we’ll experience
peace and patience and joy.
Evangelists assure us that if we
pray correctly, prosperity follows,
for God looks with favor on those
who follow God. In other words,
if we do our part – accumulating
points in Wederbank – God will
do God’s part in taking care of us,
accordingly.
But then the Bible also says
that God rains on both the just
and the unjust. God’s love reaches out both to those who pray
and those who don’t pray. Prayer
doesn’t automatically bring a
sense of closeness to God; otherwise, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John
of the Cross and Blessed Teresa
of Calcutta didn’t pray correctly.
Prayer doesn’t guarantee a life
free from suffering; otherwise, St.
Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Monica,
St. Lawrence didn’t know diddly
squat about prayer!
No, prayer isn’t an exchange
of favors, doesn’t build up points
in Wederbank, doesn’t guarantee anything. One doesn’t pray
in order to get anything out of
it, just as one doesn’t spend time
with a friend in order to get
something out of it. We don’t
pray to get anything! Prayer is
simply a way to spend time with
the God who loves us and whom
we love. Forget the utilitarian,
pragmatic, quid pro quo, Wederbankish approach. The most
important thing about prayer is
to be with God. Everything else is
relative. The method – Ignatian,
Benedictine, centering, meditation, contemplation, lectio
divina, etc. – is secondary. If we
persevere in spending time with
God, our prayer is good – no matter what spiritual directors say!
If we keep showing up regardless
of how we feel, then our prayer
is good – no matter what those
spiritual books say! There is, after all, this third person of the
Trinity called the Holy Spirit
who moves in mysterious ways
and who is active in our lives according to what we deeply need.
Trust in the Holy Spirit – that in
itself is prayer!
Fr. Than N. Vu
Finding God in All Things in 15 Minutes or Less
By Keith Lorio
Father Donald Bahlinger S.J.
recently conducted presentations
at St. Aloysius on how to use the
Ignatian Examen. Information
about the Examen can be found
on our web site, www.aloysius.
org, or at the suggested site below.
Several parishioners are now using this simple reflection as part of
their daily prayer routine. Below
are several tips both for those using the Examen and those considering it.
• There’s no need to worry
about how long
your prayer takes.
Some days, a
couple of minutes
may suffice. Other
days, more time
may be needed.
Some days, you
may not get to pray the prayer.
• It’s OK if you don’t remember all the events from the
day. The Lord knows you are trying. Trust in the Spirit to put in
your mind what God wants you to
recall.
• Writing your Examen consider: http://ignatianspiritualdown may help you realize more ity.com/ignatian-prayer/the-exaeasily and quickly the ways God men/lunchtime-examen/
• While reviewing your
is actively at work in your life. Reviewing your Examen periodically prayer times, you may ask yourself
may reveal a pattern of blessings the following:
• What are gifts that I reyou weren’t aware of.
• If you pray the Examen ally appreciate?
• What is God telling me
for a while, then quit for several
days, you may ask yourself, “What through my feelings?
• PM
What fruits of the Holy
am I trying to avoid?” or “What do
6/1/12 11:05
Spirit
am
I showered
I not want to look at?”
Formatted: Left:
1", Right:with?
1", Width:
• What
• If you are getting tired8.27",
of Height:
11.69"are ways I could
one form of the Examen, you can be a little more like Jesus?
• How has God helped me
look up other forms online. Also
Good Samaritans
through difficult situations?
• How does viewing my
day today with God make me feel
about my day tomorrow?
• If I pray this prayer with
my family, what changes may occur in my family?
If you are interested in sharing your experiences of Finding
God in All Things in 15 Minutes or
Less (the Examen), have questions,
or would like to meet in a small
group of three or four people, email
Keith Lorio at keithlo@cox.net.
6/1/12 11:05 PM
Formatted: Left: 1", Right: 1", Width:
8.27", Height: 11.69"
Mass Schedule
And who is my neighbor? (Luke 10:29)
Recently, a family of four received
SATURDAY
When asked, Jesus responded with meals three times a week for four weeks
Good
Samaritans
allows
the family
to focus on the issues
6/3/12 7:35 PM
the parable of the Good Samaritan. This while one parent recovered
from surgery.
8 a.m. Mass, Vigil 4:30 p.m.
presented by the crisis. This temporary asFormatted: Font:(Default)
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story inspires the St. Aloysius Good SamariAn elderly couple enjoyed meals for several
sistance cannot compare to the compassion
6/3/12 7:35 PM
SUNDAY
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ministry
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tans. This active ministry provides homeweeks during a period
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mercy shown
by the Good Samaritan
7
a.m.,
11 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.
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cooked meals to parishioners during times concerns for both of them. For one year,
of the parable, but these small acts demon6/1/12 11:05 PMHOLY DAYS
6/1/12 11:05 PM
who is my neighbor? (Luke 10:29)
who is ofmy
neighbor?
(Luke
10:29)
family
crisis or emergencies.
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of 8-10 volunteers stand ready to deliver to a family with small children
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community.
6/1/12 11:06 PM
meals for temporary support during times
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military
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DAILY MASSES
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Another parishioner
who livesduring
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Friday & Saturday, 8
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church staff, parishioners, smd@keegandenicola.com;
family and friends or directlyorfrom
person in need. Contact
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6/1/12 11:06 PM
RECONCILIATION:
Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and by
special dietary
considerations.
meals,
required for
lengthtemporary
of time and anysupport
speof a nutritious
meal
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the
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to deliver
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6/1/12 11:07 PM
cial dietary considerations.
planning and preparation. That
gift
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time
Recently, a family of four received meals three times a week for four weeks while one
itan story inspires ministry
a.m.
appointment
6/1/12 11:06 PM
f, parishioners, family and friends or directly from
person
in need.
Contact
parentthe
recovered
from surgery.
An elderly
couple enjoyed meals for several weeks during a
6/1/12 11:07 PM
FUNERALS:
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period of serious medical concerns for both of them. For one year, Good
Samaritans Please contact the Parish Office prior to schedulferred family determines the number of meals, required
length
of
time
and
any
6/1/12 11:07
PM If after hours, follow directions on
ing
with
the funeral
home.
delivered a weekly meal to a family with small children while the father
served
an
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6/1/12
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military deployment. Another parishioner who lives alone required meals forvoicemail.
six weeks after
ary considerations.
6/1/12 11:07 PM
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surgery following a car accident.
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ently, a family of four received meals three times a week for four
weeks while one
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6/1/12
11:07 PM
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PARISH
SCHOOL:6/1/12
For11:07
information,
phone 383-3871, 8:30 a.m. -
The family experiences the comfort of a nutritious meal without the burden of
Deleted:
3:30 p.m.
planning and preparation.
That gift
of time allows
on the issues presented
6/1/12 11:08 PM
Editor-in-Chief
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by the crisis. This temporary assistance cannot compare to the compassion
and 11:07
mercy shown
6/1/12
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6/1/12 11:08CENTER:
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NURSERY/CHILDCARE
by theThan
Good Vu
Samaritan of the parable,
these small acts demonstrate the care
and support
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For information,Deleted:
phone 343-1338,
of the St. Aloysius community.
vered from surgery. An elderly couple enjoyed meals for several weeks during a
serious medical concerns for both of them. For one year, Good Samaritans
6/1/12 11:08 PM
Assistant Editor Copy Editor
7:00
a.m.staff;
-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
6/1/12
11:07
PM
weekly meal to a family with small children
while
the
father
served
an
overseas
If
you
or
your
St.
Aloysius
neighbor
needs
meals,
please
contact
the
church
Laura Duhe
Lisa Tramontana
6/1/12 11:08 PM
Susannah DeNicola Babin, 642-5600, smd@keegandenicola.com; Deleted:
or Kay Hoffpauir, 344BAPTISM:
Please
contact the Parish Office during early months
ployment. Another parishioner who lives alone required
meals
for
six
weeks
after
0143, khoffp@cox.net
Writers
6/1/12
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of 11:07
pregnancy.
owing a car accident.
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Michael J. Acaldo
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Michael
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Cathy Dardenne
SPONSORS:
6/1/12
11:07 PM Baptism & Confirmation sponsors must be con-
firmed practicing Catholics in good standing in the Catholic
family experiences the comfort of a nutritious meal without
the burden of
Photographers
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Church, and if not St. Aloysius Parishioners, must provide a letCraig
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d preparation. That gift of time allows the family to
focus on the issues presented
6/1/12
PM standing from the parish where they are registered.
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of good
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s. This temporary assistance cannot compare
to the compassion
mercy shown
Edward Dunigan
Armandoand
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Claire Grandy
MARRIAGE:
11:08 PM Couples are asked to contact the priest at the
Diane acts
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d Samaritan of the parable, but these small
demonstrateCarol
the Smith
care and support
Angela Falgoust 6/1/12
beginning of the period of engagement at least six months prior
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Mag Wall
Allison Bush
to the projected date of the marriage.
loysius community.
Published by St Aloysius Parish.
Postage paid
ou or your St. Aloysius neighbor needs meals,
please
contact
at Baton
Rouge, LA.
Postmaster: or Kay
DeNicola Babin, 642-5600, smd@keegandenicola.com;
June 2012, ALOYSIUS ALIVE, page 2
p@cox.net
Send address changes to 6/1/12 11:08 PM
CARE OF THE SICK: The Eucharist is brought to the sick
Deleted:
Aloysius Alive,
the church
staff;
weekly and hospital visits made weekly. Families of the sick are
2025 Stuart
Avenue,
6/1/12
11:08 PM to notify the Parish Office.
encouraged
Baton Rouge,
Hoffpauir,
344-LA 70808
Deleted: C
True friends, I’ll miss you all, and I love you
Dear Friends in the Lord:
In olden times there reigned
in Persia a great monarch, Shah
Abbis, who loved his people. To
know them more perfectly, he
would mingle with them in various disguises. One day, disguised
as a poor man, he went to the
public baths, and there in the
tiny cellar he sat beside the fireman who tended his furnace. At
mealtime he shared the coarse
food and talked to the lonely fireman as a friend.
As the king visited the lowly
fireman again and again, the
stranger began to love his guest.
One day the king revealed his
true identity to the fireman,
thinking his new friend would
ask some gift from him; the fireman surprised the king with
these words: “You left your palace and your glory to sit with me
in this dark place, to eat of my
coarse food and to share my joy
and sorrows. On others you may
bestow rich presents, but to me
you have given yourself; it only
remains for me to pray that you
never withdraw the gift of your
friendship.”
One of the most popular
modern shows, which ran on
television for a long time, was
the immensely popular sitcom
Friends. Ironically, the show is a
series of mindless episodes that
simply portray six urban yuppies
that face daily, trivial dilemmas,
and it has nothing to do with
friendship. Rarely in the show do
you see the type of friendship that
Jesus speaks of the in the Scriptures or the love demonstrated
by Shah Abbis – a friendship that
consists of mutual affection or the
destruction of barriers rooted in
sacrifice for the service of others.
Does not the Scripture call
us to understand the meaning of
true friendship that stems from
the Gospel’s exhortation to “abide
in Jesus’ love?”
The Gospel message is simple
and straightforward. Jesus tells
his disciples he has loved them as
deeply and intimately as the Father loved Him, and they are expected to imitate this. Instead of
trying to fulfill the precepts of the
law to the fullest, his suggestion
is to simply remain in the joys of
their experience of his love, which
St. Aloysius Childcare
– On the Move!
By the first day of spring, St. Aloysius
Childcare Center was already hopping.
On March 23, the center hosted the annual SACCC fish fry. This year’s fish fry
was a huge success thanks to the widespread participation of parents. Nearly
2,000 plates were sold for a net profit of
$19,702. The fish fry committee and silent auction committee met months in
advance to ensure that this was a profitable fundraiser for the SACCC. These
additional funds will allow the center to
purchase many items that would otherwise simply be added to the “wish” list
of items needed. A big thank you is in
order for the fish fry chairman and chairwoman, Chris and Rori Adams, the dedicated SACCC parent volunteers and the
entire St. Aloysius family. Without you,
the event would not be successful.
In April, Father Vu announced the
hiring of new director Pamela Wiltse.
The current director, Bonnie Hyfield graciously opened the doors to the SACCC to
welcome Mrs. Wiltse. The goal is to have
a seamless transition for all involved.
Mrs. Wiltse has certainly hit the ground
running during her first few weeks.
In May, the SACCC celebrated employee-appreciation week and hosted
a spring picnic for families. Employees were treated royally, with catered
lunches, delicious sweet treats, presents
and handwritten notes of appreciation
from parents. The week ended with a
spring picnic for parents, grandparents
and caregivers. Everyone enjoyed the
hot spring weather along with barbecuestyle hamburgers and ice-cold lemonade.
Thank you SACCC staff for all that you
do to love, comfort and educate our children.
In June, the center will kick off the
2012 summer camp for all children ages
4-8. The camp is especially designed for
our children going into pre-K to assist in
the transition from the childcare center
to St. Aloysius School. Notably, this June
will be the end of the long and distinguished career of “Ms. Bonnie.” Ms. Bonnie started the SACCC 26 years ago, in
1986, and has put her heart and soul
into making it the success it has become
today. We ask that everyone in the St.
Aloysius family send their well wishes
and thoughts of gratitude to her during
this very special time in her life. Thank
you Ms. Bonnie!
As we look to the future, we hope everyone has a safe and relaxing summer!
Keep both eyes open, because the SACCC
is continuing to meet new goals as it continues to be “on the move!”
in turn makes all of His teach- with mutual affection and the
ings meaningful and possible. destruction of barriers so that we
Those who follow this dictate are fruitfully followed the call of the
“friends” and “chosen.”
master to serve our brothers and
Elsewhere, his exhortation is sisters, truly becoming “friends”
to “remain in him as branches on in the fullest sense; I think it has.
the vine” in order to bear much
We may have not always
fruit. He also tells us to reflect “felt” that type of love for one
upon the generosity of the Good another because of our misunderShepherd, who lays down his life standings or because of our stubfor his sheep. All of these images bornness of heart, but I know that
vividly prepare us to experience your love was expressed in your
true friendship and love.
generosity to me and your layLove is not always felt but is ing down your expectations and
expressed in deeds, especially the demands; I hope my love and
generous surrendering of greed, friendship for you were expressed
envies, demands and expecta- in a similar way, a self-emptying
tions. Always, this loving is easier that doesn’t necessarily come easto talk about than execute. It be- ily.
gins with being loved as a gift,
I simply repeat the words of
and it is not earned. And this self- the fireman that express my true
emptying love doesn’t come easy. sentiments about our love and
Do you remember the epi- friendship: “You left your palace
sode from the Acts of the Apos- and your glory to sit with me
tles? Peter initially withholds his in this dark place, to eat of my
love from Cutline:
Cornelius because of coarse food and to share my joy
who his was – a Roman Centuri- and sorrows. On others you may
on. But the story also shows how bestow rich presents, but to me
Front row, from left, Naomi Vinci, Bernie Dellu
the Spirit of God did not respect you have given yourself; it only
Hazel
Dottie
back row
the religious,
ethnicMascarella
or political and
remains
for meWard
to pray and
that you
divisions that
held
swaySongne
at the never
withdraw theCouvillion
gift of your gathe
Hill,
Lisa
and Kathleen
time. Even the Gentiles received friendship.”
handmade prayer shawls
by Deacon John Veron
the Spirit.
I’ll miss you all and I love you,
My last days with you all are true friends who always remain
quickly approaching, and might I with me. I do hope that you make
suggest we reflect on those most pilgrimage to Albany, Springfield,
Headline:
appropriate Gospel episodes to the Tribunal, or wherever my
understand our relationship as journeys take me next.
“friends.” Hopefully our experiLove,
ence together has been one filled
Fr. Jamin
Prayer Shawl Ministry
comforts ill, distressed
Shawls knitted and crocheted by ladies o
recently blessed by Deacon John Veron. These s
ill, in nursing homes or in other distressed situati
This ministry meets once a month from
meets on the third Thursday at 9:30 in the Paris
the ministry leader. Anyone wishing to sign up
766-3164. No experience in knitting is necessar
The special tag at right is attached to each
Front row, from left, Naomi Vinci, Bernie Dellucci, Laura Rhorer, Joyce Lafleur, Hazel Mascarella and Dottie
Ward and back row, from left, Joyce Boone, Rowena Hill, Lisa Songne and Kathleen Couvillion gather for the
blessing of their handmade prayer shawls by Deacon John Veron.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
comforts ill, distressed
Shawls knitted and crocheted by ladies of the
Prayer Shawl Ministry were recently blessed by Deacon John Veron. These shawls are brought to those
who are ill, in nursing homes or in other distressed
situations by clergy or lay ministers.
This ministry meets once a month from September to May. The group meets on the third Thursday at 9:30 in the Parish Office Atrium. Joyce Lafleur
is the ministry leader. Anyone wishing to sign up for
this ministry can reach her at 766-3164. No experience in knitting is necessary.
The special tag at right is attached to each
shawl before it is delivered.
May the Lord
hold you safely
in His arms.
May you feel His
warm embrace and
His healing breath.
Made with care and
prayers by the St.
Aloysius Parish Prayer
Shawl Ministry.
June 2012, ALOYSIUS ALIVE, page 3
Successful school year comes to an end
CDA Awards
SAS had one regional and three
first-place winners in the annual Catholic
Daughters of America sponsored art and
writing contest, “Planting Seeds of Faith
and Encouraging Others to Grow.”
Eighth-grader Clint Craig was a winner in the CDA’s regional scholarship contest. The contest is based on academic and
personal achievement, including an autobiographical essay. Arthur Chaisagniac won
a first place prize for computer art; Cora
Barhorst won first place in the art category;
and Rebecca Wannamaker won first place
in the essay category.
Serra Club Awards
SAS students Anna Koonce and Grace
Dirks each earned honorable mentions in
the Serra Club’s annual essay contest “What
Does it Mean to be Pro-life?” Eighth-grader
Eleanor Koonce won first place in the
school-wide competition.
Eighth-Grade Video
Wins National Award
A video created by school faculty and
students placed third in a nationwide safety video contest, earning the school a $1,000
award to be used for campus safety. The
8th grade Advisory Board members, with
the help of faculty members and fellow students, created the video entitled “Billy Bob
Goes to School.” The production, along with
lesson plans created by Edie Boudreaux,
was submitted to Catholic Mutual Groups’
contest, “Safety in the School.”
The video features Billy Bob, played
by Ray Nebel, who makes poor choices regarding safe behavior, despite the advice of
his classmates. With each choice, Billy Bob
suffers a more serious consequence. The lesson plan encourages the teachers to use the
video to spark classroom discussion about
making safe decisions at school.
Students who gave up their recess
time to work on the project were Ray Nebel,
Camille Delaune, Molly Countryman, Brennan Major, Kate Barton, Parkes Winder,
Nicholas Brooksher, and Jeffrey Poche (actors); Joseph Sotile (music); and Grant Odom
(editing). Mrs. Tiffany Meek assisted with
filming and nurse Michaelyn Bellelo offered
bandaging assistance.
If you would like to view the video go
to www.aloysius.org, click on the school portal, and find “Billy Bob Safety Video” in the
quick links section. Download may take several minutes, but it is well worth the wait.
Safety Video
June 2012, ALOYSIUS ALIVE, page 4
Catholic Schools Week
Math Skills
Quiz Bowl
Natalie Bush receives the Faculty Award.
Assistant Principal Gay Hebert and Father Than Vu recognize St. Aloysius honor students.
Top SAS students honored
Several students received
special honors May 21 when
nearly 120 St. Aloysius 8th-graders graduated during a ceremony
at the church.
The Faculty Award went
to Natalie Bush. The award is
presented to that eighth-grade
student who, through hard work
and dedication, has earned the
highest grade-point average for
the entire eighth-grade year.
This year’s recipient has a 99.90
average.
Annie Lewis was the recipient of the Daughter of Jesus
Excellence Award. The award is
given in honor of our beloved Sisters, the Daughters of Jesus. The
recipient is a student whose ded-
ication to excellence is shown by
hard work in not only academics, but also in other school and
non-school related activities.
The Monsignor Becnel
Award was presented to Maria
Mengis. The honor is given by
the school faculty to the student
whose character, interaction and
service represent the ideal qualities of a St. Aloysius student.
Forty-six students were presented medals for earning status as honor graduates. These
graduates are: Madison Acaldo,
Michael Annaloro, Katherine
Barton, Caroline Bergeron, Clayton Black, Caroline Bondy, Garrett Brewer, Nicholas Brooksher,
Natalie Bush, Arthur Chassaig-
nac, Ashley Chastain, Samuel
Chastain, Claire Couvillion,
Caroline Cox, Camille Delaune,
Wellesley Dittmar, Benjamin
Ferrell, Michael Focht, Caroline
Fourroux, Daniel Gunn, Kayleigh Hoppe, Michael Hubbell,
Olivia Johnson, Eleanor Koonce,
Hanlon Landry, Lillian LaPlace,
Annie Lewis, Charles Major, Megan Marcus, Caroline Martin,
William Mathews, Tom Meek
III, Maria Mengis, Sarah Miller,
Mackenzie Mire, Matthew Miyagi, Carson Piontek, Jeffrey
Poche Jr., Brandon Ruth, Caroline Schroeder, Robert Sciambra,
Ivan Songne, Dylan Thompson,
Peter Tuminello, Parkes Winder
and Emily Wood.
Annie Lewis receives the Daughters of Jesus Excellence Award.
Maria Mengis receives the Monsignor Becnel Award.
Eighth-graders’ retreat
June 2012, ALOYSIUS ALIVE, page 5
St. Aloysius 2nd-graders
celebrate First Eucharist
Mass From Page 1
He knows we need to be, and for me that was
and still is daily Mass.
***
Starting my day with Mass gives me time
from my hectic schedule to reflect on and
prioritize the day’s issues, to be still and listen
to whatever Jesus and the Holy Spirit are saying to me in this noisy, busy world.
***
We are invitees to a great Heavenly banquet. So many people have prepared a table
for me. How can I not show up?
***
It raises my awareness of how very weak
I am and how desperately I need the daily
nourishment of the Body and the Blood of
Our Lord, the armor I need to combat the
world and keep Christ as the center of my
life.
***
It is my lifeline and nourishment! I want
my every action and word to be like HIM! Receiving Him there and thanking Him makes
my day.
***
It’s a habit, a good habit formed during
my freshman year in college, begun when I
went into the chapel (in a full leg cast) to
cool off. I was soon hooked on daily Mass
and came to realize that God would bring me
safely through every trial and tribulation, including death. I came to know I am united
not only to everyone at Mass but also to everyone throughout the ages who has received the
precious Body and Blood of Christ. For me,
it’s not a question of will I go to Mass today,
but what time will I go to Mass!!!
June 2012, ALOYSIUS ALIVE, page 6
“The Eucharist is the bread that gives
strength. It is at once the most eloquent
proof of His love and the most powerful
means of fostering His love in us. He gives
Himself every day so that our hearts as
burning coals may set afire the hearts of
the faithful.”
- St. Damien of Molokai, Apostle of Lepers
***
It gives me the Peace that fills my heart.
It sets my day right with the Lord, centers my
day on Him. The more I go, the more I yearn
to be with Him, to praise Him and to give Him
thanks. “Our hearts are restless until they rest
in Thee, O Lord.” He gives me rest.
***
It is a free gift from God, the gift that
keeps giving. Receiving Jesus daily helps me
appreciate the fifth Joyful mystery: “Did you
not know I was in my Father’s house doing
my Father’s work?”
***
It is the gift we received when we began
attending 6 a.m. Mass when our last child left
home for college. The Mass community we
greet has truly become family. I still look for
Sister Rosary in her pew.
***
It is a foundation for the day, a timeout
from the rush of work, a boost of serenity
and fortitude from the Word and Eucharist.
***
It was the gift given to me after my parents’ divorce when I was 8. During that time,
my heavenly Father gave me a love for Holy
Communion. I believed the Sisters’promise:
“Take this holy food and eat it so Jesus can
heal your heart and refresh your spirit and
know you will never be alone.” I know that
whatever good I am or have done I credit to
the graces I receive at daily Mass.
***
It beckons me because the immensity of
the gift given us is worth more than all the
honor, riches, glory, power and comfort that
the world can give us.
***
It enables me to deepen my relationship
with God. We all know that in order to have
a relationship with anyone we have to maintain contact and nurture our friendship. This
is what daily Mass does for God and me.
***
It redirects my mind from a worldly
place to the heavenly. For a few minutes I am
with Our Lord on Calvary so intimately that
I can leave less burdened and more hopeful.
***
It helps me not to get spiritually malnourished, consumed by materialism and to
remember that God, and not I, should be the
center of my universe!
***
It was just something to do after I retired, but I soon got hooked!
***
It is my huge dose of God’s Holy Spirit needed to sustain me, to prop me up, to
strengthen me.
***
It increases my wonder of the Eucharist
and gives me time to give thanks and praise,
reflect on the homilies and feel a sense of
intimacy with the community.
***
It is a perfect way to have Jesus in every
cell of our being, giving us grace and love to
fulfill His will for us as we walk life’s journey.
***
It gives me courage to work for both life
and justice issues, to remember that I must
be the hands and feet of Jesus.
***
It is a blessing to live in a country where
we can experience our faith openly and daily,
and a privilege to share in the lives and the
deep faith of my morning Mass community.
They inspire me to be a better person.
***
It is a sacrament of healing. Don’t we
say in every Mass right before Communion:
“Lord I am not worthy to receive You, but
only say the word and I shall be healed”? I
go to be healed daily of all that is not healthy
within me.
***
It brings us into the most intimate possible contact with Jesus Himself. His Blood
flows through our veins; His Body becomes
one with ours. His mind touches our mind;
His very being touches our being. How can it
help but be a moment of healing?
***
It offers me a real connection with the
people around me who are deeply committed
to the Eucharist. I guess that has become my
definition of “community.”
***
It is in His Sacred Humanity that we are
forgiven, redeemed, delivered, fed, nourished,
restored, transformed from “glory to glory.”
Who would not try with all of their mind,
heart, strength, and capability to go see and
be in the presence of the King of Kings, Lord
of Lords, our Lord Jesus Christ!!!! Amen!
Amen!
Triduum Observances
Triduum liturgies are the
high point of the entire Church
year. St. Aloysius clergy and parishioners marked Holy Thursday with feet washing, far left,
Good Friday with reflection and
prayer, left, and the Easter Vigil
with the blessing of the Baptismal font, top left, followed by
Baptism of new members, above.
All Leaders
Honoring Mary
Above, the St. Aloysius
Nursing Home Ministry held
a May crowning service last
month during the weekly Thursday morning Mass for residents
at St. James Place. At right, the
Mary statue at St. Aloysius is
surrounded by beautiful flowers
and plants thanks to the efforts
of Sheryl, Mac, Reed, Annie and
Joseph Womack.
The All Leaders group met on May 22 to discuss parish activities and goals.
June 2012, ALOYSIUS ALIVE, page 7
Eight Troop 7 scouts earn rank of Eagle
By Greg Grandy
Troop 7 scoutmaster
So far in 2012, eight scouts in Boy
Scout Troop 7 have achieved the rank of
Eagle, scouting’s highest honor.
About 5 percent of all Boy Scouts earn
the Eagle rank. To earn it, a scout must
progress through six ranks, serve in a
leadership position within his troop, provide service to his community and earn
a minimum of 21 merit badges, of which
12 — in such areas as finance, family,
citizenship and personal fitness — are
required.
A scout must also plan, develop and
give leadership to a service project. Those
scouts reaching the rank of Eagle are:
Brandon Curwick
School: University Laboratory – Grade 12
Eagle project: Constructed a sidewalk
to help First United Methodist folks safely cross the street to get to church from
the parking lot.
Parents: Denise Curwick, of Baton
Rouge, and Philip Curwick, of St. Francisville.
Benjamin Grandy
School: Catholic High School – Grade 10
Eagle project: Built classroom benches
for the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center.
Parents: Claire and Greg Grandy.
Benjamin Puckett
School: Catholic High School – Grade 11
Eagle project: Constructed and installed wood duck boxes for Department
of Wildlife and Fisheries Nature Trail.
Parents: Don and Karen Puckett, of
St. Francisville.
Austin Simoneaux
School: Catholic High School – Grade 10
Eagle project: Built shower benches,
newsletter stand and donation bin for
St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Parents: Dennis and Stephanie Simoneaux.
Avery St. Dizier
School: LSU.
Eagle project: Built picnic tables with
attached awnings for Sacred Heart
School.
Parents: Paul and Amy St. Dizier
Matthew Mistretta
School: Catholic High School – Grade 10
Eagle project: Built bookshelves for St.
Vincent de Paul Dining Room
Parents: Sam and Arline Mistretta
Lewis Poche
School: Catholic High School – Grade 9
Eagle project: Built benches for Hope
Ministries
Parents: Jay and Laura Poche
Dillion Walls
School: Catholic High School – Grade 12
Eagle Project: Built compost bins
for the garden at University Terrace Elementary School
Parents: Kandace Walls and Steve
Walls
Pack 7 earns religious awards
Sixteen Cub Scouts from St. Aloysius’ Pack 7 completed their requirements for two religious emblem
awards when they all met with Father Than and Father Jamin on April
26. Twelve second-graders earned the
Light of Christ emblem. It is a familyoriented emblem to help the scout
develop a personal relationship with
Christ, reinforcing preparation of First
Reconciliation and First Communion.
Four Webelo scouts (two of whom have
crossed over into Boy Scouts) earned
the Parvuli Dei, which is also a familyoriented award to help scouts develop
an awareness of God’s love.
The scouts earning awards are
Grant Rebowe, Jack Appleton, Carson
Guinn, Drew Amundson, Will Schroeder, Benny Hodgin, Grant Bollinger,
Brennan Comeaux, Hap Heroman, Andrew Bourg (Light of Christ recipients),
Jefferson Koonce, Christopher Parnell
(Parvuli Dei recipients), Liam Songe
(Light of Christ), Rayne Mouledoux
and Cody Patriquin (Parvuli Dei), and
Gino Canizaro (Light of Christ).
All of these scouts will receive their
awards from Bishop Muench on Aug.
26 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic
Church.
Scouts honored at the February Boy Scouts of
America Eagle Scout Court of Honor were Brandon Curwick (not shown), Avery St. Dizier, Austin
Simoneaux, Benjamin Grandy and Ben Puckett.
Also shown are Rob Rieger, the master of ceremonies, and guest speaker Major General Ronald G.
Richard.
Dillion Walls
Matthew Mistretta
Girl Scouts make
K.C. Hall upgrades
St. Aloysius Girl Scout Troop 10176
held a Knights of Columbus Hall Renewal Project Day on April 21. The
troop cleaned up the K.C. Hall and put
a fresh coat of paint on the walls. The
scouts also replaced the front door lock
and light switch covers and completed
other repairs. The K.C. Hall looks so
much better. It is clear that a lot of
work was done with a great deal of
care and the participants truly live the
Girl Scout Law which includes “use resources wisely and make the world a
better place.”
The Knights of Columbus and all
of the Parish Ministries and groups
who use the Council Hall would like
to thank the Girl Scouts for their hard
work. Special thanks go to the troop’s
leadership, Becca Valadie and Tara
Stevens, who made this event happen.
Girl Scouts recently cleaned the K.C. Hall and added fresh paint to the walls.
June 2012, ALOYSIUS ALIVE, page 8
Cub Scouts meet with Father Than and Father Jamin as part of their religious emblem award preparations.
Lewis Poche