Spiritual InsightsReportsFormationProgram Updates
SeptemberEvery ThursdayMemorial Mass
for the enrollees in the CLJ! Memorial Burse
September 1 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 8
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 15 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 22
25 th Sunday in Ordinary Time
NEWSLETTERSeptember 2019 VOL. XXXIX NO. 51
Holy LeadershipJesus comes to us as the Good Shepherd. God himself becomes human in Jesus to lead us to holiness of life. He exemplifies the holy leadership qualities every leader ought to have, whether one is a priest, a Come, Lord Jesus! Leader, a father or mother of a family, or whatever leader-ship position one is in. In order to be properly equipped to lead God’s people, one must go through Christ, who is the gate of the sheepfold. The true shepherd must have the sameattitudes and dispositions that Jesus possesses. He must be ready to sacrifice himself for them; he lays his life down in service and self-gift. That is why we must read and reflect on Jesus’ life in the Gospels; and we must live in his presence to draw light and strength for good leadership.“The sheep hear his voice” – We are attentive to Jesus who lives in our hearts. He speaks to us in the silence of our con-science. He inspires us to do good and avoid evil in specific ways. Throughout the day, as we go about doing his will, we live in loving communion with him. We receive and return his love. He also speaks to us in the Holy Scriptures and through the teaching authority of his holy Catholic Church. We also know that it is his will that we fulfill our duties of state.
“The shepherd calls his own sheep by name.” Jesus knows us individually, as persons. He respects our uniqueness, our personal value. He wants to be in a relationship with us, a relationship of love and companionship. He calls each of us in the depths of our heart for love. He calls us continuously throughout the day – for love. “He walks ahead of them.” Jesus sets the example for us. He teaches us by do-ing. He shows us how to love and serve; he teaches us how to forgive; how to suffer patiently. As stated in 1 Peter 2:21-25: “When he was insulted, he returned no insult. When he suffered, he did not threaten…. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” “The sheep follow him because they recognize his voice.” The people of God follow Jesus because he is the truth for which they have an affinity. They are drawn to him because he is the truth and speaks the truth. Here Jesus is speaking of those who follow a well-formed con-science. They live in fellowship with God and follow his inspirations. As Jesus says, “Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me: (Jn 6:45)Since they cooperate with God’s grace, they are drawn to Jesus and his words.
Father Conley Bertrand
Our Unity in Christ
“ I pray not only for them (the apos-tles), but also for those who will be-lieve in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may be-lieve that you sent me.” (John 17:20)What is Jesus saying? This astonishing unity among us in God will cause the world to believe that God did indeed send his anointed one, Jesus, whose Holy Spirit gathered together such a variety of peoples and made them into one communion of love.Jesus’ prayer continues, “And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.” (Jn 17:22-23)Jesus’ prayer helps us to understand how such a close communion of dif-ferent people is possible. The glory Jesus receives from the Father and makes them one is the Holy Spirit. (CCC 690) This same Holy Spirit is given to us and brings about the divine indwelling within us. This is what is known as Uncreated Grace. From this indwelling presence of the Holy Trinity sanctifying grace flows in us, to give us a created participation in the divine life. All of us, in the state of sanctifying grace, participate in the unifying nature of the one divine being. This grace unites us all into one body, the body of Christ. As members of this body, we exist and work in harmony for the good of the whole body. Each of us is concerned for the other. As members of the same
body, we do not fight against each other. Rather, we cherish each other. We are not jealous. We are secure in our possession of God and his bless-ings. Though each of us is differ-ent from the other, we live together in harmony. We appreciate variety, and value individual differences. We realize it is for the good of the whole body. We are not envious. We are too rich in God and the enjoyment of his presence to desire anything more. We all make important contributions as we collaborate for the good of all the members. When one of us suffers, the whole body suffers with us. When one of us is spiritually healthy, the others are benefited. Since we all belong to the body of Christ, the good of each of us benefits the whole body. (See 1 Cor 12:12-26)
Ministering God to Each Other
The members of the body are in con-tinuous communion with each other for the mutual sharing of goods. We assist each other in our needs. These needs may be on a physical or finan-cial level. But perhaps the greater and more frequently encountered needs are on a personal and spiritual level. This requires that we minister to one anoth-er. We are attentive to each other. We ourselves are fully satisfied in God. So we can afford to go out of ourselves to be aware of others and their needs. We are at peace within ourselves and therefore, we can listen attentively to each other. As we listen to each other, we are also in communion with God in
each other. And since we are in com-munion with God within ourselves, we minister God to the other person we are listening to and with whom we are enjoying interpersonal communion.
We both give and receive God from each other. Ours is first of all a su-pernatural ministry. We minister God to each other. I give God to you. You give God to me. I draw divine nour-ishment from communion with God in you. You draw divine nourishment from communion with God in me. I believe that this is the highest kind of ministry that we could possibly engage in on this earth.
Unity of Faith
-2-
Father Conley Bertrand
—3 —
Anniversary Mass - St. Francis de Sales Cathedral - Houma
Diocesan & Area Coordinator’s Meeting 2019
Anniversary Mass - St. Bernard - Breaux Bridge Anniversary Mass - St. Aloysius - Baton Rouge
United in Christ
-4-
—5 —
Breaux Bridge, LA: Gretchen Bradshaw, Michel Cazayoux, Jenet Cazayoux, Pascal Cazayoux DeRidder LA: Suzanne Lestage, Theresa StoutTad Matte, Paula Granger, Alex Hidalgo, Joe Lee, Rosa Lee, Linda Lewis, James Lewis, Earline Ann HenniganElton LA: Betty AguillardGrand Isle, LA: Fr. Joseph Chacko, I.M.S.Jefferson, LA: Liz Laiche, Wayne HigginsKinder, LA: Mariah GrangerLake Arthur, LA: Steven Oliver, Yvonne Marie BrownDean Trahan, Susan B. Matt, Charlotte C. SuireSue Armentor, Beverly Lapointe, Lynette Fox, Chris Hymel, Dorothy Leger, Arthur Leger,Geneva Sonnier, Kenneth Sonnier Lafayette LA: Anne Gros, Julie Menard, Nicole DucharmeMamou, LA: Jack Haller, Kim Soileau, Danielle MarcantelRagley, LA: Kathy BreauxSulphur LA: Toni LeDoux, Rita Gray Ville Platte, LA: Pamela P. Fontenot, Pat McElweeing Members Returning Members Lacombe, LA: Dorothy Akins Crowley, LA: Susan Sebetto
July 2019 Gift Bags Received
Thank you for your generosity!
AbbevilleBasileBayou VistaBell City Breaux Bridge BroussardCanktonCarencroCeciliaChackbayCoteauCow IslandDelcambreDeRidderDiboll TXDusonErathEstherwoodEuniceForked IslandFranklinGrand IsleGrand LakeGrand PrairieHarveyHendersonHouma
Huntingburg INJeffersonJenningsJudiceKaplanKennerKinderKrotz SpringsLafayetteLake ArthurLake CharlesLeonvilleLiberty TXLoreauvilleLufkin,TXMamouMauriceMetairieMireMorgan CityMorseNew IberiaOberlinOpelousasParksPattersonPierre Part
Pine PrairiePlaisancePrairie RondeRagleyRayneRichardSchrieverSlidellSt. MartinvilleSulphurVerdunvilleVille PlatteWashingtonYoungsville
Attention Leaders and Co-Leaders
The annual Leader Seminar will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at St. Pius X Life Center in Lafayette,LA Registration forms were mailed out to all leaders. Please submit registration information to the office ASAP.
NEW GROUPS! Jennings, LA: Loretta Broussard- LeaderLorilee Broussard, Kay Landry, Elmer LandryTammie Landry, Julie Hanks, Derrick LandryElizabeth Landry, Nickie Landry, Warren LandrySherry Whitehouse, Connie LeGros, Joey LeGrosAnnette Broussard
Fenton, LA: Margaret Bebee- LeaderChris Bebee, Pam Chaumont, Annie Janice,Joyce Marcantel, Pam Reed Eula Buller, Yvonne Bebee, Peggy LeBlanc Gretna, LA: Jan Mitchell- LeaderMarie Cannon, Diane Crawford,Dianne DavisMargaret Davis, Susan C. Kalil, Peggy LeBlancSteve Murphy, Mary Jo Relle, Charlotte Roussel
Ray BienssenbergerVivian ChiappettaGeorge B. DanenburgRichard FredetteDaniel HawkinsDan LeBlancLena Broussard NavarreJohn E. Ortego, Jr.Sr. Maria RabalaisTimothy Wayne Stears
Come, Lord Jesus!1804 W. University Ave.Lafayette, LA 70506
Non-Profit Org.US Postage
PAIDLafayette, LA
Permit No. 729
Condolences September 2019 To the members of “Your Face Lord Do I Seek” group in
Broussard, LA on the death of their member,
Ra Ramona Harris.
To member Tarlton Nico, Jr. of New Iberia, LA on the death of his father, Tarlton, Nico, Sr.
To leader Cheryl Fuselier of Elton, LA on the death of her father, John E. Ortego, Jr.
To member Liz Pavy of Carencro, LA on the death of her mother, Patricia Roberts Gauthier.
To member Norma Callaway of Ville Platte, LA on the death of her brother-in-law, Ray Bienssenberger.
To member Sandra Vidrine of Ville Platte, LA on the death of her sister, Janita Fontenot Chopman.
To member Margarita Wetzel of Baton Rouge, LA on the death of her mother, Antonia Gonzalez De Baez.
Rainey BrownJanita Fontenot ChopmanAntonia Gonzalez DeBaezPatricia Roberts GauthierUna JohnsonSr. Barbara MoreauConstance NegrottoMary Ann PetkovsekDavey Lee SaunierKristy Lynn Williams
JULY 20 - AUGUST 21,2019 Memorial Burse Donations
