March 2015, ALOYSIUS ALIVE, page 1

In Memory…

Father

Than Vu

1958-2015

2025 Stuart AvenueBaton Rouge, LA 70808

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDBaton Rouge, LA

Permit #754

Vol. 30 No. 5 March 2015

Inside AliveMass schedule ................................................ 2

Summer Camp news ....................................... 2

Retreat for mothers ........................................ 4

Feast Day Celebration plans ........................... 9

Child Care Center news ................................ 12

Continued on page 10

Father Than Vu

By Becky Maher

Moving. Powerful. Inspiring.Those are just a few words that I would use to describe

the events of Jan. 31, 2015, when our Catholic community laid to rest the body of Father Than Vu.

I was told by many that he had every little detail planned, from the simple yet elegant casket, to the Vietnamese choir, to the song selections. Although I did not understand a word that they sang, my soul was touched and moved.

However, there was one detail I do not think Father Than could have planned: The impressive number of people that would come together to honor his life.

I was in awe of the masses of people -- all cultures, ages and different religious denominations. You didn’t have to be Catho-lic to have been affected by Father Than.

A Loving Farewell

HOLY WEEK: LITURGY SCHEDULE FOR THE PASCHAL TRIDUUM, PAGE 3

Parishioners help build dreams

through CanteraBy Margarita Long

Cantera Development Coordinator

Cantera’s motto is “Building Dreams.” More than a motto however, it is a way of embracing the world and our relationships with our brothers and sisters.

At Cantera, everything we do starts with the dream, not with the problem. When we begin with the problem, we automatically generate negative energy as we list all of the obstacles facing our communities. When we begin with the dream, how-ever, we generate a positive energy inside all of us as we envision new possibilities for our future. This positive energy accompanies us as we make concrete plans for addressing the current ob-stacles impeding our dream and identifying the resourc-es we have.

Through the mission trips and sister parish rela-tionship with Cantera, the St. Aloysius community has become part of this dream-ing process. With every mission group, we welcome parishioners to accompany youth, children and rural families in dreaming a better future: A future without domestic violence, a future where children are able to finish school and go on to university, and a future where all families have a sustainable income to provide for their basic needs.

Every year Cantera’s programs directly benefit 5,000 people, and St. Aloysius is an integral partner in making that possible. Over the past few years, the St. Aloysius mission trips have supported Cantera financially through payment of services such as housing at our center and transportation, which translate into salaries and ulti-

Volunteers receive blessings as they

give through Cantera ministry. Page 11

I NS I D EContinued on page 4

mately help to keep our mission going. In addition, dur-ing their stay, the groups help to provide resources for specific initiatives designed by the youth or rural com-munities. Perhaps more importantly, however, the pa-rishioners support Cantera through their open hearts, love and solidarity with the people of Nicaragua.

Originally from Rhode Island, I have been living in Ni-caragua and part of Cantera for over five years. As part of Cantera I have not only had the opportunity to wit-

Page 2, March 2015, ALOYSIUS ALIVE

Staff

Craig GannuchWendy StanfordEdward DuniganDiane O’Connor

Mag Wall

Cristyn HodgesCathy Dardenne

Armando CorripioCarol SmithAllison Bush

Blythe LamonicaTroy RobertsonClaire Grandy

Angela Falgoust

Published by St Aloysius Parish. Postage paid

at Baton Rouge, LA. Postmaster:

Send address changes to Aloysius Alive,

2025 Stuart Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Father Gerald Burns Ken Duhe Assistant Editor Copy Editors Laura Duhe Lisa Tramontana Megan Holman, Mindy Piontek

Writers Mindy Piontek Michael J. Acaldo Michael DiResto Cathy Dardenne

Photographers

SATURDAY8 a.m. Mass, Vigil 4:30 p.m.

SUNDAY7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

HOLY DAYSSchedule will be announced

DAILY MASSESMonday & Wednesday, 6 a.m.

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 8 a.m.

RECONCILIATION: Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and by appointment for private rite.

FUNERALS: Please contact the Parish Office prior to schedul-ing with the funeral home. If after hours, follow directions on voicemail. PARISH SCHOOL: For information, phone 383-3871, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. NURSERY/CHILDCARE CENTER:For information, phone 343-1338,7:00 a.m. -5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

BAPTISM: Please contact the Parish Office during early months of pregnancy. Baptismal preparation is required. SPONSORS: Baptism & Confirmation sponsors must be con-firmed practicing Catholics in good standing in the Catholic Church, and if not St. Aloysius Parishioners, must provide a let-ter of good standing from the parish where they are registered.

MARRIAGE: Couples are asked to contact the priest at the begin-ning of the period of engagement at least six months prior to the projected date of the marriage.

CARE OF THE SICK: The Eucharist is brought to the sick weekly and hospital visits made weekly. Families of the sick are encour-aged to notify the Parish Office.

Mass Schedule

St. Aloysius parishioners can help “Fill Up the Truck’ on Saturday, March 28, as part of a special drive to ben-efit St. Vincent de Paul.

A large SVdP truck will be parked in the church parking lot on Stuart Avenue from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Our goal: Fill up the truck and help those less fortunate than ourselves! We will bless and be blessed abundantly for doing so.

How can you help? Start thinking of items to donate and start packing them up now! On March 28, you can drop off such items as fur-niture, clothing items, baby clothes and items, shoes, coats, sheets, towels, bed-spreads, small WORKING appliances, lamps and pots/pans/dishes. (NO mattresses or box springs, PLEASE.) Newer clothing or newer shoes are more desirable be-cause they can be used im-mediately.

However, even worn out clothes and shoes are accept-able because they can be sold for rags or recycled products. ALL DONATED ITEMS need to be placed in plastic bags or boxes.

Donations can be claimed for income tax deductions.

Help ‘Fill Up the Truck’ to benefit St. Vincent de Paul

Fill Up the Truck!!!

Saturday, March 28, 2015

from 8 am-4 pm

St. Vincent de Paul Truck will be parked in the church parking lot on Stuart to pick up any

furniture, clothes, coats, pots, pans, dishes, small working appliances, shoes, etc. !! Call 939-6962 or email Kim Hardman @

kbueche@ptpnla.brcoxmail.com. DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE !!!

Volunteers from the St. Aloy-sius SVdP Conference and Social Responsibility Com-mission will be on hand to assist with the completion of your receipt and to load up the truck.

As you know, after Sat-urday, March 28, we move into Holy Week. Each year during Lent we are invited

to deepen our commitment to Christ and to his commu-nity, the Church. Through scripture reading, prayer, fasting, almsgiving and ser-vice to the poor and others in need, we deepen our dis-cipleships – following Jesus more closely and continuing his mission to build God’s kingdom now… in ourselves,

our families and our com-munities. This SVdP “Fill Up the Truck” Drive helps us to be particularly mindful and heartfelt in reaching out to those in need while at the same time deepening our faith.

Your generosity will be put to good use in helping so many within our community

who need a helping hand and heart. And remember: Our regular St. Vincent de Paul collection bin, located in the church parking lot near Stuart, is available year round.

Any questions, please contact Kim Hardman at kbueche@ptpnla.brcoxmail.com or 939-6962.

Children from the age of 4 (entering pre-K) to the age of 10 are invited to experience a summer of fun at St. Aloysius Summer Camp.

The camp will run from June 1 to July 24, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the exception of the week of June 8, when the camp will start at noon, imme-diately following Vacation Bi-ble School. (VBS registration

will be handled through the church.) Sign up for the entire camp or pick the mini-camp that works best for you.

Hot lunches and snacks will be provided, and are included in the price of tuition, as well as activities.

Registration forms can be

picked up at the child care center or downloaded at

http: / /ccc .aloysius .org/summer-camp/ Call 225-343-1338 for more information.

Mail or drop-off your reg-istration and fees to:

St. Aloysius Child Care1957 Stuart Ave. 70808

225-343-1338 Fax: 225-344-6847

St. aLOySIuS CaMP 2015St. aLOySIuS CaMP 2015

March 2015, ALOYSIUS ALIVE, page 3

7th graders help burn palms for Ash Wednesday Masses

By Edie Boudreaux

On Thursday, Feb. 12, Carol Hill’s seventh-grade religion class gathered to burn palms. Ashes from the burned palms were used at Ash Wednesday services.

The students joined Ken Thevenet and Edie Boudreaux by the outdoor altar. A fire pit was set on top of the altar. The stu-dents each picked up a handful of palms that had been blessed at

last year’s Palm Sunday services. The service began with a read-ing. Then students raised their hand in blessing. Mr. Ken lit the fire and, one at a time, the stu-dents placed the palms into the flame. As the palms were burn-ing, the students joined in song.

After the palms were burned, the ashes were allowed to cool. Then the ashes were sifted to prepare them for use during Ash Wednesday Masses.

Liturgy Schedule: The Paschal Triduum

 Holy  Thursday:  April  2,  2015      (There  is  only  one  mass  today.)  

7  p.m.,      The  Mass  of  the  Lord’s  Supper    

Following  Mass,  Adoration  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament    will  take  place  in  the  Parish  Hall  until  Midnight.      

 Good  Friday:  April  3,  2015  

9  a.m.,  Morning  Prayer  (Parish  Administration  Building  Chapel)  Noon  until  3  p.m.,  Silent  Prayer  Observing  the  Three  Hours  

Noon,  Solemn  Stations  of  the  Cross  3  p.m.,  Celebration  of  the  Lord’s  Passion/Veneration  of  the  Cross  

 Holy  Saturday:  April  4,  2015        

9  a.m.  Morning  Prayer    (Parish  Administration  Chapel)    

The  Solemn  Vigil  of  Easter:  April  4,  2015    8  p.m.    (No  4:30  Mass  today)    

Easter  Sunday:  April  5,  2015  Masses  at  7  a.m.,  9  a.m.,  &  11  a.m.  

There  will  be  no  5:30  Sunday  Evening  Mass  today.            Easter  Week    

Monday,  April  6,  (no  6  a.m.  Mass)    Tuesday,  April  7,  8  a.m.  Mass  

Wednesday,  April  8,  6  a.m.  Mass    Thursday,  April  9,  8  a.m.  Mass  Friday,  April  10,  8  a.m.  Mass  

Saturday,  April  11,  8  a.m.  Mass  

Page 4, March 2015, ALOYSIUS ALIVE

Holy Hope : Is There Any Other Kind?

Join us for a Lenten Reflection for Mothers Hosted by the Momnipotent Mothers Prayer Ministry

Saturday, March 21 St. Aloysius Catholic Church

8:00 am Mass in the Chapel (optional)

8:45 – 11:00 am Morning of Reflection in the Parish Hall

Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament will be available following the retreat until 3:00 pm in the Chapel

Speaker, author and theologian, Judy Klein, will speak on the topic of hope as it pertains to us women, especially during this Lenten season. “Hope is so much more than plain old wishful thinking. Hope – Christian hope – prepares us right here and now to live in heaven for eternity.” Join fellow mothers of the parish for a morning filled with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, fellowship over coffee, an inspiring talk, and quiet reflection time – much deserved and needed quiet reflection time! In this talk, Judy compares secular hope with holy hope, learning why cultivating the virtue of hope is crucial to transforming our lives and our world. Judy explains hope in the context of confronting her own struggle to find hope amidst tragedy and suffering, and how the eternal perspective gained through hope changes everything.

Registration is not required but will be helpful for advance planning.

Please email Louise Flavin (louiseflavin@gmail.com) if you would like to attend. All women are welcome, regardless of age or motherhood status!

We hope you wil l join us! !

Judy Landrieu Klein, the mother of five children and grandmother of six, is an author, theologian, inspirational speaker, widow--and now newlywed! Her most recent book, "Miracle Man," which has been an Amazon Kindle Bestseller and received the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval, chronicles her late husband Bernie's near death experience and miraculous deathbed conversion. She is a contributing writer for the Catholic Writers Guild and a member of their Blog Editorial Board. Though a Catholic theologian by training, the education Judy counts as most precious is that which life, with all of its tragedies and triumphs, has taught her. She shares her insights about the spiritual life at her blog, Holy Hope, which can be found on her website at MemorareMinistries.com, where her book can also be found.  

   

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” St. Paul

Than, From Page 1He touched so many. His reach went far beyond

the walls of any church and the parameters of any parish. He drew people in and brought them to-gether. He even did it in death.

I was amazed by the number of children that accompanied their parents to the various ceremo-nies for Father Than. They loved him and his love for them was evident in the way he showed up for them and made them feel their importance in our

church community and in God’s world. The way our church community came together

to take care of the needs and requests for the services and receptions -- from donated items to decorations -- was heartwarming. It made me feel blessed to be part of a parish where all are truly considered family.

The service was beautiful, elegant and befit-ting of royalty. God Bless you Father Than, you are truly missed.

Saturday,

March 2015, ALOYSIUS ALIVE, page 5

With God at the center of my life and trusting in God’s love, I will fear nothing and no one. I will always remember to whom I belong.

Grateful for the precious gift of each day, I will live as if this were my last day – fully, generously, and courageously. Each day, I will give away at least one tangible thing as a sign of my gratefulness and my desire to be free.

I will be devoted, loyal, and faithful to my family and loved ones. I will make time each day for the significant people in my life.

I will be fully present to those who come my way, treating each with reverence,

sensitivity, and kindness, so that all will be enriched who encounter me.

I will treat God’s creation with reverence and gentleness.

I will pause often to dream, live proactively, use God’s gifts to expand my circle of influence, listen more empathetically.

I will make time to study, exercise, love, and lift up my life to the God who loves me.

I will approach life with a spirit of openness, speaking less and listening more, taking the risk of being changed by new paradigms.

In all ways, I strive to live with honesty, integrity, simplicity, and humility.

In Memory…

Father Than Vu1958-2015

Father Than’s Mission Statement

Page 6, March 2015, ALOYSIUS ALIVE

March 2015, ALOYSIUS ALIVE, page 7

Page 8, March 2015, ALOYSIUS ALIVE

Homily for Funeral of Fr. Than Vu, V.G. (01-31-15, 11:00 am, St Aloysius Church, BRLA, +RWM)

We are a grieving people, a grieving family, a grieving com-munity, a grieving diocese, a grieving Church. Who among us has not shed tears, real or virtu-al, over the death of our beloved friend? While acknowledging the human anguish of losing a loved one to death, we follow the in-struction of St. Paul that we must “never grieve as those who have no hope” (I Thessalonians 4:13). Jesus’ reaction before the tomb of his friend, Lazarus, has always comforted me. St. John records: “And Jesus wept” and the people’s reaction: “See how he loved him” (John 11:35-36). Jesus validates, identifies and empathizes with our feelings to-day.

Perhaps Fr. Than left instruc-tions for me to preach this hom-ily so that it might be cathartic for me or because our ministry to-gether brought us very close. Fr. Than’s death has left a vacuum in our lives. We already greatly miss him. To me he was more than a colleague and co-worker, he was trusted advisor and wise counselor, confidante, in many ways mentor (even though younger), friend and brother. He endured me (and that reason alone should have qualified for automatic and direct entrance into heaven), resourcefully shar-ing insights, support, affirmation and encouragement without ever being a sycophant. Indeed he was a heaven-sent compan-ion along the journey.

Wherever assigned (but es-pecially the pastorates of St. Patrick, Christ the King and St. Aloysius Parishes, and admin-istrative roles at the Catholic Life Center), Father Than Vu, by person, presence and ministry, dramatically touched hearts and immeasurably changed lives. A priest of faith and prayer, he exhibited brilliant intelligence (fluent in six languages, with a phenomenal memory by which he proclaimed the Gospel by heart, including the Passion nar-ratives), a great sense of humor (enlivening his homilies with attention-getting jokes), tre-mendous creativity (fascinating St. Aloysius students to debate whether he was or was not a Ninja), and outstanding organi-zational ability (deftly handling even the most complex matters). Like the “soul of charity” Bishop Ott, who ordained him a priest in 1984, he taught us how to live and he taught us how to die.

Born in Vietnam in 1958, just two weeks after his father died, Father Vu did not have an easy life. His mother had to work out-side the home to support her four children. His two sisters, broth-er, grandmothers, aunts and uncles all helped to raise him. As a young teen he entered the seminary. A year later, with his

family he courageously boarded a ship for the United States to flee the Communist invasion into South Vietnam. Because his family was one of ten sponsored by our diocese, he came here to live, where, though he knew lit-tle English and virtually nothing of American culture, Vocations Director Fr. Jerry Young blessedly got him into the seminary. How quickly he adapted. Years later when he contracted cancer, he remained characteristically se-rene and unflappable. God and he were inseparable.

The readings Fr. Than chose for this Mass reveal a great deal about him and his relationship with God. He saw God’s Provi-dence in his being and in his life: no matter the circumstances or situations in which he found himself. “There‘s a time for ev-erything, but in God’s time, not necessarily ours” he so reasoned. “My ways are not your ways, says the Lord; so far superior are my ways than your ways” (Isaiah 55:8).

Fr. Than wrote: “One of my ‘mystical’ experiences happened on a retreat when I had the pro-

found sense of peace that God was raising me up, carrying me on high, on his wings, during a time of uncertainty in my life. The experience confirmed God’s abiding presence with me.”

He always considered God as his father, claiming him his be-loved son. Fr. Than expounded: “My entire spirituality and my vocation flowed out of this fun-damental relationship with God. I have truly felt blessed by God and always saw my priestly vo-cation as one of proclaiming and reminding people that they’re God’s beloved children. This has been the focus of my priestly vo-cation, reminding people that they’re God’s beloved and out of this invite them to respond to the call of Micah: “to act justly, love tenderly and walk with God” (Michal 6:8). In his last days Father Than assured me he was at peace, not afraid and only in slight physical pain. The day of his death was providentially the Memorial of St. Thomas Aqui-nas, prodigious priest-theologian, with the daily prescribed Re-sponsorial Psalm 110: “You are a priest forever, in the line of

Melchizedek,”and is being bur-ied on the Memorial of St. John Bosco, priest “Apostle of Youth,” with a selection in the Office of Readings about the mystery of death from Vatican II’s Con-stitution on the Church. Paren-thetically may I add today also marks the 101st birthday of my late saintly mother.

For those of us privileged to have been at his 25th anniversary Mass at Christ the King Church, Fr. Than regaled us with fasci-nating anecdotes that kept us spell-bound. Now I have to take credit for that great homily. You see he asked me to preach and I told him to do it. That was in-disputably the best homily I nev-er gave. Let us keep his revered memory alive. Let us never tire of sharing favorite memories, ex-periences, stories or insights from Father.

From 1994-2003 there was a television series entitled: “Touched by an Angel.” This coming Friday in the assigned daily Scripture readings we have the somewhat intriguing verse: “Do not neglect hospitality, for some unknowingly have enter-

tained angels” (Hebrews 13:2). Might the inverse be true? Could God send us people so angelic (like Fr. Than) to specially touch and inspire us?

Father Than’s call to eternal life was neither a punishment to him nor to us. As Wisdom 4: 13-14 teaches: “Having become per-fect in a short while, he reached the fullness of a long career; for his soul was pleasing to the Lord; therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness.” It was God’s reward to him for his fideli-ty, holiness, virtue, patience, and compassion, for having overcome suffering grace fully and living a life of eminent love and service. He epitomized one of my favorite Scripture quotes: “Whatever you do, do with your whole heart; do it for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). Where Fr. Than has gone, we, in God’s Providence, hope to follow.

Last night at the Vigil Ser-vice, the Gospel reading Fr. Than requested for use was the famil-iar intimate personal encounter between the risen Christ and Peter in which Jesus three times asked: “Do you love me?” In the last three meetings I had with Fr. Than, we exchanged those simple, but majestic, words: “I love you.” Even for Jesus himself, those words were magic. Those were the last words in this world he and I shared with one anoth-er. They brought me then and will forever bring me immeasur-able consolation and comfort.

As we express farewell to Fr. Than, the French proverb comes to mind: “Whenever you say ‘goodbye’ you die a little.” Per-haps I could augment that by saying, “And sometimes when you say: ‘goodbye,’ you die a lot.” But as we also know, the French say ‘goodbye’ with the tender ex-pression: “Au revoir” – “until the next time we see one another.” The English word “goodbye” sounds so harsh. Actually it is an Anglo-Saxon contraction of a longer expression, which we communicate to Father Than: “God be with you.”

O God, we thank you for sending Fr. Than Vu to us – this angel of a man who sometimes seemed more spirit than body. He gave us a strong glimpse of your Son, Jesus, enlightened our minds, uplifted our hearts and reassured our feelings. The reason we miss him, Lord, is be-cause he contributed so much to our lives and well-being. Thank you, God, for this remarkable priest, whose ministry to us we will never forget. O God, in your time and in your Providence, lead us also to your kingdom. And grant our brother and friend, Fr. Than, eternal rest and happiness with you and all the angels and saints. And Fr. Than, we all say to you: “We love you.” Thank you for your own love and for mediating God’s love to us. Allow me to affectionately close: “Au revoir, mon ami.” Peace in the Risen Christ, everyone.

Bishop Muench: Father Than touched hearts, changed lives

March 2015, ALOYSIUS ALIVE, page 9

On Jan. 27, approximately 100 St. Aloysius parishioners gathered in the Parish Hall to attend the annual Liturgical Ministers’ Retreat, hosted by the Worship Commission, and presented by Father Louis Arceneaux, CM, a native and

resident of New Orleans and a priest of the Mission of St. Vincent de Paul.

The theme of this year’s retreat was “Hearts on Fire: How to Create Liturgy that is Joyous and Welcoming to All.” In addition to Father

Arceneaux’s presentation, the evening included a fried fish dinner, a guided meditation focusing on God’s unconditional love, and small group discussion to identify areas in ministry in which the theme of the retreat could be brought to life.

Retreat: Making the Liturgy ‘Joyous and Welcoming’

Aloysius on parade!Once again parishioners came together for fellowship and fun to

take part in the annual Southdowns Mardi Gras Parade parish float, as well as the viewing party on the parish grounds. Thanks to all of the volunteers who made for a safe and fun evening.

Page 10, March 2015, ALOYSIUS ALIVE

ness and be part of true change, I have also experienced it. I have experienced love, real transformative love that inspires me to live and act differently. Living and work-ing in the second poorest country in the western hemi-sphere can be very challenging. However, that love pro-vides me the energy to keep moving forward when faced

with desperate and despairing circumstances.On a recent visit to St. Aloysius, one of our youth lead-

ers, Roxana, closed our talk by saying, “Cantera not only taught me the importance of dreaming but that realizing dreams are possible.” Our dream for the mission trips is that they provide a space where parishioners are able to experience deep and transformative love; a love that does not end when they leave Nicaragua and return to

Baton Rouge but that continues to weave through their relationships at home and their interaction with the world. Through my own experience and through accom-panying the many parishioners of St. Aloysius through-out their mission and post-mission experience, I can say with great joy that our joint dream for transformative love is possible in the most extraordinary of ways. Thank you for sharing your hearts and your dreams with us.

Cantera, From Page 1

Reparto Pancasán, de Plaza El Sol, 2c. al sur, 1c. arriba. Telf: 505-2775329 Fax: 505-2780103

Apdo.: A-52 Managua, Nicaragua www.canteranicaragua.org cantera@ibw.com.ni

February 10, 2015 Dear Kim, Maggie, family and friends, Last year Nicaragua experienced the worst drought and food crisis in over three decades. The delay in the rains resulted in the death of thousands of livestock, the loss of crops across the country and reduction in drinking water. CANTERA was quick to respond seeking help from our friends and supporters to deliver emergency provisions to the families in the rural communities where we work. We were fortunate to coordinate our efforts with the government and other non-profit organizations in the area and successfully managed to cover the basic food needs of the families. This was a very powerful experience as our rural development team met with community leaders to determine which families were most vulnerable and delivered the provisions accordingly. Upon receiving the overjoying news of a new wave of support funds collected by Kim and Maggie, the CANTERA team once again met with the community leaders to determine the most urgent needs of the families. By this time, the rains had come and the families asked for barrels for water storage as well as drip irrigation systems to maximize the amount of water used for their vegetable gardens. While the large plots of basic grains need substantial amounts of water, small-scale vegetable gardens can produce healthy vegetables with minimal water consumption. In addition, CANTERA promotes grey water filter systems, which enable families to reuse their washing water in their gardens.

With your loving support, we managed to deliver water storage barrels to 36 families (six from the community La Ceiba) and install five drip irrigation systems. As there is potential for another delayed rainy season this year, we are working with the families to reduce their vulnerability to the potential drought. This includes special workshops on livestock feeding focusing on plants that can survive with water shortage, equipping the family gardens with drip irrigation systems and grey water filters to maximize the restricted water, and providing more recipients to capture and store the limited rain that does fall.

Our dear friend and community leader Salatiel has been an integral part of these efforts and CANTERA has been able to offer him short-term contracts for the building and installation of some of this infrastructure. The passing of his horse, and many other livestock in the

Reparto Pancasán, de Plaza El Sol, 2c. al sur, 1c. arriba. Telf: 505-2775329 Fax: 505-2780103

Apdo.: A-52 Managua, Nicaragua www.canteranicaragua.org cantera@ibw.com.ni

communities due to the drought, was a deep loss for the families. As an organization, we were not able to replace the livestock, instead, we hope by providing Salatiel with small employment opportunities he will be able to contribute to his family economy during the off-season and make the autonomous decision to replace his horse when the time comes. Looking to the future, we hope to mediate the effects of potential droughts by building community reservoirs in each of our communities large enough to provide sufficient water for the quantity of livestock and basic grain crops in the community. This will be a larger endeavor as each reservoir has an estimated cost of approximately $5,000, varying depending on the community size. In CANTERA, we believe in the power of prayer and in the power of relationships built in solidarity. On behalf of all the families in the rural areas who have benefitted and continue to benefit from your generosity and your prayers, we thank you. CANTERA´s motto is building dreams. In the words of our founder, Sister Anabel: "...we began to dream with the people because by beginning with our dreams we can change. When we dream, there is an internal energy that motivates us, that pushes us to go after who we want to be and what we want to achieve." We ask that you dream with us for a more just and equal world and for a better future for all of our friends living in harsh conditions in the rural areas of Nicaragua. In Nicaragua, we are dreaming with you, sending our prayers that your dreams may also come to fruition.

Let´s dream in solidarity,

The CANTERA team

March 2015, ALOYSIUS ALIVE, page 11

By Kim Hardman

EVERLASTING. When asked to sum up in one word my

time spent on the St. Aloysius International Mission Trip to Cantera, Nicaragua, the one word that immediately came to mind and heart was ... EVERLASTING.

I first learned of the good works of the Can-tera organization through stewardship in the Social Responsibility Commission at St. Aloy-sius.

One morning my 20-year-old daughter, Maggie, expressed to me a genuine desire to go on an international mission trip over her summer break from LSU. She had been on lo-cal mission trips through St. Aloysius School and St. Joseph’s Academy, but never out of the country. That morning, through the workings of the Holy Spirit, I knew that God was speak-ing to Maggie and to me -- to go to Nicaragua, and to go together.

The final count of those who boarded the plane to Managua, Nicaragua, was nine: Fa-ther Peter Dang, Alvin Raetzsch, Amy Pizzo-lato, Amy Edwards, Diane Leche, Sybille No-etzel, Austin Guidry, Maggie and myself. We were on our way to a faith-filled journey and mission trip to help our brothers and sisters in Christ, but since most of us had never been on an international mission trip, we were not ex-actly sure what lay ahead of us. We hoped and prayed together that when we returned home we would have made a positive difference in the lives of others, including our own.

We were each and all inspired by Cantera, the 26-year-old organization, Cantera, in and of itself ... its extraordinarily loving and dedi-cated leadership and staff (Americans and Nicaraguans) .... the loving, humble and hospi-table Nicaraguan people we visited in the rural and urban communities ...and the everlasting fellowship that came to our church group and to our friends of Cantera from just one week together.

In the rural areas, as you can probably imagine, life in the mountains with no run-ning water or electricity is a very hard exis-tence. The people must travel miles on tough terrain of dirt road to fill up buckets of water from the well. The drought this year created extreme hardship.

Yet the people we visited when we spent the night in their homes were hopeful, happy

and loving, in spite of their strife. In the midst of such poverty and drought, a rich goodness is overflowing. They deeply love with pride their family, neighbor and community. What an eye-opening and heartwarming lesson!

On an ongoing basis, Cantera staff and fa-cilitators work to aid in clean-water projects, agriculture education, self-sustainment work-shops, and to provide fellowship and hope. Cantera is a saving grace.

Cantera has developed four organized youth centers in Managua, the Nicaraguan capital. The centers provide workshops and education in theater, art, environment, gender equality, sports and dance. These centers are a place for youth to come to find themselves and build friendships in a safe and trusting environment away from street gangs. We spent time in the youth centers and saw and shared first-hand in the daily workings. The youth groups have a proven track record of sustainability and success. They empower and change individual and family lives for the better. Some go on to graduate from universities, a generational leap to a new life. Cantera is a saving grace.

It is truly a God thing, this Cantera Orga-nization: How it came into being with these two Catholic nuns, Sister Anabel Torres and Sister Mary Hardeman and a group of lay and religious men and women for the restora-tion of humanity -- and how it has existed for over 25 years in spite of so much strife (earth-quake, volcano, hurricane, war, violence, lack of education, inequality) It is, purely and sim-ply, a God thing. Cantera’s motto is building dreams. It was not the sisters’ dreams but the people of Nicaragua’s dreams that were and

continue to be the driving force. The Nicaraguans are blessed beyond mea-

sure or words to have Cantera to save lives, to build better happy lives and to provide educa-tion, opportunity, fellowship and a future filled with hope, light and love. Cantera is a proven life-sustaining and empowering organization with a long-standing record of changing lives for the better.

The Cantera organization is blessed beyond measure or words to have St. Aloysius Catholic Church to support it in its mission to reach out as one to our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is God’s amazing grace flowing through the sup-port and generosity of St. Aloysius parishioners that we hear the call to give of our time, talent and treasure.

As I reflect on this mission trip to Nicaragua and on this ministry at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, I am most grateful that I was blessed to be a part of this everlasting experience and to share it with my daughter. I cannot think of any other trip with her throughout our lifetime that was more meaningful and memorable than our mission trip together to Nicaragua.

I hope and pray that we touched their lives and hearts as much as they touched ours. I also hope and pray that we can learn from the successful workings and methodologies of the Cantera organization and bring this back home to help sustain our own youth and fam-ily unit right here within our own community.

Through this ministry, you will grow spiri-tually and you will discover ever more clearly Jesus Christ in the faces of these humble souls. You will feel and be Christ’s presence at the same time.

I wholeheartedly encourage parishioners to take this giant step across the border and into another beautiful part of God’s great kingdom. You will bless and be blessed beyond measure in an everlasting way.

“His one image is in us all and we dis-cover him by discovering the likeness of his image in one another”. Thomas Merton

For more information on the next mis-sion trip to Nicaragua, please contact Alvin Raetzsch at Raetzsch@gmail.com; phone 979-732-4744 or Amy Pizzolato at amypizz@cox.net; phone 225-907-8876.

By Maggie Hardman

Cantera was an outright in-credible experience! It was the first mission work I had done that taught me to stop trying to fix everything and to truly get to know and understand and appreciate the people first.

Although I was not part of the program when it first began nearly 26 years ago, I was able to learn about it on the trip. Instead of trying to temporar-ily fix an encountered problem, the creators of Cantera went straight to the source. They went out onto the streets and up into the mountains and took time to learn about the people and to understand what they truly needed to make their lives better.

I was fortunate to be able to meet some of the people who had been helped by Cantera from a very young age. They were special and sincere in a way that cannot be explained in words. By starting to help children at a young age, Can-tera steadily instilled good qualities in them, which they in turn were able to spread to others around them.

The youth centers give the children a way to express them-selves in non-violent ways and it also teaches them responsibil-ity. It challenges the youth to ask themselves questions like, “What are your dreams?” Here at home, it is such a common thing to ask a young child, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Honestly I’m still getting asked that question! But it’s such a great one. It moti-vates you and makes you think: What do I want to “do” and what do I want to “be” when I’m older. Every child should be asked this question. They should have a right to dream of their futures and ways to better it. Cantera makes that possible.

The rural area that is helped through Cantera is also amaz-ing! Instead of just giving the hungry families food, they teach them how to farm veg-etables. The “way” of Cantera fixes problems for the long term and not for the short term. By doing this, families can pass down their knowledge to their children so they can better their lives as well.

I loved Cantera and every one of the Nicaraguan people I was blessed to encounter along the way. I was also extremely fortunate to be able to experi-ence all this with my mom right by my side! She totally surprised me and rocked the outdoorsy chick persona! It was a great way to grow in our faith and serve together, and it was an experience that we will nev-er forget.

Volunteers receive blessings by givingMother, daughter grow together in faith while helping others build dreams

Page 12, March 2015, ALOYSIUS ALIVE

By Ginny Martinez

In spite of the cold weather, and sometimes because of it, the children of the St. Aloysius Child Care Center had many things to celebrate in February.

February is National Chil-dren’s Dental Health Month, and despite her busy schedule, the Tooth Fairy came by to see the children. They all learned about the importance of keep-ing their teeth clean, and know the best way to have a healthy mouth is to brush and floss daily.

Though Baton Rouge kids don’t often get to see snow, the classes at the Child Care Center got a snow day – at school! The kids played with “snow buck-ets,” made snowmen and, of course, had snowball fights.

The busiest time at the cen-ter in February was the con-

fluence of Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras. The classes all had Valentine’s Day parties with special treats and traded val-entines with friends – the day after the annual Krewe of Tots Mardi Gras Parade.

The year’s parade was a success, and one of the biggest yet. The parade rolled through the “big school,” and the kids were excited to throw beads to siblings, friends, students and teachers. Many thanks to all of the families who continue to put so much creativity and effort into the floats (and apologies to the students at the end of the parade; the kids are learning to ration their throws). Thanks to everyone who made the Krewe of Tots parade a success!

The St. Aloysius Child Care Center, its staff and the chil-dren look forward to the Lenten season.

Children enjoy dental care, Valentines, Mardi Gras activities