Have you ever heard the word HOUMA? (pronounce HOMA, a native American name as in OklaHOMA). Maybe not.

Have you ever heard the word THIBODAUX? (pronounce Ti-bo-do, Fourth Governor of Louisiana). Maybe not.

If you were present at the 5 pm Mass one month ago (March 4), you would have heard those two words HOUMA THIBODAUX mentioned together several times. Bishop DORSONVILLE had accepted our Parish Council's invitation. We wanted to express all our appreciation for his continuous support for the last 10 years. Bishop Dorsonville was leaving our Archdiocese of Washington as a long-time Auxiliary Bishop to become the new Bishop of the Diocese of HOUMA THIBODAUX in LOUISIANA.

While he was with us in Waldorf probably for the last time, he expressed his wish that both Deacon Bill and I attend his installation as the Fifth Bishop of HOUMA THIBODAUX on March 29. We did oblige with some reluctance on my part (I rather be serving our parish). But it proved to be a good decision.

The Mass of Installation presided by the Archbishop of New Orleans (just one hour away east of Houma) was awesome. It was the first time I attended a Mass of Installation outside Washington DC. The Diocese of HOUMA -THIBODAUX prepared this event with such an amazing Love and Solemnity displayed for their new Bishop, whom they barely knew. This is Christian Love.

You can see the entire event (about two hours) (click here to watch). I can assure you, watching this video will be worth more than 1,000 words. You can count in the long entrance procession as many as 30 deacons, 100 priests, 40 bishops, two Cardinals, and the Papal Nuncio to the United States Archbishop Pierre who represents Pope Francis. You will recall that Archbishop Pierre, who is totally fluent in Spanish and English, honored our own parish with his visit last December at one of our Christmas Novena Masses combining traditions of our Pilipino and Hispanic communities.

Listen to the extraordinary music (including the long finale). Music enhances the Liturgy and helps us to pray.

Listen to the first reading which was read by a Native American in "Cajun French". I had a hard time understanding. It sounded mysterious. This was not a surprise for me, having heard French Creole in Mauritius or “old" French spoken in Quebec!

My surprise throughout my stay (my first one in Louisiana) was that almost no one I spoke to could understand my simple question: "Parlez-vous Francais?". I encountered only one person who could speak French. He was a Native American "Houma" priest and at 91 was the oldest priest of the Diocese. The younger generation was not allowed to speak French at home...

A greater surprise was the extraordinary welcome given to all visitor guests (like Deacon Bill and I), a sincere welcome filled with Joy and Friendship. Our large cities have lost that sense of community. I pray that our own parish can remain welcoming and display special attention to the large number of new members (in last five years) with the same enthusiasm and the same deep sense of Brotherhood in Christ. It was a Joy to see Bishop Dorsonville reaching out to everyone and already feeling at home in Houma.

Some of you may wonder why I am writing to you about Houma. It reminds me of our own FATHER MARTIN serving alone the Waldorf area for 29 years, and demonstrating a heroic zeal for souls, reaching out to everyone, especially the Native Americans (Piscataway), the African Americans (recently freed slaves) and German-speaking immigrants from Austria, Germany and France ( Alsace-Lorraine).

The EVANGELIZATION OF ALL AND THE INTERCULTURAL UNITY Father Martin promoted in Waldorf can be observed in HOUMA -THIBODAUX today (compared with many years of tensions in the 19th century). I will write in more detail about Father Martin in the next few weeks as the Father Martin Society (of which I am co-founder with the former Pastor of St Peter's Msgr. Parent) is preparing a major celebration in Waldorf on SUNDAY AUGUST 6 which marks the 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THR DEATH OF FATHER MARTIN. SAVE THE DATE! Mark your calendars. You will get more details soon.

I hope you and your families had a most Joyful Easter! May God through the HOLY SPIRIT help you to sustain that Joy and HOPE in your hearts throughout the 50 days of the Easter Season ending at Pentecost!

Concluding the Solemn Octave of Easter, we will celebrate DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY. May the MERCY AND LOVE OF JESUS be always with you!

One in Christ,

Father Alain
 

For more details on what is Divine Mercy Sunday and the prayers, click here.

Haga clic aqui para las oraciones y mas informacion, Que es La Divina Misericordia....