Archbishop Rummel sophomores and juniors received scholarships and book awards at the Academic Awards Program. Bottom row, from left: Jonathan Gennaro, Presbyterian College Fellows Award, University of the South-Sewanee Book Award, $4,000; Daniel O’Leary, Centre Fellows Scholarship, $84,000; Maddux Meariman, the Randolph-Macon College Leadership Scholarship, $60,000; Blake Tillman, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Scholarship, $100,000. Second row: Michael Chepolis, Rochester Institute of Technology Computing Medal Scholarship, $28,000; Gabriel Wright, Rhodes College Book Award; Benjamin Browning, Tulane University Book Award.

Below is a summary of the June meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). This is not an official summary, but my notes.  1. The U.S. bishops sent greetings to Pope Francis assuring him of our prayers and support. We asked for his blessings in our episcopal ministry. 2. Ms. Stacie LeBlanc of New Orleans has been appointed to the National Review Board for the Protection of Children and Young People.

To: Father Jonathan Hemelt, Pastor, and parishioners of Our Lady of the Rosary and the people of God in our Archdiocese Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ: This communication is to discuss with you allegations of sexual abuse by George Brignac. Mr. Brignac served at Our Lady of the Rosary after his diaconate ordination as a deacon from 1976 until 1988.

God always loves and generously gives first before asking for fidelity to his commandments – which are the words of a loving father showing people the right way to live, Pope Francis said. “Christian life is above all the grateful response to a generous father,” not a forced, joyless compliance to a series of obligations, the pope said June 27 at his general audience in St. Peter’s Square.

At the LSU caravan stop in Metairie, the official line was transfer quarterback Joe Burrow has to come to fall camp and win the job. But, behind the curtain, there’s always a back story. And, that story is LSU coaches are very impressed with the former Ohio State Buckeye. They are impressed with his skills and his leadership abilities. Perhaps, for one of the most offensively starved fan bases in the Southeastern Conference, there is light.

EVENTS SHELTER DOCUMENTARY, being shown at St. Charles Borromeo Church’s Borromeo Room, July 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Light refreshments follow. The documentary filmed at Covenant House, depicts authentic situations of young people as they seek help and hope and highlights society’s failure to address mental health, substance abuse and other educational, emotional and physical abuses that affect teens and young adults. Covenant House director Jim Kelly will discuss the agency’s mission, accomplishments and how people can help. 13396 River Road, Destrehan. Presented by the parish’s Respect Life and Social Justice ministries. (985) 764-6383; www.scbrespectforlife.org. View film trailer at www.scbrespectforlife.org. NAIM, Kenner/St. Philip Neri chapter, meeting July 11, 7 p.m., with speaker Dr. Marc Matrana discussing the “lost” plantations. He is author of “Lost Plantation: The Rise and Fall of Seven Oaks” and “Lost Plantation of the South” and is working on a third book. Members also will meet for lunch July 25 at 1 a.m. at Perrin’s Restaurant, 2216 Hickory Ave., Harahan. $17 a person includes entrée, dessert, beverage, tax and tip. Deadline for lunch is July 18. Call 454-0485. 

In order to provide pastoral care for the people of God in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Archbishop Aymond has made the following appointments: PERMANENT DEACONS (ordained on June 23, 2018) Deacon Oscar D. Alegria Sr., Immaculate Conception Parish, Marrero, effective June 23, 2018. Deacon Thomas S. Beyer, St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Algiers, effective June 23, 2018. Deacon Edward J. Cain Jr., St. Anthony Parish/St. Pius X Mission, Lafitte, effective June 23, 2018.

A continuación, se encuentra un resumen de la reunión de junio de 2018 de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos (USCCB). Este no es un resumen oficial, sino mis notas. 1. Los obispos de los Estados Unidos enviaron saludos al Papa Francisco, asegurándole nuestras oraciones y apoyo. Pedimos sus bendiciones en nuestro ministerio episcopal. 2. La Sra. Stacie LeBlanc de Nueva Orleáns, ha sido nombrada miembro de la Junta Nacional de Revisión para la Protección de Niños y Jóvenes. 3. Se animó a los obispos a firmar la Declaración Católica del Clima, para llamarnos a cuidar la creación y el cuidado de los pobres. 4. El Arzobispo Christophe Pierre, nuncio apostólico, se dirigió a los obispos. Él, nos aseguró las bendiciones y el aprecio del Papa Francisco. Nos recordó que, debemos dedicarnos a la evangelización, y especialmente a los jóvenes. Él, nos animó a ser buenos oyentes en un espíritu de discernimiento. El próximo Encuentro y el Sínodo sobre la Juventud en octubre son oportunidades para escuchar atentamente a nuestros jóvenes y su hambre de fe. Nuestros jóvenes están buscando una conexión con otros, a pesar del individualismo de nuestra sociedad. Él, nos recordó que debemos hacer que nuestras parroquias sean más acogedoras y atentos a nuestros jóvenes y jóvenes adultos, para que puedan encontrar a Cristo. Debemos prestar especial atención a nuestra juventud hispana y vocaciones hispanas. También, discutió la reciente encíclica de nuestro Santo Padre sobre el llamado a la santidad.

Baton Rouge Bishop Robert W. Muench, who spent 28 years as a priest and then an auxiliary bishop of New Orleans and has served as the fifth bishop of Baton Rouge since 2002, will be succeeded  in Baton Rouge by Shreveport Bishop Michael Duca, far left. Bishop Duca, seen wiping away tears at the June 26 announcement in Baton Rouge, will be installed as the sixth bishop of Baton Rouge on Aug. 24 at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral.

St. Louis Cathedral provides votive candles for the faithful to light every day in honor of their special intentions. On June 23, when Archbishop Gregory Aymond ordained 22 men as permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the cathedral could have raised even more money for its social outreach to the poor with a Kleenex concession.