March 2010

The Rev'd Michael E. Bertrand, St. James, Alexandria, and the Rev'd George Gennuso, St. Michael's, Pineville, have both been providing for some of the Thursday morning services at Mount Olivet Chapel. I am most grateful for their willingness to share in this ministry.

The Rev'd Dr. Wayne E. Carter, St. John's, Minden, and the Rev'd Elizabeth R. Ratcliff, Calvary, Bunkie, will join Susan and me for the Louisiana Interchurch Conference annual assembly in Monroe this next week. It is my honour to preach at the Ecumenical service at the First Presbyterian Church, Monroe in the context of the gathering.

The Rev'd George J. Hampshire, retired priest of this diocese, died the evening of January 25, 2010 following a lengthy illness. A Requiem Mass was offered at Epiphany, Opelousas on January 29 with me presiding and the Rev'd J. Peterson Smith preaching.

The Rev'd Deacon Don C. Leger has been restored by me to his ministry as a deacon in good standing effective March 1, 2010. He has been appointed at this time to serve at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Opelousas.

The staff joined me for a farewell luncheon for the Rev'd Canon Larry G. Wilkes prior to his departure from Diocesan House staff on January 31, 2010. He is presently serving as interim priest at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, New Iberia.

The Rev'd Carl W. Wright, canonically resident in the Diocese of Northern California, is serving as Staff Chaplain with the Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Bossier City. Lt. Col. Wright is one of the candidates for the Bishop Suffragan for Federal Ministries election that will take place during the House of Bishops meeting this next month.

The members of St. Andrew's, Moss Bluff are excited with the ground breaking and beginning of the construction on their new administrative building. In addition to office space, the new space also provides accommodation for classrooms and meetings. Our congratulations to the Rev'd Dr. Mitzi G. George and the members of the mission family on this accomplishment.

The past few weekends have provided Susan and me with a great round of visitations. Our travels have taken us to Grace, Lake Providence; St. Paul's, Abbeville; St. Paul's, Winnfield; St. Barnabas, Lafayette; and Epiphany, New Iberia. In addition to our visit to St. Paul's, Abbeville, the afternoon brought about a grand gathering in recognition of the Rev'd Keith L. Milligan's ministry as he prepares for retirement in the not too distant future.

It was my privilege to speak at a conference sponsored by the Anglican Communion Institute in Dallas this past month. The gathering, which included a wide variety of speakers from a broad ecumenical spectrum, addressed the issue of "Hierarchy and the Church," and I spoke from the perspective of the Communion Partners.

Once again Susan and I had the joy of hosting the annual Bishop's Ball, our sixth and probably most successful to date. St. Timothy's, Alexandria was the setting of this delightful semi-formal event with the youth of the diocese. The spirit and fellowship, to say nothing about the delicious food, set a model of community for all. We give thanks to God for the opportunity of sharing in this way with the youth and young adults of our diocese.

A highlight of the past month was the annual Clergy Pre-Lenten Retreat held at Hardtner Camp and Conference Center prior to Ash Wednesday. More than forty clergy joined with me for this important time of Lenten preparation. For the meditations this year, I invited three of our diocesan clergy to provide these based upon the theme of "Betrayal, Crucifixion, and Resurrection." I am grateful for the Spirit-led words provided by the Very Rev'd Dr. Jacob W. Owensby, dean of St. Mark's Cathedral, Shreveport; the Very Rev'd Canon Gregg L. Riley, rector at Grace, Monroe; and the Rev'd Canon Larry G. Wilkes of Epiphany, New Iberia. (Canon Wilkes was ill at the time of the retreat and his meditation was presented by the Rev'd Michael W. Millard, curate at St. Mark's Cathedral, Shreveport. I truly appreciate him responding to my invitation to deliver this important meditation.)

In addition to the usual round of meetings that are held each month, it is my pleasure to offer the Wednesday morning Lenten service at St. James, Alexandria; and to present a parish development workshop with the vestry and members of St. Timothy's, Alexandria.

Until next month, I leave you with this prayer, "O God, the only source of life, in the beginning your breath and Spirit drew forth the world until the earth was filled with your creatures. At the last your breath shall gather us in, each in our time, to the shelter and mystery of your love. We praise you, God, for the certainty that in death, as in life, we are sustained by your love. Amen." [All the Seasons of Mercy, 1987]