Teenage schoolgirl killed in suspected Mafia bomb is named as Melissa Bassi

Ms Bassi, a fashion student who hoped to work in Milan, had travelled into the
school by bus that morning from her home in the nearby town of Mesagne. Her
friend, Veronica Capodieci, was also injured and is now fighting for her
life.

“They are beasts, whoever did this,” said one of Ms Bassi’s aunts. “Melissa’s
parents have lost the only thing they ever had. What wrong did these kids
ever do?”

The attack targeted the Morvillo-Falcone vocational institute, which is named
after an anti-Mafia prosecutor, Giovanni Falcone, and his wife, Francesca
Morvillo, a judge, who were blown up by Sicily’s Cosa Nostra Mafia almost
exactly 20 years near Palermo airport.

The fact that the bomb went off just days before the 20th anniversary of the
assassinations, on Wednesday, may have been a coincidence, given that Cosa
Nostra and Sacra Corona Unita are quite separate Mafia groups.

Sacra Corona Unita, based in the region of Puglia, the heel of the Italian
boot, is the least known of Italy’s four Mafia groups.

It was founded in the 1970s and has made huge profits from gun-running,
smuggling and extortion, although its power is believed to have waned in
recent years as a result of police crackdowns.

But it has ready access to explosives through its links with organised crime
in the Balkans, just across the Adriatic.

While the Italian government cautioned against jumping to conclusions about
who might be behind the attack, local officials had little doubt, blaming it
on the group and saying it may have been a reprisal for recent police
operations.

“It was a Mafia attack,” said Nicola Fratoianni, a regional official. “A bomb
placed in front of a school bearing the Falcone name is a clear message from
the clans — a reprisal to recent police operations.”

Ten days ago police conducted a raid in which they arrested 16 alleged members
of Sacra Corona Unita, charging them with extortion, illegal weapons
ownership and Mafia association.

Many of the pupils at the school, including the teenager who was killed, were
from the nearby town of Mesagne, one of the strongholds of the Mafia group.

The attack may also have been timed to coincide with an anti-Mafia procession
that was due to have been held in Brindisi on Saturday.

According to another theory being pursued by police, it may have been
connected to a failed attempt by godfathers a few days ago to blow up the
head of an anti-Mafia association in Mesagne with a car bomb.

“We have seen a resumption of criminal Mafia activity in and around Brindisi
recently after leaders of Sacra Corona Unita were released from jail,” said
Alfredo Mantovano, an MP from the conservative People of Freedom party of
Silvio Berlusconi, the former prime minister.

Prosecutors pointed out, however, that Mafia gangsters normally carry out
attacks against rival mobsters, prosecutors, police and courthouses, and
that it was unusual for them to hit such a soft “civilian” target.

The bombing was “an anomaly”, said Annamaria Cancellieri, the interior
minister. “We don’t yet have elements to suggest this was a Mafia attack, we
need to be cautious. But it is striking that the bomb went off in front of a
school with the name Falcone.”

The bomb, believed to have been planted on a low wall in front of the school,
went off around 7.50am local time, when students were arriving for Saturday
morning lessons.

The force of the explosion blew out the windows of surrounding buildings and
left several victims severely burnt. Surgeons said one teenage girl might
lose both her legs.

The casualties could have been far worse had the bomb detonated a little
later, when the majority of students arrived at the school, said Mr
Fratoianni.

“I was opening the window and the blast wave hit me. I saw kids on the ground.
All blackened. Their books on fire. It was terrifying,” said an employee at
the prosecutor’s office next to the school.

The last major bomb attack by the Mafia was in Florence in 1993, when a
powerful car bomb was detonated behind the Uffizi Gallery, killing five
people and wounding more than 20 others, and destroying or damaging dozens
of works in the gallery’s art collection.

Mr Monti, appointed as the head of an unelected government of technocrats in
November, is pushing through a sweeping programme of austerity measures,
including spending cuts and tax increases, which have prompted a resurgence
of the political extremism which struck Italy in the seventies and eighties.

There have been bomb threats against tax offices and an attack on the head of
a nuclear engineering company owned by defence technology group
Finmeccanica, who was shot in the leg by an anarchist group.

Shift: Diocese will allow boy with Down Syndrome to receive communion

The Anchoress

Diary of a Wimpy Catholic

Aggie Catholics

Daily Homilies

A Concord Pastor Comments

A Deacon’s Wife

Deacon Scott Dodge

Deacons Today: Dalmatics and Beyond

In All Things (America Magazine)

Whispers in the Loggia

ONE-TO-ONE: The Blog of CNEWA

Now I’ve seen everything

The Anchoress

Diary of a Wimpy Catholic

Aggie Catholics

Daily Homilies

A Concord Pastor Comments

A Deacon’s Wife

Deacon Scott Dodge

Deacons Today: Dalmatics and Beyond

In All Things (America Magazine)

Whispers in the Loggia

ONE-TO-ONE: The Blog of CNEWA

Billy and Marie celebrated 60 years of wedded bliss

Published on Friday 18 May 2012 21:10

Dance to the Checkers – Freshford Acorn Club hold an American Tea Party in the Community Hall on this Friday evening 18th May. Dance to the Fabulous Checkers. Dancing from 8pm till late – have you booked your table yet –just €10 pp including raffle. For further information or booking please contact 087 2663615 as soon as possible

Also the Acorn Club will hold its first AGM on Thursday 24th May in the Community Hall at 8pm. They will be reporting on a very successful year and reviewing it plans for the coming year. New members welcome

RACE NIGHT – Prague House Freshford are again running their Benefit Night of Greyhound Racing at James Park, Kilkenny on Friday 25th May. At the moment the house is undergoing major refurbishments in order to bring it up to health and safety standards as required by HIQA. This work puts a huge drain on the finances of Prague House. While some money has been allocated by the Health Board the committee would appreciate your generosity in this fundraising event. Ticket sellers has been out for the last few weeks in the parishes of Tullaroan, Freshford and Lisdowney. Tickets can be got from any member of the committee in the three parishes or from Prague House.

FIRST COMMUNION – The boys and girls of second class in St.Lachtains N.S. received their first Holy Communion on Sunday morning last at 11am Mass in St.Lachtains Church. The weather remained favourable for the occasion with the rain staying away. There were twenty five children in all received the sacrament, nine boys and sixteen girls and the Mass was celebrated by Fr. Pat Comerford PP. He paid tribute to the children and their parents and also to their teacher and principal Ms. Bolger and Mr. Tynan for the way in which the children were prepared for the day. He also thanked the Do This in Memory Committee 2012/12 for making the programme such a success and to all who participated in the programme.

The following boys and girls received their First Holy Communion – J.Comerford, J.Cantwell, R.Cord, B.Dermody, D.Gordon, P.Nicholson,A.Maher-Burke, P.Walsh, E.Kenny-Landers – A.Bergin, E.Bergin, T.Colclough, E.Crosby, F.Dillon, E.Dooley, T.Fogarty, M.Fortune, A.Killian, C.King, K.Glennon-O’Shea, C.Maher, C.Neary, A. McDermott, A.Tiernan, A.Ryan

Sympathy – to Mrs. Kathleen O’Shea of Chapel Street, Freshford on the death of her sister Mrs. Anna Healy of Clone House, Ballyragget which occurred recently. Burial took place in Clontubrid cemetery.

FIELD DAY – Sunday May 27th is the Clubs Family Fun Field Day and it promises to be a great day with lots of things to do and see for all age groups from young to old. On the day there will be a BBQ, shop, various stalls stands, face painting, raffles, traditional sports day games including three legged races, sack races, egg spoon race, various football competitions, penalty shootout, cross bar challenge, a radar gun to measure how fast you can kick a ball or puck a sliothar, tug of war, splat the rat and the presentation ceremony. In addition there will be various inflatable items such as bouncy castles, bungee run, giant slide, obstacle run and a Rodeo Bull.

Mini Euro Cup-11 teams in all will take part in the ‘Mini’ Euro12 U11 7 aside competition to be held in Woodview on Sunday 27th May as part of the Freshford Town AFC Family Fun Field Day celebrations. The tournament will be run off in a blitz type format from 10am sharp with teams from Kilkenny and Carlow taking part. The semi finals and final will take place in the afternoon in front anticipated large crowd. There are three Freshford teams in the tournament and they have drawn the country names of Holland, Italy and England. It promises to be a keenly fought tournament and best of luck to all the teams taking part.

There will also be a mens Tug of War competition so get your teams into training, entry forms and further details can be got from James Ginger Burke 086 2042284 or any of the committee members.

agm-Freshford Town AGM is planned for next Sunday evening 20th May at 7pm the clubhouse Woodview. All members, parents and interested parties are asked to attend to plan for next season. A new committee and new managers are required for next season.

Registration nights will be arranged after the AGM and no membership or fees will be taken before the registration night.

Lotto -There was no Jackpot winner or no match three local in the KDL Lotto last week. Next weeks Jackpot is €5,700.00.. VINCENT DE PAUL -The local group of the St.Vincent de Paul Society meet on the last Thursday evening of every month and are very active and busy in the present climate. For any help or information please contact their private number on 085-2758136

GAA – St Lachtains Intermediates had their first win of the season when they defeated local rivals the Emeralds of Urlingford in the first round of the Intermediate Championship at Lisdowney. .They played Young Ireland of Gowran on Friday evening last in the next round at Muckalee and were defeated by 2pts by a more experienced Gowran side. The young Freshford side did have a few chances which might have made a difference on the final score. .

Team: J.Meagher, M.Cormack, B.Hughes, T.Flynn, M.Kavanagh, B.Kennedy, J.Fitzpatrick, N.McGree, J.Dooley, L.Hickey, E.Guinan, B.Beckett, S.Donnelly, S.Farrell, M.Farrell

The Junior B hurlers although missing some of their regular players put in a fine performance against a young Barrow Rangers side at Pairc Lachtain recently before losing out by 4-8 to 0-8.

The Junior A side had a fine win over Conahy recently in the semi final of the Northern Junior A League winning on a scoreline of 2-18 to 3-12. They will now play Graigue Ballycallan in the Northern League final on the weekending 25/26th May.

The U-16 Hurlers meanwhile had a narrow win over Conahy Shamrocks in Jenkinstown recently winning on a 3-9 to 0-17 scoreline. They play Lisdowney in the next round

the club held its annual Golf Classic in Rathdowney Golf Club last week with a great turn out. (A list of results will be published in next week’s issue).

You are reminded that you can support your local GAA Club –when purchasing or renewing your home, car or van Insurance with Campion Insurance. Simply quote. Kilkenny GAA/St.Lachtains when contacting Campions for your quotation and Campion Insurance will give €10 per policy to the local Club. Open to all existing and new customers.

OASIS CENTRE – A free six week programme designed to build self- confidence, learn new communication skills, set personal goals, consider your strengths and appreciate yourselves is being held at present the Oasis Childcare Centre.. During the month of July Oasis centre will be holding four summer camps – “50-hins to Do” has a super busy schedule designed for 4-6 year olds and will be held from 2nd to 6th July. Children will cram creative activities, crafts, dance, drama, construction and instillations into a 2and half hr programme each morning. Then from 9th to 13th July they hold “Summer Music Madness” for all children of Primary school age with Instructors Maura, Patrick and Isabelle Rafter who will tech music through fun and in a relaxed environment the children will have the opportunity to learn violin, cello, guitar, and sing and appreciate pop music. From the 16th to 20th July the Oscar nominated company Cartoon Saloon will hold a workshop for children between the age of 8 and 15 called “Animation Workshop with Cartoon Saloon”. There is the possibility of holding two workshop –one from 101m to 12.30pm and one from 1.30 to 4pm, depending on interest. Fabian who is currently nominated for an award in the Allianz Awards 2012 will teach children how to design characters, design a sequential storyboard and visualize a story, learn animation principles and techniques and create their very own animation scene.

SQUASH – Freshford Squash Club will hold their 3rd Annual Squash Tournament from Thursday – Sunday, 17th – 20th May. Entry €15. Beginner, intermediate and advanced divisions for men and women. For more information please contact Pat Morrissey on 0877784144 or Micky Morrissey on 0861552744

WEDDED BLISS – Congratulations and best wishes to Billy and Marie King of Buncrussia Street Freshford who celebrated 60 years of wedded bliss last weekend- Billy and Marie celebrated their 60 years together with family and friends at a function in Langtons on Friday evening last.

SUMMER CAMP – You are reminded that Freshford Summer Camp 2012 takes place from 30th July to August 3rd. For more information on same or to register please contact JJ on 086 8629666

Adoration -of the Blessed Sacrament in Prague House Freshford every Friday from 10am to 5pm. All welcome

DANCEWISE- Dancewise Academy Dance and Performing Arts Class for girls and boys are held each Thursday evening in Freshford Community Hall for 4- 18 years old. All welcome. For more information contact Melissa on 86 – 3349692.

CARDS – The weekly 25 card drive run by St. Lachtains Camogie Club is held each Sunday night in the Club rooms starting at 8.30.m. All are welcome

SCHOOL ENROLEMENT- Enrolment for children attending St.Lachtains National School is presently being taken. There will be an open day on 6th June 2012 from 2 to 3p.m. Intending Parents are asked to contact Martina on 8832400 to confirm if your child will be attending in September or to collect Enrolment Form and Information Booklet.

JACKPOT WINNER – Congrats to the lucky winner of the Spin the Wheel Jackpot in Kavanaghs on last Saturday night last was Mrs. Marie King, Buncrussia Street . Mrs. King spun the wheel and scooped the Jackpot prize of €1,000. She will be presented with her cheque next week. The Jackpot will start again at €300 next week. The draw takes place each Saturday night and is organised by St Lachtains GAA Club as part of their fund raising and is held every Saturday night in Kavanaghs bar..

clean-People are reminded to keep our village tidy and clean. Children are being encouraged to use the bins providing around the villages and estates when disposing of their litter and it is hoped that the adults with follow suit also for a cleaner and tidier village and environment.

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Deputies arrest alleged arsonist accused of starting devastating Hacienda …

The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department announced the arrest this week of a man suspected of setting fire to a Catholic church in Hacienda Heights last year, completely destroying the beloved structure.

Gregory Yusuke Shiga, a 34-year-old parolee, was arrested Monday on charges of causing the fire one year ago at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. The early morning blaze on April 16, 2011 burned for two and a half hours and gutted the church, causing $6.5 million in damages.

Authorities immediately announced they believed it was caused by arson, but a suspect had not been identified until now.

Shiga is accused of breaking into the church’s sanctuary just after midnight and deliberately setting the blaze. He faces charges including arson, burglary and possession of flammable material and could get 10 years to life in prison if convicted, according to the Sheriff’s Department. He is being held on $1 million bail pending arraignment on May 30.

It was not immediately clear what Shiga had been on parole for. Authorities said they arrested him in his Los Angeles home.

When KPCC first ran the story of the fire last year, readers said they were devastated by the loss. One person commented, “My sister and her family have lived in Hacienda Heights for many years now. Her children made their First Holy Communion there. We love the church and always make it a point to attend the yearly carnival. I feel such pain in my heart.”

Another said, “What a sad day it is in Hacienda Heights. The best church ever built is not just a sad burned-out building, but the holiest place to ever pray. I made my First Communion and Confirmation at this church back in the 1970s. So did my whole family. I hope everyone will help rebuild this Church back to normal.”

An effort to rebuild St. John Vianney has been underway by the parish.

Here are some images from the fire and its aftermath:

Tagged:

st. john vianney,

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arson

First Holy Communion

Holy Communion

Last updated Fri 18 May 2012

• UK
• Down’s Syndrome
• West Yorkshire
• Holy Communion

The parents of a little boy with Down’s Syndrome, who just months ago told how the Catholic Church had banned him from making his first communion, are celebrating and preparing for the ceremony.

Clare and Darren Ellarby from West Yorkshire say their 8-year old son Denum was denied Communion because of his condition – a claim the church has always denied. Tomorrow, though, Denum will make communion at his local church after all. Jon Hill reports.

St. Elizabeth Seton Elementary School Noteworthy Events

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Teacher Appreciation Week: After a week of muffins, Cousins Subs lunch, sweets, and snacks, our teachers were celebrated at our all-school assembly last Friday. The students worked together to make a list of where they have seen Jesus in their teachers. Also, the Home and School Association donated books and DVDs in the teachers names to our school library and each teacher received a framed Wordle with all of the words that described each teacher. Ask your students teacher to see the sweet angel Wordle that he or she received.

On Wednesday, May 16 we arranged to have a member of the Oshkosh Fire Department present during our monthly fire drill. He had one student out of sight in the office to see if staff noticed a student missing after everyone was evacuated. The building was evacuated quickly after the alarm was set off. A school staff person checked as teachers held up a green (all students accounted for) card except for the teacher missing one student. The teacher was able to tell us the name of the student quickly. We have also had students/staff practice for other emergency situations that may arise.

This week Wednesday we will have an Appreciation Dinner for our fifth graders. During the dinner the fifth graders will have a chance to show their appreciation to their parents for sending them to a catholic school. They will enjoy a dinner with their parents and see a DVD showing the elementary school journey they have taken.

On Thursday, our second graders will celebrate their First Communion as a class. They will wear their First communion attire and will do the reading at the 9AM school mass.

Keane to meet you

Roy surprises soccer-mad Nicholas on Communion Day

Soccer-mad Nicholas Coughlan had his prayers answered on his First Communion – when his hero Roy Keane unexpectedly delayed an engagement to join in the celebrations.

The Cork youngster, an avid Manchester Utd and Ireland supporter, had all but given up hope of ever meeting the soccer legend in person. But when the eight-year-old discovered Cork-born Keano was not only back in his home town but had booked a room in the same hotel where his Holy Communion dinner was taking place, he knew he had a heaven-sent chance to finally meet his idol.

The former Cobh midfielder had checked into a suite in Cork’s Silversprings Hotel last Saturday to relax and prepare himself for a fundraising event he was co-hosting for his boyhood club Rockmount. But Nicholas, who was being treated to a slap-up meal by his parents Alan Coughlan and Yvonne Searls, only had one goal on his mind when he sat down for dinner.

And even though the 40-year-old had hired a team of burly security guards to ‘defend’ his suite, determined Nicholas decided nothing was going to stop him dribbling past them to net a cherished photo. His father Alan, from Ballinhassig, recalled: “We had no idea Roy Keane would be at the Silversprings that day. It was a huge coincidence that he was there at the same time as Nicholas’ First Communion.

“But I knew I couldn’t let him down. Keane is his favourite ever player and he’s always wanted to meet him. We felt if it didn’t happen then, it probably never would so I did a bit of detective work and found out which suite he was staying in.”

But Alan feared he had scored an own goal when he knocked on Roy’s door, only to be given his marching orders by the security team. He said: “I had Nicholas with me and he was very excited. But one of the security guys who opened his door just said, ‘No Way’ when I asked for a quick photo and slammed the door.

“We went back downstairs to the table, but Nicholas was a bit upset. It’s not something I’d normally do, but I knew I had to try again, especially as it was his special day.

“So we went back towards his room and hid behind a pillar in the corridor, waiting for him to come out for the event he was hosting with Nicky Butt.

The sacramental riches of the Easter season – The Jersey Journal

Eight-year-old Julianna Griesbauer is all excited about making her First Communion this Saturday at Ss. Peter Paul Church, Hoboken. The second grader at Hoboken Catholic Academy told me she tried on “a lot of different dresses” and though she picked out one and said, “I like it,” she decided to eliminate the piece that fluffs it up.

“It makes her look like a princess,” is what she told her mother, Carmela, and the athletically inclined girl wants the dress to look normal.

On weekends during the month of May, hundreds of second and third graders all over the county look anything but normal as they wear what some describe as miniature white wedding dresses, the normal attire for girls to wear when they take Communion for the first time.

And the boys wear blue or white suits in a ritual that is probably one of the signature sights and symbols for Catholicism in the U.S. for over a century.

“Coming to the table of the Eucharist, we eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man so that we may have eternal life and show forth the unity of God’s people,” is the explanation noted in “The Church Speaks about Sacraments with Children.”

Julianna said it just as well, “When you eat the bread, you become closer to God.” And this sacramental ritual known as First Communion is done at an early age so that children can participate fully in the Sunday Mass with their families.

During the Easter season, which lasts 50 days and ends this year on the Feast of Pentecost, May 27th, there is an explosion of sacramental celebrations besides First Communions.

Baptisms are normally not celebrated in the season of Lent, from Ash Wednesday to Good Friday, so come Easter there are many, many Baptisms. Some churches schedule them on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, but more churches are including them as part of the Sunday Mass or Eucharist, which is very fitting since it brings the entire community of faith to welcome the baby. And this sacrament is kind of the beginning of our spiritual journey according to Sr. Briege McKenna’s, “The Power of the Sacraments.” She goes on, “Baptism brings us into that place where we receive this supernatural life.”

I don’t know about other areas of Hudson County but Hoboken is having a baby explosion and lots of baptisms. It is not uncommon for churches to have carriage gridlock at Sunday Mass. Msgr. Robert Meyer, pastor of Ss. Peter Paul, said their church is tight to begin with so there is little room for carriages. And I know a church that has plenty of space for carriages and hordes of people a few blocks away. But what a wonderful challenge to have!

Another faith challenge is keeping teenagers in the fold. So Confirmation preparation tries very hard to prepare young teens to stay with the faith even though some call Confirmation the Sacrament of Exodus. Once they’re confirmed, many teens stop going to church. But a lot depends on the parental support and encouragement.

Erin Leong celebrated Confirmation this past Monday and still plans to attend Mass. “Children leave their parents behind as we confirm our place as adults in the Catholic community,” said the Elysian Charter School eighth-grader.

A strong component of the Confirmation preparation program is doing community service. Leong noted that she completed 15 hours watching her neighbors’ children and donating time at community events.

Capuchin Father Vincent Fortunato, pastor of St. Ann’s, Hoboken, brought some of his candidates to the Union City Shelter, known as PERC. Finally, the candidates select a sponsor and Leong chose her grandmother, Patricia Thompson, because “she will walk alongside God, keep me safe and guide me in my faith and spirituality.” With so many sacramental celebrations during the Easter season, it’s a joy to sing, “Alleluia!”

Santora is the pastor of Church of Our Lady of Grace St. Joseph, 400 Willow Ave., Hoboken, 07030, (201)659-0369, fax (201)659-5833, e-mail: padrealex@yahoo.com

GRAND CAILLOU: May 16, 2012

The VFW Post No. 4752’s Ladies Auxiliary are having a raffle for Senior Citizens Day on July 8. All senior citizens are invited for a free luncheon at noon at the post home in Dulac. For raffle tickets, call 851-7732.

Officials with the VFW Post No. 4752’s Ladies Auxiliary would like for all dues to be paid before June.

Members of VFW Post No. 4752 and its Ladies Auxiliary are scheduled to attend the state convention June 22 in Alexandria. If you have not mailed your dues, try to send it in to the club. Dues are for the 2012-13 club year.

Officers for VFW Post No. 4752 are now installed, so raffle books were sent to all club members. Officials ask members to buy the book or sell the tickets. Dues are being collected. Dues are $2 more because the club has to send $8 to the state. The raffle books cost $5 for six tickets or $1 each. The money raised will be used for Senior Citizen Day.

Swimming lessons: Registration for swimming lessons are scheduled from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Saturday, May 23, 24 and 25 at the Grand Caillou pool. For information, call the recreation department at 563-2178.

Youth group: Don’t know what to do with your coupons that you get in the Sunday paper? Holy Family Catholic Church’s youth group is collecting them to send to soldiers’ families. Drop any coupons that you are not using in the church’s collection box in the vestibule or in Holy Family Catholic Church’s Life Center building, 6641 Grand Caillou Road, Dulac. The group is also accepting expired coupons.

One of the youth group’s five-year goals is for them to collect the Coke can tabs. A collection bin is in the church and Life Center building.

If any youth group member wants to go to Steubenville on the Bayou, call the church rectory at 563-2325.

Any eighth- through 12th-grader interested in attending Steubenville on the Bayou should contact Candace Pellegrin.

Appeal: The 2012 Bishop’s Appeal is something supported from church parishioners. If you have not yet made your commitment and would still like to do so, there is still time as you can return your commitment card in the offertory or simply mail it to the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in the provided envelope, or visit www.htstewardship.org.

More than $785,443 is committed from 3,792 families, 12 percent of total families, within the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

Our Lady of the Isle and St. Lucy Catholic churches joined St. Luke, St. Lawrence the Martyr, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Sacred Heart and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic churches to surpass their 2012 goal.

Holy Family Catholic Church’s goal for 2012 is $11,000, and $9,378 was committed, with $4,748.01 already paid.

Support envelopes: The envelopes for 2012 are on the table at Holy Family Catholic Church’s entrance. Use the envelope system for your church contribution. Put your name on the envelope for the first month.

Church cleaner: Volunteers are needed to help clean Holy Family Catholic Church for May. If you can help, call the church office at 563-2325.

Need tutoring: Tutoring for kindergartners through sixth-graders is scheduled from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Dulac Community Center, 125 Coast Guard Road.

Tutoring for seventh- through eighth-graders is scheduled from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

GED: GED classes started Feb. 6 at the Dulac Community Center. Classes are scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays and from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays.

Visitation: A priest from Holy Family Catholic Church will visit sick parishioners Tuesdays at Terrebonne General Medical Center. If you want a visit from a priest, call the office at 563-2325.

Donations: Donations of notebooks, pencils or pens, hygiene products, baby wipes and snacks are needed to send to local troops stationed overseas. If anyone can help, a box is in the church. For information, call the church at 563-2325.

Pilgrimage: A pilgrimage to Eastern Canada is scheduled for July 9-15. You can join the Rev. Bill Melancon as members travel to Montreal and Quebec City to visit St. Joseph, Oratory, Notre Dame Basilica, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Cape, the Shrine of St. Anne de Beaupre, Parc de la Montmorency and more. You can learn about your Acadian heritage by adding on a Halifax extension. While in and around Halifax, visit Peggy’s Cove, St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, Port Royal and Grand Pre. Space is limited. For information, call 337-291-1933.

School news: Here is a list of activities planned at Grand Caillou Elementary, 6741 Grand Caillou Road, Dulac: Kindergarten ceremony, 9 a.m. Thursday; pre-K ceremony, 1 p.m. Thursday; fifth- and sixth-grade awards program, 6 p.m. Thursday; first- and second-grade awards program, 9 a.m. Friday; and third- and fourth-grade awards program, 1 p.m. Friday.

Communion: Twenty-two children made their First Communion on Sunday. Nicholas Valdez and Calie Rodriguez will crown the blessed mother at the 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday at Holy Family Catholic Church. Bishop Sam Jacobs will confirm the children who will receive the Sacraments of Confirmation.

Donations: Donations of notebooks, pencils or pens, hygiene products, baby wipes, snacks and candy are being sought to send to the troops serving in the military overseas. A box is in the back of church. For information, call 563-2325.

Outreach Line: In response to the charter for the protection of children and young people from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is offering an Outreach Line, formerly known as the Child Protection Contact Line. The Outreach Line is an effort to continue the diocese’s commitment to support healing for people who have been hurt or sexually abused recently or in the past by clergy, religious or other employees of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux’s Outreach Line operates from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. A trained mental health professional responds to the line. Individuals are offered additional assistance if requested.

The diocese’s Outreach Line telephone number is 873-0026 or toll free at 1-868-444-4241. You could also call the victim assistance coordinator at 850-3129.

Celebration: St. Charles the Roch and Holy Family Kateri Circles are organizing a Golden Jubilee Mass celebration for the Rev. Roch Naquin at 6:30 p.m. June 2 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 1237 La. 665, Pointe-aux-Chenes, followed by a reception at the Montegut Recreation Center, 107 Recreation Drive. Our Kateri Circles are seeking assistance. For information, call Theresa Dardar at 688-8145, Katie DeHart at 594-6801 or Becky Dardar at 594-5856.

Vacation Bible school for children 4 to 11 is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon June 4-8 at Holy Family Catholic Church. The school includes games, Bible reading, crafts and more. For information, call Rita Duplantis at 563-2030.

Birthdays: Ricky Guidry, Carlton DeHart, Gabe Breaux, May 17; Shannon Pierre, Xaiver Parfait, May 18; Amber Deflice, Mary Luke, Rose Pierre, Sussie Williams, May 19; Brittany Nicole Gregiore, Lena Gregiore, Robert Parfait, Jessica Sevin, Jason Le June, May 20; Benard Gregiore, Erin Gauthreaux, Joseph Foret Jr., Megan Barnes, Kaden Parfait, May 21; Eric Barnes, Cassie “LuLu” Trosclair, Curtis Pierre, Leon Klingman, Chancy Barkly and Marcia Newton, May 22.