BKERKE, Lebanon (CNS) – Pope Benedict XVI urged young Christians in the Middle East not to flee violence and economic insecurity through emigration, but to draw strength from their faith and make peace in their troubled region.

Photo by Peter Finney Jr. | CLARION HERALD Principals and presidents of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New Orleans have been meeting for more than a year in the strategic planning process. The final plan should be completed by the end of October.

Surgió usted con la idea de tener adolescentes y jóvenes adultos locales para  que se reunieran y hacer un esfuerzo voluntario el sábado pasado para ayudar a limpiar casas y negocios dañados por el Huracán Isaac.

Deadline: Submissions due Thursday (10 days before each issue) calendar@clarionherald.org (504) area code unless noted Sept. 22-Oct. 1 PARISHES SACRED HEART, Lacombe, Latin Mass, Sept. 23, noon. Free lunch follows.

Photo by Peter Finney Jr. | CLARION HERALD The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a model for catechetical formation in the Catholic Church. Persons who go through the RCIA process usually enter into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.

What is the RCIA? Unfortunately, many Catholics know little or nothing about it, beyond what those initials represent. It is likely that some do not even know that they stand for “Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.” However, to persist in such ignorance is unacceptable, and even more so as we prepare to enter into what our Holy Father has designated as a Year of Faith (officially beginning on Oct. 11).

Church in action Harvey I am moved by the involvement that the Archdiocese of New Orleans has undertaken since Hurricane Isaac. I was not living in Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina. I moved here five years ago, and my spirit is uplifted by your newspaper and the involvement that the church shows in helping people regardless of their religious denomination or color.

Pope Benedict XVI signed a major document calling on Catholics in the Middle East to engage in dialogue with Orthodox, Jewish and Muslim neighbors, but also to affirm and defend their right to live freely in the region where Christianity was born.

Before assigning an essay for my college freshmen’s composition class, I tend to scour the Internet, looking for interesting topics that might spark their interest and make writing the essay enjoyable.

From the time she began making “Ladybug Pizzatas” – mini pizzas that resemble the colorful insect with the addition of sliced tomatoes and “dots” of black olives – Eliana Casas has been hooked on cooking.

Photo by Peter Finney Jr. | CLARION HERALD The new leadership team of the Marianites of Holy Cross: From left, Sister Ann Lacour, congregational leader; Sister Stephanie Brignac, first assistant; Sister Chris Perrier, assistant, and Sister Marie Noel, assistant.

It has been a long time since I have seen “the look” on the faces of the New Orleans Saints. That look is a dazed one. That look is a lack of confidence. Ever since the Saints got on their Super Bowl run in 2009, New Orleans has oozed confidence.

Photo by Ron Brocato | CLARION HERALD Senior Jonne Porter of De La Salle goes all out in an attempt to save the ball during the Lady Cavaliers’ first-round match against St. Scholastica in the Catholic Girls’ League Volleyball Tournament.

Photo by Ron Brocato | CLARION HERALD Archbishop Rummel junior cornerback Henré Toliver (5) outleaps St. Augustine wide receiver Craig Victor to intercept a pass at the Rummel 3-yard line late in their Sept. 15 non-district game at Joe Yenni Stadium.

About 600 people attended the Sept. 16 premiere at the Joy Theatre of “Father Tony,” a documentary film by Cynthia Capen. The 65-minute film profiles Father Tony Ricard, the former pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, highlighting his youth ministry and the rebuilding of the parish after Hurricane Katrina.

The following parishes offer perpetual, daily, weekly or monthly adoration times. Parishes offering perpetual adoration are indicated with an asterisk. For a map of adoration sites, visit http://eucharist.arch-no.org and click on “Map of Adoration.” Deanery I: Cathedral Deanery Our Lady of Guadalupe Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Corpus Christi Immaculate Conception, N.O.