Remembering Johnny's Back In The Day!

Look at those prices compared to today's prices.

Prayers For Classmate Kay Hess Simms

I just got word from Libby (Kay's sister) that she fell and had surgery to put pins in her femur. She will be released tomorrow but has six weeks to recuperate with therapy. The hard part will be when she gets home, Jim's barely walking. Thankfully, she has friends, and her two sons will be coming to check on both of them.

Please keep Kay in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery, and that family and friends will step up and help during this challenging time in their lives. 

A Classmate's Brother Dies

Brother Carl (Charles Joseph) Evans, S.C.

December 18,  1930, ~ July 8, 2023

Brother Carl Evans, S.C., 92, a resident of Baton Rouge, LA, since February 2013, died at St. Clare Manor Nursing Home in Baton Rouge, on July 8, 2023, at 3:30 PM. 

Brother Carl, son of the late Robert Evans, Sr., and Evelyn Miller, both of Vicksburg, MS, was also a native of Vicksburg. He joined the Brothers of the Sacred Heart as a pre-novice in Metuchen, NJ, on September 10, 1947, and became a novice there on August 14, 1948. He professed his first vows on August 15, 1949, in Metuchen and later made his perpetual profession at the Brothers' chapel at Saint Stanislaus in Bay St. Louis, MS, on June 12, 1955. 

Carl was a learned man, earning a Bachelor's degree in History from Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL, in 1952; and three Master's degrees: one in Administration from Louisiana State in 1966, a second in Guidance and Psychology also from LSU in 1972, and a third in Theological Studies from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, LA, in 1975. Brother Carl answered a call to even more ministry by ordaining Brother at Our Lady of the Gulf Church in Bay St. Louis, MS, on March 31, 1975. 

Brother Carl had a distinguished career in the field of education which spanned 54 years and two continents. In the United States, Carl served as a high school teacher, guidance counselor, and chaplain at several Brothers' schools, including St. Aloysius High School in New Orleans, LA; St. Francis de Sales School in Houma, LA; McGill Institute in Mobile, AL; Saint Stanislaus in Bay St. Louis, MS; Catholic Boys Home in Mobile, AL; Bishop Dunne High School in Dallas, TX; Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, LA; and Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma, LA. As a missionary in Africa, he served as Assistant Postulant Master and teacher at the novitiate in Alokolum, Uganda; at Nkubu Secondary School in Nkubu, Kenya; and at Comboni College in Lira, Uganda. After retiring from his 54 years of active ministry, Brother Carl served as chaplain to the Brothers' communities in Thibodaux, LA, and Baton Rouge, LA. He generously made himself available to celebrate the sacraments at any of the Brothers' schools or other schools in the area. 

Though Brother Carl was a master biology teacher who even had a species of centipede he discovered in Africa named after him, he felt his best work was done outside the classroom. 

As a licensed professional counselor since 1988 who also held a diploma as a spiritual director from Pecos Benedictine Monastery, Brother Carl counseled many within and outside the school community as well as inside and outside the confessional. 

His love for hunting and fishing was also legendary, and he would happily provide Vanderbilt Catholic High School's weekly "fish and game" report. To top it all, he would generously share his catch with many "fisher-impaired" families or whatever he had shot with those who could brave a plate of his wild game. His diverse interests and boundless energy led him to assist in coaching softball, brought him to minister to the poor on a yearly mission trip to Saltillo, Mexico, and led "Brother Huntin' and Fishin'" to outdoor adventures throughout the U.S. and beyond. 

Brother Carl was preceded in death by his parents, as well as by nine of his eleven siblings, including his brothers Fred (Tollie) Evans; J.W. (Scootie) Evans; Miller (Tootsie) Evans; Dr. Ed T. (Rosemary) Evans; Earl (Mary Anne) Evans; Harry (Betty) Evans; Robert (Rita) Evans, Jr.; and his sisters Madeline (J.L.) Franco and Evelyn (Rodney) Mouton.

He is survived by his sister Mary (John, deceased) Barber, and a brother George (Carol) Evans, as well as by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. The consummate teacher, Brother Carl, made a lasting gift by donating his body to LSU's Medical School to help train future doctors. 

Because of his gift, we will celebrate two Memorial Masses for his peaceful repose, but no funeral Mass. The first occured in Baton Rouge at St. Thomas More Catholic Church (11441 Goodwood Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70815) Friday, July 21. 

A "wake" began at 10:00 AM, with the Mass at 10:30 AM. A reception followed at the parish's Activity Center immediately after the Eucharistic liturgy. A second Memorial Mass was held at St. Francis de Sales Co-Cathedral (500 Goode St, Houma, LA 70360) on Saturday, July 22. 

Brother Carl's cremains will be buried at the Brothers' cemetery in Bay St. Louis, MS when they are returned from medical school. Donations in honor of Brother Carl can be made to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Foundation (4600 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122).

          The Advocate          

Line Dancing Lessons @ Our Old Alma Mater ~ Boogie Your Way To Fun & Fitness

Attendees dance to the "YMCA" as one of the Southern Cultural Heritage Center's Country and More Dance Party.  

The Southern Cultural Heritage Center hosts line dance practices every Monday at 5:30 p.m.

Stacey Mahoney has one goal: to help others stop being wallflowers when it comes to line dancing.

The Southern Cultural Heritage Center offers weekly classes where participants can learn a variety of group dance steps, from "Boot Scootin" Boogie" to the "Cha Cha Slide."

And to put those lessons to use, a Country and More Dance Party is held once a month, allowing folks to cut a rug.  Mahoney, executive director of the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation, is a dance instructor.  

Mahoney, who has a background in dance, said the notion of holding the line dance classes and dance parties evolved following a conversation she had with two women.

"A couple of ladies came to me after they had attended a dance event in Pearl and said, "Hey, this is what we went to, and it was so much fun, and you've got the space for it," Mahoney said.

Upon hearing their request, the first dance party was held in March.

Afterward, Mahoney said several people approached her about offering dance lessons.

"They said, "Hey, we need practice.  Can we have practiced so when we have the dance party, we will know what we are doing?" Mahoney said.  

Thus weekly line dance classes began being offered.  Mahoney said these classes, which include men, women, and people young and old, have ranged in attendance from five people to 20.

In addition to the "Boot Scootin" Boogie and the "Cha Cha Slide," other oldies but goodies are taught, as well as some of the newer line dances, which include the Lonely Drum Line Dance and the Shivers Line Dance - fashioned from Ed Sheeren's song "Shivers."

The line dance practice classes begin at 5:30 p.m. and are held Mondays at SCHC academy 1302 Adams St, "except for the third Monday of the month when we have board meetings and on holidays, Mahoney said.

The cost for each class is $5.

The Country and More Dance Parties are held on the second Saturday each month from 7-9 p.m. at the SCHC auditorium.  The cost to attend the party is $10.

"What we do is have a two-hour playlist set, and dancers get a program that lists all the dances in the order we will be doing them.  We also have a cash bar and refreshments," Mahoney said.

Before the dance party, Mahoney said a tutorial is offered from 6 to 7 p.m.

"That's so we can go over a few of the dances.  A lot of people will come to the tutorial," she said.  The tutorial is included in the $10 cost of the dance party.

Mahoney said participants of both the dance line classes and parties have fun.

"And it's a great way to get your exercise," she said.

Dance classes and dance parties are scheduled to continue through the summer.  For more information, call 601-631-2997 or visit www.southernculturre.org.

Belated Memorial Day Tribute To Trey Kitowski III

Remembering Charles B. Kitowski III (Trey). He lost his life in Afghanistan in 2007. Theresa Ann Martin Kitowski and Charles B. Kitowski II, (Chuck's) son.

As usual, this has been another bittersweet Memorial Day. My heart aches for his presence, but I thank God for the thirty good years we had him with us. I am grateful for treasured memories. (Theresa Kitowski, May 29, 2023)

Prayer For Aging With Dignity

I don’t want to grow old, God. I don’t want any part of it. But since I cannot stop the clock, my prayer is this: Let me age gracefully.

Dear God, please guide and grant me good health and mental clarity. Please give me the strength to overcome my vanity and combat self-pity. Help me to remain adaptable and open to new experiences. Protect me from isolation and loneliness. Thank you for your guidance and support.

May the love of my family and friends be my reward for all the struggles of my youth.

Let all the blessings of age emanate from me. Let wisdom flow from my mouth, compassion flows from my heart, acts of kindness flow from my arms, faith flow from my soul, and joy shines forth from my eyes. Amen.

Happy Mother's Day Classmates!