The pelican is our namesake for a couple of reasons. First, the brown pelican is the state bird of Louisiana, my home state and the place nearest and dearest to my heart. Louisiana is special, and those who have roots here know the roots are deep. Second, pelicans have long been used in Catholic imagery because of mother pelicans’ selfless behavior of piercing their own chests to draw blood and feed their young. The symbolism depicts the self-giving love Christ gave us on the cross and the type of generosity we should all strive to give. The momma-bird behavior might be more legend than truth, but it’s no coincidence a pelican - with blood-dotted breast and nursing chicks - is on Louisiana’s state flag. Louisiana has a rich Catholic heritage, and the pelican is a nod to where I came from and what shapes me most profoundly.