One-by-one, or in groups of twos and threes, Hurricane Ida evacuees staying at the Raising Cane’s River Center American Red Cross Shelter filtered out of the arena and into a small section of the lobby set up as a make-shift store. 

I write my own headlines.  So I can assure you I am not trying to be critical of Pope Francis’ latest call for a synod.  However, when they heard the theme of the synod, “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission,” some reporters on the Vatican beat complained, “A process about a process, what could be duller?”

Bryan Pedraza clearly remembers the moment, a snapshot of life that so often molds a young mind.

People in the Diocese of Baton Rouge joined thousands of other public rosary rallies taking place across America on Oct. 16.

Deeply touched by the plight of many in south Louisiana, Sister Chris Pologa CSJ, pastoral care minister at St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge, organized a fundraiser to help “our dear neighbors” whose homes were destroyed by Hurricane Ida. She invited the Sisters of St. Joseph and their lay associates from Baton Rouge and New York (her home diocese) to contribute gift cards and monetary donations to assist the people of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. On Oct. 3, Sister Chris, Sister Joan Laplace CSJ and CSJ Associate Linda Thompson drove to Theriot to celebrate Mass and discuss ways to offer ongoing support while delivering the donations. They met at St. Eloi Church with Bishop Shelton Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and Father Dean Danos, pastor of St. Eloi. Like many homes in the area, the church suffered tremendous damage. The main sanctuary wall was blown in, and the parish center was destroyed in the storm. Pictured, from left, are Bishop Fabre, Sister Joan, Sister Chris and Father Danos. Photo provided by Sister Chris Pologa CSJ