by Lenny Rodrigue, Young Adult from the Diocese of Baton Rouge
In the Eucharist, Jesus comes to live in us, so that we may live in Him. We often fail to recognize His true presence, or even doubt His presence at all. Even the two men, walking along the road to Emmaus who encounter the resurrected Jesus, fail to recognize Him. It’s not until He takes bread, blesses it and breaks it, that their eyes are opened. It is here in the Gospel passage that Jesus disappears, or does He? The short answer - No, He remains in the Eucharist! This is how He continues to come to us today.
A second surge of COVID-19 in India has the nation’s massive health system on the brink of collapse, with medical professionals struggling as they watch patients die daily. Daily cases were averaging 378,000 as of early May and more than 20.2 million total cases had been reported. Death totals have topped 220,000 but most experts believe the country’s tallies are woefully underestimated.
Students in schools of the Diocese of Baton Rouge received a sendoff from teachers and staff on the last day of the 2020-2021 school year. At St. Thomas More School in Baton Rouge, teachers cheered and waved pompoms and upbeat music played as students climbed into vehicles and rode off to their summer hiatus. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator
Bishop Michael G. Duca held a press conference May 25 at the Catholic Life Center in Baton Rouge to discuss his decision to lift the dispensation of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and relaxing the use of masks. The Diocese of Baton Rouge recently announced the updating of these two COVID-19-related protocols in a letter dated May 21.
by Tori LaBelle, Youth Ministry Director of Our Lady of Mercy Parish
Jesus didn’t weed out the doubting disciples or lecture them. Like the disciples, our irresolute heart is no surprise to Christ. His response is to remind us of the fullness we’re made for; and as Jesus has received, he now gives the disciples. He gives them (and us) His shared thirst for all nations. He gives us the task of participating in the work of salvation - to win souls over through the magnetic pull of Trinitarian love.
Fourteen months ago, almost to the day, our Churches were closed for Sunday Mass and other services to diminish the spread of a new virus, not fully understood and resistant to normal treatments, that was sickening a growing number of people. The virus proved to be deadly to many, overwhelming our hospitals and disrupting our economic, social, and spiritual lives. When Masses in the Churches were cancelled on the weekend of March 21-22, 2020, I immediately issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. This djspensation has remained in effect until now to ease the consciences of many and to encourage all to follow the suggested guidelines to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.
Bishop Duca has officially announced the end of the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass (on Sundays and holy days of obligation, or their vigils) for all without a sufficient reason effective June 6, 2021. The bishop also notes that masks are no longer required in church although we should be respectful of those who wish to continue to be cautious.
A group of 13 ladies from St. Rose de Lima Court #1194 of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas in St. Amant which is based out of Holy Rosary Church, won first place honors in the talent competition at the 49th Biennial State Convention of the Louisiana CDA in April.
In the Gospels for Mass during the Easter season we are told by Jesus that his disciples must “remain in him,” we must be grafted to him like branches to a vine in a vineyard and if we keep his commandments we will be bound to him by love.
Just off busy Harding Street, near the entrance to Southern University, Immaculate Conception Church rises as a beacon of light and warmth for the Scotlandville/Baton Rouge community.
Irene Landry crowned Mary at St. Anne’s Church in Napoleonville annual Mary crowning. Landry is the mother of Father Charlie Landry (pastor of St. Gabriel the Archangel in St. Gabriel). Affectionally known as “Queen Irene” she is 91 years old, still walks to church and can be found in the first pew every Saturday at the vigil Mass. Photo provided by Julie Adolph | St. Elizabeth
Middle schoolers from the Diocese of Baton Rouge were given a chance to learn what it truly means to belong and how they can foster belonging in community at a junior high retreat April 30 – May 2 at Camp Abbey in Covington.
Growing up, Amy LeJeune’s friends dreamed about meeting Prince Charming, getting married and picking out names for future children. LeJeune knew God had a purpose for her life but wasn’t sure if that would include marriage and family.