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Baton Rouge Bishop Michael G. Duca said today that he and Bishop Emeritus Robert W. Muench “join the faithful of the diocese in expressing deep sorrow at the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.”

At his weekly general audience on Wednesday, 28 December in Rome, Pope Francis asked the faithful for "a special prayer for emeritus Pope Benedict" noting that he was "very sick." The faithful of the Diocese of Baton Rouge are invited to join Pope Francis and Bishop Duca, heeding the Holy Father's advice to "ask the Lord to console him and sustain him in his witness of love for the church until the very end."  

2022 brought challenges, rewards

Do you feel it?! Do you feel that unique joy and hope that surrounds us in our celebration of the Savior’s birth? It is not a logical hope because it comes in spite of the difficulties of life and the upheavals we see throughout the world. At times the world seems like a dead stump and as hard as we look there is no sprout, no hope. Why be so hopeful? We are hopeful because we do not hope in the world. We are hopeful because our God does not allow us to shut him out completely. He finds a space to enter our lives even if it means entering through a stable. Our Christmas joy is found in our HOPE IN THE LORD who does not, did not give up on us. The tree of Jesse that appears dead, gives life. The ancient prophesies for which people of faith waited centuries, are fulfilled. Where it seemed all was lost a Savior is born and the love of God is not held back. In spite of our troubles and concerns, we have hope in our God who is Emmanuel, God with us and born for us this Christmas Day. I pray that this hope will fill you and your family with joy this Christmas. I also pray that you have a prosperous, healthy and faith filled New Year. Hope in the Lord and Merry Christmas.

Children of families in need received presents, as well and hope when Bishop Michael G. Duca distributed gifts at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room in Baton Rouge on Saturday, Dec. 17. Numerous volunteers and the community came together to help SVDP provide a brighter Christmas for children who otherwise may not have received any presents for Christmas. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

St. John the Baptist reminds us that Advent is a privileged time to turn back toward God — something it is never too late to do.

The full story of how Jesus Christ came to be born includes elements that we do not easily imagine when we sing our Christmas hymns.

This column is in memory of Bernice Lennox, whose funeral I celebrated Nov. 29, 2022. 

Top photo: On Nov. 22 Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge provided food for those in need as part of a Thanksgiving box distribution. Recipients, who received a frozen turkey along with a food box, expressed their appreciation. Bottom photo: Members of Boy Scout Troop 12, of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge assisted with distributing Thanksgiving boxes. Pictured are troop members, from left, Bruce Talbert, Colin Laird, Luke Talamo, Owen Stumpf and Peyton Trahan.Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University has been ranked the number one safest college campus in Louisiana by Niche and graded an A by American School Search.

Thanksgiving was a busy time at St. Elizabeth Church in Paincourtville. The church hosted a Thanksgiving dinner in the parish hall and also hosted an interdenominational prayer service at the church. Represented were St. Elizabeth, St. Benedict the Moor Church in Bertrandville, St. Augustine Chapel in Belle Rose, St. Jules Church in Belle Rose, St. Anne Church and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Napoleonville, Pilgrim Baptist Church, St. John the Baptist Church and St. Elizabeth School. Photos provided by Father Tomi Thomas | St. Elizabeth

Several weeks ago you described what tabernacles are made of.  What about chalices?

Due to the threat of severe weather, all Catholic schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge will be closed on December 14, 2022. Please stay safe!

“My goal is just to bring Jesus and his love and joy to people in whatever form it takes; to let everyone know that God loves us all,” Deacon Otis Young Jr. told the Clarion Herald in 2001 before his priestly ordination for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

O radiant dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death. (O Antiphon of Advent, Dec, 21)

Simbang Gabi, a Filipino word meaning “Night Mass,” is a long treasured devotional, nine-day series of Masses attended by Filipino Catholics in anticipation of Christmas, and is a revered Filipino Advent tradition.

Second in a 2-part series