News - February 2022 RSS Feed

Volunteers serve those who attended the “Respect for Life” poster contest banquet sponsored by the Father Vander Heyden Knights of Columbus Council 4874 of Ponchatoula. The banquet recognized the contest winners. Photo submitted by Richard Wallace | Knights of Columbus 4874 of Ponchatoula

Lent is upon us and already palms are sweating.

When I celebrate the Mass and burial of a parishioner I always ask the family if they have any special passages of Scripture they would like read at the Mass and/or in the graveyard.

Their voices are many but sing from one heart.

Pope Francis on Feb. 17 offered a long reflection on his more than 52 years of priesthood, giving advice to other clerics in what he said might be the “swan song” of his priestly life.  

Faculty and staff of Catholic High School of Pointe Coupee in New Roads responded “game on” when their senior students challenged them to play a game of basketball. 

Fifth grader Audrey Williamson, left, and eight grader Benjamin Jones were selected Middle Students of the Year at St. Theresa Middle School in Gonzales. Williamson has maintained a 4.0 GPA, is part of the cheer squad, choir and is chaplain for the junior varsity Robotics Club. She serves as a lector, cantor and altar server at school Mass. She has been honored on her school’s principal’s list, as well as received the highest Scholastic Awards each semester at St. Theresa. Jones has also maintained a 4.0 GPA and is a student minister, a member of God’s Warriors, the Math Club, Quiz bowl and Jr. Beta Club. He has also been honored on his school’s principal’s list as well as received the highest Scholastic Awards each year at St. Theresa. This past summer, Jones won Camp Abbey’s “Gold Knight Award” for adding generously to the spirit of the camp and its many activities. Photo provided by Edith Soulier | St. Theresa

Bishop Duca to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to adults in the Diocese of Baton Rouge who have not yet been confirmed and are properly prepared.  The celebration will be on the Solemnity of Pentecost, Sunday, June 5, 2022, 10:30AM Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge.

The Vocations Office of the Diocese of Baton Rouge recently held a Discern Your Vocation Night at the John Paul II House on the LSU campus and at Christ the King Parish and Student Center in Baton Rouge.  The night began with fellowship followed by a keynote speaker and then  a question-and-answer sessions with Vocations Director Father Josh Johnson and women and men religious serving in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.  The evening ended in night prayer. Photo by Suzanne Payne | Vocations Office

Members of the Diocese of Baton Rouge Women’s Giving Circle, a group dedicated to glorifying God through philanthropy, gathered for their inaugural meeting Feb. 17 at St. Jude Church in Baton Rouge with a mission to “give, pray and bless.”

During Mass, after the consecration of the body and blood of our Lord and the Lord’s prayer, the priest drops a particle of the Sacred Host into the chalice.  Why does he do this?

Opinions varied on a variety of issues but during a synod meeting at St. John the Evangelist Church in Plaquemine all agreed on the importance of attracting young people to the Catholic Church.

Recording artist  Kitty Cleveland gave a “special delivery,” St. Valentine’s weekend message that contained the elements of “be my Valentine,” the events of Good Friday and Divine Mercy Sunday. 

Pornography is a devasting addiction which can erode an individual’s moral fortitude and potentially devastate an entire family.

During the next two weeks we will celebrate the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, followed by Ash Wednesday and the First Sunday in Lent. The Scriptures take us on an introspective path as we follow Jesus into the desert.

In 1870, Pope Pius IX appointed St. Joseph the “Patron of the Catholic Church.” In 1989, St. John Paul II renewed this patronage with zeal in his 1989 apostolic exhortation on St. Joseph entitled “Redemptoris Custos.”

With a smile on his face, Bishop Michael G. Duca cuts the cake celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Diocesan employees, including educators and support staff from diocesan schools and staff workers from church parishes, gathered July 22 at the Catholic Life Center for a 60th birthday party. The party featured four food trucks, a cornhole contest and a live band. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator

Many Catholics arm themselves with reasons to not participate in the sacrament of reconciliation.