News - July 2023 RSS Feed

“The pursuit of wisdom especially joins man to God in friendship,” St. Thomas Aquinas wrote in his theological work, “Summa Contra Gentiles.” Known as one of the Catholic Church’s greatest theologians and philosophers, St. Thomas also had such a high degree of purity and holiness he is referred to as the “Angelic Doctor.”

Valerie Armstrong said her granddaughter Renee, 8, is “her world’ as she selected two uniforms for Renee at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store on Plank Road in Baton Rouge.

Over six days, 35 rising high school juniors and seniors formed a close-knit faith community as they sweat while cleaning a local cemetery, heard the stories of suffering people they served in a homeless shelter and dining room and listened to and discussed deep theological presentations. 

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University has received a grant of $1.1 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish The Dominus Project, which will build upon and develop the university’s strengths as the hub of intellectual and pastoral formation for the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge.

In your special place to pray, you may have icons or other art which inspire you to enter the presence of God. Perhaps without even knowing it, you are practicing an ancient spiritual devotion called Visio Divina.

On June 12, The International Order of Alhambra Inc., Muret Caravan #68 held its quarterly Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church in Plaquemine. Following Mass, the Caravan enjoyed their annual summer social at the Island Country Club in Plaquemine. The members and their spouses were served grilled steak with baked potatoes and salad. During the outing Sir Noble and past Grand Commander Alcee Becnel was presented a certificate for outstanding active service for 47 years. For more information about the Alhambra contact, Region IV Director J. C. “Chuck” Brown 225-571-6759. Photos provided by “Chuck” Brown

Knights of Columbus Council 8601 of St. Patrick Church in Baton Rouge installed its new officers for the 2023-2024 fraternal year on June 10. Pictured are newly installed officers Chaplain and St. Patrick Pastor, Father Michael Miceli, Grand Knight Lester Hitchcock, Deputy Grand Knight Bill Coorpender, Chancellor Jay Cefalu, Recorder Bobby Jarreau, Treasurer/ Lecturer Mickey Brown, Financial Secretary Bill Bozelle, Advocate Curtis Lauret, Warden Butch Pitchford, Inside Guard Mike Blazek, Outside Guard, Richard Littrell, One-Year Trustee Darrel LeBlanc, Two-Year Trustee Joe Mannino and Three-Year Trustee Joe Lawler. The service directors are Program Director Mike Laborde, Faith Director Joe Mannino, Family Director Jimmy Doles, Community Director Bryon Hume, Life Director John Coco, Membership Director Mike Girior and Retention Chairman Bill Coorpender. Photo provided by Bill Coorpender

The Knights of Columbus Council 5530 of St. Thomas More Church in Baton Rouge and the Father Maynard E. Hurst KC Ladies Auxiliary opened the new Columbian by the election of new officers on July. Pictured are, from left, Brandon Pitre, Frank Lacour, Don Pourciau, Pete Peragine, Harley Mark Brown, James Stell, and Diocesan Administrator Kevin Heltz; and back row, is John Serbeck, Tom Sylvester, Benjamin Moore and William Pearson. The Ladies auxiliary members are, from left, front row, Betty Rickels, Marlene Colter Cecilia Stadeker and Melanie Bolinger; and back row, Terrie Martin, installing officer Paula Gebhart and Shirley Bonaccorso.

On July 18, the Catholic Church will enter into the triple jubilee celebrations of beloved “angelic doctor” of the church, St. Thomas Aquinas.

The second sensory friendly Mass hosted by the “All are Welcome” ministry of the Diocese of Baton Rouge was celebrated on Pentecost Sunday, May 28, at St. George Church in Baton Rouge. St. George pastor Father Paul Yi was celebrant.

Baton Rouge area members of the Knights of Peter Claver, Meritorious Fourth Degree Ladies of Grace-Constance Butler Chapter #9, were “Manna Givers” on May 30. They provided and served the evening meal for 25 diners at the St. Vincent de Paul dining room. Pictured, from left, are Velita Benjamin, Carla Lewis, Lorena Williams, Delores Price, Hattie Carney, Mary Murray, Debbie Fines-James and Lorraine Colbert. Photo provided by Carla Lewis

Three years ago, St. Elizabeth Church in Paincourtville and St. Jules Church in Belle Rose began under the direction of Father Tomi Thomas, what has since become an annual tradition, a Corpus Christi procession to celebrate the solemnity of the most holy body and blood of Christ.

The seventh and eighth grade St. Theresa Middle cheerleaders attended UCA camp June 5-8 at LSU. During the four-day camp, the cheerleaders worked with UCA staff to perfect motions and jumps, learn dance choreography and cheers, enhance crowd engagement, attempt advanced stunts and create dynamic routines. The girls were awarded two superior evaluations and placed second on their camp routine, which included a dance and a pyramid with eight different building skills. They also won first place trophies for both their sideline and cheer and took home the title of Overall Game Day Champions in the junior high division. The cheerleaders received an invitation to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and an opportunity to perform in the Cheez-it Citrus Bowl. Carrie T., Korie F., Kallie T. and Jordyn B were selected as All-American Cheerleaders. Jordyn B. and Kyndall L. were both semifinalists in the jump-off contest. Photo provided by Edith Soulier

When Catholic Community Radio changed its name to Catholic Community Media, the staff realized its need to evangelize throughout all media platforms, according to David Dawson, president of Catholic Community Media.

Why do we baptize infants?  Shouldn’t we wait and let them make their own decision?

Catholic artists Andrew Ferguson and Sophie Salopek draw upon their vocal skills and prayer experiences to usher listeners into a candid encounter with God.