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Bishop Michael G. Duca selected the episcopal motto “Hope in the Lord” when he received his first appointment as bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport. This motto has an apropos connection with this Jubilee Year of Hope’s emphasis on trusting in God’s promises and future heavenly reward during times of suffering.

Franciscan Missionaries of Our University has been designated a Heart Safe Campus, the first entity in Baton Rouge and the first University in Louisiana with the distinction.

The theological virtue of hope develops from understanding that Jesus lifts the burden when we struggle with difficulties. We are then sent forth to spread hope to others who suffer, according to Becky Eldredge, an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and author.

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, many people may struggle with believing that “good things are to come.” Darryl Ducote, LCSW, director of the department of marriage and family life of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, recently talked about the brain’s ability to change and grow. This causes people to have hope in the face of adversity.

​​​​​The Society of St. Vincent de Paul released the following news release about their plans: St. Vincent de Paul’s Bishop Ott Shelter Program has initiated its plan for the current cold nights (39 degrees & below). We will expand bed capacity for men, women, children, and families experiencing homelessness during the cold days and nights to come. We provide day and night shelter services to men, women, and children, and annually, provide over 30,000 guest nights of shelter.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Baton Rouge brought holiday cheer to children and families in need at its annual gift distribution. The children smiled abundantly and their parents expressed gratitude. Pictured, from left, are, Andy Adler, SVDP board chair, Sylvia Weatherspoon of WBRZ, Father Charlie Landry, who distributed the gifts as St. Nicholas, and Kim Boudreaux, SVDP district council president. Photos provided by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Pictured are Father Landry and Weatherspoon with some of the gift recipients and their families.

At a Eucharistic celebration at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge, the Diocese of Baton Rouge joined the universal church in opening 2025 as a Jubilee Year of Hope. The faithful were encouraged to embrace their trials and crosses in life and move forward in faith with a “hope that does not disappoint.”

Tao Van Vu has amassed a large collection of Christmas lights and decorations over the past 44 years through his volunteering to set up the nativity scene and Christmas displays at Sts. Anthony of Padua and Le Van Phung Church in Baton Rouge. Parishioners admired his work and wanted to contribute to its success.

In the summer of 1994 Brett Frederic and Brett Legette, both 13, looked forward to their upcoming eighth-grade year at St. Theresa of Avila Middle School in Gonzales. They also anticipated entering high school the next year. Those dreams were shattered when they were tragically killed Aug. 20, 1994 in a car accident two days before school began.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) recently updated its pastoral formation plan concerning the time of year seminarians are ordained as transitional deacons. Instead of seminarians being ordained as transitional deacons in the spring, they will be ordained in December. The change essentially allows seminarians to complete their academic studies before entering their vocational synthesis stage.

To fully celebrate Advent, Catholics can turn to the saints whose feast days fall within this time of hopeful anticipation. One of them is St. John of the Cross, whose feast day is Dec. 14. He is among the Carmelite saints who “shined a light on the path” for Rusty Miller of Baton Rouge when he was searching to reconnect with God in his spiritual life.

The feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, falls on a Sunday this year. Therefore, the solemnity will be transferred to Monday, Dec. 9, and celebrated as a holy day of obligation, according to the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

With cool temperatures and sunny skies prevailing in downtown Baton Rouge on Nov. 16, the race was on. Some participants stretched or jogged in place before approaching the starting line with their minds set on crossing the finish line first. Others approached more leisurely and were content to cross the finish line at all. One thing was clear – they were all winners for supporting the unborn at Woman’s New Life Clinic’s annual Born to Run.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Baton Rouge hosted their annual Thanksgiving Turkey Carving Contest on Nov. 27. Leaders from around the East Baton Rouge area competed to see who had the best carving technique and was most creative in the presentation of their turkey. Bishop Micheal G. Duca participated and led the opening prayer for the ceremony. The turkeys that the leaders carved were to be served the following day as part of the thousands of meals St. Vincent de Paul serves to families in need on Thanksgiving Day. Serving locations include the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room, the Raising Cane’s River Center, the McKinley Alumni Center in Baton Rouge, and St. Gerard Majella Church in Baton Rouge. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

St. Aloysius School in Baton Rouge representatives celebrated the school’s successes and built momentum to achieve more in future at the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Awards Ceremony.

TV Chef Father Leo Patalinhug “plated up” a presentation with a perfect blend of food, wit, and insightful catechesis at Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Baton Rouge. Families learned how to answer the question “what’s for dinner?” – and developed a hunger for their faith.

The Black Catholic community proclaimed “who we are” and “whose we are” in a liturgy overflowing with upbeat Gospel music, elegant liturgical dances, and dynamic preaching.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge (CCDBR) is seeking sponsors for the nearly 300 families in need this Christmas.

Three new Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament are experiencing new things and using their skills in creative ways since accepting God’s call to religious life. As the nation celebrates National Vocation Awareness Week Nov. 3 – 9, they invite young people who think they may have a call to religious life to enter the adventure of exploring God’s plan for their lives.