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The Catechism of the Catholic Church states the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life,” containing “the whole spiritual good of the church, namely Christ himself(no. 1324).” Perhaps it’s not surprising  the church earnestly looks for effective ways to promote this teaching and to counter those who ignore or work against it. Exacerbating this complex issue is that an increasing number of Catholics are living outside the sacrament of matrimony and many others reject the church’s teachings on moral issues such as capital punishment and the need to protect the environment; many do not see the need to worship together at Sunday Mass, to pray daily, or to lead lives of real, generous charity.

The story of a prodigal son, a resentful elder brother and prodigal father who is extravagant in his love and forgiveness was the backdrop of Red Stick Catholic Fest on Oct. 30 at St. John the Evangelist Church in Prairieville. 

The recent Baton Rouge 40 Days for Life campaign created a culture of life and hope and offered alternatives to women in crisis pregnancies coming to Delta Clinic seeking an abortion. 

The Diocese of Baton Rouge is joining more than 30 dioceses from around the country participating in the annual #iGiveCatholic fundraising campaign.

East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome commended St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge for “leading the charge” in protecting the environment when she proclaimed Nov. 3 as St. Joseph’s Academy Day in East Baton Rouge Civil Parish for the school winning a national mayor’s water conservation challenge.

St. Joseph, the father and guardian of the Christ child, was privileged to witness the birth of Christ. His love and caring guardianship over the Christ child and his mother never ceased throughout his life.

“So Pilate said to him (Jesus), ‘Then you are a king?’” (Jn 18:37)  Would the same question come to mind if we were face to face with Jesus? Do we recognize Jesus as our king? As the liturgical year ends, we celebrate this final Sunday the solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. 

Father Paul McDuffie, pastor at St. Joseph Church in Ponchatoula, blesses food and other items for parishioners after Mass on Thanksgiving morning in 2017. Following morning Mass on Thanksgiving, Father McDuffie invites those who have brought their dishes to be served later that day, or certain beverages, to come to the altar so they can be blessed. File photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator

Sister Bridget Nwaankwo has witnessed first-hand the trauma experienced by human trafficking victims.

St. Joseph is a model for Advent

Five artists with direct connections to the Diocese of Baton Rouge will be among six artists featured in the first Catholic Art Showcase scheduled Nov. 14 at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.

The Catholic Commentator is looking for holiday recipes for a special holiday section in its upcoming issue, and they want YOU to send in your favorites.

The Prison Ministry Office of the Diocese of Baton Rouge is collecting Christmas cards to distribute to inmates. Cards can be brought to the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge’s Administration Office in the Catholic Life Center, 1900 S. Acadian Thwy., Baton Rouge, from 8 – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call Linda Fjeldso, CCDBR Prison Ministry and Joseph Homes coordinator, at 225-303-4917.

Fostering vocations can be challenging along with organizing events such as ordinations and Come and See weekends.

The St. Joseph Cathedral Council No. 13632 of the Knights of Columbus has received the coveted Father McGivney Award for Membership Growth from the Knights of Columbus, headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut. The award cites the Knights’ unceasing work to achieve their membership recruitment goals. The Cathedral Council, chartered in 2005, has 73 brother Knights united in the shared principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. District Deputy James Stell, at right, of the Louisiana Knights of Columbus presents the award to Grand Knight Michael C. Moss at the council’s monthly meeting Wednesday, October 13. Photo provided by Tommy Darensbourg | St. Joseph Cathedral

As their annual service project, Catholic of Pointe Coupee School students in grades three through six collected toiletries and other supplies that were used to create “Blessing Bags.” These bags were sent, with love, to children that were displaced because of Hurricane Ida. Photo provided by Megan Girlinghouse | Catholic of Pointe Coupee

The annual Latin American Festival, which celebrates the Latin American culture in the Baton Rouge area, was held Sept. 26 on the grounds of the Hispanic Apostolate in north Baton Rouge. The event features food, music and family activities. Bishop Michael G. Duca enjoyed himself as he spent time with the young people and even participated in some of the activities. The inaugural event was in 1986, a project of the Hispanic Apostolate’s youth ministry. Originally the festival was intended to gather all Hispanics and Latinos. During the past 20-plus years the festival has grown into a popular community-wide event. Photos provided by Julia Scarnato | The Hispanic Apostolate

As Veterans Day approaches Nov. 11, many Americans give thanks for the sacrifices made by past and present members of the military.

The 32nd and 33rd Sundays in Ordinary Time draw us near the end of this season, as the dawn of Advent shines.

The Sisters of St. Joseph’s ties with the Diocese of Baton Rouge began long before the official establishment of the diocese, when four sisters arrived in Baton Rouge in 1868 aboard a steamboat from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.