There is an intimate link between Advent and the National Eucharistic Revival, say priests and lay leaders of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Advent increases the anticipation and longing for God dwelling among us at the Incarnation, and the Eucharistic Revival increases the anticipation and longing for the risen Lord dwelling within us in the Eucharist. 

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge (CCDBR) has extended the deadline to Friday, Dec. 8 to sponsor seniors and families in crisis through its Christmas program. 

In a proactive move designed to combat a national and local teacher shortage, the Diocese of Baton Rouge Catholic Schools Office along with St. Michael High School is hosting a Catholic Education Career Expo December 14, , 5:30– 7:30 p.m. at St. Michael High School, 17521 Monitor Ave., Baton Rouge.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul hosted its annual turkey carving contest on Nov. 22 in the SVDP Dining Room. Bishop Michael G. Duca (center) was among the leaders in the community participating in the event. Pictured with Bishop Duca are, left, D-D Breaux, former LSU women’s gymnastics coach; and Sharon Weston Broome, Mayor-President of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish. Everyone was a winner by helping SVDP in its mission of eliminating poverty. The contest was a day to celebrate as SVDP prepared to serve its annual Thanksgiving meal at the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room, Raising Cane’s River Center, St. Gerard Majella Church in Baton Rouge and McKinley Alumni Center. By the end of the year SVDP is expected to serve more than 260,000 meals. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

On Nov. 17, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge and other adoption services providers joined families at the Capitol Park Museum to celebrate the making of “forever families” at the National Adoption Day program. The East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Court hosted the event.

On Nov. 10, almost forty years after the arrival of the Hispanic community in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Bishop Michael G.  Duca and Vicar General Father Jamin David met with priests of the diocese who currently collaborate with the Hispanic Catholic faithful in the diocese and those interested in formalizing pastoral work and service with them. 

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge (CCDBR) is again matching donor families, businesses and organizations with seniors and families in crisis through its Christmas program. 

In a celebration exuding energy and excitement the Black Catholic community affirmed that Black Catholic history is U.S. history during the Diocese of Baton Rouge African American Mass Nov. 4 at St. Gerard Majella Church in Baton Rouge.

Deacon Natale Garofalo led an All Saints Day prayer service Nov. 1 at Rose Memorial Park Cemetery in Hammond. Although typically considered a tradition of the Roman Catholic Church, Garofalo said, “This is not a Catholic thing. It is a Christian thing. There is but one God.”​​​​​​​ Photos provided by Richard Meek | The Hammond Daily Star 

On Oct. 26,  early guests began lining up under fair skies for lunch outside of the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room in Baton Rouge for lunch. Just around the corner from them a group of people prayed and prepared to “put two feet of love into action” by affirming their dignity by serving them.