Knights of Columbus councils in the Diocese of Baton Rouge and many parishioners in the diocese made possible the donation of a 3-D and 4-D ultrasound machine to the Women’s Help Center in Baton Rouge. The Knights of Columbus have helped provide these machines since 2009.  The Knights donated 1,500 machines as of 2022.  Pictured are some of the Knights with Barbara Thomas of the Women’s Help Center. Donating councils are Assumption Council #1099, Blessed Eugene Council #6753, Assumption Council #1099, Pierre Part/Belle River Council #5352, Labadieville Council #11061, St. Patrick Church Council #8601 in Baton Rouge, St. Thomas More Church Council #5530 in Baton Rouge, St. Alphonsus Church in Greenwell Springs Council #2807 and its Ladies Auxiliary, Msgr. Gassler Assembly #319 and Bishop Ott Assembly #2241 as well as Men of The Cross of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in St. Amant and Ascension Men Evangelizing Now. Photo provided by John Hauler

More than 30 girls recently gathered for a retreat titled, “Adore: How to Discern God’s Will for Our Lives” at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge. The day was an Advent discernment retreat for religious life, a day that was also filled with peace, joy and wonder of living in his holy will. Religious orders that were represented included Poor Nuns of Jesus and Mary, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady, Hospitallers of Mercy, Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and Community of Jesus Crucified. Father Josh Johnson, pastor of Sacred Heart Church, is pictured addressing the girls about his own vocational life. Also pictured is Father Johnson celebrating the Mass. Photos provided by Suzanne Payne | Office of Vocations

What are the Seven Sorrows of Mary?

ROME – Tens of thousands of people were present in St. Peter’s Square for the funeral Jan. 5 of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a leading theologian of the 20th century and the first pope to resign from office in nearly 600 years.

Since  the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Dec. 31 there are people who think he should be named a future doctor of the church. Cardinal Thomas Collins, archbishop of Toronto, said on Vatican Radio that “he is an amazing man.” He said, “I don’t know whether he will be named a doctor of the church; certainly he should.”

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was remembered as a humble servant who opened up the Gospel for people so they can live in the freedom to love as sons and daughters of God during a memorial Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael G. Duca at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge on Jan. 5. 

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is being remembered by clergy members and the laity in the Diocese of Baton Rouge as one of the church’s great theologians who was clear in defining the teachings of the church, a man of humility with a love of others and whose teachings were imbued with a love for Christ.

In the days of apartheid in South Africa, one of the ways people expressed their opposition and their belief that someday it would be overcome, was to light a candle and put it in a window where it could be seen by anyone passing by.

The times we are living in are sad and dangerous. Locally, babies are being killed by parents on drugs. Suicide rates are rising all over our country. Ideologies are killing any respect for the truth.

Bishop Michael G. Duca of the Diocese of Baton Rouge will preside at a memorial Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Thursday, January 5, at 12:00 Noon at St. Joseph Cathedral.

With overwhelming support in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Women in the New Evangelization (WINE) returns for its third conference Saturday, Jan. 28 at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge.

On Dec. 8 we celebrated the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.   What is the history of this feast?

St. Thomas Chapel sits alone on a busy highway in Springfield, her simple Greek Revival structure offering a cozy and country feel as she extends a friendly welcome to visitors.

Church parishes, businesses, families and individuals came together to assist Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge help those in need have a brighter Christmas through its Community Comes Together for Christmas. Toys, bikes and much needed essential items were brought to CCDBR at the Catholic Life Center and then distributed them to families and individuals for Christmas. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

Several years ago, while on a silent retreat in Miami with the Servants of the Pierced Heart of Jesus and Mary, Father Josh Johnson was deeply touched when his eyes settled on a statue of St. Josephine Bakhita, the patron saint of human trafficking.

Happy New Year to all! The church continues the celebration of Christmas.

This year I will … Filling in the blanks looks easy on Jan. 1 but as the year goes on those blanks remained unfilled.