A series of listening sessions in the Diocese of Baton Rouge responding to Pope Francis’ call to engage in a synodal process titled “Toward a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission,” is scheduled to launch Jan. 20 at St. Margaret Queen of Scotland Parish Hall in Albany.
After 13 years of service as the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Dr. Melanie B. Palmisano, will be stepping down from her position effective June 30, 2022.
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.
The annual and always immensely popular Turkey Carving Contest was held Nov. 24 at the St. Vincent de Paul Society dining room in Baton Rouge. Bishop Michael G. Duca dropped in for a visit.
BALTIMORE ‑ The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops voted overwhelmingly to accept the document “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church" during the morning session of the fall USCCB meeting on Nov. 17. The vote, which is held in a secret electronic ballot, was 222 in favor to eight against, with three abstentions.
Given declining infection rates not only in the Greater Baton Rouge Area but throughout Louisiana, I am now modifying several of our practices based upon medical advice, wisdom, and recommendations from state leaders.
Fr. Josh Johnson, Diocese of Baton Rouge Director of Vocations and priest, debuted his first video on the biggest Catholic YouTube channel on Oct. 19, 2021.
Set against a crystal blue, albeit abnormally toasty October sky, with the sound of heavy machinery piercing the late morning air, Dr. Tina Holland’s voice broke with emotion as she discussed what she called a “monumental step” in the history of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University in Baton Rouge. Holland, in her seventh year as FranU president, was addressing a crowd of more than 100 supporters and friends who attended groundbreaking ceremonies for the new St. Francis Hall on Oct. 14.
Father Josh Johnson, vocations director for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, joyfully welcomed the appointment of Father Joshua Rodrigue as rector/president of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of the Archdiocese of New Orleans announced the appointment Oct. 14. Father Rodrigue, 44, will succeed Father James Wehner, who has spent the past 10 years at Notre Dame, on Jul 1, 2022.
West Feliciana, with its gardens and oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, provided a picturesque framework for seminarians of the Diocese of Baton Rouge as they delved more deeply into their vocational call to priesthood during a retreat Sept. 17–19.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge will resettle 49 Afghan evacuees. “The American people have shown an overwhelming desire to help those from Afghanistan who risked their lives and the lives of their family members to help our troops,” said David C. Aguillard, executive director of CCDBR.
Healthcare Professionals for Divine Mercy are hosting their next Medicine, Bioethics and Spirituality Conference on November 5th, 6th and 7th as a virtual conference this year.
I have been looking for the Scripture that will speak to the damage, even catastrophic damage, pain and suffering that Hurricane Ida caused as it crashed into southeast Louisiana. As I write this message many today are without water, gasoline, power, even sewage and some are even hard to reach with the emergency aid they need. I hope by the time you read this at least the emergency aid is arriving to those so desperate even if full restoration is weeks, months, maybe years away.
As your Bishop, it is with a heavy heart that I share with you news of Reverend Danny Roussel’s death on August 30th. Fr. Danny was a deeply devoted priest who was beloved by his family, his parishioners, and his brother clergy.
Because of widespread power outages and other weather-related impacts, the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University physical campus will be closed through Wednesday, Sept. 1. All campus operations and activities are cancelled including remote classes. Undergraduate clinicals are also cancelled. Graduate clinical students should contact their faculty and/or program directors regarding clinical assignments. If unable to reach faculty or program directors, use your best judgment regarding clinicals.
In anticipation of widespread power outages and other weather-related impacts, the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University’s physical campus will be closed through Tuesday, Aug. 31. All campus operations and activities are cancelled including remote classes. Students who are enrolled in online classes and students on clinical rotations should contact their faculty and/or program directors for further direction.
ROME (CNA) - Pope Francis, along with six cardinals and archbishops from North, South, and Central America, worked in collaboration with the Ad Council to produce a public service announcement promoting COVID-19 vaccines. The announcement is the first Ad Council campaign designed for a global audience and will be distributed in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Due to the changing circumstances because of the new COVID variant, Bishop Duca has recently issued several guidelines to priests and deacons to assist them in their ministry.
