News - November 2021 RSS Feed

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.

With 370 families unsponsored, the staff at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge is concerned.  “Usually by Thanksgiving, all but a few families have been sponsored through our Community Comes Together at Christmas program,” said Catherine Weidert, CCDBR communications coordinator. “But this year is unprecedented.”

When Jesus came to Earth as a newborn baby, very few people were aware of what had happened. Yes, there were wise men and shepherds and even angels rejoicing, but Christ didn’t come “in a cloud of power and great glory” (Gospel Reading) the first time. He came as a small human born to an Immaculate Mother and a carpenter father in a manger filled with hay.

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.

In the Book of Genesis, we learn that when Abraham arrived at the land promised to him by God he “built an altar to the Lord”(Gn 12:7)

Though retired, I still get calls for weddings, baptisms, visits to the sick and blessings of homes and graveyards

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. 

Can a Catholic believe in evolution?

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.

Despair engulfed “Ahmad” as he approached Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. 

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