News - February 2021 RSS Feed

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has warned the bill would trample religious freedom protections while codifying gender ideology in federal law. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has warned the bill would trample religious freedom protections while codifying gender ideology in federal law.

In their latest "Voter Voice" the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops state that "The Equality Act Discriminates AGAINST Life and People of Faith" and urge Catholics to voice their opposition to congressmen.

If we can believe the Gospels, Jesus did know all of this, not because he had a divine consciousness but because like the woman in the story he knew right from the beginning what it meant to be the one standing alone, outside the normal human circle.

Immigration has recently appeared in the news as a hot-button issue. People have become bitterly divided whether, and how, we should welcome immigrants into our country.

God in Jesus showed us how to handle suffering even though he was sinless and therefore not deserving of any kind of punishment.  But Jesus was willing to die the most horrible of deaths just to show us that God never abandons us.

Americans, too, can persevere. With humanity and civility in our hearts, we will overcome what divides us. 

In an event filled with inspiring messages, the celebration of Mass, fellowship and Eucharistic adoration, young Catholics pondered how their lives uniquely fit into God’s vast design of creation during the SEEK 21 Conference Feb. 4–7 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge. 

Lent can also be a time of great joy and anticipation as the faithful accompany Jesus along the path to his resurrection.

Confession with a priest can be one way to help prevent venial sins from developing into a pattern that could lead to mortal sins.

To honor women religious in the Diocese of Baton Rouge and nationwide the local community is joining in a collaborative effort to end hunger during National Catholic Sisters Week March 8-14. 

Father Carville has a long history in ministry with families and young adult Catholics largely through his overseas mission work. He began priestly ministry after ordination with seven years at Cathedral Prep School in Baton Rouge as teacher, rector and assistant coach.  

Father Reuben Dykes, pastor of Mater Dolorosa Church in Independence, delivers a talk on the Terror of Demons during the Men of the Immaculata Conference on Feb. 20 at St. George Church in Baton Rouge.

A major facelift at St. Thomas More Church in Baton Rouge will offer a dramatically different view of the Baton Rouge campus that intersects at the corner of Sherwood Forest and Goodwood boulevards.  

The Lenten journey continues as we navigate the path paved with stones of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The Sunday Mass readings for the Second and Third Sundays of Lent unveil virtues of God’s most faithful, most poignantly the virtue of obedience. For by obedience we grow in faith on our journey to Easter.

Getting away for a 30-day prayer retreat and spending time on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius may seem blissful, yet impossible.  But even in today’s busy world, there’s still a way to make the commitment and find peace through the 19th Annotation.

A collaborative effort involving the Diocese of Baton Rouge and Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University will allow those wishing to enter formation with the goal of becoming spiritual directors to stay in Baton Rouge for training. 

The fiery power of the Holy Spirit and family love spanning decades were evident as Elle Caraccioli, 16, was accompanied by her great-grandmother and sponsor Beverly Mason, 90, to be confirmed by Bishop Michael G. Duca at St. Patrick Church in Baton Rouge on Jan. 30.

These were sinful men, sinful like me, and yet Jesus wanted them present when His glory burst forth like the dawn. He wanted us there too, which is why we are called to enter into this mystery in such a profound way in the context of the Mass. We hear the words from the Father, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him” (Mark 9:7), and are reminded that it is good that we are here. This is the God that dispels the darkness within us by the brilliant light of His Face, put on full display here in this mystery.

Despite COVID-19, people still turned out in good numbers at church parishes in the Diocese of Baton Rouge to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40-day season of Lent. Because of the pandemic, instead of the traditional smudging of ashes on the forehead, ashes were sprinkled on top of the heads of attendees, which is a common practice in parts of Europe. Pictured is Father Cleo Milano, pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge, distributing ashes following the noon Ash Wednesday Mass.

Father Reuben Dykes, pastor of Mater Dolorosa Church in Independence, delivers a talk on the Terror of Demons during the Man of the Immaculata Conference on Feb. 20 at St. George Catholic Church in Baton Rouge. The conference, which was also livestreamed, drew about 300 men to St. George. Bishop Michael G. Duca celebrated Mass.