News - May 2022 RSS Feed

Transitional deacons ordained

Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge recently dismissed for summer break. Students at Holy Family School in Port Allen were dismissed after an awards assembly which recognized students achieving academic, faith and citizenship excellence. Rain poured as proud parents accompanied their children to their cars, but students jubilantly smiled because of their upcoming summer hiatus. Pictured are Pizzolato family members, from left, Camden, Patti and Andrée. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

The Diocese of Baton Rouge announced through its website the three-year Eucharistic Revival in the diocese will begin on the feast of Corpus Christi, June 19, with an inaugural Mass and procession beginning at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge. The United Conference of Catholic Bishops has called for a three-year grassroots revival of devotion and belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Forensic Analysts Needed in the Community to Support the Caseload

The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops hosted a Faithful Citizenship Day May 18 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge and the Louisiana State Capitol. During the course of the day attendees, pictured at the steps of the capitol, participated in committee hearings, observed debates of bills in the House and Senate chambers and met legislators. The focus of the event was to continue educating and engaging Catholics on social justice teachings and legislation, LCCB positions on legislation and to develop relationships with each other and legislators. A story on the event will be in the June 3 issue of The Catholic Commentator. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

Residents of Louisiana who are eager to help Ukrainian refugees now have a way to sponsor them directly on their own, according to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge (CCDBR), which has decades of experience welcoming refugees.

The Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group recognized Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge for its work in building trust between social service organizations and immigrant and refugee families.    “This program works because our home visitors are the backbone of this program and are members of the communities they serve,” said Vickki Maloid, CCDBR early childhood program manager. “They work with vulnerable families to positively impact parenting behaviors, early childhood cognitive development and behavioral health.”   The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization that works with nonpartisan thought leaders, scholars and members of the public to address some of the world’s most complex problems. The goal of this publication was to examine the challenges of promising whole-family practices used by organizations that serve immigrant families.  CCDBR was recognized for its home visiting program and Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY). Stephanie Sterling, director of family services, and Maloid were invited by the Aspen Institute to contribute to the publication and present for a national webinar.  “We work with immigrant families in our community to ensure the children are school-ready by focusing on all parts of the family, both parents and children,” said Maloid. “Over the 30-week period of our home visiting program, families develop a habit of reading and learning together. We want the whole family to succeed by supporting the children’s cognitive, emotional, social and physical development.”  “Building Trust with Immigrant and Refugee Families: Spreading and Adapting 2Gen Working Practices” can be downloaded visiting aspen institute.org/publications.    For more information on HIPPY, visit CatholicCharitiesBR.org. 

A friend of mine, somewhat cynical about the church, recently remarked: “What the institutional church today is trying to do is to put its best face on the fact that it’s dying. Basically, it’s trying to manage a death.”

We break bread around our church parish altars to unite ourselves to Jesus and each other.  We become his body, his church.  Through our Eucharist we renew our hope and strengthen our faith.  The eucharistic community is our home.  

An estimated 600 members of the Hispanic community gathered for what might have been the beginning of a new tradition.

St. Anne Church in Napoleonville parishioner Henry Blanchard is shown crowning the Blessed Virgin Mary during Mass on May 7. Photo provided by Julie Adolph | St. Anne Church

On May 3, Catholic Life Center employees gathered to celebrate the Order of Crowning. Crowning Mary was Our Lady of Mercy School in Baton Rouge student Grace Boltin and her mother Ann Boltin, chancellor of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Photo provided by the Diocese of Baton Rouge

When Kim Johnson enters her home after a difficult day at work solace is awaiting in the art she loves.

The best way to show God is still active is by showing that “miracles happen.”

Many Catholics consider May as “Mary’s Month.”  Why is that?

Optimism is high in the pro-life movement as the first Baton Rouge 40 Days Life Spring Campaign was a resounding success, according to organizers.

The Diocese of Baton Rouge’s Women’s Giving Circle culminated its inaugural year May 5 with a Mass and gift presentation luncheon during which $73,000 was distributed among six non-profit organizations.

The Easter Season continues, as we celebrate the Sixth Sunday of Easter and the Ascension of the Lord, moved from Thursday to the following Sunday (some dioceses and archdioceses continue to celebrate Ascension on Thursday; in the Diocese of Baton Rouge it is celebrated on the following Sunday).