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Bishop Duca has appointed Fr. Miles Walsh, a retired priest of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, as Administrator of St. Helena Church in Amite.  It is the Bishop’s intention to name a new pastor of the parish in the coming months. 

Catholic schools in East Baton Rouge parish will operate tomorrow with a full day as normal but without bus transportation.

Learn more about how you can donate to Maui Wildfire relief efforts.

Bishop Michael G. Duca is saddened to report that Rev. Mark Beard, pastor at St. Helena Catholic Church in Amite, was killed this afternoon in an automobile accident. The bishop asks for prayers for Fr. Beard and his family, parishioners, and friends who mourn his loss.

In addition to the clergy and pastoral assignments communicated on 12 May 2023 and 13 June 2023, Bishop Duca makes the following announcements.

Beginning in July, the Commentator will suspend regular publication.  This suspension of a regular publication will be temporary, hopefully no more than two months, as we prepare the Catholic Commentator for another 60 years.

In addition to the clergy and pastoral assignments communicated on 12 May 2023, Bishop Duca makes the following announcements, also effective 01 July 2023.

The Child Nutrition Program will distribute free Student Meal Boxes throughout the month of June. Meal boxes (7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 1 gallon of milk) will be distributed on a first-come/first-served basis for children (age 18 and younger). Approximately 1500 meal boxes and 1500 gallons of milk will be available at each of the sites at the scheduled date and time.

Bishop Michael Duca writes a letter to the faithful announcing the beginning of the Parish Year of Revival within the three year diocesan and national Eucharistic Revival.

Join the Diocese of Baton Rouge in a prayer of protection throughout this year's hurricane season.

Bishop Michael G. Duca of Baton Rouge ordained two men to the diocesan priesthood at a Mass celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 27, 2023, at St. Joseph Cathedral.

In consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Michael Duca makes the following appointments effective 01 July 2023.

The iconic 80-foot steeple of Ascension of Our Lord Church in Donaldsonville can be seen by land travelers in the area on both sides of Mississippi River as well as on the river, proudly boasting of its 250-year history of faith and perseverance.

I have always been at a loss for how to greet people at Easter. I suppose the default common greeting is “Happy Easter” but that has always seemed too small for so wondrous a solemnity of our faith. It is also a little secular and mundane like the greeting “Have a nice day.” 

The funeral arrangements and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Fr. Laird, who died Friday while in hospice care.

Bishop Duca makes the following Personnel Appointments effective 13 February 2023.

The upcoming annual Continuing Formation Days for our priests are scheduled for February 6-9, 2023. Due to the location of the retreat, weekday and funeral masses for your parish might be impacted or adjusted. Please pray for our priests and their on-going formation.

Congratulations to Bishop Mario Dorsonville on his appointment as Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux.  He will find in the Diocese a rich deposit of the Catholic faith, a people united by a strong sense of family and community, a vibrant and diverse culture, and exquisite cuisine! I know the faithful of Houma-Thibodaux will embrace their new shepherd as quickly as he is certain to embrace them.

Since June 2022, the demand for reliable care and easily accessible resources has never been stronger, and the Diocese of Baton Rouge has set out to expand ministries and social services for an even greater population of women in unplanned pregnancies who may need accompaniment and encouragement.  

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.