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In a celebration exuding energy and excitement the Black Catholic community affirmed that Black Catholic history is U.S. history during the Diocese of Baton Rouge African American Mass Nov. 4 at St. Gerard Majella Church in Baton Rouge.

Deacon Natale Garofalo led an All Saints Day prayer service Nov. 1 at Rose Memorial Park Cemetery in Hammond. Although typically considered a tradition of the Roman Catholic Church, Garofalo said, “This is not a Catholic thing. It is a Christian thing. There is but one God.”​​​​​​​ Photos provided by Richard Meek | The Hammond Daily Star 

On Oct. 26,  early guests began lining up under fair skies for lunch outside of the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room in Baton Rouge for lunch. Just around the corner from them a group of people prayed and prepared to “put two feet of love into action” by affirming their dignity by serving them.

As churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge commemorated All Saints' Day on Nov. 1 they honored and remembered the dead through the blessing of the graves. At St. Joseph Cemetery, a prayer service was held and Father Cary Bani, pastor of St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge, blessed the graves and visited and blessed individual graves at the request of the deceased’s loved ones. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator ​​​​​​​

St. George Church and School have combined their efforts to take care of God’s creation as called for in Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato si’: On Care for Our Common Home.”

Students and faculty have quickly settled into the newly dedicated St. Francis Hall, a bustling center of education and faith at the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University campus.

Father Jamin David was invested into the Order of the Fleur de Lis in a special ceremony at St. Joseph Abbey in Covington, Louisiana on Oct. 18 alongside Abbot Gregory Boquet, OSB. 

Early afternoon sunlight shining through one of the stained glass windows of St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge illuminated the scene depicting the finding of the Christ Child in the temple.

On Oct. 10, faith leaders met with Governor John Bel Edwards to present him with a letter signed by 100 faith leaders and asked him to intervene so hearings can begin for the 56 death row inmates seeking clemency.

During their struggle to understand the “whys” of the Catholic faith many admit defeat and look elsewhere for truth. The lay Catholic apostolate, Fullness of Truth, seeks to “call people home” by sharing the inestimable gift and irrefutable truth of the Catholic Faith.

On Sept. 22, a large crowd got their first glimpse of the new St. Alphonsus Liguori Church in Greenwell Springs Parish Activity Center during its dedication. Their consensus was “it’s beautiful” and “very much needed.” ​​​​​​​

“Good evening and welcome home,” said Father Alex Harb to a jubilant congregation attending the dedication of St. Sharbel Church in Baton Rouge, the first Maronite Catholic Church in Louisiana.

Answering the Gospel call led Sister Helen Prejean CSJ to accompany six prisoners to their executions and become a leading advocate for the abolition of the death penalty.

Catechists in the Diocese of Baton Rouge spent time “sitting at the feet” of the master teacher Jesus and learned how to effectively touch lives with the Gospel message at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge on Aug. 26.

In a bittersweet moment, St. Francis Xavier Church and School in Baton Rouge poured out love and gratitude to the Sisters of the Holy Family as they honored them for their 103 years of service to the SFX community on Aug. 20.

On Aug. 13, a large group of faithful gathered under a brilliant blue sky at the adoration chapel of St. Mary of False River Church in New Roads. Even more intense than the summer heat was the people’s expressions of joy and devotion to Mary as they proceeded behind a statue of the Blessed Mother.

When experiencing a “transfiguration moment” on a mountain top, one may expect that is the precise moment they will receive an answer to a burning question. This was not the case for Deacon Joe Perry when taking in the majestic view at the top of Pico de Orizaba in Mexico.

As he pondered what the future of the church will look like for his grandchildren and future generations in light of the declining number of priestly vocations, Deacon Billy Francioni received his own call to be part of the solution by becoming a deacon.

Growing up in the small Cajun town of Basile, Deacon Terry Bellon was first called to serve at 11 years-old when his mother died. He and his four younger siblings went to live with their grandmother.

Deacon Don Allison has seen the hand of God working his life through blessings and protection. When the deacon pondered the “why” of it all, God’s guiding hand then ushered him into the office of deacon.