Holy Family Church in Port Allen celebrated its centennial of being “good soil” for planting the seeds of faith on the west side of the Mississippi River on Sunday, Sept. 12.

In the three weeks since Hurricane Ida left in indelible mark in Paulina, causing widespread damage in the area, students at St. Peter Chanel Interparochial School have been waiting to return to school.

Christ tells us in the Gospel, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for one to enter the kingdom of Heaven maimed than having two hands to go into hell.” (Mk 9:42) This probably sounds a little extreme! What Christ is really saying here is to get rid of anything in your life that causes you to sin. Nothing in this world is ever worth more than your salvation. It could be a person, a job, a relationship, a friendship, or something else that becomes a near occasion of sin for you. Whatever it may be, Christ tells us it is not worth it; get rid of it. It can be hard to let go of our near occasions of sin.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge will resettle 49 Afghan evacuees. “The American people have shown an overwhelming desire to help those from Afghanistan who risked their lives and the lives of their family members to help our troops,” said David C. Aguillard, executive director of CCDBR.

Healthcare Professionals for Divine Mercy are hosting their next Medicine, Bioethics and Spirituality Conference on November 5th, 6th and 7th as a virtual conference this year.

In my own life, I find I’m much like the disciples. Cleaning the bathrooms has been on my to-do list for about a month now, but it’s my least favorite chore so I avoid it. No bells rang as I made the herculean effort to get myself out of the chair where I was comfortably reading. No spring came to my step as I scrubbed rings from toilet bowls. The task sounded too off-putting to brag about afterwards, and it certainly didn’t have the aesthetic appeal for an Instagram post. But this is a moment of my life that will be exalted, not a great success, but a sacrifice. As I lift high the cross of my Lord, He invites me to glory in the crosses he bestows on me today.

Catholics are known for the honor we pay to Mary, the mother of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. 

When the new St. John the Baptist Church in Zachary was dedicated in April 2017 parishioners were filled with “awe and wonder.” 

Father Michael Alello, pastor at St. Thomas More Church in Baton Rouge, joined the students at St. Thomas More School for a little fun before they swung into a new school year. Photo submitted by Kristen Flores | St. Thomas More School

Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Baton Rouge middle school students returned to renovated classrooms and state-of-the-art facilities. Their reactions ranged from “wow” to “this is so beautiful.” The school’s capital campaign recently kicked off, with the goal of having all of the school’s classrooms, offices, bathrooms and hallways renovated within the next three years. Photo submitted by Wendy Milam | Sacred Heart School

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System facilities, for the most part, appeared to have fared well during Hurricane Ida.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge are opening as they are able, according to Catholic Schools Superintendent Dr. Melanie Palmisano. 

What does the phrase “The Real Presence” mean?

The exhibit “Michelangelo: A Different View,” scheduled Sept. 1­-30 at Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge, has been postponed because of Hurricane Ida.

A divided Supreme Court on Sept. 1 declined a petition to block Texas’ “heartbeat” law, allowing the law to stand for now.

During the month of September the Legion of Mary is celebrating its centennial of helping people grow in holiness and then bring others to Christ under Mary’s leadership in the Diocese of Baton Rouge and throughout the world.

As I write this reflection the first drops of rain are falling from Hurricane Ida. The outer bands offer a slow preparation for the experience of the full impact.

In the Apostolic Letter “Patris Corde,” we are invited to reflect upon St. Joseph as a father in the shadows.