Plus ca change, plus ca reste le meme.

Holy Ghost School in Hammond kindergarteners continued their annual tradition of delighting audiences of parents, relatives and HGCS students with their story of “The First Christmas.” Students acted out such scenes as St. Joseph and Mary celebrating the good news of Jesus’ upcoming birth, angels dancing to celebrate the birth of Christ and, of course, the tradition of the kindergartners culminating the play by singing “Joy to the World,” above. Photo provided by Cindy Wagner | Holy Ghost School

Third graders at Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Baton Rouge learned what it means to give to others and how it feels to receive with a week of Friendsgiving activities. Each student created their own Friendsgiving swag bag which was filled daily with pieces of a thanksgiving dinner (turkey, “corny jokes,” cherry pie, blueberry pie, wishbone and a turkey leg). Each piece of the dinner was handmade with words of encouragement, kindness and love written by their classmates. The week was filled with spreading kindness, love and respect. Ronan Geismar is shown adding a piece of blueberry pie to his friend Jace’s bag. Photo provided by Wendy Milan | Sacred Heart of Jesus School

The St. John Primary School in Prairieville and St. Theresa Middle School in Gonzales recently held the Festival of Friends. The mini-pot competition is a great way to kick off the Saturday of the fair and what else says Ascension tradition more than the smell of jambalaya. The competition is split up into 2 categories: PK–third grade and fourth–eighth grades. This year’s winners included: PK–third grade: first place Collin Frederic; second place Kohen Simoneaux; and third place Austin Elisar. Winners in fourth through eighth grades included: first place Avery Gautreau; second place Claire Frederic; and third place Ambrie Duplessis. Photo provided by Edith Soulier | EA/EI Regional Catholic School

Through the joy in their eyes the appreciation in their hearts was evident for more than 40 intellectually challenged individuals who gathered for a very special Christmas celebration on Dec. 17 in Plaquemine.

Q In St. Matthew’s Gospel, Chapter 2, the Magi searching for the king of the Jews state, “We saw his star at its rising” and later, after they left King Herod, “And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.” Was there really a Star of Bethlehem?

Bishop Michael G. Duca presented gifts collected for the St. Vincent de Paul Society for the hundreds of children in need who came to the SVDP Dining Room on Dec. 18. Children and parents expressed their gratitude. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

Welcome 2022! The rays of a new year illumine the dawn of a season of light. Indeed, our light has come as we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord followed by the baptism of the Lord

Only the Gospel of St. Luke includes an event from Jesus’ childhood.

One of the most colorful and certainly entertaining annual celebrations in the Diocese of Baton Rouge is the Vietnamese New Year. The Vietnamese community, which has played an integral role in the Diocese of Baton Rouge for the past six decades, traditionally gathers at Sts. Anthony of Padua and Le Van Phung Church in Baton Rouge to celebrate the Vietnamese New Year. Bishop Michael G. Duca is shown enjoying the performances of the Vietnamese dancers in January 2020. File photo by Richard Meek

Three decades ago, Fabiola Ramos found herself alone in the desolate hills of her native Mexico with her three young daughters, safety an obvious concern.

Feast day a time of faith, joy