Set against a crystal blue, albeit abnormally toasty October sky, with the sound of heavy machinery piercing the late morning air, Dr. Tina Holland’s voice broke with emotion as she discussed what she called a “monumental step” in the history of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University in Baton Rouge. Holland, in her seventh year as FranU president, was addressing a crowd of more than 100 supporters and friends who attended groundbreaking ceremonies for the new St. Francis Hall on Oct. 14.

West Feliciana, with its gardens and oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, provided a picturesque framework for seminarians of the Diocese of Baton Rouge as they delved more deeply into their vocational call to priesthood during a retreat Sept. 17–19.

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.

I have been looking for the Scripture that will speak to the damage, even catastrophic damage, pain and suffering that Hurricane Ida caused as it crashed into southeast Louisiana. As I write this message many today are without water, gasoline, power, even sewage and some are even hard to reach with the emergency aid they need. I hope by the time you read this at least the emergency aid is arriving to those so desperate even if full restoration is weeks, months, maybe years away.

We have had a very hard week here in Southeast Louisiana and it looks to be a long path to put our cities back together. 

As your Bishop, it is with a heavy heart that I share with you news of Reverend Danny Roussel’s death on August 30th. Fr. Danny was a deeply devoted priest who was beloved by his family, his parishioners, and his brother clergy.

Because of widespread power outages and other weather-related impacts, the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University physical campus will be closed through Wednesday, Sept. 1.  All campus operations and activities are cancelled including remote classes. Undergraduate clinicals are also cancelled. Graduate clinical students should contact their faculty and/or program directors regarding clinical assignments. If unable to reach faculty or program directors, use your best judgment regarding clinicals.

In anticipation of widespread power outages and other weather-related impacts, the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University’s physical campus will be closed through Tuesday, Aug. 31. All campus operations and activities are cancelled including remote classes. Students who are enrolled in online classes and students on clinical rotations should contact their faculty and/or program directors for further direction.

ROME (CNA) - Pope Francis, along with six cardinals and archbishops from North, South, and Central America, worked in collaboration with the Ad Council to produce a public service announcement promoting COVID-19 vaccines.  The announcement is the first Ad Council campaign designed for a global audience and will be distributed in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Due to the changing circumstances because of the new COVID variant, Bishop Duca has recently issued several guidelines to priests and deacons to assist them in their ministry.

The bishop has issued guidance for schools regarding wearing of masks, physical distancing, and quarantining as the new academic year begins.

"Let us remember that Catholic schools are a mission of our Church, and we are called to protect those under our care."

Weather has taken a toll on what was once majestic beauty, a beacon of faith that soothed generations of faithful for more than a century. Beneath the sun-induced wrinkles and-rain-pelted blotches, her elegance remains, crying for a dab of makeup and perhaps even a hint of gloss. St. Mary’s Chapel stands proudly on River Road in Union, shuttered but with the voices and images of 150 years of memories etched in her charming interior. The chapel, originally built in 1875, continues to hold a special place for those who grew up attending Mass in the church that calls the Sunshine Bridge in Donaldsonville its neighbor.

Employees of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, including educators and support staff from diocesan schools and staff workers from church parishes, gathered today at the Catholic Life Center to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the diocese. Bishop Michael G. Duca, top, led a prayer service, assisted by St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church parishioner Vera Dunbar, lower right, and Deacon Dan Borne. The day featured four food trucks, a cornhole contest and a live band. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator

Protecting our brothers and sisters and providing a healthy and safe environment for all, especially for our children, faculty, and staff of our Catholic Schools, are chief concerns of our Church...Now that the state superintendent of education has clarified the department’s return-to-school guidelines as being recommendations and not requirements, we have reconsidered elements of the policy that was distributed earlier this week.

VATICAN CITY (CNA) - Pope Francis is scheduled to lead the Angelus from his hospital room July 11 as he recovers from intestinal surgery, the Vatican said. The pope was at Rome’s Gemelli University Hospital after undergoing a July 4 operation to remove part of his colon.

VATICAN CITY (CNA) - Pope Francis is recovering from his colon surgery in the same hospital room where John Paul II was treated throughout his pontificate. The Vatican said July 6, two days after the operation, that the pope had “rested well overnight” and his routine follow-up examinations were good.

Pope Francis has “reacted well” to a surgery he underwent at a Rome hospital July 4 to relieve stricture of the colon caused by diverticulitis, the Holy See Press Office stated.