Bishop Michael G. Duca announced the following chaplaincies in the Diocese of Baton Rouge: • Father David Dawson chaplain of Catholic High School in Baton Rouge; • Father Joshua Johnson chaplain of Cristo Rey Franciscan High School in Baton Rouge; • Father Danny Roussel chaplain of St. Joseph Academy's in Baton Rouge.

On a recent Tuesday morning overcast weather reflected the heavy hearts of women approaching Delta Women’s Clinic abortion facility, which they thought would take care of their pregnancy “problem.” Like rays of sunshine streaming through those clouds were prayers from a group of LSU students, part of the generation most impacted by abortion, to let them know someone is praying for them and wants to help. 

Bishop Michael G. Duca celebrated mass for 40 permanent deacons and their wives at the second annual convocation for deacons at St. George Church in Baton Rouge on June 5.

Juneteenth, which is celebrated June 19, is a time for African Americans to visit the past, to learn where they have come from and find inner freedom by embracing God’s call to become the people God called them to be, say clergy of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University received approval to move forward on its first major building project in the history of the university. The 75,000 square foot, three-story building will be dedicated to better accommodate student learning and development at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. St. Francis Hall represents the initial step in the development of the university’s campus master plan. Located at the corner of Brittany and Picardy Avenues, the building will serve as the front door to a cohesive and identifiable campus. 

atican-issued revisions to the Code of Canon Lawhave tightened up clerical sexual abuse penalties, are holding lay men and women responsible for their own inappropriate behavior and have also addressed the recent development of an increasing number of women allegedly claiming they have been ordained priests, which could be considered canonically criminal.  Pope Francis’  announced the revisions in apostolic constitution “Pascite gregem Dei,” (“Tend the Flock of God”), released June 1. These revisions to Book VI of the Code are the most significant changes to the legal framework of the Catholic Church since 1983.

Eleven years after hearing an initial calling from the Lord, Father Taylor Sanford was ordained to the priesthood May 22 at St. George Church in Baton Rouge. 

Before assuming his first assignment as parochial vicar at St. George Church in Baton Rouge on July 1, Father David Dawson will take a sailing trip in Florida. An avid fisherman, his recreational time on the water speaks of his sailing into his vocation as a fisher of men.

Father Danny Roussel found himself at a crossroad, a brief pause at the intersection of the future and the past, with the present only offering a detour.

Bishop Michael G. Duca held a press conference May 25 at the Catholic Life Center in Baton Rouge to discuss his decision to lift the dispensation of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and relaxing the use of masks. The Diocese of Baton Rouge recently announced the updating of these two COVID-19-related protocols in a letter dated May 21.

Three New Priests Ordained

Bishop Duca has officially announced the end of the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass (on Sundays and holy days of obligation, or their vigils) for all without a sufficient reason effective June 6, 2021. The bishop also notes that masks are no longer required in church although we should be respectful of those who wish to continue to be cautious.

In consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Michael Duca has appointed new pastors, administrators, parochial vicars, and deacons.

On April 22 Gov. John Bel Edwards presented new guidance concerning our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and these guidelines allow us the opportunity to begin opening our churches to full capacity again.  In considering these new guidelines, I want us to be aware that COVID is still spreading, even if at low and stable levels, and this should be a part of our consideration.  To pretend that the danger is completely over could sabotage all the efforts and progress we have made up to this point. Yet with this caution acknowledged, I want to offer for the first time since this pandemic began a more proactive process to bring us all back together in our churches again.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis' proclamation of the Year of St. Joseph and the diocese's 60th anniversary, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge will be celebrating “60 Years in the Year of St. Joseph” from May 1 (The feast of St. Joseph the Worker), to March 19, 2022 (The solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of Mary).

Prayer cards, a coloring book for children, a self-guided pilgrimage, catechetical presentations, articles in The Catholic Commentator, shows to be aired on Catholic Life Television and one-minute spots on Catholic Community Radio are some of what is planned as the Diocese of Baton Rouge celebrates its 60th anniversary simultaneously with the Year of St. Joseph, its patron saint. The theme of the year will be “60 Years in the Year of St Joseph,” Episcopal Vicar Father Jamin David said.

Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge suspended use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Tuesday, following the recommendation of the Centers of Disease Control and the Food and Drug Association. "Upon the CDC recommendations and in consultation with the Louisiana and Mississippi Departments of Health, we have immediately halted use of the J&J vaccine,” Dr. Stephen Gremillion, chief medical officer of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, said in a statement.

One year after a global pandemic shut down public gatherings during Holy Week and Easter Sunday, churches in the diocese of Baton Rouge opened under guidelines issued by Bishop Michael G. Duca. The protocols for Holy Week as well as the triduum, which are considered the “holiest three days” of the liturgical year, were similar to what had been issued by the Holy See, according to Episcopal Vicar Father Jamin David.

Father Jason Palermo, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in French Settlement and St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church in Maurepas, baptizes eight-year-old Jackson Harper during the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Joseph on April 3. Churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge were able to celebrate the Easter Vigil this year, albeit with some protocols in place, after being able to do so in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Easter Vigil celebration is generally considered as one of the most beautiful Masses of the year. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator

Father Toni Thomas IMS, administrator at St. Jules Church in Belle Rose and St. Elizabeth Church in Paincourtville, leads the Stations of the Cross walk on Good Friday.