As the 2025 Hurricane Season begins, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts there will be 13 to 19 named storms, including 6 to 10 hurricanes. Three to five of these storms are expected to become major hurricanes, with sustained winds of at least 111 mph.

The seed for Deacon Byron Bordelon III’s vocation to the permanent diaconate was planted more than 40 years ago by his mother.

Deacon David Odland traveled broadly and moved around for many years until putting down roots with his family in Gonzales.

In consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Michael Duca makes several clergy and pastoral appointments in the Diocese of Baton Rouge effective 01 July 2025 (unless otherwise indicated). We thank these priests and deacons for their many years of service in their various diocesan ministries.

Bishop Duca, along with the clergy and lay faithful of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, congratulate His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, on his election as Roman Pontiff!

St. Vincent de Paul Baton Rouge (SVDP-BR) announced today that the national search for a new CEO has been successfully completed. Sunnie Johnson-Lain, CEO of Catholic Charities Washtenaw County, will join the organization as CEO on or around June 3, 2025. Sunnie succeeds former CEO Michael Acaldo of SVdP-BR who led the organization for over 34 years until his promotion as CEO of SVdP-USA.

To prepare seminarians in the Diocese of Baton Rouge for a new way of life through involvement in parish ministry and in social and charitable outreach, and all in communion with the bishop and presbyterate of Baton Rouge, Bishop Duca is pleased to establish the new Blessed Stanley Rother House of Formation at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge.

It is with sadness that the Diocese of Baton Rouge announces that Father Howard Adkins, a retired priest of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, passed away on 29 April 2025. He was ordained a priest in May 2007 and retired from active ministry in 2018. He was 79.

In his annual Easter message for 2025, Bishop Duca invites the faithful to "discover that the joy of our faith is not only found in deepening our personal and church relationship with Christ, but it can also found in sharing the faith with others." As we reflect upon the proclamation “The Lord is Risen!," we realize that this is not just a greeting to other Christians but a proclamation of hope for the whole world.

Pope Francis died on Monday, April 21, 2025 at the age of 88. He was elected pope on March 13, 2013, and he was the first pope in history from the Southern Hemisphere.

It is with sadness that the Diocese of Baton Rouge announces that Deacon Willie Berthelot, Sr., a retired deacon of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, passed away on Holy Thursday (17 April 2025). He was ordained a deacon in July 2002 and retired from active ministry in October 2015. He was 93.

What a month March has been! We hope you enjoy this month's edition of The Collect, which includes articles about Lent, Prison Ministry, and more!

As we enter into the season of Lent this month I think we should ask ourselves whether we are more influenced by our faith in Jesus or by the secular culture that surrounds us.

It is with sadness that the Diocese of Baton Rouge reports that Deacon Francis Minor, a retired deacon of the Archdiocese of New Orleans with residence in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops (LCCB) recently made a statement on immigration in the United States of America and called for hope for immigrants.

There was a lot to celebrate in February! We hope you enjoy this month's edition of The Collect, which includes articles about Catholic Schools Week, the March for Life, the Men of the Immaculata Conference, and more!

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University's Board of Trustees announces the appointment of David M. Bellar as the fifth President of the University after a national search. He will assume his new role on July 14, 2025.

Did you know 2025 is a Jubilee Year? Check out this month's Collect to read how the Diocese of Baton Rouge has been celebrating this Holy Year of Hope!

In consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Michael Duca makes the following appointment effective 15 February 2025.

Stay up-to-date with the Diocese of Baton Rouge's parish and school closures as we prepare for the forecasted winter weather.