Days after nearly 8 inches of snow fell in Baton Rouge during a record-breaking winter storm for Louisiana, hundreds of people marched at the state capitol area for the unborn. The theme of the January 26 Louisiana Life March South event was “Every Life Worth Living.”

Couples bearing the cross of infertility can receive a Valentine’s Day Weekend gift in the midst of their struggles during a Springs in the Desert Ministry Retreat.

Bishop Michael G. Duca selected the episcopal motto “Hope in the Lord” when he received his first appointment as bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport. This motto has an apropos connection with this Jubilee Year of Hope’s emphasis on trusting in God’s promises and future heavenly reward during times of suffering.

The theological virtue of hope develops from understanding that Jesus lifts the burden when we struggle with difficulties. We are then sent forth to spread hope to others who suffer, according to Becky Eldredge, an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and author.

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, many people may struggle with believing that “good things are to come.” Darryl Ducote, LCSW, director of the department of marriage and family life of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, recently talked about the brain’s ability to change and grow. This causes people to have hope in the face of adversity.

At a Eucharistic celebration at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge, the Diocese of Baton Rouge joined the universal church in opening 2025 as a Jubilee Year of Hope. The faithful were encouraged to embrace their trials and crosses in life and move forward in faith with a “hope that does not disappoint.”

Tao Van Vu has amassed a large collection of Christmas lights and decorations over the past 44 years through his volunteering to set up the nativity scene and Christmas displays at Sts. Anthony of Padua and Le Van Phung Church in Baton Rouge. Parishioners admired his work and wanted to contribute to its success.

In the summer of 1994 Brett Frederic and Brett Legette, both 13, looked forward to their upcoming eighth-grade year at St. Theresa of Avila Middle School in Gonzales. They also anticipated entering high school the next year. Those dreams were shattered when they were tragically killed Aug. 20, 1994 in a car accident two days before school began.

To fully celebrate Advent, Catholics can turn to the saints whose feast days fall within this time of hopeful anticipation. One of them is St. John of the Cross, whose feast day is Dec. 14. He is among the Carmelite saints who “shined a light on the path” for Rusty Miller of Baton Rouge when he was searching to reconnect with God in his spiritual life.

TV Chef Father Leo Patalinhug “plated up” a presentation with a perfect blend of food, wit, and insightful catechesis at Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Baton Rouge. Families learned how to answer the question “what’s for dinner?” – and developed a hunger for their faith.

The Black Catholic community proclaimed “who we are” and “whose we are” in a liturgy overflowing with upbeat Gospel music, elegant liturgical dances, and dynamic preaching.

Three new Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament are experiencing new things and using their skills in creative ways since accepting God’s call to religious life. As the nation celebrates National Vocation Awareness Week Nov. 3 – 9, they invite young people who think they may have a call to religious life to enter the adventure of exploring God’s plan for their lives.

At the Last Supper when Jesus instituted the Eucharist he chose to use two elements, bread and wine. The images are now so deeply ingrained in our consciousness that we never stop to ask, why bread and wine? Among all the things Jesus might have chosen, why these two?

In response to the growing Hispanic population within the Diocese of Baton Rouge, the Office of Marriage & Family Life, in cooperation with the Hispanic Apostolate, recently offered a training session in Spanish for sponsor couples who are dedicated to preparing engaged couples for marriage the Hispanic community.

Retired Deacon Natale Garofalo of Hammond leads a Blessings of the Graves ceremony on Nov. 1, All Saints Day, at Rose Memorial Park Cemetery in Hammond. Roman Catholics throughout Tangipahoa Parish and around the country honored their loves ones in the celebration of All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Nov. 2. Photo by Richard Meek | The Hammond Daily Star

Natasia Kissinger’s motherhood journey fueled her desire to change the “throwaway culture” mindset in which human lives are seen as disposable. This led her to create the Footprints for Life program.

Redemptorist Missionaries Celebrate 80th Anniversary in Baton Rouge More than 600 people converged at the St. Gerard Majella Church campus in Baton Rouge on Oct. 20 in a homecoming celebration to show their gratitude to the Redemptorist missionaries for establishing and serving the entire Diocese of Baton Rouge for the past 80 years

LSU alumnus Elizabeth Dazzio searched for answers on how provide a message of hope and God’s healing touch to residents in her hometown of Ashville, North Carolina who lost everything in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. She knew she could turn to her native home of South Louisiana to find them.

On Oct. 20, the Redemptorists congregation will celebrate its rich 80-year history of missionary work in the Diocese of Baton Rouge of serving and proclaiming the Gospel to the poor and spiritually abandoned. The event begins with a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Gerard Majella Church in Baton Rouge.

Liturgical ministers play a vital part in assuring that Mass flows smoothly and the congregation is connected to God through word, prayer, and sacraments.