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

On Aug. 24, 1924, families gathered in the St. Philip Church Hall in Vacherie toprepare for the St. Philip Church Fair. They were joyfully preoccupied with thedetails of the event and scarcely paid attention to the black, ominous clouds on the horizon.

Approximately 300 Catechists in the Diocese of Baton Rouge spent a day being refreshed and learning how to spread the “holy fire” of knowledge and love of Christ to the people they serve in their parishes, schools, and homes at the Convocation of Catechists.

The Jesuit retreat and spiritual centers in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, have come together to create a new, high-capacity retreat facility named Grand Coteau Retreats: A Jesuit Mission Since 1837. The new retreat center will make use of the buildings housing both Our Lady of the Oaks and St. Charles College

Christopher Ragusa, professor of bioethics and moral theology at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, presented a workshop about the Catholic Church’s teachings on In Vitro fertilization (IVF), which are based on “seeking the truth in love” and “love in the truth.” The Office of Life, Peace and Justice of the Diocese of Baton Rouge sponsored the Aug. 8 event, which was held at the Catholic Life Center.

The Secular Discalced Carmelites of Baton Rouge held a profession ceremony at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge on Aug. 11. Father Joseph Bresowar, spiritual assistant, presided at the Mass and Liturgy of the Hours. (Above, right photo) Pictured being clothed during a clothing ceremony are, from left, Greer Gordon, Russell and Janice Miller, and Theresa Davis, formation directress. (Left Photo) Pictured, from left, are Davis; Joe Marie Dizon, making Definitive Promise; and Rosa Lee Porche. making First Promise. Anyone who would like more information more about membership to the Secular Discalced Carmelites can email DiscalcedCarmelitesBatonRouge@gmail.com. Photos provided by Frances Locker

A large crowd of people from across the state flocked to Baton Rouge on August 14 to celebrate the beginning of a 2-day Eucharistic celebration of faith, life, and culture along the Mississippi River during Fête-Dieu du Mississippi.

The campus of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge was an oasis providing spiritual rejuvenation for hundreds of women attending the Women in the New Evangelization (WINE) Conference in July. The theme of the event was “A Spiritual Spa: Come to the Living Waters.” Maria Vargo testified about how God’s merciful love led to a powerful conversion and gave her new career dedicated to God in her talk, “Heavenly Hydrotherapy: Opening the Gates of Heaven.”

This year’s Louisiana Pro-Life Summit explored the next steps in saving babies and helping moms, confronting the mail order abortion pill crisis, and cutting through the controversy in pro-life conversations.

Members of the African American Catholic Community of the Diocese of Baton Rouge have expressed their concern of not being able share their gift of blackness in their African American parishes. Because of our commitment as the Office of Black Catholics and living out our baptismal call, we are voicing their concerns so as to feel like the Catholic Church is a homeland for all people.

Bishop Michael G. Duca found his experiences of coming together with people from across the nation, other countries, and his own flock of the Diocese of Baton Rouge at the National Eucharistic Congress July 17–21 in Indianapolis to be one of the joys of being a bishop, priest, and faithful Catholic.

Families from the Diocese of Baton Rouge who traveled to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis July 17 – 21 said their intent was not to experience the event as a vacation, but rather as a pilgrimage of faith together. Even through their sacrifices they were filled with the ultimate joy of experiencing the Congress with the universal church family.

Attendees from the Diocese of Baton Rouge who attended the National Eucharistic Congress July 17–21 in Indianapolis described the event as “unforgettable …” “incredible” … “life changing,” and a reason to have hope for the future of our nation.

Youth participating in The Franciscan Experience (TFE), June 24–29, played, prayed, served, and learned about their faith together, resulting in internal conversions that set them on a path to be agents of change in society.

A Baton Rouge area native participated in a Glenmary Home Missioners’ pilgrimage through Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee that presented the realities of the struggles the African American community have historically faced. The pilgrims prayed at sites significant to the slavery era and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and '60s and met with contemporary community workers.

Men came together and built a community at the first Kolbe Ministries Retreat at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in St. Gabriel May 30 – June 2. There was no distinguishing each other based on who lives “behind the gates” or “the outside world”; there was only a common brotherhood of men setting aside time to draw closer to God and each other. 

Baton Rouge native Father Michael Mohr, SJ was one of two Jesuits of the USA Central and Southern Province ordained to the priesthood on June 8.

Approximately 1,100 pilgrims on the St. Juan Diego Pilgrimage Route to the National Eucharistic Congress in Cincinnati proceeded through downtown Baton Rouge on June 7,

Excitement is building and eyes are focusing on Indianapolis in anticipation of the National Eucharistic Congress to be held July 17–21, 2024.

Several years ago, Deacon Frank Titus committed himself to the greatest commandment as given by Jesus: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” This led to a reordering of his life and the start of his journey to living a more committed life to the church as a permanent deacon.