St. Jude the Apostle School in Baton Rouge was nominated by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) for the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award. The U.S. Department of Education has recognized the school as meeting the criteria for designation as an Exemplary High Performing School. The achievement was celebrated when the announcement was made before students and faculty on Oct. 1. Pictured during the ceremony are, from left, Father Trey Nelson, pastor St. Jude Church in Baton Rouge, Michelle Gardiner, St. Jude principal, and Dr. Pattie Davis, superintendent of schools of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Photos provided by St. Jude School

In what pro-life advocates describe as "a long time coming," Planned Parenthood shuttered the doors of its remaining facilities in Louisiana, signaling the exit of the abortion industry from the state.

Bishop Michael Duca has announced that the annual Continuing Formation Days for priests will be held October 6–9, 2025, in New Orleans. These days of renewal support their ongoing growth in ministry, and parish schedules may be adjusted during this time. Bishop Duca invites the faithful to pray for and support our priests in their formation.

St. Michael High School's new Sword and Shield coffee shop is the hub where students, faculty, and guests find a friendly atmosphere while they recharge their day. People line up for a cup of joe and sweet treat to smooth the tangles out of a rough day, sharpen their focus to take exams, and socialize.

Bishop Duca joins other bishops around the United States in congratulating the faithful of the Archdiocese of New Orleans on the appointment of Most Reverend James Checchio as the Coadjutor Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans by Pope Leo XIV.

In the 1870s missionary priest Father John Scollard came from the Archdiocese of New Orleans to minister to Catholics in the area stretching from Kenner to Amite and Clinton.

In 2018 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued their pastoral letter on racism, “Open Wide Your Hearts.” The document called people to have an enduring love for people of different backgrounds.

It is with sadness that the Diocese of Baton Rouge informs the faithful of the death of Fr. Tom Duhe, a retired priest of our diocese, who passed away on 15 September 2025. Before his retirement, he served as Pastor of St. Thomas More in Baton Rouge. He also served a variety of other parishes and ministries.

In today's world, as people spread the Gospel message, people may rebuff them and demand to "show me the reason for your hope." Catechesis and evangelization require a knowledge and love of the Lord that speaks of a hope rooted in trust and confidence in God.

Twenty years ago, Hurricane Katrina taught people unforgettable lessons about how fragile life is and how strong human and community bonds can be in response. The Baton Rouge community gathered to remember, give thanks, and share messages of hope during a service hosted by the Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton (IFGBR).

During this Jubilee Year of Hope people may abandon their journeys or wander off because of the need for healing. Defeatist thoughts such as, "I can't," "This situation (or person) will never change," and "I need a quick fix" can lead them into being spiritually stuck. Spiritual direction and healing retreats can help these people break through such barriers to freedom.

As New Orleans sat in the bullseye of Hurricane Katrina, which loomed as a Category 5 storm in the Gulf of Mexico, highways were jammed with people fleeing the area. Archbishop Emeritus Alfred C. Hughes, then Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, evacuated to St. Joseph Abbey in St. Benedict.

Bishop Duca expresses the prayerful support and solidarity of the people of the Diocese of Baton Rouge with the victims of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.

Each year, hundreds of people stop by to light a candle and kneel to pray at the Chapel of the Madonna, known as "the smallest church in the world." Several share stories of God’s mighty power in answering the prayers they offered to him there.

Crowned with a tiara and wearing a sash emblazoned with the words “100 & fabulous,” Sister Anna Schellhaas CSJ emerged with her fellow Sisters of St. Joseph after morning prayer. With her luminous trademark smile she greeted the many people gathered at the Hundred Oaks Center in Baton Rouge to celebrate her centennial birthday, which was Aug. 9.

Each day, the St. Vincent de Paul Society buzzes with activity. Staff and volunteers feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, make sure people don’t have to choose between eating and filling their life-saving prescriptions, and provide help for obtaining employment.

Sister Helen Prejean CSJ echoes St. Bonaventure’s words of wisdom by challenging others to, “Ask not for wisdom. Ask for the fire.” She advocates for the abolition of the death penalty and ministers to the “forgotten of society” in prisons.

Youth attending The Franciscan Experience (TFE) expressed that “everything” was the highlight of their week – including toiling in the graveyard, engaging in deep theological discussions, and hanging out at night.

School bells rang around the Diocese of Baton Rouge for the first day of school beginning on Aug. 7. At St. Francis Xavier School in Baton Rouge, Principal Dr. Christopher Rogers, Sr. greeted students as they arrived on campus. He is pictured with, from left, Leola, Christ'lon, and Leola's twin sibling, Loleia. The children also gathered for a morning assembly, which included prayer, the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, and motivational talks by Rogers and St. Francis Xavier Church Pastor, Father Ugochukwu Henry Ihuoma SSJ. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

At the dawning of this new school year, teachers are called to the missionary work of caring for their students through educating them and accompanying them during life issues.