Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge (CCDBR) is hosting a one-day donation drive on Thursday, July 17 in response to the flooding catastrophe in Texas. The drive will be held at the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge office at 1900 S. Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 from 9:30 a.m.– 5:30 ​p.m.

Through her own personal experiences and conversations with other parents, Dr. Holly Taylor Coolman discovered that raising children involves combining daily activities and the big picture idea. As a theologian and a parent who is “also figuring it out,” she shares her wisdom through writing books and speaking about the “complex and beautiful vocation of raising children.”

Dr. Tina Holland has made split-second decisions to say ‘Yes,’ during her life that have provided positive, meaningful experiences which she utilizes to help others cultivate successful, faith-filled lives.

Death is not merely a physical cessation of life, but an intersecting of the physical and spiritual realms, according to Catholic teachings. People filled the Westerfield Center in Baton Rouge to find out more about end-of-life issues in a presentation by Dr. Christoper Ragusa.

When Father Brent Maher arrived at St. Agnes Church in 2020, the staff quickly took him to the church’s cafeteria and said, “We need a roof.”

On June 14, Bishop Michael G. Duca ordained Father Huy Duc Tran and Father Josh Zelden the priesthood of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. The new priest’s families and friends packed St. Joseph Cathedral for the ordination Mass.

Father Huy Duc Tran, 29, entered college at LSU with dreams about the diverse experiences of college life he would have and landing a successful career.

Father Josh Zelden’s long and winding path to the priesthood has given him practical and spiritual gifts that will help him accompany people who are struggling with their lives. Bishop Michael G. Duca ordained Father Zelden and Father Huy Tran to the priesthood on June 14 at St. Joseph Cathedral.

Father Greg Daigle, 65, was known by his family, friends, and parishioners as an enthusiastic priest who liked to share jokes, sing operatically, cook, and pay attention to their needs before his sudden and unexpected death on June 8, 2025, Pentecost Sunday.

The Diocese of Baton Rouge in collaboration with other organizations will host its first community baby shower on the Catholic Life Center Campus in the Tracy Center Ballroom at 1800 S. Acadian Thruway on Saturday, June 14, from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m.

Representatives of the Institute of Black Catholic Studies (IBCS) informed people of the Diocese of Baton Rouge about its mission to help laity and clergy effectively minister in U.S. Black communities. The Office of Black Catholics of the Diocese of Baton Rouge sponsored the May 17 presentation, which took place at the Catholic Life Center in Baton Rouge.

On June 1, Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge celebrated a Mass to mark the 50th anniversary of the dedication of its present church. Bishop Michael G. Duca celebrated the anniversary Mass.

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 Diocese of Baton Rouge Child Nutrition Program is once again offering free summer meals to all children 18 and under on a first-come, first-served basis at 10 drive-through church sites in the diocese during the month of June.

A jubilant spirit filled St. Joseph Cathedral as Bishop Michael G. Duca ordained Deacon Byron Paul Bordelon III and Deacon David Alan Odland to the permanent diaconate on May 24.

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.

Schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge have dismissed their students for a summer hiatus. On the last day of school May 23 Our Lady of Mercy School students gathered for an awards program to celebrate successes before the break.

Women incarcerated at Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women warily entered the Kolbe Prisons Ministries Retreat March 14 – 16. As the Kolbe core retreat members gave them support, the love of Christ, and the Gospel message, many of them were surprised by a joy that went beyond their confined circumstances.

The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry recently hosted the first ever ARISE Middle School for 6-8th graders Rally at St. Alphonsus Church in Greenwell Springs. Groups attended from parishes across the diocese for a wonderful day where they encountered the Lord, worshipped through music, attended interesting breakout sessions, and had Mass with Bishop Duca. They ended the night in Adoration with the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Photos by Trey Weaver | Coordinator, Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Diocese of Baton Rouge