On Saturday, December 21, 2024, Huy Tran and Joshua "Josh" Zelden were ordained to the diaconate in St. Joseph Cathedral.

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.

As we celebrate the joy of Christmas, let us also look forward to the hope and transformation that the Jubilee Year brings. May it lead each of us to a deeper understanding of God's love and inspire us to live that love more fully in the world.

Check out this month's Collect to read what has been going on in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, such as the Bishop's letter regarding the change in confirmation age, changes to the transitional diaconate process, and more!

“People are always impatient, but God is never in a hurry!” Nikos Kazantzakis wrote those words and they highlight an important truth. We need to be patient, infinitely patient, with God. We need to let things unfold in their proper time, God’s time.

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.

Deacon H. John Ferguson, III – a retired deacon of the Diocese of Baton Rouge – passed away on 16 December 2024.

In consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board and the Office of Vocations & Seminarians, Bishop Michael Duca makes the following appointments effective 02 January 2025.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) recently updated its pastoral formation plan concerning the time of year seminarians are ordained as transitional deacons. Instead of seminarians being ordained as transitional deacons in the spring, they will be ordained in December. The change essentially allows seminarians to complete their academic studies before entering their vocational synthesis stage.

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.

After consultation with our pastors, catechists, and other evangelizers, I have decided to begin a transition plan in our Confirmation programs that will eventually lower the age of Confirmation to the seventh grade.

The feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, falls on a Sunday this year. Therefore, the solemnity will be transferred to Monday, Dec. 9, and celebrated as a holy day of obligation, according to the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

With cool temperatures and sunny skies prevailing in downtown Baton Rouge on Nov. 16, the race was on. Some participants stretched or jogged in place before approaching the starting line with their minds set on crossing the finish line first. Others approached more leisurely and were content to cross the finish line at all. One thing was clear – they were all winners for supporting the unborn at Woman’s New Life Clinic’s annual Born to Run.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Baton Rouge hosted their annual Thanksgiving Turkey Carving Contest on Nov. 27. Leaders from around the East Baton Rouge area competed to see who had the best carving technique and was most creative in the presentation of their turkey. Bishop Micheal G. Duca participated and led the opening prayer for the ceremony. The turkeys that the leaders carved were to be served the following day as part of the thousands of meals St. Vincent de Paul serves to families in need on Thanksgiving Day. Serving locations include the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room, the Raising Cane’s River Center, the McKinley Alumni Center in Baton Rouge, and St. Gerard Majella Church in Baton Rouge. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

St. Aloysius School in Baton Rouge representatives celebrated the school’s successes and built momentum to achieve more in future at the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Awards Ceremony.

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.

Check out this month's Collect to read what has been going on in the Diocese this month, such as the celebration of Vocations Awareness Week and National Black Catholic History Month, Hispanic marriage preparation courses and more!

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.

“You can talk turkey for chicken feed but a little bit of scratch is all you need!” As we approach Thanksgiving, I'm reminded of this old tv car dealership commercial jingle that we used to hear when I was a kid in New Orleans.