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

The historical roots of the Black America are intimately intertwined with those of Catholic America. As Black American and Black Catholic it is time for us to reclaim our roots and to shoulder the responsibilities of being both Black and Catholic.

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.

On Aug. 1, hundreds of Catholic educators throughout the Diocese of Baton Rouge converged on Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church campus in Baton Rouge, exuding an eager anticipation in welcoming students in their classroom at the beginning of the school year. The theme of the 2024 Catholic Educators Gathering, hosted by The Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, was “We Are Welcome.”

For its tenth anniversary the annual Fête-Dieu du Têche will make history by charting a two-day course on the Mississippi River instead of the usual bayou in Lafayette on August 14-15.

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.

Schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge are welcoming students back into the classroom for the 2024–2025 school year. On August 7, students, administration, and staff at St. Alphonsus School in Greenwell Springs bubbled with enthusiasm as the school and parish community welcomes its new pastor, Father Jason Palermo (pictured blessing backpacks at an opening assembly), and new principal, Kristy Monsour (pictured welcoming students) New students, such as kindergarten students Kevin Johnson III and Anna Blanton, got acquainted with their classmates and school.

High school juniors and seniors enthusiastically confirmed they had a calling to the medical profession after spending a week shadowing nurses at FranU’s Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Camp July 15–19.

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.

Michael Acaldo, the CEO of the Diocesan Council of Baton Rouge, is the new CEO of the National Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

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.

At the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store at Plank Road in Baton Rouge children stepped out of the dressing rooms in their new school uniforms and twirled around before their parents. The parents’ approving smiles and their children’s sparking eyes indicated the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Baton Rouge helped them not only find the perfect fit in clothes, but new hopes and dreams as the new school year approaches.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge takes home three awards at the Capitol Area United Way Annual Meeting.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge’s (CCDBR’s) new executive director Stephanie Sterling is committed to maintaining Catholic Charities’ reputation as a reliable agency and community resource in times of crisis, effectively providing innovative solutions for urgently arising needs of the underserved in the area. 

A group of parents from St. Michael High School dreamed of having a stadium that can accommodate the combined needs of its athletic program as well as numerous other possibilities.

“I didn't know what to write about,” said Johnny to his mother a few months ago as he was puzzled from his “What I hope to do this Summer” high school English assignment before school ended.