Pope Leo XIV extends his heartfelt congratulations to all Americans on the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) Student Government Association has established a fund for a new student life center at the university. The SGA committed $25,000 to support the Portiuncula during a signing ceremony on June 25.

June’s stories reflect faith in action, rooted in the love of Christ. In this issue of The Collect, witness the joy of new beginnings through the ordination of two transitional deacons, the power of prayer as our nation is consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the many ways our diocesan community is bringing hope to others. From serving neighbors in Mid City and expanding outreach through St. Vincent de Paul, to a parish becoming a refuge during storms and pilgrims walking in faith, these stories remind us that Christ calls each of us to be His hands and feet.

A priest I know shares this story. Recently, on their priests’ retreat, the retreat director began his opening presentation with these words: we take for granted that most people are going to hell. Then he tried to ground this assertion by quoting Jesus: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7, 13-14)

Anyone victimized as a child or young person is urged to report this first to secular authorities (The Louisiana State Police or State of Louisiana Department of Social Services) as well as to the special diocesan Sexual Abuse Victim Response Contact Line (225-242-0250) or to the diocesan counselors at Catholic Charities (225-336-8708).

Women in the Diocese of Baton Rouge converged at St. George Church in Baton Rouge to fulfill their guiding mission that "no shepherd is left behind" at a Seven Sisters Apostolate Mass.

Aeli Poydras and Jeremy Chiasson went forth from St. Joseph Cathedral as "servants of all" when Bishop Michael G. Duca ordained them as transitional deacons on June 20.

Before a jubilant gathering of family and friends at St. Joseph Cathedral Deacons Aeli Poydras and Jeremy Chiasson took their final major step toward priesthood. They were ordained transitional deacons for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

The Diocese of Baton Rouge announces the death of Deacon Peter Walsh, a retired deacon of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, formerly Deacon Assistant at St. Patrick and St. Thomas More in Baton Rouge.

Upon the recommendation of the Prior Provincial of the Southern Dominican Province, and in consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Michael Duca makes these appointments effective 15 July 2026.

In 2008 when Hurricane Gustav struck Baton Rouge and plunged the city into darkness, Immaculate Conception Church in Baton Rouge was literally powerless to help its neighbors. With the installation of solar panels on ICC's parish activity center, when storms hit ICC will serve as a community lighthouse to meet peoples’ needs.

To commemorate Flag Day on June 14, Boy Scout Troop 1993 planted flags on the graves of 30 deceased soldiers in St. Joseph Cemetery. The wars that the veterans served in include the Civil War, the Mexican-American War, WWI and WWII, and Vietnam War. The St. Joseph Cemetery Board facilitated the event. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

Shirley Johnson was one of the neighbors of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge who received an outpouring of love from the church. Youth from Sacred Heart's Mid-City Mission painted her house and worked in her yard and conveyed that she is not forgotten.

On June 11, the United States bishops undertook the long-anticipated consecration of the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Ahead of the Mass at which the consecration took place, three American archbishops offered to their brothers reflections on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The presentation by Louisville’s Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre (a son of the Diocese of Baton Rouge) on how the Sacred Heart of Jesus builds communities, was a tour de force of what living with the love of the Sacred Heart should look like in the Church, for the good of society.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) of Baton Rouge celebrated the opening of its largest thrift store with a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 6.

The Diocese of Baton Rouge will join the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in consecrating the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Mark Legendre, 70, made lifetime memories during his pilgrimage at the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) in 2023. Afterwards he longed to do something with similar experiences. He found the opportunity to do that with his granddaughter, Harper Jenny, 14, by walking the Camino of Maryland together. They are the oldest and youngest participants registered for the event.

Many people are casting warried eyes at the sky and and preparing their emergency supply checklist lists as hurricane season begins. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting a total of 8-14 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher) during this year's hurricane season (June 1-Nov. 30).

Deacon John Ryals will draw from his professional and personal life experiences to help youth encounter Christ and families to strengthen their mission as the Domestic Church.