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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.

Deacon Todd Pourciau enjoys helping people open up to reading and living the Word of God. As a deacon for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Deacon Pourciau plans to use his background in teaching and personal life experiences to help people discover God's plans for their lives.

Deacon Duane Becnel has lived his entire life in the small sugarcane farming community of Vacherie. He grew up working on a sugarcane farm, and his family life was simple, going to church and school and spending a lot of time with his family. From there, God called him carry out to serve his universal church in his home territory as a deacon.

The Atmosphere at St. Joseph Cathedral was jubilant as three men answered God's call to serve the church as permanent deacons in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

St. George School in Baton Rouge rounded out its school year with several events: A SGS Talent Showcase, DARE Equipment Day, Accelerated Reader Knight Award, recognizing student council homeroom representatives, recognition of Accelerated Reader Bronze Medal recipients, Dragon Fitness Awards, and Mrs. Loewe’s first graders releasing the butterflies they raised. Pre‑K students also visited the Kindergarten classes for Step Up Day, getting a preview of next year. Photos provided by Ashley Fabre

The struggle for voting rights and full participation has come at an immense cost. It has demanded sacrifice, perseverance and faith. To remember that history is not merely to honor the past; it is to recommit ourselves to the work that remains.

May’s stories reflect a Church alive with vocation, service, gratitude, and hope. In this edition of The Collect, we see how the call to holiness is lived out in marriage and family life, how Catholic generosity continues to serve those in need, and how leaders across our Diocese are guiding communities with wisdom and care. These stories remind us that faith is not only believed, but lived each day through love in action.

Historical and cultural changes over the years have created complex views about marriage. The wisdom of the Catholic Church's teachings brings couples "back to the basics" to understand the sacrament of marriage as God created and intended it to be.