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St. Paul writes, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!” (Romans 10:13-15)

Owen Tabor, 15, was popular, never bullied, good looking, fun loving, athletic, and came from a stable home with a family rooted in faith that loved and supported him. He was a graduate of St. Jean Vianney School and was a good student at St. Michael High School. When he took his life on April 29, 2023, two weeks from his 16th birthday, his family and friends were filled with heartache.

The Office of Evangelization & Catechesis and the Office of Hispanic Ministry welcomed a catechist’s mentor program, the Franciscan At Home Curriculum.

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University celebrated the completion of its newly renovated School of Health Professions Building with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 7 at the Health Professions Building on campus.

Kate Stapleton stood with her feet in the waters of the Great Lakes and peered out into the horizon. She searched for answers on how to provide the best life possible for the baby she conceived in an unplanned pregnancy.

A Christmas message from Bishop Duca

St. Vincent de Paul Baton Rouge (SVDPBR) of Baton Rouge hosted its inaugural Santa Shop, a festive community event full of holiday joy and family fun. The Santa Shop was a dignified experience where parents selected toys for their children and families shared in the magic of the season.

Archive records contain a treasure trove of resources that provide depth and detail to the experiences of enslaved African Americans. It also sheds truth and light so sins and mistakes of the past can be corrected, and the descendants of the enslaved can heal and move forward with their lives.

Stephen Sclafani received the gold Congressional Award in a Washington, D.C. ceremony. The award the highest honor a youth civilian can achieve through the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.

Ruth Fabre celebrated her 100th birthday on Dec. 14. Her family hosted its official celebration on Dec. 13 with lunch with family members followed by 4 p.m. Mass at St. Augustine Church in New Roads. At the Mass Kevin Zayas, of the Knights of Peter Claver Council #41, presented to Fabre a proclamation from New Roads Mayor Theron Smith declaring her birthday Ruth Fabre Day in the City of New Roads. She is the mother of Paula Fabre, former principal of St. Francis Xavier School in Baton Rouge and the aunt of New Roads native Archbishop Shelton Fabre of the Archdiocese of Lexington, Kentucky. Photo provided by Paula Fabre

In today's tumultuous world, many families seek to build a domestic church with a foundation built upon rock. Through a new consecration to the Holy Family, they have St. Joseph as their master builder, Mary as their nurturing presence, and Jesus as their pathway to a heavenly home.

As Pope Leo XIV reminds us, “God has a special place in his heart for those who are discriminated against and oppressed, and he asks us, his Church, to make a decisive and radical choice in favor of the weakest” (Dilexi te, §16). Bishop Duca issues a statement regarding Mass obligations during this climate of fear and anxiety currently experienced by many in our faith communities.

Receiving messages of hope … planting seeds of hope. This evangelistic cycle during Advent helps "pilgrims of hope" shine the light of Christ in a darkened world as the Jubilee Year of Hope draws to a close.

The Diocese of Baton Rouge is launching a community-wide food drive on Friday, December 5th from 9 AM to 4 PM. All are invited to contribute non-perishable food items to help feed food-insecure families throughout our region. Collection bins will be placed outside of the Westerfield Building at the Catholic Life Center, and volunteers will be available to assist with donations.

St. Paul writes in Hebrews 11:1, "Faith is the realization of what is hoped for, and evidence of things not seen." During Advent in this Jubilee Year of Hope, the Church's liturgy and teachings move the faithful to wait with such confident hope for the first and second comings of Christ

On that day, A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. Isaiah: 11: 1-2

It is with sadness that the Diocese of Baton Rouge informs the faithful of the death of Fr. Nutan Sylvester Minj, a priest of the Indian Missionary Society (IMS), who passed away on 22 November 2025 in India after a brief illness. Father Nutan served in several parishes in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, most recently serving as Parochial Vicar at St. George. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him!

On December 14, the Church will culminate the Jubilee Year of Hope with a “Jubilee of Prisoners”. The Diocese of Baton Rouge and its prison ministry join this worldwide event and remember the millions of people affected by incarceration including victims of crime, prisoners, prison staff, police officers, prison ministry volunteers, former prisoners re-entering society, and families of the incarcerated.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge (SVdP) gave an "extra boost" to families facing challenging economic times during its Neighbors Helping Neighbors food giveaway.