The penitential character of what we observe as church during the Lenten season has surely been magnified during the past year! Beginning in March 2020, Lent was quickly interrupted by a total lockdown.
The Southern Dominican Province announced their intent to withdraw from Holy Ghost Parish in Hammond and St. Albert the Great Catholic Student Center at Southeastern Louisiana University in 2022.
Bishop Michel G. Duca on Jan. 5 announced that the number of deaneries in the Diocese of Baton Rouge was being reduced from six to five. On Jan. 29, Bishop Duca announced the new deans: Father Michael Alello, Dean of the Baton Rouge Deanery; Father Matt Dupre Dean of the South Deanery; Father Reuben Dykes, Dean of the Northeast Deanery; Father Eric Gyan, Dean of the East Central Deanery; and Father Todd Lloyd, Dean of the Northwest Deanery.
Bishop Duca has released a letter with a renewed call to observe safe procedures in this time of pandemic. It will be presented at all Masses the weekend of the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time.
On 05 January 2021, Bishop Duca issued a decree establishing new deaneries in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. The last organization of the deaneries was decreed by Bishop Ott in 1985.
Pastors are invited to use this
Google Form to select three date preferences for the annual celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation in thier Parish(es). After collecting all the information, the Confirmation dates will be confirmed with parishes after they are approved by the Bishop.
About the Bishop's Office
A diocesan bishop is appointed by the pope to teach, govern, and sanctify the people of God in a particular territory. This is stated as such in the
Code of Canon Law: "In exercising the function of a pastor, a diocesan bishop is to show himself concerned for all the Christian faithful entrusted to his care, of whatever age, condition, or nationality they are, whether living in the territory or staying there temporarily; he is also to extend an apostolic spirit to those who are not able to make sufficient use of ordinary pastoral care because of the condition of their life and to those who no longer practice their religion. (
Canon 383 §1)"
Bishop Duca joins Fr. Cleo Milano and the community of Our Lady of Mercy for the blessing of their new Columbarium Garden on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. on March 14, 2021. The event will take place underneath the pavilion in the garden. Families whose cremains have been placed in their niches will be present and the Bishop will impart his blessing.
The Cabinet serves as an advisory council to the Bishop in administrative matters at the Catholic Life Center. The group meets six times annually in even months (and for emergency needs as determined by the Diocesan Bishop). In these meetings, the Cabinet discusses the workings of the various departments of the Catholic Life Center, develops a ministerial vision, and receives from the Bishop any announcements to be communicated to Department Heads and the Catholic Life Center employees.
Bishop Duca joins the community of faith at Christ the King in Baton Rouge to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation, conferring the gifts of the Holy Spirit for those wishing to deepen their baptismal call!