URBI ET ORBI

Posted March 27, 2020 at 8:19 pm

Pope Francis holds the monstrance as he delivers his extraordinary blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) during a prayer service in the portico of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican March 27. The service was livestreamed in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. CNS photo

    A message from Julia Scarnato, executive director of the Hispanic Apostolate:

    The Hispanic Apostolate as part of the diocesan department is working remotely as well,  and we created a hotline for counseling from the Spanish speaking priests. We also created a YouTube channel to send the Gospel, prayers, reflections and other devotions. Our office number is: 225-927-8700. We are answering simultaneously from two cellphone lines and the hotline number 225-412-8600.

    We distributed 140 baskets of food last week. We are taking the bishop’s recommendations seriously. The faithful are responding very well to all the precautions.

    We’re silently helping as much as we can for our brothers and sisters,

    Julie Scarnato

     

    Diocese of Baton Rouge Statement on Suspension of Child Nutrition Program “Grab & Go Meal Service” 24 March 2020

    The “Grab & Go Meal Service,” operated by the Child Nutrition Program of the Diocesan Catholic schools office, has with deep regret been suspended effective today, 24 March 2020.

    We want to thank the school lunchroom employees and volunteers who helped serve over 6,000 combined breakfasts and lunches to school children, regardless of their faith, in the mere three days the program was in operation.

    The suspension by the Catholic school district follows the discontinuance of the same program at several public school districts around the state.

    Not one, but a number of factors contributed to the action by the Catholic schools. New,

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    Praying Act of Spiritual Communion unites Catholics with Christ in absence of Eucharist

    By Richard Meek

    The Catholic Commentator  

    As the coronavirus continues to bring a country to its knees, the physical and mental affects are immeasurable.  

    But what about the spiritual effect, as the cancellation of Masses has left Catholics without the opportunity to receive the Eucharist, or even attend eucharastic adoration?  

    With Mass no longer an option and an increasing number of people quarantined, self-quarantining or

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    Update from Bishop Duca on Shelter in Place Directive — 23 March 2020

    To the Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Baton Rouge

    Yesterday Governor Edwards enacted a “shelter at home” directive for the whole state of Louisiana.  While not total isolation or full quarantine, the faithful are encouraged to minimize contact with outside individuals aside from family in the household by only participating in essential activities such as visiting the doctor, grocery shopping, or purchasing prescriptions and other medical supplies.  Mindful of these further developments, the following will be in effect in the Diocese

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    To the Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Baton Rouge

    As is already clear from the continued closings throughout our country and state, the Coronavirus continues to spread rapidly throughout many of our communities.  Several bishops in the United States and in the Province of New Orleans have taken the difficult step with me to offer the faithful a dispensation from their obligation to attend Sunday Mass.

     

    Local leaders, including Governor Edwards, continue to announce aggressive measures to prevent the spread of the virus.  These include limiting the size of public gatherings and closing venues such as restaurants and theaters to significantly expand mitigation efforts to slow the progress of further community spread.  Action

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    Al Clero, Religiosos y Laicos Creyentes de la Diócesis de Baton Rouge

    Como ya es evidente de los continuos cierres por todo nuestro país y el estado, el Coronavirus continúa propagándose con extrema rapidez por muchas de nuestras comunidades. Varios obispos de los Estados Unidos y de la Ciudad de Nueva Orleans han dado el difícil paso para ofrecer a los fieles una dispensa de su obligación de asistir a la misa dominical.

     

    Los líderes locales, incluido el Gobernador Edwards, siguen anunciando medidas agresivas para prevenir la propagación del virus. Estas incluyen limitar el tamaño de las reuniones públicas y el cierre de lugares, como restaurantes y teatros, para ampliar significativamente los esfuerzos de mitigación para disminuir el progreso

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    Diocese of Baton Rouge Suspends Sunday and Daily Masses Effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, Until Further Notice

    Bishop Michael Duca of the Diocese of Baton Rouge has announced the suspension of public celebrations of Sunday and daily Masses in all parishes and Catholic institutions in the diocese effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

    The suspension is in effect until further notice.

    There are over seventy church parishes and other Catholic institutions in the 12 civil parishes that comprise the boundaries of the diocese.

    Additional details on how this decision will affect the celebrations of sacraments and other aspects of parish life will be determined and communicated in the next few days.

    As always, priority consideration will be given to the directives

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Local News

    Evangelization class schedule updates

    Posted March 24, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    By Richard Meek

    The Catholic Commentator

    Effects of the coronavirus pandemic have caused several changes to the Ministry and Theology classes offered by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.

    All previously scheduled online MAT classes for the spring are proceeding as usual, with no cancellations,

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    Al Clero, Religiosos y Laicos Creyentes de la Diócesis de Baton Rouge

    Posted March 24, 2020 at 3:06 pm

     Como ya es evidente de los continuos cierres por todo nuestro país y el estado, el Coronavirus continúa propagándose con extrema rapidez por muchas de nuestras comunidades. Varios obispos de los Estados Unidos y de la Ciudad de Nueva Orleans han dado el difícil paso para ofrecer a los fieles una dispensa

    … Read Full Story…
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    Sunday is coming!

    Posted March 24, 2020 at 12:00 am

    It’s Friday but Sunday is Coming! 

    These are extraordinary times!  Each day brings another change in our routine that shakes our security whether financially, psychologically, medically or maybe all three.  And if that is not already too much, now our Sunday Mass, the one place each week we

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    ST. JOSEPH’S DAY ALTAR

    Posted March 24, 2020 at 12:00 am

    St. Margaret Queen of Scotland Church in Albany unveiled its usual beautiful St. Joseph’s Day Altar on March 15. Following the 10 a.m. Mass, the congregation

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    FEEDING OUR SOLIDERS

    Posted March 24, 2020 at 12:00 am

    St. John the Evangelist Church in Plaquemine held its St. Joseph Altar on March 15 to a much-reduced attendance. Take-out was offered and volunteers also packaged

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    KEEPING TRADITION ALIVE

    Posted March 24, 2020 at 12:00 am

    St. Joseph’s Altar brings parish together 

    By Bonny Van

    The Catholic Commentator 

    By 9 a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays during the month of

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    CSO informs schools

    Posted March 13, 2020 at 12:00 am

    By Bonny Van

    The Catholic Commentator

    As officials with the Diocese of Baton Rouge continue to monitor the public health situation regarding COVID-19, or coronavirus disease 2019, the Catholic Schools Office in Baton Rouge is also staying on top of communication with school principals. With 15,000

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    St. Joseph’s Altars

    Posted March 13, 2020 at 12:00 am

    March 13 & 14

    Immaculate Conception Church

    Main Hall (administration building)

    865 Hatchell Lane, Denham Springs

    March 13 Mass 7 p.m. followed by Blessing of the Altar

    March 14 Viewing and feeding of the saints 11 a.m.; noon viewing and meal, open to

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    A morning of reflection

    Posted March 13, 2020 at 12:00 am

    By Bonny Van

    The Catholic Commentator  

    One year ago, Rob Tasman, executive director of the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, was scheduled to speak at a

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    Marian Servants

    Posted March 13, 2020 at 12:00 am

    The Louisiana and Mississippi chapters of the Marian Servants met Feb. 8 at Holy Ghost Church in Hammond for their annual Commitment Day Mass, ceremony and brunch. Bishop

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    Children’s Garden

    Posted March 13, 2020 at 12:00 am

    By Bonny Van

    The Catholic Commentator

    In the green space between buildings at Catholic Elementary School of Pointe Coupee in New Roads, dozens of children are talking, laughing

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    Prayer tools build youths’ faith

    Posted March 13, 2020 at 12:00 am

    By Debbie Shelley

    The Catholic Commentator  

    Headlines about young Catholics becoming disengaged, some even leaving the Catholic Church, leave many discouraged.  

    But trusting their messages that they are interested

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    COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

    Posted March 13, 2020 at 12:00 am

    Bishop Michael G. Duca, forefront, and chef John Folse serve a simple Lenten meal Folse prepared, which included a cream of cauliflower and crawfish soup, for the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s 25th annual Count

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    CALLED BY NAME

    Posted March 13, 2020 at 12:00 am

    A candidate’s journey into the church 

    By Debbie Shelley

    The Catholic Commentator   

    “It is time.”  

     

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    A message from the bishop

    Posted March 10, 2020 at 5:00 am

    During the week of March 2, I put out at least three notices describing the Diocese of Baton Rouge’s response to the possible arrival of the coronavirus here in Louisiana and the Diocese. By the time

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    Learning curve for new lawmakers

    Posted February 28, 2020 at 12:00 am

    By Richard Meek

    The Catholic Commentator

    New faces and old partisanship will intersect on March 9 to open what could be a compelling session of the Louisiana Legislature. 

    Because of term limits or decisions to not seek office again, the Legislature will welcome 45 new

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    Monthly devotions

    Posted February 28, 2020 at 12:00 am

    In south Louisiana residents love their seasons along with their seasonings! There is the Christmas season, Mardi Gras season, Lenten season and Easter season, not to mention our sports and hunting seasons. And in our rich Catholic tradition there are even more areas to show our devotion, beyond

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    Save Haven Sunday equips parishioners

    Posted February 28, 2020 at 12:00 am

    By Richard Meek

    The Catholic Commentator

    Pornography continues to spread its venom at an alarming rate, infiltrating homes, tearing apart families and fueling a burgeoning human trafficking industry targeting young girls.

    National averages show that children are first exposed to pornography at the age of

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    Feeding minds and bodies

    Posted February 28, 2020 at 12:00 am

    By Bonny Van

    The Catholic Commentator 

    For one week in the month of February, government officials visit Catholic schools in the Diocese of Baton

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