By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
Stay-at-home orders and being quarantined have been a blessing for many as they have been able to finally finish those home projects, dusting off partially read books and perhaps even strengthening family ties through spending so much time together.
Others, however, have not been so fortunate. Isolation has created anxiety and in many cases depression, according to Darryl Ducote, director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
“It depends on how you interpret the stay-at-home order,” Ducote said. “For a lot of people, this is just an inconvenience, ‘I’m bored.’
“But for some people it can be a big deal if their health is threatened, if they are terrified of getting the disease, or more often the case people are out of work and out of money.”
Ducote
By Bonny Van
The Catholic Commentator
From drive-bys to drive-throughs, home visits to virtual videos, graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020 have taken on a variety of forms.
Ascension Catholic High School in Donaldsonville principal Sandy Pizzolato delivered diplomas to seniors for graduation, including her daughter Katie. Photo provided by Sandy Pizzolato
For more than two months, students finished their
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
Financial challenges are likely lurking for parishes in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic that shuttered churches for nearly two months.
But not all of the news is grim. Pastors at two of the larger churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge said they are somewhat encouraged by donations during the recent times of stay-at-home orders that were lifted by Gov. John Bel Edwards effective May 15.
“Our parishioners have been extremely generous during this challenging time,” said Father Michael Alello, pastor at St. Thomas More Church in Baton Rouge.
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
Cars lined Gus Young Avenue as St. Paul the Apostle Church in Baton Rouge dished out jambalaya lunches seasoned with faith, hope and charity to some of the area’s poorest residents on May 8.
Volunteers and staff were busy handing out and receiving words of thanks from drivers as they pick up jambalaya lunches at St. Paul Church in Baton Rouge on May
Bishop announces reopening of churches
To the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Baton Rouge:
For several weeks now, Catholics have been unable to participate physically in the celebration of Mass. Despite the empty pews in our parish churches, our local clergy are to be commended for continuing the mission and for bringing the good news to others in new and various ways! We also thank our Governor John Bel Edwards
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
Keeping the body, mind, and soul engaged is an important step for the elderly to reduce their vulnerability to the coronavirus, said clergy and parish health nurses in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
Senior citizens still living at home should heed the advice of staying home as much as possible, according to Stephanie Gaudin, parish nurse at Immaculate Conception Church in Denham Springs. Before they go to the grocery store or run other errands, senior citizens should make lists so they can complete their tasks as quickly as possible.
But staying
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
Seating charts.
Social distancing.
Mask patrol.
A single entrance door.
Issues perhaps never addressed in the seminary but relevant today as pastors in the Diocese of Baton Rouge reopen churches after being shut down for two
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
Cristo Rey Baton Rouge Franciscan High School is planning a celebratory drive-in ceremony for its inaugural graduating class.
The event is scheduled May 23 at 1 p.m. at the school, where a stage will be set up across from
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
Stay-at-home orders and being quarantined have been a blessing for many as they have been able to finally finish those home projects, dusting off partially read books and perhaps even strengthening family ties through spending so much time together.
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
Financial challenges are likely lurking for parishes in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic that shuttered churches for nearly two months.
But not all of the news is grim. Pastors at two of the larger churches in the Diocese of
Bishop Michael G. Duca announced the ordination of Deacon Mathew Dunn to the priesthood and Taylor Sanford as a transitional deacon is scheduled for 10 a.m. Aug. 1 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge. Deacon Dunn,
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
Cars lined Gus Young Avenue as St. Paul the Apostle Church in Baton Rouge dished out jambalaya lunches
Garrison Landry, a senior at Ascension Catholic High School in Donaldsonville, tosses his cap in the air as his parents, Kristen and Brent Landry look on. Principal Sandy Pizzolato delivered diplomas to each graduate.
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
Father Donnell Kirchner CSsR died at home at the Holy Ghost Redemptorist rectory in Houston on
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
Alexander Campbell has walked a winding vocational discernment trail, but its end will find him making history.
Bishop Michael G. Duca distributes Communion at St. Joseph Cathedral on May 17. Photo by Bonny Van | The Catholic Commentator
By Bonny Van
The Catholic Commentator
From drive-bys to drive-throughs, home visits to virtual videos, graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020 have taken on a variety of
Por Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
Padre Donnell Kirchner CSsR muere en su hogar en la
For several weeks now, Catholics have been unable to participate physically in the celebration of Mass. Despite the empty pews in our parish churches, our local clergy are to be commended for Continuing the Mission and for bringing the Good News to others in new and various ways! We also
Durante varias semanas, los católicos no han podido participar físicamente en la celebración de la misa. A pesar de los bancos vacíos en nuestras iglesias parroquiales, nuestro clero local debe ser elogiado por Continuar la Misión y por llevar las Buenas Nuevas a otros en nuevas y
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
Keeping the body, mind, and soul engaged is an important step for the elderly to reduce their vulnerability to the coronavirus, said clergy and parish health nurses in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
Senior citizens still living at home should heed
Teachers and faculty at St. Jude the Apostle School in Baton Rouge hosted a drive-through canned food drive on April 25, collecting 1,653 pounds of food for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
Financial relief for parents of Catholic school students may be on the way in terms of tax credits and direct assistance, President Donald Trump said during a conference call with Catholic educators and leaders April 26.
Dr. Melanie Palmisano,
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
The Diocese of Baton Rouge Child Nutrition Program announced it will be offering Grab N Go meal services at four sites beginning May 11.
The program will be offering free breakfast and lunch curbside pickup service for all students
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
Responding to natural disasters or human crisis with transcendent proficiency has been the standard for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
But the coronavirus pandemic has presented a unique gauntlet even for an agency that has handled
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
Bishop Michael G. Duca and diocesan officials are planning a return to public Mass celebration in response to a gradual loosening of the state’s stay-at-home orders.
Governor John Bel Edwards has scheduled a press conference May 11 and is
Couples go on with marriage plans despite restrictions
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
Church pews were mostly empty as bride and groom met at
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
Intercessory prayer is like the heart pumping blood to the rest of the body of Christ, the Catholic Church,
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
When April’s gentle breezes turned into May’s early peak of summer’s furnace, Deacon Mathew Dunn expected to be a
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
For a few precious, albeit rare, moments, 100 health care workers at North Oaks Hospital in Hammond had a
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University in Baton Rouge staged a drive-thru diploma pick up for students graduating a month early on April 27 in the Student Services building
NEW ORLEANS (CNS) – Citing mounting concerns over the financial impact of clergy sex abuse settlements and the coronavirus pandemic, the Archdiocese of New Orleans filed for Chapter 11 reorganization of the finances of its administrative offices May
By Bonny Van
The Catholic Commentator
With pom-poms, posters, lawn chairs and even a bubble machine, teachers from St. Theresa of Avila School in Gonzales
By Bonny Van
The Catholic Commentator
The Catholic Schools Office announced the appointment of Kristy Monsour as Program Administrator of the Diocese of Baton Rouge Special Education REACH Program and Resource Lab Services effective July 1. Monsour graduated from St. Scholastica Academy in Covington and holds
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
On a recent March day, Father Tom Ranzino walked into St. Jean Vianney Church in Baton Rouge
