By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
As many churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge reopened the weekend of May 16-17, pastors were not sure what to expect.
Small bottles of holy water, missalettes and armbands that say “Pray Louisiana!” on one side and “Heal Our Land” on the other were distributed after all Masses at St. Patrick Church in Baton Rouge the weekend of May 23-24. The parish requested 500 bracelets from Gov. John Bel Edwards’ office. The idea was originally introduced at the governor’s Prayer Breakfast on March 10. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator
Sure, safety measures were in place, several parishes had established a
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
As families grapple with the death of one or more loved ones because of the coronavirus pandemic, church parishes in the Diocese of Baton Rouge are putting their arms around them in a way that transcends social distancing by meeting them at the foot of the cross.
April Dunn, left, is pictured with Melanie Washington, who was her colleague in the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs. Dunn
This week, we as a nation, watched the horrific and heart breaking death of Mr. George Floyd while being subdued by police in Minneapolis. (Before you read on, remember now what your first feelings were when you read this first sentence.)
We can view this as an isolated event, but even then, it is by any measure of human common decency a profound disregard of the human dignity of Mr. George Floyd who when he
WASHINGTON (CNS) The U.S. Catholic bishops said May 29 they “are broken-hearted, sickened and outraged to watch another video of an African American man being killed before our very eyes.”
”What’s more astounding is that this is happening within mere weeks of several other such occurrences. This is the latest wake-up call that needs to be answered by each of us in a spirit of determined conversion,” they said in a statement about the May 25 death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis.
In recent weeks, Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed 25-year-old African American man in Georgia, was fatally shot,
Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
Emerging into the sunshine from “cocoon-style” lives forced by the coronavirus-related restrictions, people are resuming favorite activities – dining in their favorite restaurant, going to the ballpark – leaping for joy like calves let out to pasture.
The virus has
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
Priests, deacons, men and women religious and even lay staff members of the Diocese of Baton Rouge recently participated in a video rosary honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Nicole Jones, coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry Programs for
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
Funding from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation is a welcome contribution that will allow the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to continue to be one of the area’s leaders in providing assistance to the homeless and needy
By Bonny Van
The Catholic Commentator
Leadership at a number of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge will feature some new faces and some familiar ones when the 2020-21 school year kicks off in August.
Superintendent Dr. Melanie Palmisano released a list of
St. Margaret Queen of Scotland Church in Albany partnered with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank to distribute food for 800 families. The food includes cold and dry goods.
Parishioners at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Pierre Part arrived on foot, boats and even pirogues to attend Mass celebrated Saturday, May 16 on Virgin Island. Pastor Father Al Davidson celebrated the Mass,
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
In a world where messaging has taken over smartphones, computers and other electronic devices to remind us to stay safe, wash our
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
As families grapple with the death of one or more loved ones because of the coronavirus pandemic, church parishes in the Diocese
Cristo Rey graduates first class
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
A beacon of hope shone for a world straining under the effects of the coronavirus when Pope Francis marked St.
(Six new permanent deacons are scheduled to be ordained Aug. 8 at St. Joseph Cathedral. This is the second of series on each of the deacon candidates.)
By Richard
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
As many churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge reopened the weekend of May 16-17, pastors were not sure
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
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
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,
Bishop announces reopening of churches
To the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Baton Rouge:
For several weeks now,
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 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
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
