Statement of Racial Harmony Commission Diocese of Baton Rouge

Posted July 3, 2020 at 8:19 pm

Over the last month, protesters and marches have become frequent occurrences in our country.
The public, brutal killing of George Floyd by police has shaken our nation, and we mourn his death.
The deaths of Mr. Floyd and so many other African Americans and Hispanics – Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, Elijah McClain, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Freddie Gray, Botham Jean, Tamar Rice and Baton Rouge’s Alton Sterling on July 5, 2016 – serve as constant reminders that in far too many cases the law is enforced differently depending upon the color of
one’s skin.
In the aftermath of Mr. Sterling’s death, Baton Rouge bore witness to waves of painful emotions such as anger, horror, helplessness and grief. These feelings were amplified 12 days later by the murder of three local law enforcement officers – Montrell Jackson, Brad Garafola and Matthew Gerald – creating further anger, shock and division.
The tragic events of 2016

… Read Full Story…

    Wedding prep going virtual

    By Debbie Shelley

    The Catholic Commentator

    While many things are put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Office of Marriage and Family Life of the Diocese of Baton Rouge is moving forward by providing virtual retreats to help engaged couples fulfill diocesan requirements before their wedding day.

    Beginning in July the OMFL is planning to offer the Called to Love retreat for engaged couples online.

    “The retreat is part of the larger plan for marriage preparation,” said Darryl Ducote, director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life. “We felt couples

    … Read Full Story…
    barber photo 1.tif

    FINAL CUT

    Popular  barber  retires 

    By Richard Meek

    The Catholic Commentator  

    A weathered red and white pole stands sentry over a fading icon, a nostalgic peak into a tradition that seems to be eroding daily.  

    Charlie Tramonte cuts the hair of longtime customer Eric Maher, during Tramonte’s final days before retiring. Tramonte, who first started cutting hair nearly 55 years

    … Read Full Story…

    Pro-life leader says pro-abortion lobby ‘terrified’

    By Bonny Van

    The Catholic Commentator

    Abby Johnson’s name is synonymous with the anti-abortion movement but that hasn’t always been the case.

    For eight years, she worked at the Planned Parenthood Clinic in Bryan, Texas, eventually becoming director and counseling young women on their right to choose until October 2009 when she witnessed an abortion procedure. Since then, Johnson has used her voice to encourage young women to choose life.

    She wrote about that experience in a book that was made into a movie of the same name, “Unplanned,” which was released

    … Read Full Story…
    lisa lee photo.tif

    Mother, daughter welcomed into the church

    By Richard Meek

    The Catholic Commentator  

    Her broad smile veiled behind a mask, her emotions silently crooning with joy, Lisa Lee approached the altar at Immaculate Conception Church in Denham Springs, steps away from receiving the Eucharist for the first time.  

    Lisa Lee, director of Disaster Operations for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, and her daughter, Madison Guylette, were confirmed and received first Communion on May 31

    … Read Full Story…
    Billy Messenger.jpeg

    Messenger: ‘Ready to go to work’ as deacon

    ­­­­(Six new permanent deacons are scheduled to be ordained Aug. 8 at St. Joseph cathedral in Baton Rouge. This is the third of a series on each of the deacon candidates.) 

    By Debbie Shelley

    The Catholic Commentator  

    Billy Messenger

     

    Retirement … time to travel the world, bask in “a job well done” and relax. But Billy Messenger said a life of ease is not for

    … Read Full Story…
    st alphonsus 1.tif

    Nursing home volunteers miss their ‘family’

    By Debbie Shelley

    The Catholic Commentator  

    Nursing home residents miss the smiles, hugs and talks with visitors as they continue to be isolated because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

     

    Making gift bags for residents at Flannery Oaks Guest House in Baton Rouge are, from left, clockwise, Sylvia Hunt, Jan Arnold, Susan Sevario and Mildred Stroderd.  Photos by Maddie Toler 

     

    … Read Full Story…
    barber photo 1.tif

    FINAL CUT

    Popular  barber  retires 

    By Richard Meek

    The Catholic Commentator  

    A weathered red and white pole stands sentry over a fading icon, a nostalgic peak into a tradition that seems to be eroding daily.  

    Charlie Tramonte cuts the hair of longtime customer Eric Maher, during Tramonte’s final days before retiring. Tramonte, who first started cutting hair nearly 55 years

    … Read Full Story…

Local News

    Clergy abuse list updated

    Posted July 1, 2020 at 9:00 am

    As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency, the following entry in the diocesan list of credible accusations of sexual abuse by clergy is hereby revised as shown below to reflect the recent receipt of additional allegations:

    Fr. George Gensler

    Dates of Abuse: Late 1970s

    … Read Full Story…

    Catholic Commentator wins Newspaper of the Year award

    Posted June 30, 2020 at 3:40 pm

    Staff report

    The Catholic Commentator

    The Catholic Commentator earned Newspaper of the Year in its respective division in the Louisiana Press Association Better Newspaper Competition for 2020.

    The designation for the Newspaper of the Year is based on the number of points earned in the

    … Read Full Story…
    st. alphonsus photo 4.tif

    FOOD PANTRY

    Posted June 30, 2020 at 12:00 am

    St. Alphonsus parishioners give back

    By Debbie Shelley

    The Catholic Commentator

    On a hot, sunny, June morning cars lined up in

    … Read Full Story…
    barber photo 1.tif

    FINAL CUT

    Posted June 30, 2020 at 12:00 am

    Popular  barber  retires 

    By Richard Meek

    The Catholic Commentator  

    A weathered red and white pole stands sentry

    … Read Full Story…

    Coming Events

    Posted June 23, 2020 at 11:09 am

    Perpetual Help Mass

    St. Gerard Majella Church in Baton Rouge will celebrate the feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help on Saturday, June 27 with a Mass at 4 p.m. Novenas will continue to be prayed before the daily 9 a.m. Mass through June 26. For more information, call 225-355-2553.

    Pro-Life Mass

    … Read Full Story…

    The Catholic Commentator earns Newspaper of the Year Award

    Posted June 23, 2020 at 10:54 am

    Staff report

    The Catholic Commentator earned Newspaper of the Year in its respective division in the Louisiana Press Association Better Newspaper Competition for 2020.

    The designation for the Newspaper of the Year is based on the number of points earned in the Better Newspaper Competition for 2020, with awards being given in

    … Read Full Story…

    Wedding prep going virtual

    Posted June 18, 2020 at 4:30 pm

    By Debbie Shelley

    The Catholic Commentator

    While many things are put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Office of Marriage and Family Life of the Diocese of Baton Rouge is moving forward by providing virtual retreats to help engaged couples fulfill diocesan requirements before

    … Read Full Story…

    Pro-life leader says pro-abortion lobby ‘terrified’

    Posted June 18, 2020 at 10:45 am

    By Bonny Van

    The Catholic Commentator

    Abby Johnson’s name is synonymous with the anti-abortion movement but that hasn’t always been the case.

    For eight years, she worked at the Planned Parenthood Clinic in Bryan, Texas, eventually becoming director and counseling young women on their

    … Read Full Story…

    Sexual abuse policy in the Diocese of Baton Rouge

    Posted June 18, 2020 at 12:00 am

    Churches, schools and youth organizations have an obligation to provide children and youth with a safe place to worship, study or participate in activities sponsored by the Catholic Church.

    In its ongoing effort to ensure that this is being accomplished, the Diocese of Baton Rouge has

    … Read Full Story…
    FirstComm_0082.tif

    FIRST COMMUNION

    Posted June 18, 2020 at 12:00 am

    Families  celebrate the  Eucharist 

    By Bonny Van

    The Catholic Commentator  

    At the noon

    … Read Full Story…

    Spiritual renewal coming out of isolation

    Posted June 3, 2020 at 9:54 am

    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

    … Read Full Story…

    Video rosary honors Mary

    Posted June 2, 2020 at 3:23 pm

    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

    … Read Full Story…

    Blue Cross grant aids St. Vincent de Paul Society

    Posted June 2, 2020 at 3:20 pm

    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

    … Read Full Story…

    Principals ready for a new school year

    Posted June 2, 2020 at 3:19 pm

    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

    … Read Full Story…
    st. margaret photo 1.tif

    FOOD DISTRIBUTION

    Posted June 2, 2020 at 12:00 am

    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.

    … Read Full Story…
    Pierrre Part island Mass photo.tif

    ISLAND MASS

    Posted June 2, 2020 at 12:00 am

    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,

    … Read Full Story…
    Duca, Michael color.pdf

    Change through listening

    Posted June 2, 2020 at 12:00 am

    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

    … Read Full Story…
    April Dunn 2_5945.tif

    Virus devastates families

    Posted June 2, 2020 at 12:00 am

    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

    … Read Full Story…
    st john paul relic 2.tif

    St. Faustina feast day Oct. 5

    Posted June 2, 2020 at 12:00 am

    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.

    … Read Full Story…
    mass attendance photo 1.tif

    Mass attendance encouraging

    Posted June 2, 2020 at 12:00 am

    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

    … Read Full Story…

    Clergy adapt to changes

    Posted May 20, 2020 at 3:09 pm

    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

    … Read Full Story…

    Cristo Rey’s first graduation

    Posted May 20, 2020 at 3:07 pm

    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

    … Read Full Story…
Bla