Upcoming Events ... at a glance - Diocese of Lake Charles

Upcoming events around the Diocese of Lake Charles and beyond:

Center for Catholic Studies: Why This Cross?
LAKE CHARLES — The Center for Catholic Studies will offer a four-part series called Why This Cross? Finding Meaning in Redemptive Suffering. The theological presentation with instructor Paula Hunter will address topics that break our hearts and provoke our deepest questions about Faith. Why do bad things happen? How can we respond faithfully but authentically to life’s ongoing hardships?

Hunter is a seasoned Spiritual Director on staff at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sulphur. The series will take place from 5:25 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Jan. 16, Jan. 23, Jan. 30, and February 6, 2025, at the Diocese of Lake Charles Chancery, 1201 Ryan Street. Cost is $35.

CLICK HERE to register online. For more information, contact the Office of Religious Education at 337-439-7400 x200 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

JANUARY 2025

Wednesday, Jan. 22: Life March and Candlelight Vigil
LAKE CHARLES — The 29th annual Southwest Louisiana Life March and Candlelight Vigil is planned for Wednesday, January 22. The March will begin at the Veterans Memorial near the Lake Charles Civic Center at 6:00 p.m. and walk to the Courthouse steps for a candlelight vigil at 6:30 p.m. (Meet at Veterans Memorial Park at 5:30 p.m.) Keynote Speaker Amber Sims will share her powerful story of how her life was spared from abortion after being conceived in sexual assault. Visit www.LaLifeMarch.com for more information or call Louisiana Right to Life at 866-463-5433.

The Southwest Life March is sponsored by Louisiana Right to Life, New Life Counseling Pregnancy Center, ABC Pregnancy Center, Louisiana Black Advocates for Life, Louisiana Baptist Convention, Catholic Diocese of Lake Charles, United Pentecostal Church of Louisiana, Louisiana Family Forum, the Knights of Columbus, and Concerned Women for America of Louisiana.

Jan. 31 and Feb. 1: Lessons in Scripture
SULPHUR — Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church will host "Celebrate the Jubilee Year" providing an opportunity to hear lessons in scripture with Dr. John Bergsma, noted author of "Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls." He will speak on Friday, January 31, from 6:15 PM to 8:00 PM, and on Saturday, February 1, beginning with 8:00 AM Mass to 12:00 PM. Both talks will take place in Fr. Vecchio Hall at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Parish, 1109 Cypress Street, Sulphur. For more information, visit www.olpssulphur.com.

FEBRUARY 2025

Sunday, Feb. 2: Scout Sunday
LAKE CHARLES — The Catholic Committee on Scouting for SWLA will hosts its annual Scout Sunday Mass at 9:00 a.m. February 2, in St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church, 2500 Enterprise Boulevard in Lake Charles. The Mass is open to all scouts (Scouts BSA, Girl Scouts, Little Flowers, etc.), regardless of religious affiliation. All Scouts attending are asked to wear Class A uniforms.

Families are invited to Lake Area Adventure following Mass for pizza and patches. Cost is $20 per jumper (includes pizza, all-day jump pass and socks). Call the St. Margaret church office at 337-439-4585 for more information.

Saturday, Feb. 15: Theology of the Body training
LAKE CHARLES — Theology of the Body Advanced Training for Catechists in the Diocese of Lake Charles will be offered 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic School. Diocesan requirements are 10 hours of Advanced Certification for teachers in Grades 6-12. Cost is $10.00 payable to St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church. Questions may be directed to Becky Clements at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 337-274-6800 (text or voice). Registration deadline is one week prior to training.

Tuesday, Feb. 18: Altar Society Annual Conference
JENNINGS — The annual Altar Society Conference for the Diocese of Lake Charles will be held on Tuesday, February 18, at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, 710 North State Street, and St. Mary Center across the street. Please RSVP by January 14 to Jane Sneed, President of the Ladies Altar Society of OLHC, at 337-329-0897 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Include your church name, city, representative contact information and number of members attending.

APRIL 2025

Saturday, April 5: Together in Holiness

MOSS BLUFF — Registration is open for the fifth annual Together in Holiness conference in the Diocese of Lake Charles. Grab the Early Bird discount before Monday, February 17, 2025, at togetherinholiness.org/lakecharles

Married and engaged couples are invited to the conference 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at Camp Karol, 1087 Bozo Road. Hear from national speakers Renzo and Monica Ortega and more as we discuss the family as a school of love.

Early bird pricing is $54 per couple or $35 per individual. After February 17, the price increases to $64 per couple and $40 per individual. All adult registrants will receive a box lunch and light breakfast. On-site childcare for ages 2-12 years is available for $5 per child.

For more information, contact Jessie Sonnen, conference coordinator, at 208-702-2167 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PILGRIMAGES

Marian Pilgrimage in 2025
Father Rommel Tolentino will lead a pilgrimage to the Marian shrines of Portugal, Spain and France, April 21-May 4, 2025. The theme for Jubilee Year 2025 is "Pilgrims of Hope." Our Lady's apparitions offer a message of hope and a testament of her motherly love. Learn about Our Blessed Mother's messages of love, hope, and warning in the various places she visited, such as Fatima, Garabandal, Lourdes, La Salette, Rue de Bac in Paris, plus a number of other holy sites — Santarem, Santiago de Compostela, Loyola, Ars, Paray-le-Monial, etc. For more information, call Sara Edwards at 504-258-7282 or visit www.trinitytourtravels.com/fr-rommel-tolentino

Treasures of Italy Jubilee Pilgrimage
Celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope with Monsignor Daniel Torres as he leads an 11-day pilgrimage July 14-24, 2025, to Florence, Assisi, Lanciano, San Giovanni Rotondo, Monte Sant' Angelo, Sorrento, Pompeii, Monte Cassino, and Rome in Vatican City with the Holy Doors. The theme is "Treasures of Italy Jubilee Pilgrimage." Cost is $5,499 per person from Houston. For more information, call Nawas International Travel Service Inc. at 650-322-1818, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.nawas.com. You can also direct questions to Monsignor Torres at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ONGOING

Communal First Saturday Devotions at Cathedral

LAKE CHARLES — Communal First Saturday Devotions to Our Lady of Fatima with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary will be offered on the first Saturday of each month at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 935 Bilbo Street. Schedule includes: 7:20 a.m. – Devotion Prayers; 7:30 a.m. – Rosary; 8:00 a.m. – Mass, receive Holy Communion; 8:30 a.m. – 15-minute meditation on the Mysteries of the Rosary.

Although confession will not be available before Mass, one can make a good confession eight days before or after with the intention of offering reparation for the offenses against Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart, provided you are in the state of grace upon receiving Holy Communion.

Catholics Returning Home

LAKE CHARLES — If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church for a while, Catholics Returning Home could be just what you need to help find your way back. No matter how long you have been away and no matter the reason, St. Henry Catholic Church invites you to consider renewing your relationship with the Catholic Church.

Informal listening sessions and an update of the Catholic faith, facilitated by former non-practicing Catholics, will begin soon. For more information, call Brittany or Ricardo at 337-436-7223.

Eucharistic Adoration in St. Bernadette Oratory

LAKE CHARLES — The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception will have Eucharistic Adoration in the St. Bernadette Oratory on Fridays during the school year — each Friday following 7:00 a.m. Mass until 8:00 a.m. Everyone is invited to come and spend time with our Lord and pray for the protection of our children and safety of our families.

Holy Hour of Reparation at IHM
LAKE CHARLES — A Holy Hour of Reparation is held weekly on Thursday night, 11:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 2031 Opelousas Street. This is the hour in which Our Lord agonized over our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane. It is the same hour prescribed by the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary: “Make reparation for the ingratitude of men. Spend an hour in prayer to appease divine justice, to implore mercy for sinners, to honor Me, to console Me for My bitter suffering when abandoned by My apostles, when they did not WATCH ONE HOUR WITH ME.”

'Together for Life' marriage prep classes

LAKE CHARLES — “Together for Life,” the marriage preparation day hosted by the Office of Marriage and Family Life, announces dates for classes through December 2024: December 14. Classes scheduled so far in 2025 are January 25, February 8, March 15, April 12, May 10, and June 14.

For more information, contact the Office of Marriage and Family Life at 337-439-7400 ext. 220, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Melchizedek Project: Vocation discernment groups

The Melchizedek Project hosts meetings for young men in high school and college in an environment where they can freely consider God's plan in their life. The vocation discernment groups meet bi-weekly, and food will be provided. For more information on meeting times and locations, visit http://lcvocations.com/discernment-groups

Adoration/Divine Mercy at Saint Charles Center
MOSS BLUFF — Deacon Brian Soileau, director of Saint Charles Center, presides over Eucharistic Adoration and Divine Mercy at 7:00 p.m. every Tuesday in the Chapel of the Assumption. Saint Charles Center is located at 2151 Sam Houston Jones Parkway. Please check the Saint Charles Center website calendar, Facebook, or call the office at 337-855-1232 to check for change of venue due to retreats during the week or some unforeseen situations.

Saturday Rosary at Cathedral

LAKE CHARLES — Join the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 935 Bilbo Street, to pray the Rosary every Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. before 8:00 a.m. Mass.

Religious Sisters of Mercy monthly gathering

LAKE CHARLES — Join the Religious Sisters of Mercy for a small group ENDOW study on St. John Paul II's Letter to Women. The group study, for single women ages 18-35, meets on the first Tuesday monthly for dinner and discussion at the Sisters’ convent, 1414 Martha Street. ENDOW (Educating on the Nature of and Dignity of Women) seeks to educate women toward are more profound understanding of their God-given dignity through study in small groups of faith and friendship. Please contact the Religious Sisters of Mercy to register or for more information: Call 337-564-0030 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..