By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles
LAKE CHARLES — For the first time since 2019, Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana is bringing back its annual Jazz Brunch fundraiser to benefit its ministry of serving the poor. The event will be Sunday, March 30, at the Historic Cash and Carry, 801 Enterprise Boulevard. Doors and silent auction open at 10:30 a.m. with the blessing and brunch beginning at 11:30 a.m.
While many associate Catholic Charities with food distribution and disaster recovery efforts, the agency provides a variety of other valuable services. Sister Marie Josepha Kluczny, RSM, Executive Director, reminds people that Catholic Charities is here to serve the community, and it doesn’t have to always be for massive disasters.
“We are also here for the disasters of everyday life and survival,” she emphasized, noting that Catholic Charities is very grant dependent.
It has been more than four years since Hurricane Laura and six years since the last Jazz Brunch. The needs –– both monetarily and through volunteer efforts –– are great.
“I want to remind the community, remind our donors, and remind our friends across our five-parish region (Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis) that we are here,” said Sister Marie Josepha, “but we need support to continue our good works.”
Some of those good works include rent and utilities assistance, help with prescription and funeral costs, SNAP applications, food bank, prisoner re-entry services, homeless outreach and a laundry/shower trailer.
The theme for this year’s Jazz Brunch is “Hope – a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul” (cf. Hebrews 6:19).
Sister Marie Josepha said the theme is very fitting in this Jubilee Year of Hope. “A lot of what Catholic Charities does is give people hope,” she remarked. “I see our work as a participation in the mission of the Church, to bring people to Christ, to help them experience in some kind of way in a moment of need, the mercy and love of God.”
Entertainment for the brunch will feature professional saxophonist Marcus Davis, who volunteers his time with the laundry/shower trailer. The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, will also play a selection of music on the piano for the added enjoyment of those attending.
Another highlight of the brunch will be the recognition of Rick and Donna Richard, and Sandy Gay for their many years of service and generosity to Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana.
Sister Marie Josepha sees the fundraiser as valuable time to connect with people who have been supportive throughout the years. She said that a goal of hers in 2025 is to get out more to the 11 food distribution sites to meet more of the volunteers and donors.
She remarked, “I am looking forward to seeing the people we are serving and meeting people who really want to be there serving. It is so enlivening!”
Ticket Information
Reserved tables of eight in the following categories include: Charity Table for $3,000; Hope Table for $2,000; and Faith Table for $1,000; along with individual tickets for $100 each.
To purchase tickets, donate a silent auction item, or make a monetary donation, visit www.catholiccharitiesswla.com. You may also call Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana at 337-439-7436 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted for payment of winning auction bids on the day of the Jazz Brunch.
Impact Report
Sister Marie Josepha shares highlights of how the faithful support of donors impacted the charitable works of Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana during 2024.
- Food Bank: 994,251 pounds of food distributed to 9,030 individuals at 11 sites throughout Southwest Louisiana
- SNAP (Food Stamps) Application Assistance: over 400 individuals
- Monetary Assistance: 1,035 families and thousands of individuals reached with $734,076.86 distributed for home repairs, rent and utility payments, prescription medications, funeral assistance, bus tickets and more
- Disaster Relief: 33 households were helped with furniture; 6 households with appliances; 30 households/55 individuals with repairs; and 45 households/80 individuals given A/C, fans, or heaters
- Utilities: 264 households and 662 individuals were helped with utilities for a total of $79,180.09
- Rent Assistance: 474 households and 1,206 individuals were assisted with rent/mortgage for a total of $341,352.15
- Laundry / Shower Trailer: 421 hot showers and 773 loads of laundry
- Homeless Outreach: over 318 individuals and 78 households achieved permanent housing
- Volunteer Hours: 8,551 hours logged
For more information on the amazing work of Catholic Charities, visit https://www.catholiccharitiesswla.com/impact-report
If you are interested in helping with the ministry of Catholic Charities, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Individuals and groups are welcome.
