LAKE CHARLES — The good works of Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana will be in the spotlight during its annual Jazz Brunch fundraiser to benefit its ministry of serving the poor.
The event will be Sunday, March 15, at the Historic Cash and Carry, 801 Enterprise Boulevard, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m., allowing guests time to browse and bid on silent auction items before brunch begins.
This year’s Jazz Brunch will feature live jazz music, a delicious brunch spread and a silent auction offering a variety of quality items and unique experiences.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the vital programs and services provided by Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana, which serve thousands of individuals and families in need across Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis parishes.
“Christ’s love and mercy are the cornerstone of our Mission at Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana,” said Sister Marie Josepha Kluczny, RSM, Executive Director. “It is God’s love, alive and active in His people, that not only stirs our desire to serve, but also strengthens and sustains us in that service.”
While many associate Catholic Charities with food distribution and disaster recovery efforts, the agency provides a variety of other valuable services. Some of those good works include rent and utilities assistance, homeless outreach and a laundry/shower trailer, food bank, help with prescription and funeral costs, SNAP applications, and prisoner re-entry services.
The theme for this year’s Jazz Brunch is “I have loved you" (Rev 3:9) based on the Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te of the Holy Father Leo XIV to all Christians on love for the poor.
Sister Marie Josepha 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. “I want to remind the community, remind our donors, and remind our friends across our five-parish region that we are here,” said Sister Marie Josepha, “but we need support to continue our good works.”
Entertainment for the brunch will include the smooth sounds of “The Sharp Nines,” a jazz trio featuring local musicians Mason Feduccia, Wesley Royer and Taylor Teague.
Sister Marie Josepha sees the fundraiser as valuable time to connect with people who have been supportive throughout the years. 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
Individual tickets are $125 each, and reserved tables for eight (8) guests may be purchased for $2,000. Every guest will receive a special hand-made gift from Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana.
To purchase tickets, donate a silent auction item, or make a monetary donation, visit www.catholiccharitiesswla.com and scroll down on the homepage. You may also call Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana at 337-439-7436 for more details.
Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted for payment of winning auction bids on the day of the Jazz Brunch.
Impact Report
“As I reflect on all we accomplished in 2024-2025, I am deeply moved by the outpouring of support we have received and by the countless lives touched through our programs and services,” said Sister Marie Josepha.
Highlights from the 2024-2025 Impact Report are:
- Food Bank: 917,063 pounds of food distributed to 3,691 households throughout Southwest Louisiana
- Laundry / Shower Trailer: 681 warm showers and 1,113 loads of laundry
- SNAP (Food Stamps) Applications: 196 new applications approved
- Disaster Relief: 51 households were helped with furniture ($43,865); 13 households with appliances ($10,705); 14 households with home repairs ($39,005); and 36 households given A/C, fans, or heaters ($5,270)
- Utilities: 180 households were helped with utilities for a total of $46,519
- Rent Assistance: 470 households were assisted with rent/mortgage for a total of $330,520
- Homeless Outreach: 539 individuals served and of that number, 70 people achieved permanent housing
- Prisoner Re-Entry Program: 115 individuals served with job training, housing assistance, and other essential services to transition back into the community after incarceration
- Volunteer Hours: 10,420 hours logged, and 185,938 pounds of donated food and other goods were received and dispersed to people in need throughout Southwest Louisiana
For more information on the amazing work of Catholic Charities, visit https://catholiccharitiesswla.com/about-us/#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.
