Everyone is invited to fuel their faith at Veritas 2026 on Saturday, September 19!
- Are you new to the Catholic faith? You are invited.
- Are you a cradle Catholic? You are invited.
- Do you help teach the faith? You are invited.
- Do you want to re-ignite your faith? You are invited.
The conference is an event for ALL adult Catholics — OCIA instructors, catechumens and catechists, catechists who form youth; and any adult desiring to grow in their relationship with Christ.
Veritas, which is Latin for Truth, will take place in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Family Life Community Center, 3939 Kingston Street, with doors opening at 8:30 a.m.
Father Michael Champagne, CJC, Religious Superior for the Community of Jesus Crucified in St. Martinville, will be the keynote speaker for the 15th annual conference hosted by the Office of Religious Education in the Diocese of Lake Charles. This year’s theme is “In this is love ….” (1 John 4:10)
If you have ever been to confession in an ambulance, heard the Word of God proclaimed from a fire truck, or adored the Blessed Sacrament along the banks of the Mighty Mississippi or the Bayou Teche, chances are you have been in the presence of Father Champagne.
If you have never heard of this “think-out-of-the-box” priest from the Diocese of Lafayette, now’s your chance to see and hear him in person.
Widely known for his ministry of bringing Jesus to communities in creative ways, Father Champagne became famous in 2018 for converting an ambulance into a “Spiritual Care Unit” used for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
He also captured national attention in 2024 when he moved the annual Assumption boat procession, “Fete Dieu du Teche” (Feast of God on the Bayou), to the Mighty Mississippi for a two-day river procession as part of the National Eucharistic Revival. The 14-foot monstrance (with a 14-inch Host) was prominently displayed for adorers along the banks of the river.
Ordained a priest in 1994 for the Community of Jesus Crucified, Father Champagne serves as retreat master at Our Lady of Sorrows Retreat Center and is involved with preaching parish missions, conducting on-going spiritual formation programs for laity and priests, and adult catechesis workshops and classes.
The Veritas Conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. with check-in, late registrations, confessions and adoration, followed by the Welcome and Keynote at 9:30 a.m.
Breakout session presenters include:
- Father Jeffrey Starkovich — Pastor of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Ragley. A 2003 graduate of St. Louis Catholic High School, Father Starkovich completed seminary formation at St. Joseph Seminary in Covington and the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2011.
- Sister Marie Josepha Kluczny, RSM — Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana. Born and raised in Minnesota, at the age of 9, Sister Marie Josepha made a promise to God to become a religious sister. She obtained a B.A. in Biology from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in 2006, a B.S.N. from Creighton University in Omaha, NE in 2007, and a Master’s Degree in Nursing from Frontier Nursing University to become a Certified Nurse Midwife in 2019. In 2020, she professed her perpetual vows with the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan.
- Father Levi Thompson — Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in DeRidder. Raised in Moss Bluff, Father Thompson completed his seminary studies at St. Joseph Seminary in Covington and the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2020 and has previously served at the church parishes of Our Lady Queen of Heaven and St. Henry. While at St. Henry, he also served as chaplain to the Hispanic Community.
- Blaine and Denise Wyninger — Parishioners of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church. The Wyningers have been married for 23 years and have nine children. They serve as co-directors for the Office of Marriage and Family Life in the Diocese of Lake Charles and are both educators at St. Louis Catholic High School. They are involved in the Domestic Church movement and have presented many retreats and talks on the beauty of family life.
- Ann Vincent — Parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Oratory in Sulphur. Ann has been married to Charles Vincent for 28 years. They have a family of five — three sons and two daughters — ranging in age from 26 to 19.
- Drs. Clifford and Caroline Courville —Parishioners of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church. The Courvilles are the parents of six children and are members of Domestic Church. Dr. Clifford practices Pulmonary/ Critical Care while Dr. Caroline practices Pediatrics.
- Matthew and Addie Johnson — Parishioners of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The Johnsons have been married for 11 years and have five children. Matthew is an Area Inspector at Citgo Petroleum, and Addie is a Dental Hygienist at the periodontal practice of Dr. Raymond Steiner and Dr. Shreena Bhakta. They have been involved in Domestic Church for nine years leading many family and couple retreats. They are currently serving in the role of Diocesan Couple for Domestic Church.
Follow the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lake Charles Facebook page at facebook.com/lcdiocese/events for updates.
Online registration is $30 per person through August 15 and $40 per person September 1 through noon September 18. Parish groups of six or more receive an additional $5 discount. For the discount code, please contact your church parish.
To register online, visit http://www.lcdiocese.org/resources/event-registration and click on Veritas Conference. Registration forms are also available in the parishes of the Diocese of Lake Charles and at the Office of Religious Education, 1201 Ryan Street, Lake Charles.
Cash (when paying in person) and check payments are accepted with paper registration. Lunch is included with registration cost. Please note that registration is non-refundable.
Call 337-439-7400, Ext. 309 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information. On-site registration will be available at the door on the day of the event.
The conference schedule is as follows:
- 8:30 a.m. — Check-in begins, late registration, visit exhibits, Confessions, Eucharistic Adoration
- 9:30 a.m. — Welcome, Orientation, Introduction to Keynote by Sister Mary Kathleen Ronan, RSM
- 9:45 a.m. — Keynote by Father Michael Champagne, CJC: The Christian Meaning of Suffering
- 10:45 a.m. — Break and visit exhibits
- 11:15 a.m. — Morning Breakout Sessions
- 12:00 p.m. — Lunch, Confession, Exhibits, and Adoration
- 1:00 p.m. — Keynote by Father Michael Champagne, CJC: Hope and Joy in Suffering
- 2:30 p.m. — Afternoon Breakout Sessions
- 3:30 p.m. — Dismissal
- 4:00 p.m. — Optional Vigil Mass at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 3939 Lake Street
