“I proclaim to you good news of great joy.” Luke 2:10

The story is told that on the day of Christ’s birth the Emperor Augustus consulted a prophetess, the Tiburtine Sibyl.   The Roman Senate wished to name the Emperor a god because under him peace, in the estimation of many, had come to the world.   The shrewd Emperor, knowing he was only a man, asked the prophetic Sibyl, whether the world one day would see the birth of a greater than he.   At this moment, the prophetess saw a golden ring surrounding the sun and in the center of the circle stood a beautiful Virgin with a Child at her bosom.   A voice was heard to say, “This woman is the Altar of Heaven.”   Then, the Sibyl spoke to the Emperor, “This Child will be greater than you” (cf. 13^th century, Jacobus de Voragine, The Golden Legend for the Feast of the Nativity).

Bishop Provost issues the following statement regarding the Vatican document Fiducia Supplicans, published on Monday, December 18, 2023: “The Catholic Church continues to teach definitively that marriage is between one man and one woman. The latest document from the Vatican continues to affirm this Gospel teaching, as well as the efficacy of blessings for the on-going conversion of all individuals who are properly disposed. Blessings are part of the pastoral practice of the Church. As a pastor of many years, I know, as all our good and faithful priests know, that church legislation cannot address the many minute details of pastoral practice.”

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

An invitation by Bishop Glen John Provost for Catholics in the Diocese of Lake Charles to renew their faith is being embraced by several pastors.

December 3, 2023
First Sunday of Advent

Pastoral Letter: A Time of Renewed Faith

My dear People of God,

“I believe in one God.”   We profess this belief at every Mass and special occasion.   Do we ever pause to consider what those words mean?

This profession of faith in God, the Creator of all, begins the Nicene Creed, which was adopted by the First Council of Nicaea in 325.   It summarizes the essentials of what we, as Catholics and Christians, believe.  

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has obligated $1,608,031.43 as part of hurricane recovery efforts for the Society of the Roman Catholic Church (Diocese of Lake Charles).