News and Press

In his Bishop’s Services Appeal message for 2026-2027, the Most Reverend Glen John Provost reminds us of the importance in supporting our senior and retired priests who have given their lives in ministry to serving our families, parishes, schools, and hospitals. A greater portion of this year’s appeal will go directly to help fund Priest Retirement.

“Just as previous generations provided for the priests who serve us today, we are now called to provide for those who faithfully served us in years past,” said Bishop Provost.

New beginning for youngest parish
in Diocese of Lake Charles

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

RAGLEY — The little Catholic church on Highway 171 will soon be the big Catholic church on the hill.

The much-anticipated groundbreaking for St. Pius X Catholic Church took place at 6:00 p.m. Friday, August 21, 2026, as several hundred people gathered for a new beginning, despite the triple-digit temperatures. It was the largest single crowd on record at St. Pius and the largest crowd the architect and contractor had ever seen at a groundbreaking.

Upcoming events around the Diocese of Lake Charles and beyond:

All are invited to be a part of new church

RAGLEY — It is an exciting time at St. Pius X Catholic Church as parishioners count the hours until they can break ground on their new church at 16816 Highway 171. The much-anticipated ceremony is set for 6:00 p.m. Friday, August 21, 2026, on Feast of St. Pius X and the 12^th anniversary of the parish’s founding.

After a full summer of serving in various church parishes, nine seminarians studying for the Diocese of Lake Charles began the 2026-2027 school year at seminaries in Louisiana, Nebraska, and Rome. Four are in the beginning stages of their seminary formation while five are continuing at different stages of their journeys to the priesthood.

(USCCB News Archives can be accessed at www.usccb.org/news/)

September 2026 Prayer Intentions of Pope Leo XIV and Bishop Glen John Provost:

A seminary burse is a permanent fund set aside to provide income for the education and training of future priests. There are currently 120 such funds with the total amount invested of $3,092,708.75.

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

LAKE CHARLES — On the first of his visits for the 2026-2027 school year, His Excellency, Bishop Glen John Provost celebrated Mass on Tuesday, August 25, at St. Louis Catholic High School. The annual visit coincided with the Feast Day of Saint Louis IX, King of France, patron of the school.

When asked by a student what message he had for everyone in the room, the bishop answered, without hesitation, “Love God, practice virtue. You cannot go wrong. Everything else is complicated.”

LAKE CHARLES — The People of Hope Museum is coming to the Diocese of Lake Charles.

This free, immersive experience will be hosted by Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana on Monday and Tuesday, October 19-20, 2026, at the Lake Charles Event Center, 900 Lakeshore Drive. The traveling exhibition is sponsored by Catholic Charities USA.