News and Press

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.

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.

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 days 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.

Upcoming events around the Diocese of Lake Charles and beyond:

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

TEAM SEMINARIANS held on to their championship title for the fourth year in a row claiming a 23-12 victory over TEAM PRIESTS during the 2026 Bishop’s Invitational Wiffle Ball Classic.

WASHINGTON – Marking the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, Pope Leo XIV addressed a letter to the American people on July 3, 2026. The U.S. bishops are grateful to the Holy Father for his inspiring message, and for his prayers as we commemorate this milestone anniversary of our nation. All are invited to read Pope Leo XIV’s message which may be found here.

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

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

LAKE CHARLES — Several clergy and parishioners from the dioceses of Lake Charles and Lafayette were among those honored during the Venerable Fr. Augustus Tolton Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Founders Hall. The special event was sponsored by the Tolton Ambassadors & Associates – Louisiana.

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

There was never a doubt in Whitney Derise’s mind that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with his wife, Lois. “She is my everything. If I don’t see or hear her for a few minutes, I start whistling for her,” he said. “I have a fear of her not being there. We still say our prayers every night holding hands.”

The still-very-much-in-love couple will celebrate 75 years of marriage on October 9, 2026. Parishioners of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Lake Charles, and before that at Our Lady Queen of Heaven, the Derises were among 142 spouses honored during the 11:15 a.m. Mass on Sunday, June 14, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.