Information and Announcements About The Diocese
Every Catholic, to enter more deeply into the life of Christ, is to participate in some way in the spiritual and penitential disciplines of Lent. The regulations for the Catholic Church in the United States are as follows: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. The other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat.
By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles
WESTLAKE — Rev. Mr. Fred Reed marks his 50th anniversary as a deacon on February 1, 2026. He was ordained a permanent deacon by Bishop Jerome J. Hastrich on February 1, 1976, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Oberlin.
Deacon Reed, who has served as a deacon for 42 years at St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Westlake, celebrated this milestone of his ministry with his wife Judy and their family on Saturday, January 3, at the 4:00 p.m. Mass.
Read more: Deacon Reed Celebrates 50th Ordination Anniversary
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, which is the time we contemplate our relationship with God and identify the areas in our spiritual life that need work. Bishop Glen John Provost will be the celebrant for Mass and the Distribution of Ashes in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 12:05 p.m. on February 18, 2026. The Cathedral is located at 935 Bilbo Street in Lake Charles.
Below is a resource of additional Ash Wednesday Mass times and more throughout the Diocese of Lake Charles. CLICK HERE for the Lenten Regulations for the Catholic Church in the United States.
By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles
LAKE CHARLES — One of Bishop Glen John Provost’s favorite things to do as Bishop of Lake Charles is celebrate the annual Catholic Schools Week Mass. He has been doing so for 19 years.
“It is always a pleasure to celebrate Catholic Schools Week with all of you,” he said as he looked out among the many students from across the Diocese of Lake Charles. “I look forward to this special Mass every year, with this year falling on the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas.”
February 2026 Prayer Intentions of Pope Leo XIV and Bishop Glen John Provost:
The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops recently released the Principles and Priorities for the 2026 Legislative Session:
Read more: LCCB Outlines Priorities for 2026 Legislative Session