News and Press

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.

June 12, 2026
The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

“Heart Speaks to Heart”

My dear People of God,

On the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I could turn to many sources to examine the rich significance of this Catholic devotion.   I think of the encyclical of Pope Pius XII, Haurietis Aquas [Athirst for the Waters] (May 15^th, 1956), written to commemorate the centennial of the feast’s institution, or Annum Sacrum [the Holy Year] (May 25^th, 1899) of Pope Leo XIII which spoke of consecrating the human race to the Sacred Heart.   We could also stretch back to St. Bonaventure’s (1217-1274) Lignum Vitae or St. John Eudes who wrote the prayers for the first office honoring the Sacred Heart, for which reason Pope Leo XIII, in proclaiming his virtues heroic in 1903, gave him the title of "Author of the Liturgical Worship of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Holy Heart of Mary." 

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.

Be it known that the Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, after mature deliberation and for the good of the flock entrusted to his care, has decided to make the following assignment of offices in the Diocese of Lake Charles, in this Year of Salvation two-thousand twenty-six.

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.

LAKE CHARLES — As the United States of America commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops joins this celebration by lifting up the contributions of Catholics and the impact of our faith on the history of this country.

LAKE CHARLES — Three seminarians for the Diocese of Lake Charles received their call to candidacy on June 10, 2026. Bishop Glen John Provost accepted Justin Fontenot, Luka Hagen, and Nicholas Poncho to Candidacy for Holy Orders during the 12:05 p.m. Mass in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

CAMERON PARISH — A “Blessing of the Coast” took place at the Historic Shrine of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Cameron by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

The blessing followed the annual “Mass to Avert Storms” — this year on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity — in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Life Center in Creole to pray for protection from storms during the 2026 Hurricane Season (June 1 – November 30).

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

LAKE CHARLES — In solidarity with U.S. bishops, The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, consecrated the United States to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The Diocesan Consecration Mass took place at 6:00 p.m. in what is considered an historic moment in the life the Church as the United States of America commemorates the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this year.

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 through November 30. We invite you to join us daily in praying the following prayer, composed in 1957 by The Most Reverend Maurice Schexnayder, Second Bishop of Lafayette, following Hurricane Audrey: