News and Press

Bishop Provost Reflects on Pursuit of Wisdom

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.”

LAKE CHARLES — Bishop Glen John Provost of the Diocese of Lake Charles and Christy Papania-Jones of St. Nicholas Center for Children (SNCC) formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, January 8, 2026, agreeing to the establishment of a new independent Catholic school within the Diocese. The new school, to be known as St. Nicholas Catholic Academy, will be dedicated to serving children with special needs.

The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops recently released the Principles and Priorities for the 2026 Legislative Session:

'Circle of Friends' make most of local pilgrimages

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

LAKE CHARLES — His Excellency, Bishop Glen John Provost formally concluded the Jubilee Year of Hope in the Diocese of Lake Charles on Sunday, December 28, 2025. The Closing Mass at 9:30 a.m. coincided with the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

As the holy year drew to a close, Bishop Provost encouraged the faithful to follow the example of the Holy Family, fostering hope and prayer as they continue their own journeys as Pilgrims of Hope.

Dubois Shares Story on Her Life Being Spared from Abortion

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

LAKE CHARLES — “Love Them Both” was the theme for the 30^th annual Louisiana Life March Southwest through downtown Lake Charles on Thursday, January 22, 2026. The pro-life March takes place every year on the “Day of Prayer for Legal Protection for Unborn Children.” 

An otherwise cloudy and dreary day gave way to a beautiful sunset as nearly 200 walked in support of the sanctity and dignity of life at all stages, and to hear the story of Amber Dubois who was conceived in rape.

Christmas 2025

 “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”  — Isaiah 9:1

If you would, please permit me to recount an amusing story from my early priesthood. 

The Office of Catholic Schools announces the Diocese of Lake Charles 2026 Student of the Year winners for elementary, middle, and high school levels.

Winners are Benjamin Isaac Alcantara Duplechin, Grade 12, St. Louis Catholic High School in Lake Charles; Cecilia Reeves, Grade 8, Immaculate Conception Cathedral School in Lake Charles; and Emily Bougard, Grade 5, Our Lady Immaculate Catholic School in Jennings.

A la Comunidad Hispana en la Diócesis de Lake Charles
En la Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
Viernes, 12 de Diciembre de 2025
Del obispo de Lake Charles

Queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo,

NATIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK: JAN. 25-31

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

There is something extra special about a Catholic education that provides good soil for vocations to take root. A vocation wall in the campus chapel of St. Louis Catholic High School celebrates alumni who heard God’s call and offered their lives in service as priests, deacons, and religious.

Schools in the Diocese of Lake Charles will have the opportunity to celebrate vocations and much more during National Catholic Schools Week scheduled Sunday, January 25, to Saturday, January 31. The theme is “United in Faith and Community.” 

Catholic schools in the Diocese are St. Louis Catholic High School, Immaculate Conception Cathedral School, St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic School, and Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic School, all in Lake Charles; Our Lady’s Catholic School in Sulphur; and Our Lady Immaculate Catholic School in Jennings.

Several graduates of St. Louis who answered God’s call to the priesthood reflect on the importance of Catholic education in their own lives.

LAKE CHARLES — Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana distributed more than 1,500 turkeys throughout the month of November to registered food distribution clients across the region. This annual effort ensured that area families facing food insecurity were able to enjoy a traditional holiday meal.