News and Press

LAKE CHARLES – Based on results of the 2024 on-site audit of the Diocese of Lake Charles, the Diocese has been found compliant with all audited Articles within the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People for the audit period of October 1, 2021, through March 31, 2024.

The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, hereby announces pastoral assignments for the year Two Thousand and Twenty-Four for the Diocese of Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Effective July 1, 2024:

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Rev. Michael J. Barras, 76, on Friday, July 12, at 2 p.m. from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Lake Charles at the corner of Bilbo and Kirby streets.  The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles,will be the Main Celebrant with Reverend Whitney Miller giving the Homily. Father Barras, a retired priest of the Diocese of Lake Charles, died on Sunday, July 7.

SULPHUR -- Father Lawrence Anthony Kohler, M.S., 89, a Missionary of Our Lady of LaSalette, died May 15, 2024.  Fr. Kohler has served at Our Lady of LaSalette Parish in Sulphur since 1986 and served as Pastor of the parish from 2000-2006.

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

Jesus Christ did not come to be served but to serve. This act of humility was on full display as members of the Hispanic Community at St. Henry Catholic Church washed the feet of Perpetual Pilgrims on the St. Juan Diego Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage passing through the Diocese of Lake Charles on June 4.

LAKE CHARLES — The Reverend Nathan Long, Rector of St. Louis Catholic High School and pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church, presented remarks to the graduates and those in attendance while Bishop Glen John Provost gave the Benediction for the 2024 commencement ceremonies of the school at which 116 graduated on Tuesday, May 14, in the Legacy Center on the McNeese State University campus.

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

CAMERON PARISH –– For the first time since 2020, the annual “Mass to Avert Storms” was celebrated closer to the coast –– this year on Friday, May 31, in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Life Center in Creole. A vehicle procession followed to the Historic Shrine of Our Lady Star of the Sea for the Blessing of the Coast by the Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles.

Visitation and services for Deacon Edward Lavine, who passed away on Sunday, May 12, will be celebrated in Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 610 Louisiana Avenue, Friday, May 24, from, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Scripture Service at 5:00 p.m. and a Rosary at 6:30 p.m.

By Pamela Seal  
Diocese of Lake Charles  

LAKE CHARLES –– The annual Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass honored 74 spouses on Sunday, May 26 — the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity — in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. For a combined 1,910 years of marriage, 37 couples registered for the Mass and reception hosted by the Office of Marriage and Family Life.

 (From The Black Catholic Messenger)

CHICAGO — A new documentary on Venerable Augustus Tolton features personal letters from the pioneering Black Catholic priest, to be shared publicly for the first time upon the film’s release in June.