News and Press

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

Michael DesOrmeaux, a seminarian for the Diocese of Lake Charles, was blessed with the opportunity to meet Pope Leo XIV with other students in Rome on Sunday, August 24, 2025. Pope Leo received seminarians during a private audience in Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace before leading the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square.

In his Bishop’s Services Appeal message for 2025-2026, the Most Reverend Glen John Provost reminds us that while the Diocese of Lake Charles continues its long and arduous task of recovery from Hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020, it has made significant progress because of God’s help and support from the faithful.

The 45^th annual Bishop’s Services Appeal, a fundraising campaign to aid in the operation of various ministries and programs, will kick off the weekend of September 13-14 in church parishes throughout the Diocese.

Pope Leo XIV invites all the faithful to pray a daily rosary during the month of October for personal peace, peace in our families, and in our communities. The Month of the Holy Rosary begins on October 1. The Holy Father made his request at the end of his weekly general audience on September 24. CLICK HERE to read the full story.

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

LAKE CHARLES — The Diocese of Lake Charles gained a new priest on Saturday, September 6, when Deacon Hunter Thomas LaRocca was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priesthood by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles. With standing room only, the Rite of Ordination took place in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

WASHINGTON — Pope Leo XIV has appointed Most Reverend James F. Checchio, Bishop of Metuchen, as Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans. The appointment was publicized in Washington, D.C. on September 24, 2025, by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.

Congratulations to Reverend Hunter Thomas LaRocca who was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priesthood by The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, on Saturday, September 6, 2025, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Father LaRocca has been assigned Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Sulphur, effective September 8, 2025. 

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

LAKE CHARLES — Internationally acclaimed speaker on the Fathers of the Church, Mike Aquilina, traveled from Pittsburgh to the Diocese of Lake Charles to help the faithful appreciate the growth of the Catholic Church we know today.

Aquilina, the author of more than 70 books on Catholic history, doctrine, and devotion, was the keynote speaker at the 14th annual Veritas Conference on Saturday, September 13, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Family Life Center. The event was hosted by the Office of Religious Education.

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

LAKE CHARLES — As he draws closer to his priesthood ordination, Deacon Hunter LaRocca said that his prayer has been, “Lord, I just want to be a good priest. Please make me a good priest. This is all I want to do.”

His Excellency, Bishop Glen John Provost, will ordain Rev. Mr. Hunter Thomas LaRocca to the Sacred Order of Holy Priesthood for the Diocese of Lake Charles at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 6, 2025, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

“I never thought I was the most worthy person to undertake something as important as becoming a priest, nevertheless, I feel convicted that this is what God wants from me,” LaRocca shared. “I pray that He will give me the grace to live out this vocation with fidelity.”

Bishop Provost recognizes 60 for dedicated service to church parishes and Diocese

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

LAKE CHARLES — Diocesan honors were presented to 60 individuals in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday, September 7. Representing 13 church parishes, the recipients were chosen for their profound dedication and devotion to the Catholic Church and community.

The 2025-2026 school year is under way for 10 seminarians studying for the Diocese of Lake Charles. Two are in the beginning stages of their seminarian formation while eight are continuing at different stages of their journeys to the priesthood.