News and Press

Fundraiser shines spotlight on silent heroes
who help carry out mission of serving the poor

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

LAKE CHARLES — One could easily agree that the good works of Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana can be described as “active love.” It is all about the day in and day out labor in showing up for the people God places in our path.

The annual Jazz Brunch fundraiser on Laetare Sunday, March 15, 2026, offered a festive opportunity at the Historic Cash & Carry for approximately 225 supporters to hear how the non-profit agency brings Christ’s merciful love to those in need throughout Southwest Louisiana.

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

By Ashley Kramer
Legatus Lake Charles Chapter

The Lake Charles Chapter of Legatus marked a significant milestone on February 26, 2026, as members gathered to celebrate the chapter’s 10th anniversary. The evening was a joyful reflection on a decade of faith, fellowship, and commitment to living out Catholic values in the marketplace.

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.

LAKE CHARLES — The good works of Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana will be in the spotlight during its annual Jazz Brunch fundraiser to benefit its ministry of serving the poor.

The event will be Sunday, March 15, at the Historic Cash and Carry, 801 Enterprise Boulevard, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m., allowing guests time to browse and bid on silent auction items before brunch begins.  

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.

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

WESTLAKE — Rev. Mr. Fred Reed marks his 50^th 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.

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.

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.