News and Press

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

RAGLEY — When we give to God our time, talents, and treasures, He will take care of the rest. That’s something the faith community of St. Pius X Catholic Church is counting on. 

The “little Catholic church” on Highway 171 launched its “Building the Future, Rooted in Faith” Capital Campaign at the beginning of 2025, but efforts to raise money started long before the targeted fundraising was official. 

By Pamela Seal 
Diocese of Lake Charles

There is something extra special about Christmas Eve for Rene and Lucy (Leleux) Hanks of Starks. It is the day they were married in 1955, and to hear them tell the story, it was meant to be from the start. 

WASHINGTON – Pope Leo XIV has appointed Reverend Simon Peter Engurait, a priest of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and current diocesan administrator, as the Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux.

LAKE CHARLES — On Tuesday, May 13, St. Louis Catholic High School awarded degrees to the Class of 2025 during a commencement ceremony in the Burton Coliseum Complex.

The Very Reverend Ruben J. Buller, VG, Rector of St. Louis and Pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, presented remarks while the Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, gave the Benediction for 132 graduates.

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

CAMERON PARISH — It has been nearly 70 years since Hurricane Audrey roared ashore in the early morning hours of June 27, 1957, along the coastline of Southwest Louisiana. There are many still alive who will never forget the destruction and loss of life, nor that of catastrophic storms in recent memory.

LAKE CHARLES — The Diocese of Lake Charles is pleased to announce Mrs. Pamela Seal has been named Director of Communications, effective May 31, 2025. She will succeed longtime director Morris LeBleu who has dedicated more than 38 years of service under three bishops. He will retire on May 30.

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

By Pamela Seal 
Diocese of Lake Charles

LAKE CHARLES –– Surprised. Overjoyed. Excited. Thrilled. These are just a few words that come to mind for Catholics in the Diocese of Lake Charles when they learned that United States native Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was chosen as the 267^th pope to lead the universal Church. 

By Pamela Seal 
Diocese of Lake Charles 

It was a rare occurrence, but on Thursday, May 29, 2025, Morris LeBleu, longtime Director of Communications for the Diocese of Lake Charles, was seen at an event without his camera. This time, the focus was on him while being honored during his retirement luncheon following 38 dedicated years.

By Catholic News Agency

VATICAN CITY — Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the 267th pope of the Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

White smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 6:09 p.m. Rome time on Thursday, May 8, 2025, signaling that the College of Cardinals had chosen a successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21.