News and Press

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.

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. 

It's guided by a rule book
and a prayer book

By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — The conclave to elect a new pope, scheduled to begin May 7, is governed by two texts: a rule book and a prayer book.

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.

Memorial Mass for Pope Francis
Reminder of God’s Mercy

By Reverend Andrew DeRouen
Diocese of Lake Charles

From atop the haphazard stack of sketches on my studio desk, a few of us architecture students – Catholic or otherwise curious – monitored the ongoing papal conclave while completing our projects. We marveled at the fact that from over 5,000 miles away, this emerging technology on YouTube called “livestreaming” could make such a historical event so freely accessible.

It was 2013, and I was a 20-year-old college kid without even a proximate thought of the priesthood on my mind. Little did I know that the appearance of white smoke would so sharply define the imminent era, much less, that by the next time it happened, I would have twice met the very man elected and, after his passing, concelebrated a memorial Mass for him with my brother priests.

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.

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

LAKE CHARLES — Deacon Hunter LaRocca still remembers when Pope Francis was elected to the papacy on March 13, 2013.

“I was a junior in high school, and I was getting confirmed that year,” he recalled, pointing out that later this year he will be ordained to the priesthood under a new pontiff because of the death of the Holy Father on April 21, 2025.

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. 

April 21, 2025

With true sadness we have learned of the death of the Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Francis.   The passing away of a Vicar of Christ is always an occasion of sorrow for the Church.   We are united in prayer with those who mourn the loss of our Holy Father.   At the same time, we trust, as did he, in the mercy of God and in the promise of Eternal Life given by our Lord Jesus Christ.   The true Shepherd has never ceased in leading the flock to green pastures, and He will shepherd us still.  May Pope Francis rest in peace.