News and Press

Information and Announcements About The Diocese

March 16, 2020
Monday

My dear people of God,
 
Given the most recent developments regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) at the federal and state levels and in the interest of the common good, with great reluctance and a very heavy heart, I am suspending public liturgical services in the Diocese of Lake Charles, effective at noon on Tuesday, March 17. Churches and chapels will remain open, according to their established schedules, for individual visits and prayer.

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Diocese of Lake Charles  

When it comes to designing stained glass windows, the artisans at Emil Frei & Associates don’t believe in taking shortcuts. That is why they don’t allow design by computer when it comes to their works of art.

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Diocese of Lake Charles

Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana remains faithful in its efforts to hear the cry of the poor and assist them in times of need.

LAKE CHARLES — The Bishop’s Brunch for Religious Emblems Recognition was held Saturday, March 7, at the Knights of Columbus Hall of Council 4562 of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. The awards presentation, hosted by the Catholic Committee on Scouting in the Diocese of Lake Charles, recognizes worthy scouts who completed the National Catholic Committee on Scouting requirements to earn a religious emblem.

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Diocese of Lake Charles

It wasn’t a Holy Day of Obligation or even a Sunday Mass. But that didn’t keep area Catholics from filling the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to near capacity on Tuesday for what would be the final public Mass as all public liturgical services in the Diocese of Lake Charles were suspended, effective at noon on March 17.

The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, has made the following statement:

“In the interests of the safety and health of our Catholic School communities in this time of pandemic and in response to the closure of public schools ordered by the Governor in his Executive Proclamation of March 13, 2020, I am directing that all Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Lake Charles be closed from Monday, March 16, until Monday, April 13.  Developments will be monitored. Further directives will be issued as needed. Please pray for the sustained good health of all and for the recovery of the sick.”     

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Diocese of Lake Charles   

MOSS BLUFF — The youth ministry of the Diocese of Lake Charles will soon have a place to call home when Camp Karol Catholic Retreat Center opens on Saturday, April 25. The dedication and blessing for the youth camp is set for 10 a.m. with the Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, presiding.

My dear People of God,

You and I are God's handiwork. We are His creation. In the words of an old expression, "God doesn't make junk." Indeed! The Creator has fashioned us with a physical body and an immortal soul. And each of us carries the imprint of the Divine Artist in his or her own way. Each of us is unique, which I think is a marvelous testimony to God's artistry. We are each different, yet all belong to the human family. We are all made for great things, not as the world defines greatness but as God sees it. This is one way of saying that human beings possess a God-given dignity.

JENNINGS – The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Feb. 27, for Deacon Bennett McNeal, 60, in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, at 10 a.m., by the Rev. Susil Fernando. Interment will follow the funeral mass in the New Bethany Cemetery at Saint Charles Center in Moss Bluff.  The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, will attend the funeral Mass and preside at the Final Commendation. Deacon McNeal died Sunday, Feb. 23.