News & Press - Diocese of Lake Charles

Laura and Delta: Recovery and Resources

Check here for the latest information on recovery and resources regarding Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta. Send information and updates to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Also: visit Roman Catholic Diocese of Lake Charles on Facebook for daily updates on distribution of supplies and hot meals.

Phone lines for Diocese, Schools, and Catholic Charities
To contact the Diocese of Lake Charles, please call 337-888-6026 during regular office hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To contact the Office of Catholic Schools, please call 337-400-5237, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For assistance with food and water, and other basic supplies, visit Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana, 1225 Second Street, Lake Charles, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call their office at 337-439-7436 during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For daily updates on distribution of supplies, text HURRICANE to 84576.

Diocese in recovery mode after back-to-back hurricanes
After two back-to-back hurricanes in six weeks, the Diocese of Lake Charles is full recovery mode. Bishop Glen John Provost said that everything now should be seen through the “prism of recovery for the good of the Church and for the good of the people.” Click here to read about disaster response, cemetery assistance, humanitarian aid at Catholic Charities, and more.

Bishop Provost’s faithful presence during Hurricane Delta
Just as he did through Hurricane Laura, Bishop Glen John Provost assures the faithful in the Diocese of Lake Charles of his constant presence and prayers for everyone, both during and after Hurricane Delta, as he remains in the Diocese. Click here to read more. Also: click here to read message from Bishop Provost on eve of Hurricane Delta.

Hurricane Delta piles on more damage to Cameron churches, cemeteries
The Rev. D.B. Thompson, pastor of both Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Cameron, and Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Creole, talks about devastation of back-to-back hurricanes in a story featured in the Lafayette Daily Advertiser. Click here to read story and view images of more destruction from Hurricane Delta that came ashore as a Category 2 storm on October 9, just six weeks after Hurricane Laura made landfall on August 27.

‘Rosary Around Lake’ sign of unwavering faith in Diocese
Less than 48 hours after Hurricane Delta made landfall on October 9 near Creole, La., the power of prayer was on public display in the Diocese of Lake Charles for the third annual Rosary Around the Lake. Click here to read more.

Diocese of Lafayette donates to hurricane relief efforts
The Diocese of Lafayette has responded to Hurricane Laura recovery efforts in the Diocese of Lake Charles with a donation of $155,000. The presentation was made by the Most Reverend J. Douglas Deshotel, Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette, on Monday, October 5, at St. Henry Catholic Church Community Center. Click here to read more.

Company assisting with Hurricane Laura recovery efforts
The Diocese of Lake Charles, which experienced substantial losses across dozens of facilities due to Hurricane Laura three weeks ago, announced on September 18 that it has selected DCMC Partners and The Lemoine Company to assist them with their recovery efforts. Click here to read more.

KATC-TV 3 Shines Light on Hurricane Devastation
“In this tragedy, we’ve experienced the love of neighbor helping neighbor and strangers helping strangers,” Bishop Glen John Provost said about recovery efforts of Hurricane Laura during an interview with Chris Welty of KATC-TV 3: Acadiana's Newschannel. Click here to read story and watch video about how the Diocese of Lake Charles is picking up the pieces from the August 27 Category 4 storm.

Church symbols remain unscathed at Cameron Parish churches
Listen to Father D.B. Thompson talk about church symbols that withstood the storm in this news segment by Rania Kaur of KPLC-TV 7. Click here to read story and watch video.

'Current News' Features Bishop Provost, Hurricane Aftermath
Current News, a Catholic news service in the Diocese of Brooklyn, interviewed Bishop Glen John Provost for its September 28 news segment that aired Monday evening. Click here to watch the segment and view photographs and videos provided by the Diocese of Lake Charles.

Pastoral letter of Bishop Provost: Outpouring of support
Dear Clergy and Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Lake Charles,

Now into our third week of recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Laura, I am writing to you in gratitude and to keep you informed about the concern and aid which has come to us from throughout the State and the Nation, especially from our Catholic community. Click here to read full letter.

Hurricane Laura Rebuilding Fund
If you would like to make a financial contribution to aid in the Hurricane Laura relief and rebuilding efforts for the Diocese of Lake Charles, click here to donate. Donations will be dedicated to addressing unmet needs of our Diocese as a result of Hurricane Laura, as well as other needs of the Diocese that are not eligible for assistance through state and Federal disaster relief programs. For more information, contact the Diocese of Lake Charles at 337-888-6026 during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To learn more about the devastation: Click here.
To see the destruction through photos: Click here.

Free laundry service at Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana, United Way of Southwest Louisiana, and Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter have partnered together in the wake of Hurricane Laura to provide free laundry services to those without access to machines, water or detergent. Community members in need may choose between self-service or a voucher program for drop-off service at Ray’s Laundry Service.

Please come to Catholic Charities at 1225 Second Street between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, to either schedule an appointment to do your own laundry or to receive a voucher. Please stay in your car. Turn on First Avenue from Broad, then turn right on Second Street and then right into the first entrance into Catholic Charities. Appointments will only be made in-person and vouchers will only be give in-person.

Prayer for Recovery of the Diocese of Lake Charles
CAMERON PARISH –– The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, composed a prayer for the recovery of the Diocese of Lake Charles in the wake of Hurricane Laura. He recited the prayer during a special Mass on Sunday, September 6, for the recovery workers and victims of Hurricane Laura in Cameron Parish.

Prayer for the Recovery of the Diocese of Lake Charles
following Hurricane Laura

Heavenly Father, Who willed that the fallen hut of David be rebuilt; that Your people return from exile to repopulate their lands, rebuild Jerusalem and restore the Temple; that Your Son, Jesus Christ, would be the new temple and that He would build a new Jerusalem, firmly set on the twelve apostles of the Lamb; look, Gracious Creator, upon our devastation now in the Diocese of Lake Charles and along the coast; rouse up in the hearts of many good and faithful workers the courage, perseverance, and fortitude to bring Your task to a successful completion, where what is recovered will give Your name glory and be protected from the onslaught of the Devil; put to flight lethargy of spirit and fortify our wills so that the good works of Your faithful people will be seen as fulfilling Your work; grant us understanding, God of all light and reason, so that we will comprehend Your ways and see in every suffering and tribulation an occasion to embrace Your will and grow in love for You. Grant, loving Father, through that same Jesus Christ, our Lord, all these prayers by the intercession of Our Lady Star of the Sea, You, who live and reign in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

The Most Reverend Glen John Provost
Bishop of Lake Charles
On the occasion of Hurricane Laura
August 27, 2020

Mass schedules around the diocese
Church parishes in the Diocese of Lake Charles are resuming Mass schedules whenever possible in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. The list will be updated as information becomes available. Click here for the latest updates.

Bishop Provost announces Hurricane Recovery Team
Bishop Glen John Provost of the Diocese of Lake Charles announced on Tuesday, September 1, the leadership and organization for the recovery from Hurricane Laura of churches and facilities within the Diocese. The Chief of Recovery is the Very Reverend Ruben Buller, V.G. He will oversee all efforts to rebuild the Diocese, most especially in temporal matters. Click here to read more.

Catholic Charities assists with disaster response
Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana, under the leadership of Sister Miriam Maclean, R.S.M., is open for its regular hours of operation, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, at 1225 Second Street. Those wanting to make a financial gift to assist the Diocese of Lake Charles in its disaster response may send donations to Catholic Charities via their website, www.catholiccharitiesswla.com, and click the Donate Now button.

Seminarians learn pastoral skills through relief effort
The formation of young men in the seminary doesn’t include a class on how to help church parishes recover from a catastrophic storm, so Father Joseph Caraway is learning as he goes. With both a pandemic and a Category 4 hurricane impacting Southwest Louisiana in the same year, he is gaining lots of experience. Click here to read more.

Archbishop Aymond brings 'Acompaño' message to Diocese of LC
Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of the Archdiocese of New Orleans shares his zeal for missionary work with those greatly affected by Hurricane Laura in the Diocese of Lake Charles. Click here to read more.

Post-Laura mission trips with Notre Dame seminarians
At the request of the Rev. James Wehner, Rector of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, the Notre Dame Seminary Catholic Relief was organized to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura to bring relief to so many in need. Click here to read more.

Office of Catholic Schools
The Office of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Lake Charles is committed to working around the clock to clear the path to re-open schools in the wake of Hurricane Laura. The Office of Catholic Schools has set up temporary offices at Our Lady Immaculate Catholic School in Jennings to assist schools throughout this process. Each school principal will continue to reach out to their communities with updates and progress. Click here to read more.

'Giving Back to Cameron Parish'
While recovering from surgery and evacuated to Scott, La., Reverend Monsignor James Gaddy has been constantly on the phone, coordinating donations from across the country for his parishioners and all displaced by the wrath of Hurricane Laura.

Monsignor Gaddy, senior priest and pastor of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Big Lake, also opened his new parking lot for the Salvation Army to provide three hot meals a day, conveniently accessible to the St. Mary of the Lake community and the residents of Big Lake and the western side of Grand Lake. Click here to read more.