News and Press

Information and Announcements About The Diocese

March 5, 2025, Pastoral Statement

The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops have consistently defended life from conception to natural death and remain deeply aware of the pain and grief that victims suffer, especially those who have lost a loved one through the crime of murder or crimes of violence. Upon the news of the restart of the process to execute human beings in Louisiana, the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops state:

By Pamela Seal 
Diocese of Lake Charles 

LAKE CHARLES — For the first time since 2019, Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana is bringing back its annual Jazz Brunch fundraiser to benefit its ministry of serving the poor. The event will be Sunday, March 30, at the Historic Cash and Carry, 801 Enterprise Boulevard. Doors and silent auction open at 10:30 a.m. with the blessing and brunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. 

Tolton Ambassadors-Louisiana and Associates recently held the third annual Venerable Father Augustus Tolton Essay Contest. An awards ceremony on Sunday, March 16, honored 38 students participating from Oak Park Middle School, Immaculate Conception Cathedral School, Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic School, all in Lake Charles, and Westgate High School in New Iberia.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lake Charles will begin the 2025-2026 school year with the return of students at the five schools located in Calcasieu Parish on Tuesday, August 12. In Jefferson Davis Parish, students in Grades 1-8 at Our Lady Immaculate Catholic School will return on Thursday, August 7; and PK3, PK4, and Kindergarten students at OLI will return on Wednesday, August 13. All starting dates were provided by the Office of Catholic Schools, according to Kimberlee Gazzolo, Superintendent.

Reflects on importance of excellence in Catholic education

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

LAKE CHARLES –– Catholic school students in the Diocese of Lake Charles were treated to an impromptu piano performance by His Excellency, Bishop Glen John Provost, following the annual Catholic Schools Week Mass in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on January 29.