News and Press

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

SULPHUR — “Five years in God’s country is like five days,” Rev. Canon Jean-Marie Moreau remarked as he bid farewell to the faithful community of St. Francis de Sales Oratory on Sunday, March 16, during a reception in his honor. He has been reassigned to Reno, Nevada.

The Office of Catholic Schools announces the Diocese of Lake Charles 2025 Student of the Year winners for elementary, middle, and high school levels.

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.

Bishop Glen John Provost has issued the following statement regarding the death penalty:

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. 

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:

LAKE CHARLES — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has obligated $4,844,146.76 for repairs to various structures, as well as the completed demolition of those destroyed, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, located at 1102 Mill Street.

The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops has 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. 

"Together, Pilgrims of Hope with our Immigrant Community"

 Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We write to you with hearts full of compassion and a deep desire to express our solidarity with you during this stressful time. We recognize the immense challenges you face as migrants, and we want to assure you that you are not alone. Compelled by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and recognizing the inherent dignity of each person as a child of God, we stand in firm solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters.