News and Press

"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.

As we conclude Advent and begin our celebration of the birthday of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I am reminded of a statement by George Bernanos, a noted French author.   He wrote, “The Church has need not of reformers but of saints.”  Christmas reminds me of the wisdom of those words.  

School heroes are families who persevered  

By Pamela Seal 
Diocese of Lake Charles 

LAKE CHARLES –– A frigid rainy afternoon did not dampen the spirits of nearly 300 students, faculty, alumni, clergy, and officials who enthusiastically turned out for the groundbreaking of St. Louis Catholic High School on Sunday, January 12, 2025. 

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

WELSH — A tug at Betty LaBouve's heart four decades ago has grown into a Christmas tradition at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church making spirits bright for countless families. 

This year, nearly 100 Community Christmas Baskets were prepared with food and other essentials, along with hundreds of wrapped gifts for children. Among the presents too big to wrap were 30 bicycles on many “wish lists.” 

Father Whitney Miller refocuses energy 
on future of St. Louis Catholic High 

By Pamela Seal 
Diocese of Lake Charles 

LAKE CHARLES –– Reverend Whitney G. Miller made history by being the first priest ordained in 1980 for the newly formed Diocese of Lake Charles. Now that he has reached the well-deserved retirement age of 70, he has a message to share: “I am refocusing. I am not retiring!” 

Father Whitney sat down recently to share his goals for this new season in his nearly 45 years of priesthood.

Tolton Ambassadors – Louisiana recently announced four newly commissioned Ambassadors by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph N. Perry, JCL, DD, Bishop of Chicago. Barbara LeBlanc, David Bellow, Linda Polk, all from the Diocese of Lake Charles; and Joseph Rochelle from the Diocese of Lafayette, will join other Ambassadors in their work for the canonization of Venerable Father Augustus Tolton through Prayer, Catechesis, Evangelization, and to encourage support for all programs and events that promote the cause.

Also serving as Tolton Ambassadors – Louisiana are Altha Marie Jordan-Green, Convenor; Alberto Maxwell, Co-Convenor; Hattie Ashton, Michelle Jackson, Benita January, Dr. Ann Williams, Veronica Guillory, Kenneth Batiste, Amanda Johnson, and JoAnne Wells. Learn more about Venerable Tolton at https://tolton.archchicago.org/the-cause/tolton-ambassador

 

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us! Here's a little history of the Principal Patroness of Louisiana, whose feast day is celebrated on January 8:

DECREE FOR THE JUBILEE YEAR 2025

Glen John Provost

by the Grace of God and the Favor of the Apostolic See

Bishop of Lake Charles

For an Everlasting Remembrance.

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

LAKE CHARLES — His Excellency, Bishop Glen John Provost officially opened the Jubilee Year 2025 in the Diocese of Lake Charles on Sunday, December 29, 2024, coinciding with the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. It was a joyful celebration made extra special with all 11 of the diocese’s seminarians home for Christmas.

By Pamela Seal 
Diocese of Lake Charles 

VINTON –– The Most Reverend Glen John Provost dedicated the new altar in the sanctuary at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Saturday, November 16, during the 4:00 p.m. Anticipated Sunday Mass. As the congregation sang “Gather the People” during the entrance procession, they had much to celebrate as they gathered in their newly restored church.