News - Diocese of Lake Charles

Bishop Provost Suspends Public Religious Services

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.

Bishop Urges Pilgrimage

During this time of pandemic of COVID-19, Bishop Glen John Provost urges pilgrimages in the Diocese of Lake Charles to the Shrine of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Cameron for the duration of the pandemic, and especially during this Lenten Season.

Catholic Charities Reaching More People

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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.

Catholics Cling to Faith as Masses are Suspended

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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.

Bishop Provost Statement on Closure of Catholic Schools

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.”

Lenten Pastoral Letter 2020

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.