News and Press

LAKE CHARLES — On Tuesday, May 16, St. Louis Catholic High School awarded degrees to the Class of 2023 during a commencement ceremony in the Burton Coliseum Complex.

The St. Louis Award — the most prestigious award of the school — was presented to the male and female senior student voted as the outstanding Christian student by their peers and approved by members of the faculty, staff and administration. The 2023 recipients are Coleman Joseph Zeringue and Mary Claire Groves. 

The St. Louis Award, made possible by the Lake Charles Serra Club, is presented to students who have shown Love of God and Neighbor, Strong Moral Character, Desire to Serve Community, Courage to Stand up for Christian Principles, a Daily Christian Lifestyle, and Proper Use of God-Given gifts.

Class valedictorian is Cody Jacob Lyons, and salutatorian is Hannah Marie Williams.

Graduates of the Class of 2023 are:

Mason John Abshire, Thomas Scott Alley, Robert Ross Anderson, Grace Olivia Ardoin, Alana Michelle Arredondo, Kyleigh Anne Atkins, Jackson Drew Avery, Ariba Awan, Olivia Chloe Bergen, Addison James Bertrand, Benjamin Morrison Bertrand, Madison Monique Blanchette, Tucker Scott Bridges, Emma Kathryn Bright, William Clay Bright, Evan Joseph Broussard, Audrey Clare Brown, Jonathan Franklin Buckhalter, Madelyn Mansour Buttross, Luke Owen Caballero, Noah Alexander Chaumont, Lexie Paige Chauvin, Kiley Madison Church, Luke William Churchman, Wyatt Regan Cobb, Gunner Thomas Coleman, Tyson Andrew Colletta, Mia Catherine Cruickshank, Dillon Patrick Darby, Annalina Mae David, William Randall Davis, Norma Gail Dedear, and Olivia Abigail DeRouen;

Also, Camdyn Rita Durousseau, Grant Wade Evans, Emma Sue Findley, Adam Isaac Foreman, John Noah Foret, Jalynn Alexis Friddle, Nicholas Gabriel Fuselier, Dy’Mond Da’Nae Gallien, Caroline Olivia George, Kenneth Henry Gil, Aubrey Sophia Gilbert, Mary Claire Groves, Elena Patricia Guidry, Abigail Grace Guillory; Lana Jolie Guillory, Miles Jeremy Guillory, Paris Nikole Guillory, Brooks Joseph Habetz, Mia Catherine Hanks, Kimora Lee Harrison, Aden Harris Hayes, John Michael Hebert, Blair Evelyn Henry, Malia Noemi Hubbard, John Paul Michael Istre, Hayden Christopher Jackson, Holden Scott Jackson, Emma Elizabeth Jarreau, Camille Eve Karriker, Ragan Joy Kee, Neely Ayub-Ijaz Khan, Kyndal Elizabeth Kohnke, Jake Joseph Larocca, and Conner Patrick Leblanc;

Also, Gabrielle Hope Link-Gabbard, Grace Katherine Link-Gabbard, Cody Jacob Lyons, Jude Christian Manley, Samantha Faith Manuel, Abby Claire Maples, Ashlee Marie Maples, Mollie Margurite Maze, Emma Grace McCall, Bennett Anderson McElveen, John Luke Durel McGee, Lauren Kate McGuire, Avery Hudson Meche, Jacques Ramon Metoyer, Michael Andrew Meyers, Waylon John Miller, Henry Joseph Milligan, Drew Mitchell Morgan, Nicklaus Thomas Moriarty, Rodeny Fuller Mundy, Alisyn Claire Myers, Cecile Carr Obyrne, Billie McKenzie Painter, Ranee Rahul Patel, Milo Joseph Perzo, Karli Elizabeth Peshoff, Gavin Charles Phillips, Kassie Grace Piatt, Ava Rose Price, Hudson Ryan Price, Rachel Anne Redd, James David Reina, Kai David Reinauer, and Kassidy Elizabeth Richard; 

Also, Kennedy Elise Richard, Katherine Grace Rion, Stuart Anthony Riviere, Andrew Thomas Roach, Nathan Blake Roach, Charles Cameron Romano, Katelyn Reiss Schlang, Kaelana Soriya Marie Schultz, Ella Booker Scroggs, Ella Clare Segura, Samuel Reeves Slade, William Reid Snider, Chaise Morgan Sutherland, Landon Paul Templet, Harnoor Singh Thind, Karanbir Singh Thind, Kendal Reese Touchet, Kenzie Claire Touchet, George Joseph Trappey, Reed Matthew Traylor, Megan Kesiena Ughovwa, James Alexander Upshaw, Jacob Lynn Verzwyvelt, Julia Ann Walker, Anna Gayle Watson, Cecilia Marie Watson, Hannah Marie Williams, Colton James Wood, Ethan Jude Woods, Emily Jane Wrobel, and Coleman Joseph Zeringue.

Mrs. Mia Touchet is Principal, and Mr. Blaine Wyninger is Assistant Principal. Chaplain is Reverend Andrew DeRouen; and Rector is Reverend Nathan Long. The Very Reverend Ruben Villarreal serves as Dean of Christian Philosophy of Academics.

1. Why is the Diocese of Lake Charles purchasing a new chancery building?
   
   There are several reasons the diocese is pursuing a new chancery building. First, this is the most cost-effective option. Second, a centralized office that consolidates everyone has long been a goal for the diocese – one pursued in some way by every bishop since our inception in 1980. That it is happening now is a combination of factors that include the availability of an ideal building at a good price and the financial prudence of purchasing this building when compared to repairing or replacing existing structures.

2. Why is the Diocese of Lake Charles consolidating?
   
   Currently, at least 35 administrative staff members work from five locations across the diocese. Some diocesan functions operate from leased space – a monthly cost that will cease to exist with a new chancery space. Two offices currently operate from space borrowed from Saint Charles Center and Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, taking up precious resources in both of those places. Naturally, this separation creates inefficiencies in our work – from addressing our churches' and organizations’ needs in a timely manner to costs associated with employee travel from place to place. A central office will reduce or eliminate these issues, as well as provide additional benefits to our diocesan faithful.

3. Is this a good financial decision?
   
   Yes, it is the most cost-effective option. Existing diocesan administrative facilities remain in disrepair since the 2020 hurricanes. This is due to the estimated cost of at least $6 million that would be required to address the damage and provide for current needs. Replacement, too, was a non-starter due to an estimated cost of at least $15 million for new construction.
   
   The new building – the former site of the Safety Council of Southwest Louisiana – is in good shape. Our negotiated purchase price and the cost of minor work to adapt the space to our needs will cost about $3.3 million. This is a savings of at least 75% versus replacing those existing buildings! This new chancery also provides benefits like three times the square footage of our other buildings combined, centralized office efficiencies, and new meeting spaces available to our diocesan organizations.
   
   In addition to the aforementioned benefits, this new chancery opens up opportunities for new future revenue streams. We look forward to this project contributing to the long-term financial stability of our diocese.
   

4. Where is the new chancery building?
   
   The Diocese of Lake Charles’ new chancery building will be located at 1201 Ryan Street in Downtown Lake Charles. This site formerly housed the Safety Council of Southwest Louisiana.

5. When will you move?
   
   We officially closed on the building May 5, 2023. After minor renovations to adapt the space to our needs, we will move on July 1, 2023.

6. What will change after the move?
   
   The most immediate change is our new address. Our new contact information is:
   1201 Ryan Street
   Lake Charles, LA 70601
   
   The PO Box and telephone number will remain the same:
   PO Box 3223
   Lake Charles, LA 70602-3223
   (337) 439-7400
   We hope to deliver additional positive changes as a result of this move. These include greater efficiency in our operations, shorter response times from departments housed in the new chancery, new physical spaces for use by our diocesan faithful, and the ability to better serve you through new endeavors at the former administrative buildings, among others.

7. What administrative functions will operate from the new building? Which functions will remain elsewhere?
   Most diocesan administrative functions will be housed at the new chancery building. This includes:

• Office of Diocesan Administration
• Office of Catholic Schools
• Tribunal
• Marriage, Family and Pro-Life
• Communications
• Religious Education and Evangelization
• Fiscal Services
• Vocations
• Archives
• Child and Youth Protection and Safe Environment
• Human Resources
• Clergy Immigration
• Recovery
• Development

Because of the nature of its ministry, Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana will continue to operate out of its own facility at 1225 Second Street in Lake Charles. Saint Charles Center and Camp Karol retreat facilities will also maintain their current locations in Moss Bluff as will the Stella Maris Seafarers Center at the Port of Lake Charles.

8. How will you pay for this new building?
   
   The Diocese has mortgaged a large portion of the total cost of the new space with finance payments covered by general operations. The remaining cost comes from funds set aside by the bishop for purposes such as this.

• No hurricane recovery funds that are allocated to rebuilding parishes or schools will be diverted to purchasing the chancery building.
• Some existing costs, such as monthly rent for the space currently occupied by the Office of Catholic Schools, will no longer exist for us. That office, in particular, will move into the new chancery. Money set aside for its lease can then be redirected toward this mortgage.
• The plans for funding this purchase are the result of the valuable support of our diocesan finance council, a volunteer group made up of nine lay professionals, two priests, and one deacon from across Southwest Louisiana. This council includes CPAs, certified financial planners and others who review and evaluate major financial and investment decisions by the Diocese of Lake Charles. The council reviewed this purchase, and they agreed that it is prudent.
  

9. What will happen to the existing administrative buildings?
   
   The prospects are promising for the Diocese of Lake Charles. Some of these buildings are in high-demand locations, and we have already fielded some interest in potentially leasing or selling the spaces. This would create new revenue for the Diocese that could be directed to any number of valuable projects to benefit you, the faithful.
   
   The historic nature of the buildings and their importance in the community will be considered when looking at potential future plans. We look forward to memorializing the legacy of Bishop Harold Perry in the new location.

10. My organization would like to use some of the meeting spaces available at the new chancery building. How can I do that?
    
    We hope to provide available chancery building collaborative spaces on a first-come, first-served basis to diocesan organizations, including Catholic schools, affiliated non-profit groups and parish organizations. For more information, please call 337-439-7400 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
    

11. How will this expense and the move impact ongoing concerns like hurricane repairs throughout the diocese?
    
    A consolidated, centralized office will streamline processes related to rebuilding and recovery – thus speeding up things like hurricane repairs for our churches and other diocesan organizations. Hurricane repairs throughout the diocese will be handled more efficiently. In fact, no hurricane recovery money that is allocated for parish or school rebuilding will be used in purchasing this building.

12. What will occur with the Masses currently being offered at the Deaf Center?
    
    Masses will continue to be said at the Deaf Center. We do not see at present any need to relocate the community. Any plans for the relocation of Masses at the Deaf Center will be made in consultation with the community and their chaplain, Fr. Aubrey Guilbeau.
    

13. I have an idea for repurposing the former administrative buildings. Where can I share my input?
    
    We welcome input from the diocesan faithful regarding the future of these buildings! Please direct your suggestions to Fr. Joseph Caraway, Vice-Chancellor at 337-439-7400 or fill out the form located by clicking here!

14. Will there be an open house for the public?
    
    An open house for the public is scheduled for Saturday, September 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We look forward to welcoming you for a visit to our new location.

Other Links

New! Announcement of Chancery Consolidation
New! Diocese of Lake Charles Consolidates Chancery Offices

New Chancery Pictures

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

LAKE CHARLES — New Life Counseling's answer to saving lives and “meeting women where they are” rolled into their Lake Charles clinic at 631 E. School Street at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 19, to cheers from staff, volunteers, board members, and community supporters. 

By Pamela Seal 
Diocese of Lake Charles 

MOSS BLUFF — Troy and Jessica Findley of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vinton summed up the recent Together in Holiness marriage enrichment day with one word: gift. 

“To spend time with God and each other in community like this knowing we are going home more strengthened for the family is a gift. It has been a blessing,” Troy said about the event held at Camp Karol of Saint Charles Center on April 29. 

LAKE CHARLES – In a move that fulfills a long-term goal to create a centralized administrative office, the Diocese of Lake Charles has announced the purchase of a new chancery building at 1201 Ryan Street in Lake Charles, the former site of the Safety Council of Southwest Louisiana.

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles 

LAKE CHARLES — Bishop Glen John Provost will ordain Rev. Mr. Stephen Joshua Page to the Sacred Order of Holy Priesthood for the Diocese of Lake Charles at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 27, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.