News and Press

Information and Announcements About The Diocese

By Pamela Seal 
Diocese of Lake Charles 

The Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Lake Charles has expanded to the West Deanery at St. Joseph Catholic Church in DeRidder. The first monthly Sunday Spanish Mass was celebrated by Rev. Wayne LeBleu on July 28, 2024, making history as St. Joseph Parish received a “new life” in the Diocese.

By Pamela Seal 
Diocese of Lake Charles 

The Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Lake Charles has expanded to the West Deanery at St. Joseph Catholic Church in DeRidder. 

Since December 1996, St. Henry Catholic Church in Lake Charles was, for the most part, the only Parish to have an active Hispanic community. It will now serve as an “older brother” to the Hispanic community born at St. Joseph on April 28, 2024.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Rev. Michael J. Barras, 76, on Friday, July 12, at 2 p.m. from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Lake Charles at the corner of Bilbo and Kirby streets.  The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles,will be the Main Celebrant with Reverend Whitney Miller giving the Homily. Father Barras, a retired priest of the Diocese of Lake Charles, died on Sunday, July 7.

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

Jesus Christ did not come to be served but to serve. This act of humility was on full display as members of the Hispanic Community at St. Henry Catholic Church washed the feet of Perpetual Pilgrims on the St. Juan Diego Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage passing through the Diocese of Lake Charles on June 4.