Many pastors throughout the Diocese of Lake Charles have been thinking “outside the church building” to allow as many parishioners as possible the opportunity to attend Mass — something many Catholics have longed for since March 17. It was noon that day when public liturgies ceased in the diocese because of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus.
LAKE CHARLES — A total of six St. Louis Catholic High School seniors have been recognized for their athletic achievements recently — two signing letters of intent and four others receiving LHSAA All-Academic Composite Team honors for maintaining a 4.00 unweighted GPA throughout their high school careers.
MCKENZIE LEDUFF
St. Louis senior golfer McKenzie LeDuff had to sign her letter of intent at home this year, but she still made her commitment to Alabama State University official despite the atypical circumstances surrounding COVID-19.
LUKE BENOIT
LeDuff won the 2019 Division I individual girls state championship and was hoping for a chance to defend her title before the LHSAA season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. But, LeDuff said Alabama State will be “her dream school” after she had the chance to tour the campus and meet coach Quincy Heard in February.
MAGGIE BRUCHHAUS
LeDuff’s mother and grandmother were with her when she signed her letter of intent at home on April 16, and they FaceTimed her grandparents in New Orleans. While it wasn’t the usual Saints celebration in the Commons because of the school closure, LeDuff remains grateful for all of her St. Louis Catholic High memories, especially under the direction of girls golf coach Sid Briscoe.
ETHAN HEBERT
“If first met Mr. Briscoe the summer of fifth grade when I was really little,” LeDuff said. “He took my game from 6th-8th grade — he was my only coach, and in the eighth grade I went the entire middle school season undefeated. … So, in between 6th-8th grade, he’s the one who really got me started and got me serious.”
SOPHIE STINE
Track and field athlete Luke Benoit signed his letter of intent with the University of Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. Benoit said he can’t wait to continue the momentum of this season at St. Louis Catholic, though it was cut short due to COVID-19, at college in Lafayette.
Benoit said he visited ULL in November, and the school’s location and atmosphere made it appealing to the Grand Lake native.
“I wanted to get away from home, but not too far away,” he said. “There’s always something about Lafayette; it’s bigger than Lake Charles but not too big.”
CARSON MIXON
Benoit said he has many fond memories of his one year at St. Louis — especially coach Johnny Giardina.
“I loved being on the 4 x 400 at St. Louis. I actually liked a relay for once because we had such a good team,” he said. “It was a big move for me from Grand Lake to here, especially for my senior year. At St. Louis, people were joining track because they actually wanted to win and try, and it pushed me, too. I wish Coach Johnny could come with me to college … There’s just something about him, how he’d chase you around the track and yell at you; it was awesome to be with him.”
Seniors Maggie Bruchhaus (tennis), Ethan Hebert (tennis), Carson Mixon (baseball), and Sophie Stine (track & field) are receiving All-Academic Composite Team honors for 2019-2020 from LHSAA for at least a second time this year. To earn Composite Team honors, a student-athlete must have an unweighted 4.00 GPA and cannot have a ‘B’ on their transcripts. Brucchaus (basketball), Hebert (cross country and soccer), Mixon (football) and Stine (volleyball) earned recognition for their academic and athletic achievements at prior LHSAA state events this year.
"We are very happy that these outstanding young men and women have been recognized again for their years of hard work in the classroom and in their athletic endeavors,” said St. Louis Catholic Athletic Director Pat Neck. “We are obviously very sad their seasons were cut short but know that they will all succeed in whatever their future plans are.”
Check here for announcements, updates, online Masses, cancellations and prayers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. For more news and updates, follow the Diocese on its Facebook page Roman Catholic Diocese of Lake Charles.
Bishop lifting dispensation from obligation to attend Mass The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop, is lifting the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and holy days of obligation in the Diocese of Lake Charles. The obligation for Catholics in good health goes into effect November 29, 2020, the First Sunday of Advent.
Bishop Provost granted the dispensation on March 17, 2020, due to the suspension of public liturgies amid the global pandemic of the COVID-19 virus. The gradual reopening of churches for public Masses began on May 1, but the dispensation has remained in place.
In lifting the dispensation, the directives of September 25, 2020, remain in effect allowing for 75% of church occupancy. Pastors will continue to adhere to state guidelines regarding the number and manner of attendance. The only change in the directives concerns the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days.
Bishop Provost reminds those who are ill, immune deficient, symptomatic, in a state of anxiety over contracting the illness, or at high risk due to chronic conditions, that they are already dispensed by the law from the obligation to attend Mass.
Precautions that have been in place will remain, including sanitizing church parishes, the use of face masks and hand sanitizer, and the practice of social distancing. In doing so, there is no greater risk for contracting COVID-19 at church than when someone is at the grocery store, at work, or any other public setting.
The faithful who are unable to attend Mass are urged to make holy the Lord’s Day and to pray, read the Scriptures, and take part in acts of charity.
For questions or clarifications, please consult the Dean of your respective Deanery.
Central Deanery — Very Reverend Matthew Cormier, V.F.
East Deanery — Very Reverend Keith Pellerin, V.F.
South Deanery — Very Reverend Rojo A. Koonathan, V.F.
West Deanery — Very Reverend Edward Richard, V.F.
Catholic Charities expands food bank to Ragley Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana, with assistance from Second Harvest Food Bank, has expanded its food distribution to Ragley at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 16816 Highway 171. Food bank dates are the second Thursday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
All clients must bring the following items to register to receive food:
Picture ID for each adult in the household and Social Security card for each person in household.
Food stamp letter or proof of one month’s income for the household such as: SSI, TANF, Social Security, Child Support, Retirement, Unemployment, Veterans Benefits, or Payroll Checks.
Proof of residency — a utility bill or a lease, and one rent receipt.
Clients will be registered while remaining in their vehicles. Food will be placed directly into their cars. All are asked to wear a face mask.
For more information about receiving food or to volunteer with food registration, call Catholic Charities at 337-439-7436 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Additional food bank sites include: Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana, 1225 Second Street, Lake Charles; Golden Arms Apartments, 1481 Third Street, Lake Charles; St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 11054 Highway 384, Grand Lake; and Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Creole. All faiths are welcome to apply for assistance.
"A Thought from the Bishop's Chapel" Daily reflections called “A Thought from the Bishop’s Chapel” can be found at www.lcdiocese.org/the-diocese/our-bishop/bishop-s-chapel-daily or on www.facebook.com/lcdiocese. The first of 74 reflections was posted on March 19, 2020, concluding with the final reflection on May 31. Bishop Provost began writing the reflections as a way to minister to the faithful after public Masses were suspended on March 17 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The suspension of Masses was lifted on May 1.
Catholic Charities grateful for volunteers, donations Sister Miriam MacLean. R.S.M., Director of Catholic Charities, said the gratitude she and the staff have for all those who have supported them with their time and donations cannot possibly be expressed in words but perhaps it can be shown in their continued efforts to provide for the local communities. Catholic Charities continues to be inspired by the daily works of faith, hope, and charity and has been particularly blessed with His calming peace that has kept them steady through all the mountains and hills. Sister Miriam hopes that everyone is staying safe and finding their own peace through this journey.
For food assistance, visit Catholic Charities from 9 a.m. to noon any Tuesday, at 1225 Second Street, Lake Charles. For other assistance related to rent, utilities, ID’s, funerals, or medication, please call their office on Mondays at 337-439-7436 to apply.
If you would like to make a monetary donation to help Catholic Charities continue their relief efforts, please visit www.catholiccharitiesswla.com and click on the Donate Now button. You may also mail donations to 1225 Second Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601. Food donations will be accepted between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. If you would like to donate food for the pantry, please consider ordering from their Amazon Wishlist or dropping off cans directly to Catholic Charities, 1225 2nd Street.
An Act of Spiritual Communion Prayer
Pope Francis entrusts entire world to Blessed Virgin Mary Pope Francis offered the following prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary on March 11, entrusting the city of Rome, all of Italy, and “the entire world to the protection of the Mother of God, as a sign of salvation and hope” during the ongoing coronavirus emergency. Let us join our Holy Father in prayer, penance, and fasting in response to this time of trial.
Salus Populi Romani
Protectress and Health of the Roman People
O Mary, you shine continuously along our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the Cross were near to the pain of Jesus, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman people, know what we need, and we trust that you will provide for those needs so that, as at Cana of Galilee, joy and celebration may return after this moment of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the will of the Father and to do what Jesus tells us, He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and took up our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
While many things have remained uncertain throughout the weeks of social distancing and COVID-19, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and the Cowboy Catholics student ministry at McNeese State University remains dedicated to their mission to form lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.
Cowboy Catholics adapted to the challenging times with the use of technology to keep their students engaged during this time of social isolation. This allowed the mission of the organization to spread beyond its typical boundaries — the college campus.
“The church doors may be closed, but our mission is still moving forward,” said Allie Livingston, development director of Cowboy Catholics. “The virus cannot infect the mission of the Church.”
A total of 16 weekly bible studies led by FOCUS missionaries and student leaders continued to meet online throughout the semester. Participating in bible studies has allowed students to stay in contact and further develop relationships with each other and the Lord.
To meet the needs of key student leaders, the ReachMore student evangelization team received daily content to aid them in spiritual growth. Weekly meetings moved online to hold each other accountable and discuss advancing the Gospel on the McNeese campus.
Campus Minister Randall Edwards sees the importance of continued formation with students because “college ministry is about forming their whole lives” and giving them the tools to be successful in every part of their lives, even after their time at McNeese State.
The Rev. Nathan Long, Randall Edwards, FOCUS missionaries, student leaders and other staff members are also meeting with students via phone call and video call to offer support, prayer and continued one-on-one discipleship.
“Cowboy Catholic’s continued activity reminds me that Christ is in control of this situation,” said Wendy Maggio, Cowboy Catholic junior. “He will bring great good out of it, no matter how dark it may seem at the moment.”
As the spring semester comes to a close and the summer semester approaches, Cowboy Catholics is still taking steps to encounter students, build them in their faith and send them to live out their Baptismal call.
Because of the faithful support of the Catholic community, alumni, and parents, Cowboy Catholics is able to reach more students for Christ. For more information about supporting Catholic campus ministry at McNeese State University visit cowboycatholics.com/support/ or contact Allie Livingston at 337-477-1434.
LAKE CHARLES — The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of the Diocese of Lake Charles, joined Archbishop José H. Gomez, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, onMay 1, inrenewing the Consecration of the United States to Mary, Mother of the Church.U.S. bishops also joined bishops and faithful in Canada as they consecrated their country to Mary.
