Barksdale AFB Catholic Youth

11/07/2026

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
—Hebrews 12:1-2

07/22/2026

Do children belong at Mass? Watch the video to hear Fr. Peter’s ans...

06/12/2026

— from “Scripture and the Mystery of Marriage and Family life” at https://bit.ly/3R8ix0w

05/07/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Reverend Monsignor Earl V. Provenza. He passed away early this morning, May 7. Msgr. Provenza was a retired but still very active priest of our diocese, and it's difficult to put into words just how much he meant to all of us. He was a pillar of the community and spent his entire life being a faithful example of what it means to serve others.

Throughout his 60+ years in ministry, he touched so many lives in North Louisiana. You can see his impact everywhere you look, from the beautiful renovation of the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans to the founding of Mary Queen of Peace Parish. He was also deeply committed to our future priests, with many seminarian burses completed in his honor. He truly worked to make our diocese a better home for all of us.

We're going to miss him dearly, but we take comfort in the incredible legacy he leaves behind. Please join us in praying for the repose of his soul and for his family and friends during this time. We will share the funeral arrangements as soon as they are finalized.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord;
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.

May Msgr. Provenza’s soul and the souls
of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God,
rest in peace. Amen.

04/29/2026

April 29 falls on a Wednesday—a day marked by devotion to the Mother of Perpetual Help and the feast of Saint Catherine of Siena.

This day holds special significance in the Church as a time for prayer and reflection.

Wednesdays are traditionally dedicated to honoring Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a cherished title of the Virgin Mary. Many believers turn to her on this day, bringing their burdens, fears, and hopes, trusting in her constant care and intercession. She reminds us that we are never abandoned in our struggles, always guiding us closer to her Son, Jesus, with renewed faith and confidence.

At the same time, the Church celebrates Saint Catherine of Siena, a woman known for her profound faith, courage, and wisdom. Living during a period of great turmoil, she became a powerful voice for truth and unity, helping lead others back to God through her example and words. Her life proves that even in difficult times, a single person grounded in faith can have a lasting impact.

This day calls us to grow deeper in prayer, to seek God sincerely, and to follow the examples before us—Mary’s gentle and faithful guidance, and Catherine’s bold and unwavering trust in God. May we place our lives in God’s hands with the same faith and courage.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for us.

03/04/2026

02/16/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁🕊️💟✝️

➊ 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗱𝗼𝗺 is the ability to exercise good judgment. It distinguishes between right and wrong, seeks and upholds truth and justice, and balances personal good with the common good. It is in touch with reality, demonstrates common sense and is prudent. It often increases as a person advances in years and gains life experience. In the Old Testament, wisdom is personified by “Sophia,” the mythical mother of faith, hope and love; while in the New Testament, wisdom is personified by Jesus himself.

➋ 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 is the gift of intelligence and enlightenment. It is the ability to think clearly; to perceive, comprehend and interpret information; and to have insight and discern meaning.

➌ 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹 is good advice. It is the ability to teach, inform, guide, direct, warn, admonish, recommend and encourage. It is not limited to the giving of advice but extends to the ability to graciously receive it. The gift is needed by parents, teachers, coaches, supervisors, mentors, therapists, lawyers, clergy, consultants, elders and spouses — anyone who offers advice to others.

➍ 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲 is an unwavering commitment to God or a proper course of action, and it shows itself as moral strength, courage, determination, patient endurance, long suffering, a resolute spirit, stamina and resiliency.

➎ 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 is the ability to study and learn; to acquire, retain and master facts and information; and to put what is learned to good use for constructive purposes.

➏ 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗱 is awe, reverence and respect for God. It acknowledges that everything comes as a gift from God, downplays personal achievement and self-sufficiency, and gladly offers praise, worship and adoration to God.

➐ 𝗣𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 is personal holiness, and it includes devotion to God, prayer, virtue, goodness, decency, self-mastery, innocence, the avoidance of sin and obedience to God’s will.

These are heroic character traits that Jesus Christ alone possesses in their plenitude but that he freely shares with the members of his mystical body (i.e., his Church). These traits are infused into every Christian as a permanent endowment at his baptism, nurtured by the practice of the seven virtues, and sealed in the sacrament of confirmation. They are also known as the sanctifying gifts of the Spirit, because they serve the purpose of rendering their recipients docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in their lives, helping them to grow in holiness and making them fit for heaven.

02/01/2026

THE EIGHT BEATITUDES
(Matthew 5: 3-10)

1. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven."

- The poor in spirit are those who never forget that all that they are and all that they have is from GOD... With Job they say, "The LORD gave, the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!" (1:21).

2. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth."

- The truly meek are anything but weaklings. It takes great inner strength to accept disappointment, misfortune and even disaster, and to keep one's face turned all the while in undimmed hope to GOD.

3. "Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

- These, who see their pain as the rightful lot of sinful humanity, and accept it without repining and without complaint, in union with the cross of CHRIST Himself.

4. "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied."

- We must have a zeal for justice, whether it be the justice of a square meal for our fellow man or the higher justice towards GOD which is sinlessness, in others as well as in ourselves... Satisfied in Heaven, but never satisfied here.

5. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

- The very essence of the Christian spirit is here. There can be no forgiveness for him who will not forgive.

6. "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see GOD."

- It refers not only to chastity, but to selflessnes; everything viewed first of all from GOD's viewpoint, rather than our own. It means singleness of purpose; GOD first, without self-deceit or compromise.

7. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of GOD."

- As I listen to CHRIST saying that, I must ask myself whether I am a center of peace and harmony in my own home, an island of good will in my neighborhood, a mender of discord in the place I work. It is a sure path to Heaven.

8. "Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven."

- And with the eight beatitude we hang our head in shame as we recall the small inconveniences our own religion costs us - and think of (and pray for) the tortured souls of our brethren behind the Iron and the Bamboo Curtains.

01/31/2026

Confirmation Students