March 25, 2022

Despite President Biden’s announcement that the U.S. will accept 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, we don’t yet know if or when we’ll be asked to welcome Ukrainians here in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. But the details indicate the numbers might be minimal, if any at all under the recent announcement.

1. The current national cap of 125,000 refugees previously set for fiscal year 2022 is not being raised. Thus the administration has said the announcement represents a long term commitment rather than sudden admissions such as with the Afghans.
2. President Biden said there would be a “focus on reuniting families.” The Baton Rouge area seems near the bottom of cities in the U.S. with Ukrainians. One online database estimates there are 300 Ukrainians in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, which ranks us about 9,500 of 10,000 cities.

Of course, all of the above may change; we’ll continue to update social media and our website as we get additional useful information.  We continue to direct people to support the refugee crisis through donations to Catholic Relief Services.

March 14, 2022

The worldwide empathy and sorrow for Ukrainians has been felt here in our Diocese as well. Closely following the Afghanistan refugee crisis when our community generously supported Afghans who resettled in Baton Rouge, many people in our diocese have asked if there is a similar effort underway for Ukrainians. The short answer is no, but that may change as the situation is fluid. Here’s what we know as of March 14, 2022.

• The U.S. Department of State has notified us there are currently no official efforts to move Ukrainian children and families out of Europe. The Ukrainian government prefers to shelter refugees close to their home country and is taking steps to ensure their safety in Europe. (However, individual Ukrainians with connections in other countries may relocate on their own initiative.)
• The Biden administration has granted some Ukrainians already in the U.S. extensions on their visas through a program called TPS, Temporary Protected Status. It is estimated approximately 30,000 Ukrainians in the U.S. will apply for this designation.
• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge can assist eligible Ukrainians in our community submit their applications for TPS.
• Catholic Relief Services is organizing support on behalf of the U.S. Catholic Church. More information on how you can help is on their website here.

If this information changes, we will update our website and social media. As always, the open hearts and generosity of the community in Baton Rouge is a witness to your faith and understanding of the Gospel tradition of caring for the homeless, hungry, and disaster-stricken … whether our own neighbors or brothers and sisters in Christ overseas.

They fled in the dark of night, and for two days sped by motorcycle and foot to Kabul. Latifa and her family couldn’t trust anyone. Her husband had worked for the U.S. military, and they’d gotten word they would soon become Taliban targets. Click here to read more

When Marcie and Chris Buckle decided to adopt, they wanted an open relationship with the birth parents, who, fortunately, wanted the same thing. They’re all amazed at just how open things have turned out. Click here to read more

Catholic Charities in need of sponsors for Christmas program

Baton Rouge, La—With 370 families unsponsored, the staff at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge (CCDBR) is concerned.

“Usually by Thanksgiving, all but a few families have been sponsored through our Community Comes Together at Christmas program,” said Catherine Weidert, CCDBR communications coordinator. “But this year is unprecedented.”

Never in the 60-year history of the program has it been this short on sponsoring donors.

Continue reading…

He waited 15 hours at Kabul International Airport, among thousands of people, hoping to escape Afghanistan with his life.

Jostling for his place among a crowd of strangers, the Afghan, at least, had someone on his side: An ex-U.S. military contractor in Louisiana who stayed on the phone through the night with his tired, desperate friend and former interpreter. Read the rest of the article here

Mary Feathers was sporting a nifty grin as she prepared to board a Greyhound bus, the first step on the final leg of what had been a harrowing two-week journey that briefly landed her on the streets of Baton Rouge. Read the rest of the article here

“The American people have shown an overwhelming desire to help those from Afghanistan who risked their lives and the lives of their family members to help our troops,” said David C. Aguillard, executive director of CCDBR. Watch the video clip here

Their journeys have been strewn with potholes, their lives jilted by the empty promises of life on the streets. Their aging eyes witnessed acts so heinous that even their lips remain silent. Joe DeArmond Jr. and Wayne Murphy have been in and out of the state correctional system for much of their lives. They have lived life outside of the law, exposed to all of its vagaries. But as they recently reflected on their past, their focus is on the future, one filled with hope and a refresh button to life. Read the article here

As late spring’s tepidity two-stepped into summer’s sauna and the dreaded June 1 date inched closer, the eyes of Lisa Lee and C.J. Roy were focused on the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and beyond. Read the article here