About Most Blessed Sacrament · Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church is a vibrant Eucharistic parish in southeast Baton Rouge, Louisiana, belonging to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge. Organized in March 1979, the parish now serves more than 2,300 registered families from its campus at 15615 Jefferson Highway, where it operates alongside Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School (preK–8) and the MBS Early Learning Center. The parish centers its identity on the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, offering daily Mass, a dedicated adoration chapel, and a wide range of faith-formation, youth, family, and outreach ministries that the pastor, Fr. Todd Lloyd, describes as a 'faith-filled community of mercy, blessings, and service.'
- Established
- 1979
- Patron
- The Most Blessed Sacrament (the Eucharist)
- Rector
- Rev. C. Todd Lloyd (Fr. Todd Lloyd)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge
Why belong here
Most Blessed Sacrament is built around daily celebration of the Eucharist and Eucharistic adoration, with a pastor and staff who explicitly invite parishioners to 'fall in love with Jesus Christ through a life of prayer and devotion.' A family with school-age children benefits from an on-site Catholic school (preK–8) recognized as a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School and an Early Learning Center founded in 1986, while 30+ ministries spanning faith formation (PSR, OCIA/RCIA, Catholic 101, Confirmation, First Eucharist), youth, men's and women's groups, Respect Life, and parish events give every age and stage a way to serve.
Mass times at Most Blessed Sacrament
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 7:45 am
- Tuesday: 7:45 am
- Wednesday: 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:45 am
- Friday: 7:45 am
- Saturday: 3:00–4:00 pm
Adoration times
- Parish Adoration is held in the Church (see parish calendar for current hours); adorers can also sign up for weekly commitments through AdorationPro at adorationpro.org/mbsbr.
Parish History
Most Blessed Sacrament was organized in March 1979 as part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge, with Rev. Msgr. Lester Lacassagne as its first pastor. Roughly 900 founding families began worshipping at Shenandoah Elementary School while a new church-and-school complex was built, and the original chapel and school were dedicated on December 8, 1980. Under Father Gerard Young, the diverse congregation was unified through the RENEW program and stewardship became a way of parish life. As the community more than doubled, Father Michael Collins directed the purchase of 16 adjoining acres and the construction of the present church, which was dedicated January 21, 2007, with seating for 940 in its main body. Today the parish serves more than 2,300 families.
- 1979: Parish organized in the Diocese of Baton Rouge; Msgr. Lester Lacassagne named first pastor
- Founding community worshipped at Shenandoah Elementary School
- Dec. 8, 1980: original chapel and school complex dedicated
- Fr. Gerard Young era: parish unified through RENEW; stewardship adopted as a way of life
- School at capacity since 1980–81; library now holds 16,000+ volumes
- 16 adjoining acres purchased under Fr. Michael Collins
- Jan. 21, 2007: new church dedicated; main body seats 940
- Current pastor: Fr. C. Todd Lloyd
MBS Catholic School (preK–8)
MBS Catholic School opened in 1980–81 as part of the original parish complex and has been at capacity every year since. Located at 8033 Baringer Road, the school serves about 550 full-time students and is nationally recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and as a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School. Principal Cheri Gioe leads a curriculum that develops the whole child—spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical—rooted in Gospel values and Diocesan learning standards.
- Opened 1980–81, at capacity every year since
- Located at 8033 Baringer Rd., Baton Rouge, LA 70817
- Enrollment approximately 550 full-time students
- Principal: Cheri Gioe
- 2013 National Blue Ribbon School
- Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS CASI)
- Extended Care program directed by Sheena Gauthier
MBS Early Learning Center
The MBS Early Learning Center grew out of the parish preschool that opened in 1986 in a small two-room building next to the school playground. Renamed the MBS Early Learning Center in 2010 to better reflect its educational structure, it moved into renovated space in the former rectory/parish offices in Fall 2006 and has since added an all-day program for younger working families. The ELC operates on the same campus as MBS School so younger siblings can be on one campus with older ones.
- Originated in 1986 as a two-room preschool adjacent to the school playground
- First director: Mrs. Ann Crooks
- Renamed MBS Early Learning Center in 2010
- Relocated to current facilities Fall 2006 in the renovated former rectory/parish offices
- All-day program added to complement the established half-day program
- Located at 7853 Broker Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70817
- Director: Laurina Conger
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Office of Christian Formation, directed by West Giffin, coordinates a full sacramental and catechetical pathway for children and adults, including PSR, sacramental prep, Confirmation, and OCIA. 'Catholic 101' is the parish's newer adult formation series—lectures and small-group discussions over supper—required as a prerequisite for OCIA and Adult Confirmation but open to any adult wanting to deepen their grasp of the faith.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) for grades 1–10 who do not attend a Catholic school
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation for 2nd graders
- Confirmation preparation for 11th–12th graders
- OCIC / RCIC (Right of Christian Initiation for Children) for grades 3–12 seeking baptism or initiation
- OCIA / RCIA for unbaptized adults and baptized Christians seeking full communion
- Adult Confirmation preparation
- Catholic 101 adult formation series (prerequisite for OCIA and Adult Confirmation)
- Religion Education Catechists (volunteer catechists for Sunday sessions, Sept.–May)
- Vacation Bible School (VBS)
- Office of Child Protection — Child Protection Coordinator: Roslyn Landry
Youth & Family Life
To serve its youthful, growing population, MBS lists more than 30 ministries and organizations under categories including Administration, Education/Faith, Family Life, and Youth Ministries. Discipleship opportunities for teens and adults include High School Youth Ministry (coordinated by Lizzie Beauchamp), a weekly Men's Bible Study, SoulCore, Respect Life, and a Women's Prison Ministry Book Club.
- High School Youth Ministry (Lizzie Beauchamp)
- Men's Bible Study — weekly in the St. Peter Room (PAC)
- SoulCore — weekly in the St. John Room (Office)
- Respect Life Ministry
- Women's Prison Ministry Book Club — St. Luke Room (Office)
- Parish events: Parish Picnic, Ministry Appreciation, Thanksgiving Meal
- Annual Parish Fair (Fall) and Gala/Auction (February) fundraisers
Parish Administration & Councils
MBS is supported by an advisory Parish Advisory Council and a Finance Council that assists the pastor with budget and stewardship matters. Tithing Tabulators gather each Sunday morning to count and record the collections, and an Events Committee coordinates the annual calendar of parish celebrations.
- Parish Advisory Council — advisory body to the pastor and staff
- Finance Council — advisory on budget and stewardship; meets quarterly
- Events Committee — Parish Picnic, Ministry Appreciation, Thanksgiving Meal
- Parish Fair Committee — annual Fall Fair supporting Church and School
- Auction / Gala Committee — proceeds go to the Capital Campaign
- Tithing Tabulators — Sunday morning collection counters
Sacraments at MBS
Information on the parish's seven sacraments is published on the MBS website and in its bulletin, with the following parish-level guidance: families are asked to contact the office during pregnancy to register for a Baptism seminar, engaged couples must observe the Diocese of Baton Rouge's six-month marriage preparation period, and families should call a priest for prayer and guidance before scheduling a funeral.
- Baptism — register during pregnancy for a Baptism seminar
- Marriage — 6 months of preparation required by Diocesan law
- Funeral — contact a priest before setting date/time
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist — 2nd-grade sacramental prep
- Confirmation — 11th/12th grade
- OCIA / RCIA — process begins in the Fall, concludes at Easter
- Anointing of the Sick — through priest contact
Becoming a Parishioner
New families can register online via the parish's electronic Membership Form. Those transferring from another parish also complete and submit a Transfer of Church Membership form to the church office in addition to the online registration.
- Electronic Membership Form on mbsparish.org
- Transfer of Church Membership Form for those moving from another parish
- Forms are submitted to the church office for processing
Contact, Hours, and Location
The parish office is at 15615 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70817, and can be reached at (225) 752-6230 (fax 225-756-5014). Office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:00 am to 3:30 pm (closed 12:00–1:00 pm) and Friday 8:00 am to noon. The school is at 8033 Baringer Road (phone 225-751-0273) and the Early Learning Center is at 7853 Broker Avenue (phone 225-752-8829).
- Parish: 15615 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70817 — (225) 752-6230
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 am–3:30 pm (closed 12–1 pm); Fri 8:00 am–noon
- MBS School: 8033 Baringer Rd. — (225) 751-0273; Fax (225) 753-7259
- MBS Early Learning Center: 7853 Broker Ave. — (225) 752-8829
- Office of Christian Formation: (225) 751-6230
- Child Protection Office: (225) 753-5526
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Lester Lacassagne1979–
First pastor, assigned when the parish was organized in March 1979.
- Rev. Gerard Young
Led the parish through the RENEW program and the development of stewardship as a way of life.
- Rev. Michael Collins
Oversaw the purchase of 16 adjoining acres and the construction of the new church, administration building, and meeting rooms (new church dedicated January 21, 2007).
- Rev. C. Todd Lloyd
Current pastor, who signs his welcome letters 'Totus Tuus, Fr. Todd Lloyd.'