About St. Aloysius · Baton Rouge, Louisiana
St. Aloysius Catholic Church is a large parish in the Southdowns neighborhood of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, belonging to the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Founded in 1955 under Archbishop Joseph Rummel of New Orleans, it grew from 625 founding families to become one of the largest congregations in the diocese, anchored by St. Aloysius Catholic School (PreK-8, est. 1956) and a Child Care Center (est. 1986). The parish offers a robust sacramental life including daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, RCIA/OCIA, parish school of religion (PSR), youth ministry, and numerous outreach ministries, with Sunday Masses at 7:00, 9:00 (livestreamed), 11:00 AM, and 5:30 PM. It is currently led by Fr. Michael Alello as pastor (since July 1, 2024).
- Established
- 1955
- Patron
- St. Aloysius Gonzaga
- Rector
- Fr. Michael Alello
- Diocese
- Diocese of Baton Rouge
Why belong here
St. Aloysius is a large, multigenerational Catholic community with a deep bench of ministries for every stage of life — daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction in Gonzaga Hall Chapel, OCIA (formerly RCIA), Parish School of Religion for grades 1–10, an active youth ministry, a thriving Catholic school serving over 1,100 students, a full-time Child Care Center, and outreach through St. Vincent de Paul, the Respect Life group, ACTS retreats, the Knights of Columbus, the Music Makers, and many more. Parishioners describe a tradition of extraordinary generosity in sharing time, talent and treasure — a faith community that lives James 2:18 by putting belief into practice.
Mass times at St. Aloysius
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 7:30 AM
- Wednesday: 6:30 AM
- Thursday: 7:30 AM
- Friday: 7:30 AM
- Saturday: 3:30 PM
- By appointment — call 225-343-6657 or email Fr. Randy / Fr. Ryan
Adoration times
- Every Friday: 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM (Eucharistic Exposition, Adoration & Benediction)
- 1st Wednesday of each month: 6:30 AM – 7:00 AM
- 3rd Saturday of the month: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Communion Service 8:00 AM; Adoration 8:35 AM – 3:00 PM in Gonzaga Hall Chapel)
Parish History
St. Aloysius was founded in 1955 under Archbishop Joseph Rummel to serve Catholics in Baton Rouge's fast-growing Southdowns neighborhood. The parish charter was signed at Arnaud's in New Orleans, five acres were purchased in Southdowns, and the boundaries were carved out of St. Agnes and Sacred Heart parishes. Fr. Daniel J. Becnel was named first pastor. The parish's first Masses were held at Southdowns Elementary School while volunteers raised money to build a church and school. By fall 1956 the school had opened with 260 students, and through the 1960s the parish grew rapidly — the Diocese of Baton Rouge was formed in 1961, a second school building and a Daughters of Jesus convent were added in 1963, the first 8th-grade class graduated in 1964, and a Parish Council and Education Board were formed in 1965–1967. Successive pastors Fr. Guy Marcel and Fr. Hubert Brou shepherded continued expansion, including a 1986 Child Care Center (the diocese's only full-time parish child care center at the time) and a 30-year school leadership tenure for principal John Bennett beginning in 1985.
- Parish charter signed at Arnaud's, New Orleans (1954)
- Fr. Daniel J. Becnel named first pastor (1955)
- 625 founding Catholic families
- School opens fall 1956 with 260 students
- Diocese of Baton Rouge formed 1961
- First associate pastor Fr. Peter Jenniskens appointed 1962
- Daughters of Jesus convent built 1963
- Silver Jubilee in 1980; Fr. Hubert Brou appointed 1985
- Child Care Center opens 1986
- National Blue Ribbon School awards 2015 and 2024
- Fr. Michael Alello appointed pastor July 1, 2024
Clergy & Staff
St. Aloysius is led by pastor Fr. Michael Alello, appointed July 1, 2024 after Fr. Randy Cuevas's retirement. The parish maintains a sizeable lay staff supporting worship, formation, communications, facilities, school and child care.
- Fr. Michael Alello — Pastor (since July 1, 2024)
- Fr. Randy Cuevas — Pastor Emeritus / Retired (effective July 1, 2024)
- Fr. Ryan — Associate priest
- Deacon Ronnie Haliburton
- Additional Deacon
- Ken Thevenet — Director of Worship
- Chauvin Wilkinson — Director of Adult Formation
- Sebastian Wagner — Director of Children Formation
- Erin Candilora — School Principal
- Carmel Acosta — Child Care Center Director
- Leslie Doyle — Director of Ministries & Executive Assistant to the Pastor
- Alexandra Nichols — Youth Minister
- Aline Landry — Minister of Hospitality
- Tyler Waggenspack — Communications Coordinator / Digital Media Manager
- Elise Moran — Director of Facilities & Operations
St. Aloysius Catholic School
St. Aloysius Catholic School, opened in 1956 and nestled in the oak-lined Southdowns neighborhood, is one of Baton Rouge's premier private Catholic schools. The school was founded in the charism of the Daughters of Jesus religious sisters and now educates more than 1,100 students in PreK through 8th grade. The school has earned U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School honors in 2015 and again in 2024. The school building sits at 4001 Mimosa Street.
- Founded 1956 in the charism of the Daughters of Jesus
- Grades PreK–8, over 1,100 students
- National Blue Ribbon School: 2015 and 2024
- Address: 4001 Mimosa Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
- Phone: (225) 383-3871
Child Care Center
Established in 1986, St. Aloysius Child Care Center was for many years the only full-time parish child care center in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. It supports almost 200 families and welcomes children from the parish and surrounding community. The current Child Care Center building was constructed in 2016 and is located at 1957 Stuart Street, adjacent to the parish campus.
- Opened 1986 — the diocese's only full-time parish child care center for many years
- New building dedicated 2016
- Serves nearly 200 families
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Address: 1957 Stuart Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
- Phone: (225) 343-1338
Children's Faith Formation
St. Aloysius offers a wide range of formation programs for children from infancy through 10th grade. Children's Church provides an age-appropriate Liturgy of the Word for PreK through 2nd graders during the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass in fall and early spring. The Sunday Nursery (ages 3 months to 4 years) operates during 9:00 AM Mass in the Child Care Center. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) serves children in grades 1–6 who are not enrolled in the Catholic school, with classes September through March. PSR continues through 10th grade in support of Confirmation preparation.
- Children's Church — PreK–2nd grade, during 9 AM Mass
- Sunday Nursery — ages 3 months to 4 years, during 9 AM Mass
- PSR 1–6 — September through March
- PSR 7–10 (Confirmation preparation)
- Music Makers Ministry — mothers and young children, biweekly Fridays during school year
- Vacation Bible School (annual)
- Contact: Leslie Doyle, [email protected]
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) is the parish ministry that welcomes those exploring the Catholic faith. The process assists inquirers in discerning God's call, accompanies catechumens preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist, and helps already-baptized Christians prepare to make a profession of faith and be received into full communion. Sessions meet Monday evenings from 6:30–7:45 PM in the Parish Hall, running September through Easter Vigil.
- Sessions: Mondays 6:30–7:45 PM, Parish Hall
- September through Easter Vigil
- Sponsor Eligibility Form available
- Contact: Carmel Acosta, [email protected] or (225) 343-6657
Youth Ministry
St. Aloysius offers an active youth ministry for teens, featuring events where young people are welcomed in a judgment-free environment to make friends and grow in their Catholic faith. Youth Ministry is staffed by Alexandra Nichols and supports both ongoing gatherings and Confirmation preparation for high-school juniors.
- Ongoing youth group events for teens
- Confirmation preparation typically in junior year of high school
- PSR required for teens not enrolled in Catholic high school
- Contact: Alexandra Nichols
Adult Formation & Spiritual Growth
Adults can grow in their faith through the parish's adult formation programming and the online platform FORMED.org, which gives parishioners free access to thousands of Catholic movies, video programs, audio talks, ebooks and video-based studies from trusted Catholic providers. The parish also links daily Bible readings of the Mass from its homepage and offers retreats through the ACTS ministry.
- FORMED.org — Catholic streaming/movie/ebook platform
- Daily Mass readings
- Adult Confirmation offered annually
- ACTS Retreats (retreat in August typically open for registration)
- Bible Study and other Adult Religious Education
- Director of Adult Formation: Chauvin Wilkinson
Outreach & Parish Organizations
Parishioners at St. Aloysius are known for generosity in sharing time, talent and treasure. A long roster of ministries puts faith into action — from sacramental preparation to corporal works of mercy.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — food, clothing, shelter
- Knights of Columbus (men's organization)
- Respect Life Group (pregnancy crisis resources)
- Stephen Ministry (crisis support)
- Christmas Giving Tree / Thanksgiving Assistance
- Prison Outreach
- Grief and Bereavement support
- Hospital / Homebound Eucharistic visits
- Sewing, Quilting, Knitting & Crochet groups
- Boy Scout Troop / Girl Scouts
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptism requires preparation. First Communion is typically received through the parish school or PSR. Adult Confirmation is offered annually; teens are usually confirmed in the junior year of high school with PSR preparation. Married couples are asked to contact a priest at least six months before their anticipated wedding. Anointing of the Sick is available, and Mass Intentions can be requested (up to 6 months in advance; $5 stipend).
- Baptism — preparation required
- Reconciliation — scheduled times + by appointment
- First Communion — through school or PSR
- Confirmation — adults annually; teens in junior year of high school
- Marriage — contact priest 6+ months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick
- Mass Intentions — up to 5 per person, $5 stipend
Stewardship & Giving
St. Aloysius supports its mission through several giving options: automated bank draft, mailed or dropped-off gifts at the Parish Office, and offertory collections during weekend Masses. A portion of weekly offertory is dedicated in the parish budget to support the Child Care Center and School, including financial aid for families in need. The parish also publishes a weekly bulletin and a newsletter called Aloysius Alive.
- Automated bank draft
- Mail to / drop off at the Parish Office
- Offertory at weekend Masses
- Weekly bulletin (current issue posted online)
- Aloysius Alive (parish newsletter)
- Gifts support Child Care Center, School, and parish ministries
Contact & Visit
The Pastoral Services Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For emergencies after hours and on weekends or holidays, parishioners may call (225) 465-4521. Visitors and parishioners are encouraged to introduce themselves after Mass or stop by the Parish Office during office hours.
- Address: 2025 Stuart Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
- Phone: (225) 343-6657
- After-hours/weekend emergency: (225) 465-4521
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–4:00 PM; Fri 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Email: [email protected]
- Prayer Line: [email protected]
- Facebook: facebook.com/staloysiusbr
Campus & Master Plan
St. Aloysius is one of the largest parish congregations in the Diocese of Baton Rouge and the home of one of the diocese's premier Catholic schools. The campus has seen steady investment: classroom renovations in 2002 and 2015, a new Pastoral Services Center in 2005, an auxiliary gym in 2006, a new Child Care Center building in 2016, and an ongoing master-planning effort for the church and school campus (most recently including the demolition and rebuild of Gonzaga Hall).
- Classroom renovations: 2002, 2015
- New Pastoral Services Center: 2005
- Auxiliary gym: 2006
- New Child Care Center: 2016
- Gonzaga Hall demolition/rebuild — ongoing master plan
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Daniel J. Becnel1955–?
Founding pastor; native of St. Gabriel; previously assistant at St. Agnes (1938–1949) and pastor of Our Lady of Peace, Vacherie (1949–1955).
- Fr. Guy Marcelby 1980
Pastor at the time of the parish's Silver Jubilee; oversaw staff of three priests plus DRE, principal, social responsibility director and youth minister.
- Fr. Hubert Brou1985–
Appointed third pastor in 1985 by Bishop Stanley Ott; ushered in what parishioners consider the modern era of St. Aloysius.
- Fr. Randy Cuevasuntil July 1, 2024
Retired from active parish administration in 2024.
- Fr. Michael AlelloJuly 1, 2024–present
Appointed pastor effective July 1, 2024; previously pastor of St. Thomas More, Baton Rouge.