Sacred calling answered, Beggerly ordained as new priest for diocese

BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING

JACKSON – Homegrown seminarian, Carlisle Beggerly was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Jackson on May 27 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson, where family, friends, priests, deacons, fellow seminarian and supporters from around the diocese were present for the joyous occasion.

Growing up in Florence, Beggerly had a profound spiritual awakening during his college years. Influenced by St. Augustine’s Confessions, Beggerly embarked on a quest to find the church to which Augustine belonged, ultimately leading him to the Catholic faith. Under the guidance of Father Bill Voller in Hattiesburg, Beggerly received instruction and embraced Catholicism, sensing a calling to the priesthood from the very beginning of his conversion.

After spending time with a religious order, Beggerly realized it was not the perfect fit and decided to pursue a di erent path. Even upon completing law school at Mississippi College, the call to priestly life continued to resonate within his heart.

After moving to West

Point and joining Immaculate Conception parish, Beggerly made the decision to enter seminary for the Diocese of Jackson, drawn by a deep desire to minister to the people who influenced and shaped his life.

After the Liturgy of the Word during the Mass of ordination for Beggerly, Bishop Joseph Kopacz called upon his worthiness and testimony was given by Father Nick Adam, director of vocations for the diocese.

“Relying on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose this man, our brother, for the order of the priesthood,” said Bishop Kopacz to applause from those gathered for the occasion.

During the Rite of Ordination, Bishop Kopacz anointed Beggerly’s palms with holy chrism. Afterward, his hands were wrapped in a binding cloth. At his first Mass of Thanksgiving at his home parish of Immaculate Conception West Point, Beggerly explained a tradition that sometimes accompanies the ritual.

“The cloth symbolically represents the ropes that were

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Seminarian takes next step towards priesthood, Stovall ordained to transitional diaconate

BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING AND TEREZA MA

JACKSON – In a momentous ceremony held at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle on May 20, Tristan Stovall was ordained to the transitional diaconate for the Diocese of Jackson, marking a significant milestone in his journey towards the priesthood. Surrounded by family, friends and members of the diocese, the ordination of Stovall was a joyous occasion filled with faith, hope and celebration of vocations.

Deacon Stovall’s path to the diaconate began in the red clay hills of Neshoba County, where he first encountered Catholicism, being fascinated with the funeral of Pope St. John Paul II as a young boy. At the age of 15, his interest and thirst for knowledge of the Catholic faith grew when he attended Mass for the very first time at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. After that experience the young Baptist knew then that he “had to become Catholic.” This journey ultimately led him to convert to Catholicism in 2014, where he was received into full communion with the church.

Throughout his faith journey, Stovall’s desire to dedicate his life entirely to God grew stronger, and the example of the saints, particularly St. Catherine of Siena, played a significant role in his discernment. Drawn to the care of souls, he felt a calling to the diocesan priesthood, which he believed was his specific ministry within the church.

The ordination ceremony itself, was presided over by Bishop Joseph Kopacz, who bestowed the sacrament of Holy Orders upon Stovall. As the faithful witnessed the laying on of hands and the prayers of consecration, the solemnity of the mo-

Spiritual Enrichment

CHATAWA Marian Servants, Annual “Speak Lord I’m Listening” Retreat, Friday, July 14 at 7 p.m. till Sunday, July 16 at 12 p.m. at the Our Lady of Hope Retreat Center. This retreat will give you the techniques to pray and meditate on the scriptures to deepen your relationship with the Lord. Father Bill Henry will preside. Cost: $300 (includes housing and meals); or $200 for commuters (includes meals). Register by July 7. Husbands and wives welcome. Details: contact Charlene at (601) 276-5954.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference, July 21-22 at John Carroll Catholic High School at 300 Lakeshore Parkway held by the Diocese of Birmingham. Conference theme is “Victory in Jesus” and will feature Father James Blount, with Father Eric Gami and Teresa Ragusa, a miracle COVID survivor. Father Blount is an internationally known healing ministry priest of the Society of Our Lady of the Trinity (SOLT) of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Registration $25 for individuals and $65 for family of three or more. All are welcome! Details: Sally Smith at (205) 983-4150 or mustardsally14@gmail.com. To register visit www.catholiccharismaticrenewal.org.

WASHINGTON D.C. Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage, Sept. 30 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Join with Catholics from around the country to seek the intercession of Our Lady. Hear life-changing talks; celebrate Mass and pray the rosary. For more information visit rosarypilgrimage.org.

PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS

BATESVILLE St. Mary, Rummage Sale, Aug. 4-5 at the parish center. You are welcome to start bringing your gently used items to the center. Details: parish office (662) 563-2273.

HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Cocktails and Catholicism, Friday, July 14. Featured speaker is Father Dennis Schenkel of the Diocese of Memphis on “Talking the Talk and Walking the Walk: Evangelizing as a Catholic.” Details: church o ce (662) 895-5007.

NATCHEZ St. Mary, Thursday Night at the Movies; June 29 “Father Stu,” July 13 “The Shack,” and

July 27 “The Scarlet and the Black.” Suitable for adults and older teens. Soft drinks, snacks and popcorn available for small donation. No admission fee, donations to Miss-Lou Pregnancy Center accepted. Details: church o ce (601) 445-5616.

RIDGELAND Catholic Charities, Back to School Giveaway, Friday, July 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free school supplies, games and food provided. Register at https://bit.ly/CCSchoolSupplyGiveaway23 Details: marsha.burton@ccjackson.org.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL & YOUTH EVENTS

BATESVILLE St. Mary, VBS, July 14-16 at the parish center. Volunteers needed. Details: Robin at (662) 934-8170.

BROOKHAVEN St. Francis, “Stellar” VBS, July 16-19 from 5:30-8 p.m. Launch kids on a cosmic quest where they’ll have a blast shining Jesus’ light to the world. Volunteers needed. Details: call Emily at (601) 757-0579.

GREENVILLE St. Joseph, VBS for grades K to fifth grades, July 16-18 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Joe High School. Visit stjosephgreenville.org to register or volunteer. Details: Alyssa at (662) 820-0868.

MERIDIAN St. Patrick, Hero Hotline VBS, June 26-30 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the parish center. All children entering Kindergarten through sixth grade welcome. Registration fee $10 but no child will be turned away. Register at catholiccommunity.mycokesburyvbs.com. Details: church office (601) 693-1321.

St. Patrick, Chronicles of Narnia youth movie nights, July 5, 12 and 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the Father Vally Room. Details: church o ce (601) 693-1321.

NATCHEZ St. Mary, “Stellar” VBS, July 17-22, evening hours to be announced. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.

JUNE 23, 2023

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

19-21. Learn the science of fertility in order to monitor reproductive health and wellness. Cost: $750. Details: events.boma-usa.org.

NATIONAL BLACK CATHOLIC CONGRESS

GATHERING, July 20-23 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Join with other Black Catholics and those who minister to Black Catholics for a celebration of faith and culture. Details: nbccongress.org.

FEATURED PHOTO ... New Graduates...

PEARL St. Jude, VBS – Family Style, June 28, July 5 and 12th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. We will have picnic supper, Bible story, crafts, inside and outside fun and games. Mass at 6 p.m. Target audience is Kindergarten through fifth grade and their families. No charge, canned good donations welcome. Details: to attend please contact Kathleen so we know how many to prepare for –(601) 939-3181.

REMINDERS/ NOTICES

JOB OPENINGS

Catholic schools across the diocese have a variety of positions open. Please visit https:// jacksondiocese.org/ employment for an opportunity near you.

INDIANAPOLIS Eucharistic Congress, July 17-21, 2024. Registration is now open. See what Our Lord has in store for this next chapter for the Catholic Church in United States. Purchase tickets at https://bit.ly/3ydav9Q. Details: EucharisticCongress.org.

NASHVILLE Billings Ovulation Method Teacher Training, Oct.

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JUNE 23, 2023