Issuu

Half-century of faith: Father Joe Dyer continues to serve

BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING AND TEREZA MA

JACKSON – Being a priest for 50 years, one could imagine the immense changes in that half of a century. For Father Joe Dyer, the first Black diocesan priest in Mississippi, God threw him “many surprises.”

Celebrating 50 years of priesthood on Friday, Aug. 16 at Christ the King parish in Jackson was a full-circle moment for Father Dyer, having been his first assignment in the Diocese of Jackson as associate pastor shortly after his ordination to the priesthood in 1974.

Father Dyer was ordained by Bishop Joseph Brunini in New Orleans at St. Mary of the Angels Church – an event he was “forever grateful” to Bishop Brunini for allowing him to be ordained at one of the parishes of his youth.

Growing up in New Orleans, Father Dyer recalled his home church of Holy Redeemer a “colored” parish that was destroyed by Hurricane Betsy, a powerful category 4 storm in 1965 that breached levees and inun-

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US bishops’ diocesan survey sets new baseline for Hispanic ministry in parishes nationwide

BY MARIETHA GÓNGORA

(OSV News) – The U.S. bishops’ Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs conducted a survey of dioceses and archdioceses in the country’s 14 episcopal regions and released its results Aug. 21. The survey shows how Hispanic ministry has taken off across the country and that in most dioceses, there is a parish-based pastoral response to Hispanic Catholics.

Alejandro Aguilera-Titus, assistant director of Hispanic Affairs under the Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, explained that the subcommittee sought to determine a

baseline about the state of Hispanic ministry at the parish level.

He told OSV News that it was important to observe the implementation of the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, a 10-year plan that was approved by the U.S. bishops in June 2023, and “to see how that parish ministry will develop in the years ahead.”

The survey, which was conducted from last April through mid-August, included questions on the number of parishes in each diocese, the number of parishes offering Mass in Spanish, and the number of parishes with a Hispanic/Latino presence or ministry without a Mass celebrated in Spanish.

“It was very important to know what the starting point is, what is the number of parishes that already have a Sunday Mass in Spanish, which is the quintessential sign that we see that the Hispanic community has been welcomed as

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JACKSON – Father Joe Dyer celebrates Mass with Father Tony Arguelles of the Diocese of Biloxi on his 50th anniversary of priesthood on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. Also pictured are Sister Thea Bowman School students Zachary Gordon (fourth grade) and Harry Chia (fifth grade) with Bishop Joseph Kopacz. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER – CEE is our diocesan marriage prep program for couples preparing for the sacrament of marriage. The upcoming weekends for 2024/2025 are: Oct. 11-13; Feb. 21-23, 2025; August 1-3, 2025; and Oct. 24-26, 2025 at Camp Garaywa in Clinton; and April 25-27, 2025 at Lake Tia O’Khata in Louisville. Register at https:// bit.ly/CEE2024-2025. Details: email debbie.tubertini@jacksondiocese.org.

FLOWOOD – St. Paul, “Bee Attitudes” Women’s Retreat, Oct. 18-20 at Our Lady of Hope Retreat Center in Chatawa with Father Anthony Quyet. Ladies of St. Paul, come experience the Beatitudes from the perspective of Henry David Thoreau’s Walden and Paula D’Arcy’s A New Set of Eyes Details: email ﬁnance@spaulcc.org.

OFFICE OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION – The OCE hosts a Zoom Rosary the ﬁrst Wednesday of each month during the school year at 7 p.m. On Oct. 2, Vicksburg Catholic School will lead us in prayer. Join early and place your intentions in the chat. Details: Join the rosary via zoom at https://bit.ly/zoomrosary2024 or check the diocese calendar of events.

PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS

COLUMBUS – Annunciation, Fall Festival, Sunday, Oct. 27 from 4-6:30 p.m. Have an amazing halloween experience for youth with trunk or treat, cake walk, games, contests, hall of saints, food and more. No pets. Details: church o ce (662) 328-2927.

CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth, Annual St. Elizabeth Fair, Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 5:30-8 p.m. Enjoy the traditional spaghetti dinner at the school and enjoy prize booths and more. Details: church o ce (662) 624-4301.

HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, 150th anniversary of the School Sisters of St. Francis, Friday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. Mass with Bishop Kopacz, followed by fellowship dinner. Details: church o ce (662) 429-7851.

FLOWOOD – St. Paul Early Learning Center, Annual Golf Tournament, Friday, Sept. 20 at Bay Pointe

Golf Club. Details: register at https://bit.ly/StPaulELCGolfTournament2024.

FOREST – St. Michael, Feast celebration with Mass at Gaddis Park. Sunday Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. Details: church o ce (601) 469-1916.

JACKSON – St. Richard, Special Kids Golf Tournament, Thursday, Oct. 10 at Deerﬁeld Golf Club in Canton. Morning and afternoon scrambles available. Details: for more information visit https://saintrichard.com/special-kids-day or email golf@saintrichard.com.

St. Richard School, Cardinal Fest, Sunday, Oct. 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Entry cost: $20. Enjoy games, food, music and more. Details: school o ce (601) 366-1157.

LELAND – St. James, Spaghetti Dinner and Fair, Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 5 p..m. Booths open at 6 p.m. Cost: $15 per plate. Details: Debbie at (662) 684-7352.

MADISON – St. Francis, A Taste of St. Francis Feast, Sunday, Oct. 6 in the Family Life Center after 10:30 a.m. Mass. Details: sign up on the forms at the entrance of the church or call (601) 856-5556 for more information.

NATCHEZ – Cathedral School, Fall Festival, Oct. 5 and 6. Enjoy midway games, shopping, ra es, adult night, bingo and more. Details: visit @CathedralFallFest on Facebook.

St. Mary Basilica, Parish Feast Day Dinner, Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Main meal provided, bring a dessert. Details: church o ce (601) 445-5616.

St. Mary Basilica, Blessing of the Animals, Sunday, Sept. 29 at 3:30 p.m. at the Family Life Center. Details: church o ce (601) 445-5616.

OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace, Church Picnic, Sunday, Sept. 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Enjoy games, free food and fellowship. Be sure to bring a lawn chair. Details: church o ce (662) 895-5007.

Queen of Peace, Men’s Club Golf Tournament, Sunday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. Cost: $125 per player. Details: church o ce (662) 895-5007.

PONTOTOC

TUPELO – St. James parish has started a new catechesis program that includes both parents and children to create a sense of belonging and community. The program’s aim is to provide a fun and engaging learning environment for the whole family, equipping parents to pass the faith onto their children, and fostering relationships among parents and catechists. On Sunday, Aug. 18, Dr. Vallimar Jansen was the keynote speaker at the first-ever family faith formation event, with the theme“Better Together.” Valimar’s charisma, energy and many talents blessed parishioners with a beautiful message of unity. (Photo by Rhonda Swita)

lumbus 898, Drawdown Dinner, Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. Cost: $75 for two – dine in only and one draw for $3,000 grand prize. Details: www.kc898.square.site

DIOCESE

JOB OPENING – The Diocese of Jackson’s Department of Faith Formation is looking for a full-time administrative assistant. The successful candidate will provide administrative assistance exercising quality pastoral skills for those in pastoral and formational ministry. Three to ﬁve years experience in an administrative role providing direct support to a multicultural intergenerational department. Understanding basic accounting a plus. High school diploma or GED certiﬁcate required; completion of college degree in business preferred. Contact fran.lavelle@jacksondiocese.org if you have questions about the position or if you would like a full job description. Send a cover letter and resume to Dr. Lavelle no later than Sept. 30, 2024.

Anniversary of Our Lady of Victories Parish 215 Bishop Rd., Cleveland Sunday, October 6 Mass at 10 a.m. with Bishop Kopacz Luncheon a er

– St. Christopher, Outdoor Mass and Potluck at the Tanglefoot Trail Pavillion on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 9:30 a.m. Details: church o ce (662) 842-4881.

RIPLEY – St. Matthew, Anniversary celebration of dedication of the church, Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy food booths, games and activities. Details: contact Laura (662) 587-3892 (Spanish) or Katie (412) 4526643 (English).

SOUTHAVEN

– Christ the King, Fall Festival, Saturday, Oct. 5. Save the date!

VICKSBURG – Knights of Co-

Information: 662-846-6273 olvcc@att.net

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Radiating the light of faith: Lessons from St. Gregory the Great

BY BISHOP JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D.

“We do not proclaim ourselves. Rather we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your servants for the sake of Jesus. For the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has enabled his light to shine in our hearts to enlighten them with the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. However, we hold this treasure in earthen vessels so that it may be clear that this immense power belongs to God and does not derive from us.”

(2Corinthians 4:5-7)

This scripture passage is taken from the ﬁrst reading on the Memorial of St. Gregory the Great at the Mass for the Diocesan Catholic School Teacher Development Day last week. The life of this great Doctor of the western church, one of four along with Saints Ambrose, Augustine and Jerome, is an exceptional prism to view the varied dimensions of Catholic School educators. As in the life of Pope St. Gregory the Great, all educators in the faith are called upon to celebrate, live and circulate the treasure of faith, and not simply hold it within tucked away as if in a safety deposit box.

St. Gregory served as Pope from 590-604 AD. Throughout much of his life and especially as the successor of St. Peter the glory of God was evident, illuminating the presence of Jesus Christ in the church and in society.

He grew up in a prominent family in Rome, was well educated, a man of deep faith and very committed to service. Upon the death of his parents, he di-

Happy Ordination Anniversary

September 15

Father Bill Henry Retired

Thank you for answering the call!

P.O. Box 2130 Jackson, MS 39225-2130

Phone: 601-969-3581 E-mail: editor@jacksondiocese.org

rected his wealth to the establishment of monasteries, assuming the vocation of a monk and serving as the Abbot. His administrative gifts were widely recognized and Pope Pelagius II who ordained him a deacon in 579 sent him as a legate to Constantinople. He returned to his monastery after his tour of duty in the East, but with the death of the Pope Pelagius in the plague that swept through Rome, by popular acclaim in the church and in society Gregory was swept into the papal o ce.

By the grace of God his accomplishments were legion over his 15 years at the center of the church. From the heart of the monastery, he brought Gregorian Chant into the mainstream of the church. Steeped in the scriptures he expended great e ort in the renewal of the clergy, including the o ce of bishop. He commissioned missionaries far and wide to Africa, France, Spain, and to present day England and Scotland to convert the Anglo Saxons. The propagation of the faith is the church’s irrepressible missionary impulse, the Great Commission of Jesus (Matthew 28) and is integral to the ministry of the pope. At this very hour I am writing, Pope Francis is on a missionary journey to Asia, including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, East Timor, etc. As a ﬁnal note, St. Gregory was an accomplished scholar whose writings remain a cherished part of the church’s treasury.

Amid all his scholarship, and accomplishments, in the O ce of Readings for his feast day we have a glimpse of the heart of the man who knew he was an earthen vessel who held an eternal treasure. “Indeed, when I was in the monastery, I could curb my idle talk and usually be absorbed

Volume 70 Number 16 (ISSN 1529-1693)

Publisher Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz

Communications Director Joanna Puddister King

Production Manager Tereza Ma

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC is an oﬃcial publication of the Diocese of Jackson, 601-969-1880, 237 E. Amite St., Jackson, MS 39201. Published digitally twice per month January – April and September – December; once per month June, July and August. Mississippi Catholic mails 14 editions per year – twice per month in December and January; and once per month February –November. For address changes, corrections or to join the email list for the digital edition, email: editor@jacksondiocese.org. Subscription rate: $20 a year in Mississippi, $21 out-of-state. Periodical postage at Jackson, MS 39201 and additional entry oﬃces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mississippi Catholic, P.O. Box 2130, Jackson, MS 39225-2130.

Website: www.mississippicatholic.com  www.jacksondiocese.org

in my prayers. Since I assumed the burden of pastoral care, my mind is concerned with so many matters. I must weigh the behavior and acts of individuals. I am responsible for the concerns of our citizens. I must worry about the invasions of roving bands of barbarians and beware of the wolves who lie in wait for my flock. With my mind divided and torn to pieces by so many problems how can I meditate, or preach, or teach, or lead wholeheartedly? Moreover, at times I let my tongue run, and because I am weak, I find myself drawn little by little into idle conversation, and I begin to talk freely about matters I would have avoided. … So, who am I to be a watchman, for I do not stand firmly on the mountain of action, but lie down in the valley of weakness? However, the all-powerful creator and redeemer of mankind can give me despite my weakness a higher life and e ective speech; because I love him, I do not spare myself in speaking of him.” Gregory described his ministry as Servant of the Servants of God, a title that has anchored the papacy to Jesus Christ the Servant ever since.

The key for all of us, like Pope St. Gregory, is the treasure we hold in the earthen vessels of our lives, the weakness and vulnerability from within, and often the unpredictability around us. The treasure is the faith, hope and love, this year’s theme for our Catholic School communities, that is the glory of God shining on the face of Jesus Christ. From the center of the church to all points on the compass, all the baptized are called to be disciples radiating the One who is the light of the world, true God from true God.

BISHOP’S SCHEDULE

Sunday, Sept. 22, 11 a.m. – Red Mass, St. John, Oxford

Wednesday, Sept. 25-29 – Mission Trip, Saltillo, Mexico

Friday, Oct. 4, 6 p.m. – 150th Anniversary of founding of the School Sisters of St. Francis, Holy Spirit, Hernando

Sunday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. – 100th Anniversary Celebration and Mass, Our Lady of Victories, Cleveland

Saturday, Oct. 12, 6 p.m. – Homegrown Harvest Fundraiser for Jackson Seminarians, Two Mississippi Museums, Jackson

Tuesday, Oct. 15 and 22, 7:30 a.m. – Mass, Carmelite Monastery, Jackson

Sunday, Oct. 20, 4 p.m. – Conﬁrmation, Christ the King, Southaven

Tuesday, Oct. 22, 5 p.m. – Catholic Foundation Social and Dinner, Country Club of Jackson

All events are subject to change. Check with parishes for further details.

CALLED BY NAME

I can’t believe it’s already time for Homegrown Harvest 2024! As we get ready for this great annual event where we support our seminarians and work to bring forth more men to be priests from our diocese, I’m proud to announce a new partnership that is designed to bring forth more excellent young men to consider the priesthood. We have partnered with Vianney Vocations for an initiative called Vocation Pathway.

Vianney Vocations has been working with dioceses for more than 15 years to provide excellent resources like books, posters, promotional items and more. After all that time, they’ve seen ‘what works’ and ‘what doesn’t work’ when it comes to promoting vocations. Vocation Pathway is a systematic approach to vocation promotion that Vianney has developed. We are working with Chris Kreslins from Vianney Vocations to build a plan just for our diocese. That plan is already in motion, and I’m excited to share more details in the coming weeks and months.

The most important part of Vocation Pathway is forming a team of priests who can run discernment groups at least twice a year in various parts of the diocese. I spent the summer putting together a team, and it includes priests from almost every deanery. Our team has undergone four weeks of training to run six-week discernment groups each fall and spring. These groups are not only for men who

say, ‘I want to be a priest,’ but they are for any man who is a strong Catholic and wants to grow in his faith.

The Vocation Team is already in place and is starting the invitation process to young men in their area. The team consists of: Fathers Augustine Palimattam, St. Patrick/St. Joseph Meridian, Aaron Williams, St. Mary/ Assumption Natchez, Mark Shoffner, St. John Oxford, Jason Johnston and Tristan Stovall, St. Joseph Starkville, Kent Bowlds, Our Lady of Victories Cleveland, Matthew Simmons, St. Joseph Gluckstadt, and me. Please pray for these team members, and if you have suggestions of who should be invited to these discernment groups, let one of the team members know!

Our rep from Vianney Vocations will be in Jackson to speak to the full presbyterate and all our parish leaders next month. We are excited about this new chapter, and I’d like to share a goal with you that I believe we can reach, although it is lofty. Our goal is to have 33 seminarians by the year 2030. Please keep that in your prayers, and ‘ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest!’

– Father Nick Adam, vocation director

Father Nick Adam

Dark memory

IN EXILE

By Father ron rolheiser, oMi

Inside each of us, beyond what we can picture clearly, express in words, or even feel distinctly, we have a dark memory of having once been touched and caressed by hands far gentler than our own. That caress has left a permanent mark, an imprint of a love so tender and deep that its memory becomes a prism through which we see everything else. This imprint lies beyond conscious memory but forms the center of our soul. This is not an easy concept to explain. Bernard Lonergan, one of the great intellectuals of the past century, tried to explain it philosophically by saying we bear inside us “the brand of the first principles,” namely, the oneness, truth, goodness and beauty which are the attributes of God. That’s accurate, but abstract. Maybe the old myths and legends capture it better when they say that, before birth, each soul is kissed by God, and it then goes through life always in some dark way remembering that kiss and measuring everything it experiences in relation to that original sweetness. To be in touch with your heart is to be in touch with this primordial kiss, with both its preciousness and its meaning. What exactly is being said here?

Within each of us, at that place where all that is most precious within us lives, there is an inchoate sense of having once been touched, caressed, loved, and valued in a way that is beyond anything we have ever consciously experienced. In fact, all the goodness, love, value, and tenderness we experience in life fall short precisely because we are already in touch with something deeper. When we feel frustrated, angry, betrayed, violated or enraged, it is because our outside experience is antithetical to what we already hold dear inside.

We all have this place, a place in the heart, where we hold all that is most precious and sacred to us. From that place our own kisses issue forth, as do our tears. It is the place that we most guard from others, but the place where we would most want others to come into; the place where we are the most deeply alone and the place of intimacy; the place of innocence and the place where we are violated; the place of our compassion and the place of our rage. In that place we are holy. There we are temples of God, sacred churches of truth and love. There we bear God’s image.

But this needs understanding: the image of God inside of us is not a beautiful icon stamped inside of our soul. No. The image and likeness of God inside us is energy, fire and memory; especially the memory of a touch so tender and loving that its goodness and truth become the prism through which we ultimately see everything. Thus, we recognize goodness and truth outside of us precisely because they resonate with something that is already inside us. Things touch our hearts when they touch us here. Isn’t it because we have already been deeply touched and caressed that we passionately seek a soulmate, that we seek someone to join us in this intimate place?

And, consciously and unconsciously, we measure everything in life by how it touches this place: why do certain experiences touch us so deeply? Why do our hearts burn within us in the presence of any truth, love, goodness or tenderness that is genuine and deep? Is not all deep knowledge simply a waking up to something we already know? Is

not all love simply a question of being respected for something we already are? Are not the touch and tenderness that bring ecstasy nothing other than the stirring of deep memory? Are not the ideals that inspire hope only the reminder of words somebody has already spoken to us? Does not our desire for innocence (and innocent means “not wounded”) mirror some primal unwounded place deep within us? And when we feel violated, is it not because someone has irreverently entered the sacred inside us?

When we are in touch with this memory and respect its sensitivities, we are in touch with our souls. At those times, faith, hope and love will spring up in us, joy and tears will both flow through us freely, and we will be deeply affected by the innocence and beauty of children, as pain and gratitude alternately

The Pope’s Corner

bring us to our knees.

That is what it means to be recollected, centered. To be truly ourselves is to remember, to touch and to feel the memory of God’s original touch in us. That memory fires our energy and provides us with a prism through which to see and understand.

Sadly, today, too often a wounded, calloused, cynical, over sophisticated and overly adult world invite us to forget God’s kiss in the soul, to view this as childish. But, unless we lie to ourselves and harden ourselves against our own ourselves (the most dangerous of all activities), we will always remember, dimly, darkly, unrelentingly, the caress of God.

(Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser is a theologian, teacher and award-winning author. He can be contacted through his website www.ronrolheiser.com.)

Adoration anchors one’s life in Jesus, pope says

By Cindy Wooden

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The best way to ensure evangelization is about Jesus and not about oneself is to spend time in prayer and especially in Eucharistic adoration, Pope Francis told members of the Oblates of St. Joseph.

“Young people do not need us; they need God,” the pope told members of the order’s general chapter during a meeting at the Vatican Aug. 26.

“The more we live in his presence, the more we are able to help them encounter him without unnecessary protagonism and having only their salvation and full happiness at heart,” the pope said.

People today, but especially young people, he said, live in a world where what seems to count most is what is on the outside: one’s appearance, achievements or adventures.

“But a life lived all ‘outside’ leaves the inside empty like someone who spends all his time on the street and lets his home fall into disrepair for lack of care and love,” the pope said. Instead, “make your hearts, your communities (and) your religious houses places where the warmth of familiarity with God and among brothers and sisters can be felt and shared.”

The life of every Christian, but especially of a member of a religious order, must be anchored in “a daily ‘being’ with Jesus,” he said. “Let’s not delude ourselves: without him we do not stand, none of us. We each have our own frailties, and without the Lord to sustain us, we would not stand.”

Participating in the sacraments, listening to and meditating on Scripture and spend-

ing time before Jesus in the Eucharist are essential parts of religious life, he said.

“I want to emphasize this: Sometimes we neglect adoration, the prayer of adoration, silence before the Lord,” Pope Francis said. The priests and brothers in the order should imitate St. Joseph, their patron, and the way he responded to “the immense gift of having the very Son of God made man in his home: by being with him, listening to him, talking to him and sharing with him the life of every day.”

The pope also asked members of the general chapter to think about their sins and notice how “when you fell into sin it was because you were not close to the Lord. That is always the case. Those who are close to the Lord immediately cling to him and do not fall.”

Pope Francis talks about the plight of migrants during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Aug. 28, 2024. (CNS photo/ Lola Gomez)

' Thank God for Father Joe'

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dated neighborhoods. After that, the family and others from the parish found their home at a local “white” parish – St. Mary of the Angels.

Father Tony Ricard of the Archdiocese of New Orleans was in attendance at Father Dyer’s 50th anniversary celebration and both attended the same high school though about 20 years apart – St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. The school has turned out 12 Black Catholic priests over the past 50 years and Father Dyer was the first.

“So, at school we refer to him as our ‘Proto-Priest.’ Meaning that he was the first to come from us,” said Father Tony. “He’s been a great inspiration to all of the young men that have gone on to become priests from our school. … When we talk about him, we talk about his ministry and the fact that soon he’ll be 80 years old, but he hasn’t stopped yet.”

After beginning his service at Christ the King in Jackson, Father Dyer served at Holy Family Jackson, St. John Oxford, Sacred Heart Canton, Holy Child Jesus Canton, St. Michael Forest, St. Michael Paulding, St. Anne Newton, St. Martin de Porres before his full-circle moment serving back at Christ the King Jackson as sacramental minister and spending time with children at Sister Thea Bowman School after his retirement in February of 2018.

At his anniversary celebration, many gathered from parishes Father Dyer served at over the years and from New Orleans, sharing fond memories and the profound impact he has had on their lives.

Joyce Brasfield Adams recalled when he brought her into the Catholic Church

in 1986 at Holy Family parish in Jackson. “Father Joe believed in me before I believed in myself,” said Adams. “I thank God for Father Joe.”

The Le family of St. Michael Forest made the trip to celebrate Father Dyer’s anniversary, recalling family trips and immersing him in Vietnamese culture. Andrew Le was an altar server for Father Dyer while serving at St. Michael Forest for a period of 11 years and even had the pleasure of altar serving with him on a cruise ship. Le was also honored to bring Father Dyer along for a Vietnamese Catholic retreat – Marian Days – in Missouri where tens of thousands of Vietnamese Catholics gather for a spiritual pilgrimage and social festival. “He means the world to us,” said Amy Le, who Father Dyer confirmed to the Catholic faith years ago.

As Father Dyer continues his celebration of 50 years of priesthood and 80 years of life, his journey of faith continues on. “My sacramental life is now as a priest who still finds joy and purpose administering the sacraments to God’s people,” said Father Dyer.

' How we can continue serving this thriving part of our church'

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a community in a parish,” said Aguilera-Titus. “In communities where the Spanish Mass is already established, many other ministries emerge as well.”

He said the committee was pleased to find that almost 30% of the parishes in the country have a Sunday Mass in Spanish established.

An Aug. 21 press release from USCCB indicated that 175 surveys were completed, representing 100% of the Latin Catholic archdioceses and dioceses in the U.S. It showed that 4,479 out of 16,279 U.S. parishes offered Sunday Mass in Spanish.

The survey also found that about 2,760 parishes have a Hispanic/Latino presence or ministry but do not currently offer Mass in Spanish and that “99% of the dioceses surveyed have several parishes that offer Mass in Spanish,” according to the release.

“We are talking about the fact that there is a Hispanic presence throughout the country, in the 175 dioceses (of the Latin Church) in the country” and that in most of those dioceses, “there is a significant response or parish ministry,” said Aguilera-Titus.

This survey focused on examining parishes serving Hispanics/Latinos in U.S. dioceses, but it also clarified that “several dioceses reported having missions or ministries serving Hispanics/Latinos extraordinary ministries or locations that are not identified as parishes” and that the survey did not intend to diminish those efforts.

Aguilera-Titus explained that in 2016-2017, a survey that was part of the V Encuentro process showed that about 4,485 parishes had some type of Hispanic ministry, although it did not specify data on Sunday Mass in Spanish, but rather Masses during the week or monthly Masses. This new survey indicates that 4,479 parishes have Sunday Mass in Spanish and that, in addition, almost 3,000 parishes have some type of Hispanic ministry or presence but do not have a Sunday Mass in Spanish.

“We are talking about the significant growth in the response that the church is giving at the parish level,” Aguilera-Titus said.

Over 42% of U.S. Catholics self-identified as Hispanic and it has been reported that this is the case for more than half of all U.S. Catholics under 30. But even though Latino Catholics have accounted for

much of the growth of the U.S. church for decades, the data shows these Catholics are also leaving the church at high rates and becoming religiously unaffiliated, according to a 2023 report by the Pew Research Center.

“Much progress has been made in the awareness of the Hispanic presence in the country and in the response at the parish level,” Aguilera-Titus said, but the subcommittee’s survey also shows “that there are still thousands of parishes where that Hispanic presence needs to be more accurately recognized, and an adequate pastoral response needs to be given to that presence.”

Aguilera-Titus anticipated that, in the context of the new pastoral plan for Hispanic ministry and its implementation, the number of parishes with Sunday Mass in Spanish and “with developed and well-organized ministries” will grow over the years.

Bishop Oscar Cantú of San Jose, California, chair of the Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs, welcomed the results and said these types of surveys are vital to the church’s response to Hispanic/Latino communities.

“There are common obstacles that dioceses face when engaging in Hispanic/Latino ministry, such as bilingual priests or limited resources,” the bishop said, according to the USCCB press release. “This survey helps to measure our work and determine how we can continue serving this thriving part of our church and the importance of ongoing ministry to the needs of our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters.”

Aguilera-Titus echoed the crucial need to promote more vocations to the priesthood and religious life among Hispanic Catholics. He added that it was important that, regardless of culture and origin, seminarians and priests, “especially pastors, who are not yet interculturally capable, acquire that intercultural capacity,” knowledge, attitudes and skills “that will allow them to effectively and joyfully pastor with that Hispanic/Latino people that continues to grow in practically every corner of the country.”

He also told OSV News that despite the financial challenges facing the church in the U.S., particularly dioceses, Hispanic ministry at the diocesan level continues to be very strong. “It’s really good news that 57 of the dioceses that responded (to the survey) have

their Hispanic pastoral office and director,” he said. The survey indicated that close to 47% of respondents were directors or coordinators of Hispanic/ Latino ministry. Meanwhile, “while another 35% of respondents held positions in offices dedicated to cultural diversity, faith formation, and catechesis, signaling that there are other diocesan offices engaged in, or overseeing Hispanic/Latino ministry,” the press release stated. According to the subcommittee, this point shows the correlation of a robust diocesan structure and a vibrant ministry at the parish level.

Aguilera-Titus also commented on places where there was a need for further growth. “We also have about 20% of the dioceses where we see that the diocesan structure could be further strengthened to support Hispanic ministry. That was also included in the pastoral plan,” he said.

Aguilera-Titus explained that three characteristics determine a successful diocesan ministry of Hispanic ministry (also known as “pastoral hispana”): the person who coordinates it has direct contact with the diocesan bishop, a budget that allows for the development of specific programs to support and promote and develop Hispanic ministry, and collaboration with other diocesan offices.

“We are deeply grateful for the high participation from the dioceses starting with the people who coordinate and direct Hispanic ministry, but also in some cases with people who were learning more about the Hispanic presence in their dioceses,” Aguilera-Titus said.

The USCCB press release stated the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, and the Eastern Catholic archeparchies and eparchies in the U.S. were also not included in this survey.

(Marietha Góngora V. writes for OSV News from Washington.)

NOTES: The USCCB Hispanic Affairs Subcommittee’s survey can be found at:

Diocesan Survey (English Edition) https://bit. ly/4edfYQL

Diocesan Survey (Spanish Edition) https://bit. ly/3TfoJ52

New study says Shroud of Turin bloodstains are ‘consistent with Jesus Christ’s tortures’

By Junno Arocho EstEvEs

A study published in July revealed that a new analysis of the Shroud of Turin, including the composition and a microscopic analysis of bloodstains, shows that the marks are consistent with the tortures endured by Christ as described in the Gospels.

The study, titled “New Insights on Blood Evidence from the Turin Shroud Consistent with Jesus Christ’s Tortures,” stated that the presence of creatinine particles with ferritin, which are often a by-product of muscle contractions, “confirms, at a microscopic level, the very heavy torture suffered by Jesus of the HST,” or Holy Shroud of Turin.

Furthermore, “numerous bloodstains scattered throughout the double body image of the HST show evidence that Jesus of the HST was tortured,” it stated.

“Bloodstained marks all over the body image which are consistent with pre-crucifixion flagellation, bloodstained marks on the head that are consistent with a ‘crown’ of thorns, blood marks on the hand and feet that are consistent with crucifixion and the bloodstain on the chest that evidences a post-mortem wound that corresponds with the post-mortem spear wound that Christ received as is described in the Bible,” the report said.

The new study was written by Giulio Fanti, associate professor of Mechanical and Thermal Measurements at the Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Padua. According to his personal website, Fanti has studied and written about the famed burial cloth since 2004.

The funding for the study, the report said, “was partially supported by a religious group that requested anonymity” and that the group entrusted Fanti with “the analysis of the so-called ‘Padre Pio handkerchief,’ a fabric on which two imag-

es considered miraculous are imprinted on the front and back of (a Shroud of Turin-like) Jesus Christ and Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, respectively.”

According to the report, a preliminary study conducted by Fanti, along with Christian Privitera, an engineer, revealed the presence “of an almost transparent substance” between the bloodstained threads of the shroud.

“This substance, given its origin and in agreement with other scholars who have analyzed the Shroud of Oviedo, could be the semi-transparent fluid produced by pulmonary edema,” the report said, referring to the excessive accumulation of fluid in the lungs that Jesus was believed to have suffered from while on the cross.

The Shroud of Oviedo, Spain, is what both tradition and scientific studies claim was the cloth used to cover and clean the face of Jesus after the crucifixion.

Fanti’s study on the Shroud of Turin stated that aside from confirming the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ torture, including the flagellation, the right eye of the man of the shroud, given that it was “more sunken” with a vertical mark over the “apparently furrowed” eyelid,” indicate that he “could have been blinded by another blow of the scourge on the head.”

“As an alternative to the scourge mark on the right eye, one can think of a wound produced by a thorn from the crown placed on Jesus’ head,” the report stated.

The 14-foot-by-4-foot shroud features a full-length photonegative image of a man, front and back, bearing signs of wounds that correspond to the Gospel accounts of the torture Jesus endured in his passion and death.

The Catholic Church has never officially ruled on the shroud’s authenticity, saying judgments about its age and origin belonged to scientific investigation.

Scientists have debated its authenticity for decades, and studies have led to conflicting results.

A 1988 carbon testing dated the cloth to the 12th century, leading many to conclude that the shroud is a medieval forgery. However, scientists have challenged that claim by noting that the methodology of the testing was erroneous and that the sample used in the carbon dating process was a piece used to mend the cloth in the Middle Ages.

A 2014 study published in the 2018 Journal of Forensic Sciences by Matteo Borrini, an Italian forensic scientist, and Luigi Garlaschelli, an Italian chemist, stated that blood patterns on the shroud were not consistent with those left by a crucified person.

Garlaschelli also posted a YouTube video of his experiment in 2015 using a live person to study the blood patterns in various positions as well as pressing a sponge against a plastic mannequin to examine the way the fake blood flowed.

However, several experts and researchers criticized the 2014 study, stating that their findings lacked the accuracy of past studies, some of which involved cadavers of men who died of hemopericardium, the pooling of blood in the heart, which is believed to be what ultimately caused Jesus’ death on the cross.

In his report, Fanti questioned the results of the 1988 study, stating that certain factors, including the presence of neutron radiation, transformed elements in the shroud, “thus heavily skewing the results of the radiocarbon dating of the HST performed in 1988 by many centuries.”

(Junno Arocho Esteves reports for OSV News from Malmö, Sweden.)

The Shroud of Turin is pictured in a file photo during a preview for journalists at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy. A study published in July revealed that a new analysis of the shroud, including the composition and a microscopic analysis of the blood, shows that the marks are consistent with the tortures endured by Christ as described in the Gospels. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Sirviendo a los Católicos Hispanos de la Diócesis de Jackson desde 1997

Fortaleciendo la unidad: Los líderes parroquiales exploran la competencia cultural en los ministerios

Por Joanna PuDDister KinG

JACKSON – El miércoles 28 de agosto, más de 70 líderes parroquiales de toda la Diócesis de Jackson se reunieron para un taller de competencia intercultural llevado a cabo en St. Jude Perla por la Oficina de Ministerio Intercultural de la diócesis. En el evento estuvieron representados doce países diferentes además de Estados Unidos, entre ellos Nigeria, India, Vietnam, Colombia y México, entre otros. El evento habló de la realidad presente que los ministerios diocesanos necesitan aprender a servir con la realidad cultural de la diócesis.

El taller, centrado en la cultura en general y no en una en particular, exploró temas como el funcionamiento de la cultura, los parámetros de la cultura, las habilidades comunicativas y los movimientos de integración parroquial.

PEARL – Varios participantes de la Diócesis de Jackson se reunieron para una foto fuera de la parroquia de San Judas después de un taller sobre competencia intercultural dirigido por el Diácono Juan Carlos Pagán de la Diócesis de Lafayette y Olga Lucia Villar, directora ejecutiva del Instituto Pastoral del Sureste (SEPI). (Foto de Tereza Ma)

El Diácono Juan Carlos Pagán de la Diócesis de Lafayette fue uno de los oradores destacados en el evento. Originario de Puerto Rico, con una esposa “cajún” de 25 años, habló sobre la necesidad de la inculturación, envolviendo el mensaje central de una manera que otras culturas puedan entender.

Con todos los diferentes países representados que estuvieron presentes en el evento, el Diácono Pagán dijo que “necesitamos aprender a servir de manera que sea aplicable a las diferentes realidades culturales”.

Usando como ejemplo a la Santísima Virgen María, señaló que, en sus difer-

entes apariciones, ella aparece a imagen de las personas a las que está hablando. “La Virgen de Guadalupe es un gran ejemplo”, dijo el diácono Pagán. “Tienes a María apareciendo vestida de una manera que los indígenas podían entender quién era. Este es un ejemplo de inculturación, es la envoltura de la verdad de Jesucristo ... en un paquete que sea comprensible para el recibidor”.

Durante el evento también se presentaron estadísticas de nuestra diócesis cambiando. El Obispo Joseph Kopacz habló brevemente en el taller intercultural sobre el extenso estudio CARA realizado a través del proceso de reinvención pastoral que la diócesis emprendió durante el año pasado, y que ahora continúa a nivel parroquial. Dijo que era importante que los líderes parroquiales se basaran en la realidad con respecto a la composición de la demografía en la diócesis y notaran “quiénes serán la población católica en los próximos 20 a 30 años”.

El Obispo Kopacz dijo que, con el propósito de la evangelización, algunas comunidades parroquiales no se dieron cuenta del tamaño de la población católica en sus áreas que no asisten a la iglesia hasta que vieron el estudio de CARA. Muchos quieren llegar a ellos y traerlos a la comunidad católica y hacerlo a través de la elevación de la competencia intercultural es un paso en la dirección

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Encuesta diocesana de la USCCB revela cómo las parroquias en todo el país responden a la presencia hispana

Por Marietha GÓnGora

INDIANÁPOLIS (OSV News) – Este 21 de agosto, el Subcomité de Asuntos Hispanos de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos (USCCB, por sus siglas en inglés), dio a conocer los resultados de una encuesta a las diócesis y arquidiócesis de las 14 regiones episcopales. Estos resultados muestran cómo la pastoral hispana ha tomado gran fuerza en todo el país, y que en la mayoría de las diócesis hay una respuesta pastoral parroquial para la comunidad hispana.

OSV News habló con Alejandro Aguilera-Titus, subdirector de Asuntos Hispanos del Secretariado de Diversidad Cultural en la Iglesia, quien explicó que el objetivo de esta iniciativa “era poder determinar una base sólida de información sobre el estado de la pastoral hispana a nivel parroquial y hacer esto en este momento para ver cuál es la correcta respuesta de la Iglesia”. Así mismo el subdirector afirmó que era impor-

tante ver cómo se empieza la implementación del Plan Pastoral Nacional para el Ministerio Hispano/ Latino, que fue aprobado por los obispos de EE.UU. en junio del 2023, y “ver cómo esa pastoral parroquial va a desarrollarse en los años que tenemos delante de nosotros”.

La encuesta, que se llevó a cabo desde el pasado mes de abril hasta agosto, incluyó tres preguntas sobre el número de parroquias en cada diócesis, el número de parroquias que ofrecían Misa en español, y el número de parroquias con presencia o ministerio hispano/latino sin una Misa celebrada en español. “Era muy importante saber cuál es el punto de salida, cuál es el número de parroquias que ya tienen una Misa dominical en español, que es el signo por excelencia que nosotros vemos de que la comunidad hispana ha sido bienvenida como comunidad en una parroquia”, explicó Aguilera-Titus. “En las comunidades donde ya la Misa en español está establecida también surgen muchos otros ministerios”.

Al comité se mostró complacido al saber que casi el 30% de las parroquias en el país tienen esa Misa dominical en español establecida, dijo.

Un comunicado de prensa de la USCCB sobre esta encuesta, publicado el 21 de agosto, indicó que se completaron 175 encuestas, lo que representa el 100% de las arquidiócesis católicas latinas en los Estados Unidos. Éstas reportaron un total de 16.279 parroquias, de las cuales 4.479 ofrecían la Misa dominical en español.

Así mismo, los hallazgos de la encuesta revelan que 2.760 parroquias tienen presencia o ministerio hispano/latino, pero actualmente no ofrecen Misa en español y que “el 99% de las diócesis encuestadas tienen varias parroquias que ofrecen Misa en español”, según el comunicado.

“Estamos hablando de que prácticamente la presencia hispana está presente en todo el país, en las 175 diócesis (católicas latinas) del país” y que en

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‘...

la pastoral hispana a nivel diocesano sigue siendo muy fuerte

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la mayoría de esas diócesis “hay una respuesta o una pastoral parroquial significativa”, dijo Aguilera-Titus, para quien estos datos reflejan la actual realidad demográfica del país.

Estudios recientes han indicado que más del 42% de los católicos estadounidenses se autoidentifican como hispanos y más de la mitad de todos los católicos en EE.UU. menores de 30 años son hispanos. Pero a pesar de que los católicos latinos han representado gran parte del crecimiento de la Iglesia estadounidense durante décadas, los datos muestran que estos católicos también están abandonando la Iglesia en altas tasas, según un informe de 2023 del Pew Research Center.

Aguilera-Titus explicó que en 2016-2017, en el marco del proceso del V Encuentro, se realizó una encuesta que arrojó que 4.485 parroquias tenían algún tipo de pastoral hispana, aunque no especificaba datos sobre la Misa dominical en español. Esta nueva encuesta indica que 4.479 parroquias tienen Misa dominical en español y que además casi 3.000 parroquias tienen algún tipo de pastoral o presencia hispana pero no tienen una Misa dominical en español.

“Estamos hablando de que ha habido un crecimiento significativo en la respuesta que la Iglesia está dando a nivel parroquial”, concluyó.

“Se ha avanzado mucho en la conciencia que existe sobre la presencia

...’

hispana en el país y en la respuesta que se ha dado a nivel parroquial”, aseguró Aguilera-Titus, pero también esta encuesta muestra que todavía quedan miles de parroquias en donde esa presencia hispana tiene que ser reconocida con más precisión y tiene que darse una respuesta pastoral adecuada a esa presencia”.

Aguilera-Titus anticipa que, en el contexto del nuevo plan pastoral para el ministerio hispano y su implementación, el número de parroquias con Misa dominical en español y “con ministerios desarrollados y bien organizados” va a crecer a través de los años. “Va a ser muy interesante cómo cada año vamos a ver cómo esa respuesta a nivel parroquial se va dando”.

Cabe recalcar que esta encuesta examino´ las parroquias que sirven a hispanos / latinos en las dio´cesis de Estados Unidos, pero clarificó que “varias dio´cesis informaron tener misiones o ministerios que sirven a hispanos / latinos ministerios o ubicaciones extraordinarias que no se identifican como parroquias” y que esta encuesta no disminuye esos significativos esfuerzos para servir a la comunidad.

El obispo Oscar Cantú de la Diócesis de San José, y presidente del Subcomité de Asuntos Hispanos, recibió con beneplácito los resultados de la encuesta publicada el 21 de agosto y dijo que este tipo de estudios son esenciales para entender y abordar la respuesta de la Iglesia a las comunidades hispanas/latinas.

‘... Las comunidades en toda la diócesis son muy diferentes ...’

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correcta, dijo.

También habló en el evento Olga Lucía Villar, quien actualmente se desempeña como directora ejecutiva de la Oficina del Sureste de los Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos para el Ministerio Hispano y del Instituto Pastoral del Sureste (SEPI). Colombiana de nacimiento, emigró cuando era adolescente con su familia a Miami en 1987.

Utilizando historias de su amplia gama de experiencias a nivel parroquial y experiencias misioneras en todo el mundo, Villar pintó una imagen de un mundo con la interacción intercultural como una forma de vida y no como un problema a resolver.

Pidió a todos los presentes en el evento que mantengan una imagen de Jesús y de la iglesia con la que sueña de todo lo que se hace para promover el trabajo de la iglesia como el Cuerpo de Cristo.

“Piensen, mis acciones y mi trabajo pastoral hacen que se reflejen a ese Jesús que... nos invita a seguirlo”, dijo Villar.

Ella dice que el aprendizaje es la clave para cerrar la brecha entre culturas. “Pregúntate, ¿cuánto estoy dispuesto a seguir aprendiendo?”, dijo Villar. “¿Ha terminado Jesús conmigo? ¿Soy todo lo que Él soñó que yo fuera... o tengo más espacio para crecer en mi fe y en mi forma de ver la vida”.

Villar marco nueve movimientos para fomentar un ambiente de entendimiento entre culturas. Los movimientos incluyeron:

• Llegar a las comunidades y encontrarlas;

• Acoger a los grupos en la vida parroquial mostrando hospitalidad;

• Desarrollar ministerios y ministros para las nuevas comunidades;

• Construir relaciones entre culturas y ministerios;

• Abogar por el desarrollo liderazgo

y la formación del ministerio;

• Abrir las puertas para el proceso de tomar decisiones haciendo espacio en la mesa donde se toman decisiones sobre ministerios culturalmente específicos;

• Fortalecer un sentido de propiedad con formas significativas de participar en la vida de la comunidad de fe parroquial;

• Sembrar y cosechar la plena propiedad y administración al permitir que los grupos culturales contribuyan con su tiempo, talento y tesoro a la parroquia.

• Lograr el compromiso total con la misión de la parroquia fortaleciendo la unidad de la parroquia mientras se honra su diversidad.

“Somos un pueblo eucarístico”, dijo Villar. “Piensa qué ... Jesús nos pide hoy en la Iglesia que necesita sanación, reconciliación, que necesita renovar su sentido de hospitalidad, de ser abrazado”.

La hermana Amelia Breton, SBS, de la Oficina Pastoral Intercultural de la diócesis, se mostró complacida con el nivel de participación en el evento y dijo que el propósito del evento era para ayudar a los líderes a comprender mejor la dinámica de otras culturas.

“Las comunidades en toda la diócesis son muy diferentes, especialmente dentro de las comunidades hispanas”, dijo la hermana Amelia. “Me recuerda que la diversidad es mayor y más compleja de lo que podemos imaginar.”

La Hermana Amelia planea continuar las conversaciones sobre como mejorar prácticas en las parroquias interculturales también realizó un taller similar en español en el Inmaculado Corazón de María en Houston el sábado 7 de septiembre.

(Nota del editor: El estudio CARA completado a través del proceso de reinvención pastoral sobre la demografía de la población católica se puede ver en https://bit.ly/CARA_CDJ.)

“Existen obstáculos comunes que enfrentan las diócesis cuando participan en el ministerio hispano/latino, como sacerdotes bilingües o recursos limitados”, dijo el obispo, según el comunicado de prensa de la USCCB. “Esta encuesta ayuda a medir nuestro trabajo y determinar cómo podemos continuar sirviendo a esta próspera parte de nuestra Iglesia y la importancia del ministerio continuo para las necesidades de nuestros hermanos y hermanas de habla hispana”.

Aguilera-Titus estuvo de acuerdo en la urgente necesidad de promover las vocaciones al sacerdocio y a la vida religiosa en nuestra comunidad hispana. También enfatizó en la importancia de que, independientemente de la cultura y el origen, “seminaristas y sacerdotes, sobre todo párrocos, que no son todavía interculturalmente capaces, adquieran esa capacidad intercultural”, conocimiento, actitudes y habilidades “que les permita de manera efectiva y alegre pastorear con ese pueblo hispano/latino que sigue creciendo prácticamente en cada rincón del país”.

Aguilera-Titus le dijo a OSV News que a pesar de los retos financieros que enfrenta la Iglesia en Estados Unidos y diócesis en este país, la pastoral hispana a nivel diocesano sigue siendo muy fuerte. “Es realmente una buena noticia que 57 de las diócesis que respondieron tienen su oficina y su director de pastoral hispano”, dijo.

El comunicado de prensa dijo que cerca del 47% de los encuestados (81 diócesis de las 175 que fueron encuestadas) tenían directores o coordinadores del ministerio hispano/latino. También se dijo que “otro 35% de los encuestados ocupaban puestos en oficinas dedicadas a la diversidad cultural, la formación en la fe y la catequesis”, dijo el comunicado.

Según el subcomité, este punto sobre el liderazgo hispano a nivel diocesano “muestra la correlación de una estructura diocesana robusta y un ministerio vibrante a nivel parroquial”, continuó el comunicado de la USCCB.

Aguilera-Titus también habló de los ámbitos en los que se puede fortalecer el ministerio hispano. “Tenemos también más o menos como un 20% de las diócesis en donde vemos que se pudiera fortalecer más la estructura diocesana para apoyar la pastoral hispana”, dijo. “Eso es algo que también está incluido en el plan pastoral”.

Él explicó que son tres características las que determinan la mejor práctica en un ministerio diocesano de la pastoral hispana: la existencia de una persona asignada para su coordinación con contacto directo con el obispo diocesano; un presupuesto que le permita desarrollar programas específicos para apoyar, promover y desarrollar la pastoral hispana; y que su oficina trabaje en colaboración con otras oficinas diocesanas.

“Estamos profundamente agradecidos por la alta participación de las diócesis empezando con las personas que coordinan y dirigen la pastoral hispana, pero también en algunos casos con personas que por primera vez se acercaban a conocer más de cerca la presencia hispana en sus diócesis y nos los dejaron saber”, dijo Aguilera-Titus.

El comunicado de la USCCB informó que las siguientes diócesis no fueron incluidas en la encuesta Arquidiócesis para los Servicios Militares, EE.UU., la Diócesis de Santo Tomás en las Islas Vírgenes, el Ordinariato Personal de la Cátedra de San Pedro, o las archieparquías Católicas Orientales ni las eparquías en los Estados Unidos.

(Marietha Góngora escribe para OSV News desde Washington D.C.)

Irradiando la luz de la fe: Lecciones de San Gregorio Magno

Por obisPo JosePh r. KoPacz, D.D.

“No nos predicamos a nosotros mismos, si no a Cristo Jesús como Señor, y a nosotros como siervos vuestros por Jesús. Pues el mismo Dios que dijo: ‘De las tinieblas brille la luz’, ha hecho brillar la luz en nuestros corazones para irradiar el conocimiento de la gloria de Dios que está en la faz de Cristo. Pero llevamos este tesoro en recipientes de barro para que aparezcan que una fuerza tan extraordinaria es de Dios y no de nosotros”. (2 Corintios 4:5-7)

Este pasaje de las Escrituras está tomado de la primera lectura en el Memorial de San Gregorio Magno en la Misa del Día de Desarrollo de Maestros de las Escuelas Católicas Diocesanas la semana pasada. La vida de este gran Doctor de la Iglesia occidental, uno de los cuatro junto con los santos Ambrosio, Agustín y Jerónimo, es un prisma excepcional para ver las variadas dimensiones de los educadores de las Escuelas Católica. Como en la vida del Papa San Gregorio Magno, todos los educadores en la fe están llamados a celebrar, vivir y hacer circular el tesoro de la fe, y no simplemente guardarlo dentro como si estuviera en una caja de seguridad.

San Gregorio sirvió como Papa desde 590 hasta 604 d.C. Durante gran parte de su vida y especialmente como sucesor de San Pedro, la gloria de Dios fue evidente, iluminando la presencia de Jesucristo en la iglesia y en la sociedad.

Creció en el seno de una familia prominente en Roma, tenía una buena educación, era un hombre de profunda fe y muy comprometido al servicio. A la muerte de sus padres, dirigió su riqueza al establecimiento de monasterios, asumiendo la vocación de monje y sirviendo como abad. Sus dotes administrativas fueron ampliamente reconocidas, y el papa Pelagio II, que lo ordenó diácono en 579, lo envió como legado a Constantinopla. Regresó a su monasterio después de su período de servicio en el Oriente, pero con la muerte del papa Pelagio en la peste que azotó Roma, por aclamación popular en la iglesia y en la sociedad, Gregorio fue puesto al cargo papal.

Por la gracia de Dios, sus logros fueron innumerables a lo largo de sus 15 años en el centro de la iglesia. Desde el corazón del monasterio, llevó el canto gregoriano a la corriente principal de la iglesia. Empapado de las Escrituras, dedicó grandes esfuerzos a la renovación del clero, incluyendo el oficio de obispo. Comisionó misioneros a lo grande y largo de África, Francia, España y hasta la actual Inglaterra y Escocia para convertir a los anglosajones. La propagación de la fe es el impulso misionero incontenible de la Iglesia, la Gran Comisión de Jesús (Mateo 28) y es parte integral del ministerio del Papa. En este mismo momento en que escribo, el Papa Francisco está en un viaje misionero en Asia, incluyendo Indonesia, Papúa Nueva Guinea, Singapur, Timor Oriental, etc. Como nota final, San Gregorio fue un erudito consumado cuyos escritos siguen siendo una parte apreciada como tesoro de la iglesia. En medio de todos sus estudios y logros, en el Oficio de Lecturas para el día de su fiesta tenemos una mirada en el corazón de un hombre que sabía que era un vaso de barro que guardaba un tesoro eterno. “De hecho, cuando estaba en el monasterio, podía frenar mi pensamiento distraído y, por lo general, estar inmerso en mis oraciones. Desde que asumí el cargo del cuidado pastoral, mi mente está ocupada por muchos asuntos. Debo reflexionar en el comportamiento y los actos de los individuos. Soy responsable por las preocupaciones de nuestros ciudadanos. Debo preocuparme por las invasiones de bandas errantes de bárbaros y tener cuidado con los lobos que acechan a mi rebaño. Con mi mente dividida y hecha pedazos por tantos problemas, ¿cómo puedo meditar, predicar, enseñar o liderar de todo corazón? Además, a veces dejo correr mi lengua, porque soy débil, me veo arrastrado poco a poco a una conversación

ociosa, y comienzo a hablar libremente sobre asuntos que tendría que evitar. … Entonces, ¿quién soy yo para ser un centinela, porque no estoy firme en el monte de la acción, sino que me acuesto en el valle de la debilidad? Sin embargo, el creador todopoderoso y redentor de la humanidad puede darme a pesar de mi debilidad una vida superior y un habla eficaz; porque lo amo, no escatimo en hablar de él”. Gregorio describió su ministerio como Siervo de los Siervos de Dios, un título que enlazado el papado a Jesucristo el Siervo desde entonces. La clave para todos nosotros, como el Papa San Gregorio, es el tesoro que guardamos en las vasijas de barro de nuestras vidas, la debilidad y la vulnerabilidad desde adentro y, a menudo, la imprevisibilidad que nos rodea. El tesoro es la fe, la esperanza y el amor, el tema de este año para nuestras comunidades escolares católicas, que es la gloria de Dios brillando en el rostro de Jesucristo. Desde el centro de la iglesia hasta todos los puntos cardinales, todos los bautizados están llamados a ser discípulos irradiando a Aquel que es la luz del mundo, Dios verdadero de Dios verdadero.

La Esquina del Papa

El Papa reza para que María proteja a los cristianos perseguidos en Nicaragua

by Justin McLeLLan

CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) – Mientras la Iglesia Católica y los cristianos en general experimentan una intensa persecución en Nicaragua, el Papa Francisco expresó su aliento y apoyo a las personas que viven bajo el régimen autoritario del país.

“Al amado pueblo de Nicaragua: les animo a renovar su esperanza en Jesús”, dijo después de rezar el Ángelus el 25 de agosto. “Recordad que el Espíritu Santo guía siempre la historia hacia proyectos más altos”.

La semana anterior, el gobierno nicaragüense revocó el estatus legal de 1.500 organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro que operaban en el país, muchas de ellas iglesias cristianas, así como organizaciones caritativas católicas y congregaciones religiosas.

La Asamblea Nacional de Nicaragua también aprobó el 20 de agosto nuevas medidas fiscales que requerirían a iglesias y organizaciones religiosas de todas las confesiones a pagar impuestos. Además, durante las tres primeras semanas de agosto, nueve sacerdotes católicos fueron detenidos en Nicaragua y exiliados a Roma. “Que la Virgen Inmaculada los proteja en los momentos de prueba y los ayude a sentir su ternura materna; que Nuestra Señora acompañe al amado pueblo de Nicaragua”, rezó el Papa con los visitantes en la Plaza de San Pedro.

brote más agudo en el Congo. “Rezo por todas las personas contagiadas, especialmente por la población de la República Democrática del Congo tan probada”, dijo el Papa. “Expreso mi cercanía a las Iglesias locales de los países más afectados por esta enfermedad y aliento a los gobiernos y a las industrias privadas a que compartan la tecnología y los tratamientos disponibles, para que a nadie le falte una asistencia médica adecuada”.

Haciendo un gesto a la gran cantidad de visitantes vestidos de negro bajo el sol de agosto, el Papa Francisco saludó a los nuevos seminaristas que estudian en el Pontificio Colegio Norteamericano de Roma y les deseó “un buen camino formativo”.

El Papa Francisco saluda a los visitantes el 25 de agosto de 2024. (Foto de Vatican Media)

El Papa Francisco también expresó su solidaridad con las miles de personas afectadas por los brotes de viruela del mono, declarada “emergencia de salud pública de importancia internacional” por la Organización Mundial de la Salud el 14 de agosto. Según cifras de la organización de la ONU actualizadas el 22 de agosto, se han producido 3.562 casos de viruela del mono en 2024, con el resultado de 26 muertes. Doce países han notificado casos de viruela del mono, siendo el

La nueva promoción del Pontificio Colegio Norteamericano está formada por 38 seminaristas: 36 de Estados Unidos y dos de Australia. Para el año académico 2024-25, un total de 113 hombres de 56 diócesis y eparquías se prepararán para el sacerdocio en el colegio, siendo la archidiócesis de Washington la que cuenta con el mayor número de seminaristas matriculados. En su discurso principal, el Papa reflexionó sobre la lectura del Evangelio del día de San Juan en la que los seguidores de Jesús se escandalizan después de que dijera: “Yo soy el pan que ha bajado del cielo”. Muchos de los discípulos de Jesús le abandonaron después de oír esto porque lo que decía era demasiado difícil de entender.

“No es fácil seguirlo”, añadió. “Tampoco para nosotros es fácil seguir al Señor, comprender su modo de actuar, hacer nuestros sus criterios y sus ejemplos”.

“Tampoco para nosotros es fácil. Pero, cuanto más nos acercamos a Él ... más experimentamos la belleza de tenerlo como Amigo, y nos damos cuenta de que solo Él tiene ‘palabras de vida eterna’”, dijo el Papa.

Una estatua de María, Nuestra Señora de las Gracias, se ve en el altar mientras el Papa Francisco celebra Misa en el Estadio Gelora Bung Karno en Yakarta, Indonesia, 5 de septiembre de 2024. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

NACIÓN

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – El Secretariado de Diversidad Cultural en la Iglesia de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos (USCCB) anunció que desarrolló un kit de recursos que ayudará “a ilustrar el profundo impacto de la comunidad hispana/latina dentro de la Iglesia Católica en los Estados Unidos”. Este recurso – publicado en inglés y en español – incluye información estadística sobre la población católica en los Estados Unidos, categorizada por raza/etnia, un perfil estadístico del ministerio hispano/latino, el porcentaje de católicos hispanos/latinos por diócesis y el crecimiento porcentual de los católicos hispanos/latinos en las generaciones Millennial y Gen Z. Así mismo, informa sobre el crecimiento de la población hispana/latina en las 14 regiones episcopales y sobre la población hispana/latina estimada en Estados Unidos en 2022 por país de origen; además de los eventos y logros del ministerio hispano/latino en una cronología que abarca desde 1945 hasta el 2024. Alejandro Aguilera-Titus, subdirector de Asuntos Hispanos del Secretariado de Diversidad Cultural en la Iglesia, dijo en este comunicado de prensa que gracias a la información contenida en este recurso esperan “ayudar a mostrar la fe vibrante y la riqueza de las comunidades hispanas y latinas dentro de nuestra Iglesia y la sociedad”. Para acceder a este kit de recursos y conocer en detalle la información, visite https:// www.usccb.org/committees/hispaniclatino-aﬀairs y descargue el PDF.

VATICANO

JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNS) – Incluso los miem-

bros de las comunidades cristianas más remotas, pequeñas y pobres están llamados a compartir el Evangelio y a hacerlo, en primer lugar, con su forma de vivir, dijo el Papa Francisco a los católicos de Indonesia. Con decenas de miles de personas reunidas en el estadio Gelora Bung Karno de Yakarta el 5 de septiembre – y miles más viéndolo en pantallas desde el estadio Madya, un lugar más pequeño cercano-, el Papa Francisco presidió su única misa pública en I –donesia. Tenía previsto volar a Papúa Nueva Guinea a la mañana siguiente. La multitud, sentada y vestida con las brillantes camisetas verdes, amarillas, blancas, azules, rojas o negras que designan la parroquia, diócesis u organización católica a la que pertenecen, hizo que el estadio principal pareciera construido con ladrillos de Lego. La gente llegó al estadio horas antes, visitándose unos a otros, cantando himnos y animadas canciones cristianas modernas y rezando el rosario. En su homilía, el Papa Francisco instó a los católicos indonesios a «sembrar semillas de amor, recorrer con confianza el camino del diálogo, seguir mostrando vuestra bondad y amabilidad con vuestra característica sonrisa y ser constructores de unidad y paz.» El Papa Francisco pidió a la multitud que no olvidara que «la primera tarea del discípulo no es revestirse de una religiosidad exteriormente perfecta, hacer cosas extraordinarias o comprometerse en empresas grandiosas. El primer paso, en cambio, es saber escuchar la única palabra que salva, la palabra de Jesús.»

CIUDAD

DEL VATICANO (CNS) – Mientras la Iglesia Católica y los cristianos en general experimentan una intensa persecución en Nicaragua, el Papa Francisco expresó su aliento y apoyo a las personas que viven bajo el régimen autoritario del país. “Al amado pueblo de Nicaragua: les animo a renovar su esperanza en Jesús”, dijo después de rezar el Ángelus el 25 de agosto. “Recordad que el Espíritu Santo guía siempre la historia hacia proyectos más altos”. La semana anterior, el gobierno nicaragüense revocó el estatus legal de 1.500 organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro que operaban en el país, muchas de ellas iglesias cristianas, así como organizaciones caritativas católicas y congregaciones religiosas. La Asamblea Nacional de Nicaragua también aprobó el 20 de agosto nuevas medidas fiscales que requerirían a iglesias y organizaciones religiosas de todas las confesiones a pagar impuestos. Además, durante las tres primeras semanas de agosto, nueve sacerdotes católicos fueron detenidos en Nicaragua y exiliados a Roma. “Que la Virgen Inmaculada los proteja en los momentos de prueba y los ayude a sentir su ternura materna; que Nuestra

13 de septiembre de 2024

Señora acompañe al amado pueblo de Nicaragua”, rezó el Papa con los visitantes en la Plaza de San Pedro.

MUNDO

CIUDAD DE MÉXICO (OSV News) – El cardenal Álvaro Ramazzini de Huehuetenango, Guatemala, ha advertido que los cárteles de la droga controlan la frontera entre México y Guatemala, provocando espasmos de violencia que han hecho huir a cientos de mexicanos a su diócesis. En declaraciones a la prensa en Panamá tras la X Reunión de Obispos y Agentes de Pastoral Migratoria de América del Norte, Centroamérica y el Caribe, el cardenal Ramazzini cuestionó la inacción del gobierno mexicano mientras cárteles de la droga rivales se disputan territorios en el sureño estado de Chiapas. “Estamos en un área donde los cárteles de la droga tienen el poder total”, dijo el cardenal el 22 de agosto. “No logro entender verdaderamente qué es lo que el gobierno mexicano ha dejado de hacer para haber llegado a este punto de perder el control total de ese de ese lado de la frontera nuestra,” dijo el cardenal el 22 de agosto. Sus comentarios siguieron a una declaración conjunta del 21 de agosto de las Diócesis de Huehuetenango y San Marcos, Guatemala, y San Cristóbal de las Casas, México, en la que describían siete comunidades de Chiapas, convertidas “en un campo de batalla por la disputa del territorio entre grupos criminales que obligan a los hombres (de la zona) a ir al frente, a cuidar las plumas, a cerrar caminos, ellos y sus familias enfrentar un terror que nunca imaginaron. ... que ningún nivel de gobierno ha querido escuchar y atender en sus raíces”. La declaración está firmada por el cardenal Ramazzini, el obispo de San Marcos, Bernabé Sagastume, y el obispo de San Cristóbal de las Casas, Rodrigo Aguiar Martínez. El obispo José Guadalupe Torres Campos, obispo de Ciudad Juárez y director de la Pastoral de Movilidad Humana del Episcopado Mexicano.

TOME NOTA

Vírgenes y Santos

Exaltación de la Santa Cruz. Septiembre 14

San Pio de Pietrelcina. Septiembre 23

San Gerónimo. Septiembre 30

Santa Teresita del Niño Jesús. Octubre 1

Santos Ángeles de la Guarda. Octubre 2

San Francisco de Asís. Octubre 4

RIPLEY – Sábado 21 de septiembre 14º aniversario de la dedicación de la Iglesia de San Mateo. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fiesta de San Mateo con puestos de comida, juegos y actividades. Si desea organizar un puesto de comida o participar de cualquier otra manera, comuníquese con Laura Ramírez/ Padilla (662-587-3892 en español) o Katie Kerr (412-452-6643 en inglés)

Domingo 22 de septiembre 14º aniversario de la dedicación de la Iglesia de San Mateo. 1:30 p.m. Misa bilingüe con entronización de la estatua de San Mateo.

Seguido de compartir una comida sencilla.

Envíenos sus fotos a editor@jacksondiocese.org

Síganos en Facebook: @DiócesisCatólicadeJackson

From Servant of God to sainthood – an update on Sister Thea Bowman’s cause

FROM THE ARCHIVES

By Mary WoodWard

As September rolls in upon us and schools are now in full swing, our diocesan director of Catholic Schools, Karla Luke, asked for an update on the canonization process of Sister Thea Bowman, she could share with our Catholic schools. We have a wonderful school in Jackson named after Sister Thea and many students are excited about being associated with someone who is on the official path to sainthood in the church.

Putting someone forward for sainthood is one of the noblest things a diocesan church can do. It involves a very intricate and detailed process of studying the life and acts of that person. Many moving parts make up this initiative and keeping them on track is an adventure.

So, where are we in the canonical process? We are right in the middle of what is called the diocesan phase.

During this phase which has been going on since the cause officially opened in November 2018, the title Servant of God is used when referring to the person. This title is given to those who have been presented and accepted for the canonical process. Therefore, when referring to Sister Thea, her full title now is Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA (SOG Sister Thea).

The work being done meticulously right now includes gathering all of the Servant of God’s writings, studying them for sound doctrine, gleaning them for virtue and piety, and transcribing them into type written format. For those who knew the Servant of God, they are fully aware that she would often jot things down on envelopes, napkins, and any scrap of paper she could find. All of these notes have been archived by the Franciscan Sisters in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where most all of SOG Sister Thea’s papers reside.

Throughout this past summer, an intern has been working in LaCrosse to digitize these writings while many volunteers have been transcribing them to Word documents. All of this is done so that the historical commission can review SOG Sister Thea’s works and develop a report that gives an all-encompassing detail of SOG Sister Thea’s virtuous and pious life.

The historical commission consists of two professors in the field of theology and the archivist for the FSPAs. Technically, they should remain anonymous due to the nature of their work and to avoid any outside influences creating a bias in the process.

Over Labor Day weekend, the historical commission convened in LaCrosse to put eyes on the collection, talk with other FSPA’s who knew the SOG, and

JACKSON – A painting of Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA by Marshall Bouldin of Clarksdale (1923-2012) hangs in archivist, Mary Woodward’s office. Bouldin, the South’s foremost portrait artist of his time, completed the painting in 1988 and said that Sister Thea would burst forth into song when sitting for the portrait. (Photo by Mary Woodward)

create a framework in which to complete their mandate of capturing the SOG’s virtues and documenting all the sources.

In addition to the historical commission, there are two theological censors, also anonymous due to the sensitivity of their work, who examine all of the SOG’s published writings and public statements for orthodoxy to the teachings of the church. These two work independently of each other and submit two separate statements called vota.

On top of the work of the historical commission and the theological censors, we have a scribe, transcribing more than 50 interviews of witnesses who were invited to answer a series of questions about the SOG’s life and virtues – the questionnaire had more than 100 questions, so each interview is rather lengthy.

Finally, once all reports are finished and all writings and interviews transcribed, every single page will be reviewed and given a stamp of approval by the bishop’s delegate and promoter of justice. Then three copies are made of every page for the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, which are

boxed up and sealed then transported to Rome by the postulator, who has been guiding the whole process. A fourth copy is made and sealed to be kept in the diocesan archive vault.

Once all that arrives at the dicastery, the Roman Phase of examination of the cause begins. During this phase, the postulator under the direction of a staff member of the dicastery writes a summary of all the documentation for the dicastery called the “positio.”

This is examined by a panel of theologians who then vote on whether the SOG has lived a heroic life of virtue. If the majority votes in the positive, then the SOG is recommend for review by the Cardinals and Bishops who are members of the dicastery. If after this review the members agree on the virtuous heroicness of the SOG’s life, then the Prefect of the Dicastery recommends to the Holy Father to declare the SOG “Venerable” by means of an official decree from the Holy See.

I know that was a lot to follow but now you can see how ordered and definitive the process really is. It takes time. Our goal is to have the diocesan phase completed by next summer and off to Rome prior to September 2025.

We invite you to pray for the cause, especially for the historical commission, the theological censors, the transcribers, and the postulator as we continue to follow this unique and noble path. And of course, ask SOG Sister Thea to guide us from above with patience and joy.

(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson.)

NATION

DENVER (OSV News) – The organization that coordinates efforts related to the National Eucharistic Revival announced Sept. 3 the launch of the Society of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus to boost revival efforts. In an email to supporters, Jason Shanks, CEO of National Eucharistic Congress Inc., described the society as a way people “can help and remain closely connected to the many ongoing efforts of charity and evangelization, of pilgrimage and procession –of mission – to bring Christ to every corner of our nation.” Joining the society requires a minimum $10 monthly donation to National Eucharistic Congress Inc. Members will receive a copy of “For the Life of the World: Invited to Eucharistic Mission” by Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, who serves as board chairman of the National Eucharistic Congress Inc., and Tim Glemkowski, the founding CEO of National Eucharistic Congress Inc., who served in that role until Aug. 1. Society members also receive access to the National Eucharistic Congress digital platform, which includes all of the talks from the July 17-21 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, as well as additional Eucharist-related content. Information on joining the society can be found at www.eucharisticcongress.org/donate.

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – Ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church has released a resource kit “to help illustrate the profound impact of the Hispanic/Latino community within the Catholic Church in the United States,” according to a Sept. 4 press release. This resource kit includes statistical information on the Catholic population in the United States, categorized by race/ethnicity, a statistical profile of Hispanic/ Latino ministry, the percentage of Hispanic/Latino Catholics by diocese and the percentage growth of Hispanic/Latino Catholics in the Millennial and Gen Z generations. It also reports on the growth of the Hispanic/Latino population in the church’s 14 episcopal regions and the estimated Hispanic/Latino population in the U.S. in 2022 by country of origin, as well as a timeline of Hispanic/Latino ministry

events and milestones spanning from 1945 to 2024. Alejandro Aguilera-Titus, assistant director of Hispanic Affairs under the USCCB’s cultural diversity secretariat, said that through the information in this resource, they hope to “help show the vibrant faith and the richness of the Hispanic and Latino communities within our Church and society.” The resource kit – published in English and Spanish – is available on the USCCB website: usccb.org/committees/hispaniclatino-affairs.

VATICAN

JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNS) – Even members of the most remote, smallest and poorest Christian communities are called to share the Gospel and to do so, first, by the way they live, Pope Francis told the Catholics of Indonesia. With tens of thousands of people gathered in Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium Sept. 5 – and thousands more watching on screens from Madya Stadium, a smaller venue nearby – Pope Francis presided over his only public Mass in Indonesia. He was scheduled to fly to Papua New Guinea the next morning. Seated together wearing the bright green, yellow, white, blue, red or black t-shirts designating the parish, diocese or Catholic organization they belong to, the crowd made the main stadium look like it was built with Lego bricks. The people arrived at the stadium hours early, visiting with each other, singing hymns and lively modern Christian songs and praying the rosary. In his homily, Pope Francis urged Indonesian Catholics “to sow seeds of love, confidently tread the path of dialogue, continue to show your goodness and kindness with your characteristic smile and be builders of unity and peace.” Pope Francis asked the crowd not to forget that “the first task of the disciple is not to clothe ourselves with an outwardly perfect religiosity, do extraordinary things or engage in grandiose undertakings. The first step, instead, is to know how to listen to the only word that saves, the word of Jesus.”

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The Earth is ailing, and it

needs the prayers of Catholics as well as their personal commitment to caring for creation, Pope Francis said. “Let us pray that each of us listen with our hearts to the cry of the Earth and of the victims of environmental disasters and climate change, making a personal commitment to care for the world we inhabit,” the pope said in a video message released Aug. 30 by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. The network posts a short video of the pope offering his specific prayer intention each month, and members of the network pray for that intention each day. Pope Francis’ intention for September is: “For the cry of the Earth,” which coincides with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation Sept. 1 and its inauguration of the monthlong “Season of Creation.”

WORLD

KATSINA, Nigeria (OSV News) – Back to school will be especially tough in Nigeria this year as a new report shows that Fulani herders, or ethnic militia, are killing Nigerian civilians unopposed. Mass killings, abductions and the torture of whole families go largely unchallenged as government forces pursue targets hundreds of miles away, according to the research findings. As the security situation in Nigeria worsens, an increasing number of schools, especially in the northern part of the country, face forced shutdown on the verge of a new academic year. This has led to a significant decline in student enrollment, with many citizens relocating within the country or going abroad. A new report published Aug. 29 by the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa –a four-year data project on religious persecution in Nigeria – showed that the most populous African country was an extremely violent and insecure place to live in the reporting period from October 2019 to September 2023, at least in parts of the country. In total, 55,910 people were killed in 9,970 attacks, while 21,621 people were abducted in 2,705 attacks, the report said. “Many civilians lived in high levels of insecurity and fear of the unexpected,” the report said. The data shows that more Nigerian Christians were victims of violence than Nigerians with other religious affiliations.

JERUSALEM (OSV News) – The Holy Land’s sacred sites overflow with tourists in normal times, but with war in Gaza, most airlines have canceled flights to the region. The streets of the Old City of Jerusalem are deserted with merchant’s stalls shuttered. Yet for two Catholic peace activists from the United States, it was the perfect time to visit. Invited by Palestinian Christian groups, they joined with 10 other U.S. Christians and flew to neighboring Jordan. From there they journeyed overland to Palestine and Israel. “Church leaders here asked people from the United States to come and stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters. That concept of solidarity is central to my faith, to the way that I think about the cross,” said Kelly Johnson, an associate professor of religious studies at the University of Dayton, Ohio. The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 40,000 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Scott Wright, a 74-year-old Pax Christi member from Washington who worked for years with refugees in Central America, said he wanted to come precisely because it was a difficult time. The U.S. Catholic delegation’s schedule included interviews with church leaders, clerics, nonviolent activists, Palestinian farmers and urban residents whose lands have been appropriated by army-backed settlers, and families whose homes have been demolished in East Jerusalem. In Rahat, Israel, the group helped local residents pack food boxes for distribution inside Gaza.

Pope Francis receives wine from women in traditional Indonesian dress during the presentation of gifts as he celebrates Mass in Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, Mass Sept. 5, 2024. (CNS photo/ Vatican Media)

Strengthening unity: Parish leaders explore cultural competence in ministries

By Joanna Puddister King

JACKSON – On Wednesday, Aug. 28 over 70 parish leaders from across the Diocese of Jackson gathered for an intercultural competence workshop held at St. Jude Pearl by the Office of Intercultural Ministry for the diocese. At the event, twelve different countries were represented other than the United States, including Nigeria, India, Vietnam, Columbia and Mexico, among others. The event spoke to the reality present that diocesan ministries need to learn to serve within the cultural reality of the diocese.

The workshop, focusing on culture in general and not on a particular one, explored topics such as how culture works, parameters of culture, communications skills and the movements of parish integration.

Deacon Juan Carlos Pagán of the Diocese of Lafayette was one of the featured speakers at the event. Originally from Puerto Rico, with a “Cajun” wife of 25 years, he spoke on the need of inculturation – wrapping the core message in a way that other cultures can understand.

With all of the different countries represented that were present at the event, Deacon Pagán said that “we need to learn how to serve in ways that are applicable to the different cultural realities.”

Using the Blessed Virgin Mary as an example, he pointed out that in her different apparitions, she appears in the image of the people she is speaking to. “Guadalupe is a great example,” said Deacon Pagán. “You have Mary showing up dressed in a way that indigenous people could understand who she was. This is an example of inculturation – it’s the wrapping of the truth of Jesus Christ … in a package that is understandable for the recipients.”

Statistics of our changing diocese were also featured during the event. Bishop Joseph Kopacz spoke briefly at the intercultural workshop on the extensive CARA study undertaken through the pastoral reimagining process the diocese undertook over the past year, that now continues on a parish level. He said it was important for parish leaders to be grounded in reality regarding the make-up of the demographics in the diocese and note “who will be the Catholic population going forward 20-30 years.”

Bishop Kopacz said that for the purpose of evangelization, some parish communities did not realize the size of the Catholic population in their areas that are not attending church until viewing the CARA study. Many want to reach out and bring them into the Catholic community and doing that through elevating intercultural competence is a step in the right direction, he said.

Also speaking at the event was Olga Lucia Villar, who currently serves as executive director for the US Catholic Bishops Southeast Office for Hispanic Ministry and the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI). Columbian by birth, she immigrated as a teenager with her family to Miami in 1987.

Using stories from her wide berth of experiences on the parish level and

world-wide missionary experiences, Villar painted a picture of a world with intercultural interaction as a way of life and not a problem to be solved.

She asked all present at the event to keep an image of Jesus and the church that he dreams about in the forefront of everything done to further the work of the church as the Body of Christ.

“Think, do my actions and my pastoral work do reflect that Jesus that … invites us to follow him,” said Villar.

She says that learning is the key to bridging the gap between cultures. “Ask, how much am I willing to continue learning,” said Villar. “Is Jesus done with me? Am I all that He dreamt of me to be … or do I have more room for growth in my faith and in my way of seeing life.”

Villar outlined nine movements to foster an environment of understanding between cultures. The moments include:

• Reaching out and meeting communities where they are;

• Welcoming groups into parish life by showing hospitality;

• Developing ministries and ministers to the new communities;

• Building relationships across cultures and ministries;

• Championing leadership development and formation for ministry;

• Open wide the doors for decision-making process by making space at the table where decisions are made on culturally specific ministries;

• Strengthening a sense of ownership with meaningful ways to be involved in the life of the parish faith community;

• Sowing and reaping full ownership and stewardship by allowing cultural groups to contribute their time, talent and treasure to the parish; and

• Achieving the full commitment to the mission of the parish by strengthening the unity of the parish while honoring its diversity.

“We are a eucharistic people,” said Villar. “Think what … Jesus asks of us today in the church that needs healing, reconciliation, that needs to renew its sense of hospitality of being embraced.”

Sister Amelia Breton, SBS, of the Office of Intercultural Ministry for the diocese, was pleased with the level of participation at the event and said that the purpose of the event was to assist leaders to better understand the dynamics of other cultures.

“The communities across the diocese are so different, especially within the Hispanic communities,” said Sister Amelia. “It reminds me that diversity is greater and more complex than we can imagine.”

Sister Amelia plans to continue conversations on best practices in working in intercultural parishes and also held a similar workshop in Spanish at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Houston on Saturday, Sept. 7.

(Editor’s Note: The CARA study completed through the pastoral reimagining process on the demographics of the Catholic population in the Diocese of Jackson can be viewed at https://bit.ly/CARA_CDJ. For more resources on Intercultural Ministry contact Sister Amelia Breton, SBS at amelia.breton@jacksondiocese.org.)

The Diocese of Jackson has launched a third-party reporting system that will enable all diocesan employees, volunteers and parishioners to anonymously (or named if preferred) make reports. Examples of this activity include fraud, misconduct, safety violations, harassment or substance abuse occurring at a Catholic parish, Catholic school or at the diocesan level. The system is operated by Lighthouse Services.

To make a report visit www.lighthouse-services.com/jacksondiocese or call 888-830-0004 (English) or 800-216-1288 (Spanish).

The Association of Priests of the Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi provide a small pension to our retired priests. As you consider your estate plans, please remember these faithful servants by making a donation or leaving a bequest to the Association of Priests. Our parish priests dedicate their lives to caring for us, their flocks. Let us now care for them in their retirement. Donations can be made payable to the Association of Priests and can be mailed to: Diocese of Jackson, P.O. Box 22723, Jackson, MS 39225-2723

PEARL – Several participants from the Diocese of Jackson gathered for a photo outside of St. Jude parish after a workshop on intercultural competence led by Deacon Juan Carlos Pagán of the Diocese of Lafayette and Olga Lucia Villar, executive director of the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI). (Photo by Tereza Ma)

Embracing hope: A jubilee journey

KNEADING FAITH

By Fran LaveLLe

Pope Francis has declared 2025 to be a Jubilee Year of Hope. In his February 2022 letter announcing the Jubilee 2025, he stated: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire...”

One can clearly see the need for greater hope in the world, but it also can feel like an overwhelming ask. It is easy to lose hope in our current political climate. It is easy to lose hope in the midst of the divisions within the church. It is easy to lose hope when we see the result of despair in the news every day. To call for hope can seem quite Pollyanna-ish. We clutch pearls, shrug shoulders, and sigh emphatically as if it’s too late to restore hope in anything. But Pope Francis is not operating out of naiveté. Rather he is responding to what he knows to be true, right, and just. “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you – oracle of the Lord – plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.”

(Jeremiah 29:11)

In reflecting on his vision of hope, I have found myself asking how we as the people of God in the Diocese of Jackson reflect hope. I was quickly and swiftly reminded of the Synod on Synodality pro-

cess in 2021 and the pastoral reimagining process that began in 2023. Both processes put our resolve to the test. They both offered the people of God to reflect on what type of church we want to be. For me, I have been reminded time and again that the institution and the church are not one in the same. The institution is the governing structure. And as with all governing bodies can make mistakes. The church, however, is the Body of Christ. It is all of us. It is, for me, easy to put my faith in us. All of us. Institutions and bureaucracies can fail and disappoint us, but the Body of Christ is compelled by its very nature to work toward a fulfillment of the Gospel. This, friends, gives me great hope.

So, we turn to the implementation phase of the pastoral reimagining process. As it is with any process, one of the biggest concerns at the onset of pastoral reimagining was a fear that the end product would end up filling space on a bookshelf. From the early stages of development we knew this had to be an organic process.

The formal process was completed at Pentecost 2024 with the publication of a pastoral letter from Bishop Kopacz. The letter summarizes the reimagining process and encourages all parishes to begin implementation of what they developed and have refined through the overall pastoral reimagining process.

For that vision to flourish the diocese recognizes the need to:

• Oversee the pastoral planning aspects of pasto-

Missionary disciples prayer: St. Joan of Arc

CALLED TO HOLINESS

By Jaymie Stuart WoLFe

Whether our hopes for this summer have been fulfilled or not, the season is waning. Most kids have returned to school, and the full force of the fall calendar is poised to kick in. All we can do now is hope that whatever rest and recreation we managed to get will be enough to draw on in the months ahead, enough to motivate us, enough to see us to the winter and through it.

Sometimes, though, one summer can change everything that follows it. That’s what happened to one young French girl in 1424. Sometime during that summer six centuries ago, Joan of Arc heard “voices” for the very first time. The exact date was never recorded. But what happened to Joan set her on a path that would change her life and the history of her country. This is how she described it at her infamous trial, on Feb. 22, 1431: “In my thirteenth year, I had a voice from God to help and guide me. The first time I heard this voice, I was very much afraid. The voice came around noon, in the summer, in my father’s garden. … It seemed to me a worthy voice, and I believe it was sent from God.”

I’ve been thinking a lot about Joan of Arc lately, and not just because I’ve spent close to a year writing two books about her. It’s that Joan has so much to teach us about prayer. And in this papally designated year of prayer, I’m hardpressed to find a better example. Joan of Arc’s life shows us what it looks like when a Christian missionary disciple makes prayer a first response rather than a last resort.

Joan listened to her heavenly voices – those of St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Margaret of Antioch – for five years before beginning her mission. Over those first five years, Joan learned how to discern the voices that came to her and how to listen. But even more importantly, she learned that the voices she was hearing – and the God who sent them – could be trusted.

To Joan, however, prayer wasn’t just a tool of initial formation; it was an on-

ral reimagining.

• Provide resources to assist parish leaders in creating and implementing pastoral plans in their family of parishes.

• Serve deanery and parish leaders directly through liaisons and other services.

Further, we recognize that the success of implementation will come down to having someone dedicated to helping parishes succeed at the local level. To that end, I have accepted the responsibility for the implementation phase of pastoral reimagining beginning this month. I will be responsible for the various aspects assisting in developing and implementing pastoral plans at the parish, mission, deanery and diocesan level.

I am ready to get to work assisting our parish leaders bring their pastoral plans to fruition. The church, the Body of Christ, needs us to fulfill the vision of the Gospel. It will not happen overnight, but it can be achieved. Our hope anchored in the Gospel will continue to fuel the reimagining process. It clearly is not over. We have just begun. Let us be inspired by part of Pope Francis’ prayer for the Jubilee of Hope, “… May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally …”

(Fran Lavelle is the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Jackson.)

going source of direction and guidance, the wellspring of her purpose and mission. When she left home at the age of 17, Joan was illiterate and untrained – unqualified to command the king’s army and lead men into battle. But she knew better than to trust in her own abilities. Instead, Joan placed all her confidence in God and continually sought his counsel in prayer. And she never stopped listening, not even when she was captured and tried by a panel of corrupt ecclesial judges. Joan prevailed. After her death, France defeated the English. She was vindicated, her greatest enemy posthumously excommunicated. And now she is counted among the most popular saints of all time.

Joan of Arc’s historic mission was inspired and fueled entirely by prayer. Apparently, however, ours are not. In a recent blog post, founder of Catholic Missionary Disciples Marcel LeJeune spoke openly about the role of prayer among today’s Catholic leaders. Prayer, he says, often “takes a back seat to strategy, discussion, plans, etc.” Unlike the first Christians, LeJeune observes, “we may not be facing any extreme kinds of persecution, but we are facing other issues. Our response has been training, classes, best practices, etc. But what about prayer? Why is it done so little? Why have we not prioritized it?” Why indeed!

Six-hundred years is a long time. But if we quiet ourselves down long enough to listen, we can still hear the voices that startled Joan of Arc echo in our own lives and faith communities. Contrary to popular belief, the King of the Universe is not silent. God does not shut up. His call and his invitation are issued in every age. And he is speaking to us. What has changed is our willingness to hear him out.

Our missions and apostolates suffer because we too often pray in a perfunctory way. We do not achieve the victories we long for because we do not take prayer seriously enough to seek God first, to discern and listen to his voice, and then do only what he commands. St. Joan of Arc, pray for us.

(Jaymie Stuart Wolfe is a sinner, Catholic convert, freelance writer and editor, musician, speaker, pet-aholic, wife and mom of eight grown children, loving life in New Orleans.)

Sister Nancy Schreck, OSF receives “Outstanding Leadership Award” from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious

BY JESSI RUSSO

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Sister Nancy Schreck, OSF, was selected as the 2024 recipient of the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) on Friday, Aug. 16, during the closing banquet of LCWR’s Assembly in Orlando. Recipients are chosen based on their “commitment and collaboration in the ministry of leadership; faithfulness to Gospel values and mission; creative and innovative leadership in one or more areas; and signiﬁcant contribution on the national and/or international level, particularly to women religious congregations in the United States,” according to the LCWR website.

Sister Nancy served in leadership and formation ministry for the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque, Iowa, as well as in the LCWR presidency and as a US delegate to the International Union of Superiors General (UISG). She also served for eight years as a member of the council of the Franciscan Handmaids in New York. Her contributions to LCWR over the years – including keynote presentations at LCWR assemblies, facilitation of the Leading from Within Retreat and New Leader Workshop, articles, and more – have inﬂuenced leaders nationally and globally. She is a sought-after presenter and facilitator for religious groups throughout the world. Sister Nancy founded and is currently the program director of Excel Inc., a community service organization located in Okolona, Mississippi.

In her acceptance speech Sister Nancy shared what she has come to learn about religious life through her work with thousands of Catholic sisters around the world who have asked her to serve as a facilitator and speaker with the hope that the reﬂections would help leaders know “who then shall we be.”

In her conclusion, she quoted Friedrich Nietzsche who said: “I want to learn more and more to see as beautiful what is necessary in things, then I shall be one of those who makes things beautiful.” Sister Nancy added, “That is my hope – that as I have worked among you, I have been able to make religious life more beautiful.”

The Sisters of St. Francis, located in Debuque, Iowa, are dedicated to a life of service, prayer and community living based on the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, Clare of Assisi and Mother Xavier. Learn more at osfdbq.org.

Book Review

Raphael’s Men

BY X.M. “MIKE” FRASCOGNA, JR.

JACKSON – Joe Lee, who recently co-authored The Saints of St. Mary’s with X. M. Frascogna Jr., returns with Raphael’s Men, a biography of the late Bill Raphael and the towering legacy he left at St. Joseph Catholic School. Lee will sign copies of the book, published by the Mississippi Sports Council, at the Mississippi Book Festival on Saturday, Sept. 14.

A member of the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame since 1984, Bill Raphael coached football and taught math at St. Joe from 1950-1990. He later taught math at Belhaven University and served as an assistant football coach at Millsaps College.

“Researching and writing this book, which I’ve done over the last few months, has been a uniquely rewarding experience,” said Lee, the Rankin County-based author of nine suspense novels and an active member of St. Francis of Assisi in Madison.

Raphael’s Men is the latest book by Joe Lee. The book is a biography of the late Bill Raphael and the towering legacy he left at St. Joseph Catholic School. It is available at Lemuria Books. (Photo courtesy of Joe Lee)

“I interviewed players from Coach Raphael’s early days like Con Maloney, guys like Andrew Mattiace and Roger Parkes from the great late-60s teams, Robert Dow from the landmark Capital Bowl-winning team in 1972, and stalwarts like Al Nuzzo, Joe Rooks, Je Artigues and Reggie Dampier from Raphael’s later years. All said he was an excellent math instructor as well as a great football coach and an outstanding person.”

St. Joe grad and Super Talk Mississippi radio host Gerard Gibert spoke glowingly of Raphael in the book’s foreword: “His math students wanted to ace his rigorous but fair tests, and his football players would absolutely run through a brick wall to deliver wins on the ﬁeld. As a student or player, you wanted to please him as if he were your own dad.”

Lee, who will be on the book festival’s Mississippi Culture panel to discuss Raphael’s Men, expects the book to reach a wide audience because of its inspirational value.

“It’s about leadership that transcends generations,” he said. “Always give your best e ort. Always do the right thing when no one is watching. And always believe you can accomplish more than you ever dreamed possible. Timeless advice from a devout Catholic that can be passed on to our kids and grandkids.”

Raphael’s Men will be available after Sept. 1 at Lemuria Books, located at 4465 I-55 North in Jackson on the second ﬂoor of Banner Hall. Copies are $24.95 plus tax and can be reserved by calling (601) 366-7619. For more information, visit lemuriabooks.com.

X.M. “Mike” Frascogna, Jr. has nearly ﬁfty years experience as a practicing attorney, negotiator and professor. He is a proliﬁc writer and has published a number of books on both professional and popular topics.

Sister Nancy Schreck, OSF

MADISON – Staff from Early Learning Centers around the diocese gathered for a professional development event on Aug. 12 at St. Francis parish in Madison. The diocese has four early learning centers – Assisi ELC in Madison, St. Paul ELC in Flowood, Sisters of Mercy ELC in Vicksburg and St. Richard ELC in Jackson. (Photos by Virginia Hollingsworth and Rachel Patterson)

Early Learning Centers: A year-round commitment to academic excellence

FAITH IN EDUCATION

By Karla luKe

While most elementary and high schools began their academic year in early August, there are some educators who work tirelessly year-round: the staff at our Early Learning Centers. The Office of Catholic Education proudly oversees four Early Learning Centers within the Catholic Diocese of Jackson, where dedicated teams ensure that children, from infants to toddlers, get a strong start on their academic journey.

The Assisi Early Learning Center in Madison, established in 1987 under the leadership of the beloved Sister Paula Blouin, SSND, continues to thrive. Sister Paula led the center for 34 years, and her legacy is carried on by the current director, Latoya Kelly, who was mentored by Sister Paula.

St. Paul Early Learning Center in Flowood has been a cornerstone of early childhood education since the early 1990s. Recently, it welcomed new leadership: Wendi Murray and Susan Irby, following the retirement of director Jennifer Henry and assistant director Darlene Scanlon.

The Sisters of Mercy Early Learning Center in Vicksburg, named for the religious community who helped staff Catholic schools from their beginnings, opened in 2021, amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its establishment was an act of faith and courage by the Vicksburg Catholic community, St. Aloysius and St. Francis. The ELC is currently led by Katie Emfinger.

In March 2024, the newest Early Learning Center opened at St. Richard Parish in Jackson. This modern facility, located in the heart of the city, has the capacity to accommodate 118 students. Ilana Schuetzle, a former preschool teacher at St. Richard Catholic School, serves as the center’s director.

The Catholic Church teaches that parents are the first educators of their children. We are honored that parents have entrusted our Early Learning Centers with the beginning of their child’s education. From as early as six weeks old, children enter our centers where learning begins from day one.

For the past three years, the diocese has organized professional development for all caregivers,

directors, assistant directors, and staff members at the Early Learning Centers. Around 120 employees gather annually at one of the four centers to receive training on best practices, curriculum development, classroom management, and various other areas of early childhood education.

On Aug. 12, the Assisi Early Learning Center in Madison hosted a professional development event for all four Early Learning Centers. Speakers from the Madison County Pre-School Specialist Training Department included Kelli Dyess, behavior specialist coordinator; Tanya Graves, student support coordinator; and Robyn May, math specialist. Attendees rotated through each presentation, allowing them to engage with all three speakers. The sessions emphasized the critical role of early interactions, from infancy to preschool, in shaping a child’s future academic success. All presenters highlighted the importance of building strong relationships with both children and their families as the foundation for a child’s success.

The training day was well-received by teachers and caregivers alike. Here’s what some of them had to say:

“The speakers were very knowledgeable about their respective topics. I was highly engaged and learned a great deal. I just wish we had more time!” said a staff member from St. Richard ELC.

“I appreciated the intimate setting of the smaller groups. It allowed us to ask questions and engage more deeply with the speakers,” shared Alexis Emfinger of Sisters of Mercy ELC.

“The professional development meeting was very informative and engaging. I have implemented a number of the skills taught into my daily routine,” said Chiquita Brown from Assisi ELC.

“My teachers were excited to implement the behavior strategies they learned, which included both verbal and non-verbal techniques along with positive reinforcement. Nursery teach-

ers were especially eager to read The Pout-Pout Fish book to their babies, and they loved the phonics and reading strategies we discussed,” said Wendi Murray of St. Paul ELC.

This day of learning highlights our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement as educators and administrators. From infancy through high school, we invest in our teachers, who in turn invest even more in our students – both spiritually and academically.

We thank Latoya Kelly and her team for graciously hosting this year’s gathering. We look forward to next year’s Professional Development Day for Early Learning Centers.

In faith, hope, and love...

(Karla Luke is the executive director of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Jackson)

MADISON – Staff members of Early Learning Centers work on developing counting schools for preschool children.

CATHOLIC SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

Around the diocese

NEW ALBANY – St. Francis of Assisi, Confirmation Mass, Aug. 18, 2024. Pictured front row (l-r) Jocelyn Rangel, Regena Portis, Isela Perez, Evelin Tovar, Jimena Perez and Joanna Martinez Romero. Middle row: Father Jesuraja Xavier, Chris Angel Tiscareno, Angel Guzman, Christopher Chen and Saul Franco Garcia. Top row: German Valles, Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Juan Romero. (Photo by Joanna Manning)

JACKSON – Sixth graders at St. Richard School participated in a “brain break” and class bonding activities during their commissioning retreat. Pictured (l-r): Mary Catherine Vanderloo, Nicholas Morisani, Anthony Ramsey, John Choufani, Andrew Dillon (music teacher) and Joseph Starrett. (Photo by Celeste Saucier)

–

WINONA – Thomas Rosamond, a member of Sacred Heart Winona, recently received the rank of Eagle Scout. He is presently a student at Mississippi State University where he is majoring in chemical engineering and is a member of the Famous Maroon Band. He is pictured with his parents Becky and Ken Rosamond. (Photo by Barbara Ruffo)

NATCHEZ – Cathedral School student’s brought flowers with them to Mass on Wednesday, Aug. 21 to honor Coach Mark McCann, who lost his life to cancer this summer. After Mass, members of the senior class brought the flowers to his gravesite. (Photo by Father Aaron M. Williams)

JACKSON

(Right) Sister Thea Bowman School fifth grader, Khamari Steverson reads a passage at the 50th anniversary Mass for Father Joe Dyer on Friday, Aug. 16 at Christ the King parish. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

By Gina Christian (OSV News) –

Eucharistic procession on Mississippi River set to ‘go deeper’ for Christ

An annual Eucharistic procession on a Louisiana bayou is moving to the mighty Mississippi River this year as part of the National Eucharistic Revival – and graces are set to overflow, the lead organizer told OSV News.

Some 15 boats accompanyed the Blessed Sacrament an estimated 130 miles along the Mississippi River Aug. 14-15 for the Fête-Dieu du Mississippi.

The procession launched in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, following a morning Mass celebrated by that diocese’s Bishop Michael G. Duca at St. Joseph Cathedral.

Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of New Orleans concluded the event Aug. 15 at that city’s Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis with Benediction and a Mass marking the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Rallies, spiritual talks, adoration, confession and recitations of the rosary will take place at various ports of call along the route, with speakers and prayer presiders including author Father Josh Johnson of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Dominican Father Aquinas Guilbeau of The Catholic University of America and Father Dustin Dought, executive director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Divine Worship.

Father Michael Champagne of the Community of Jesus Crucified founded the procession a decade ago as the Fête-Dieu du Teche, the bayou where he’d grown up.

The Bayou Teche, an ancient channel of the Mississippi where French Catholics known as Acadians settled in the 18th century, was a natural inspiration for the procession, Father Champagne told OSV News.

And fittingly, the first discussions about the Fête-Dieu took place on the banks of the bayou, said the priest, whose religious community of men and women serve as “missionary contemplatives,” blending monastic prayer and active evangelization.

“I had the nuns with me in the truck, and we were driving on the Bayou Teche and saying, ‘We’ve got this anniversary coming up for the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the Acadians … and we need a Eucharistic procession on the bayou,’” said Father Champagne. “When the Acadians came, they came with their priest, they came with their flag of the Blessed Mother and they brought their faith. So I said, ‘Why don’t we reenact their arrival, and instead of doing that in boats dressed up like Acadians, let’s do a Eucharistic procession, and just move it onto the water?’”

Soon the 40-mile procession swelled to include “as many as 80 or 90 boats on the bayou,” he said.

But this year, the Fête-Dieu was put out into the deep – literally, said Father Champagne.

While the 125-mile Bayou Teche has an average depth of 5 feet, the 2,350-mile Mississippi River – despite reaching some critically low water levels in recent years – plunges to 200 feet at Algiers Point near New Orleans.

The shift in location has made for “a complicated endeavor,” admitted Father Champagne, noting that planning for this year’s procession, which required detailed logistics and permission from multiple officials, began over two years ago.

“We’re involved with the pilots’ association, the port authorities, nine sheriffs’ departments and the Coast Guard, which is supervising the procession,” he said.

Only commercial vessels operated by licensed river pilots, carrying “a handful of civilians” including the priests safeguarding the Blessed Sacrament, will be out on the water, with the average speed of the craft about 10 knots (approximately 11.5 miles) per hour, said Father Champagne.

But those on the banks were nonetheless able to participate in a rich “spiritual tailgating” experience as they witnessed the historic procession and honored the Blessed Sacrament in the port of call gatherings, he said.

Even the most casual observer had no trouble seeing the host, which was displayed in a 14-foot-tall monstrance crafted by Father Champagne’s cousin by marriage, Lyndon Stromberg of the Texas-based Stromberg Architectural.

Stromberg told OSV News that Father Champagne had provided him with a “an old antique monstrance … and said, ‘Can you make me something like this?’”

The “genius entrepreneur,” as Father Champagne described him, set to work modeling and refining a design, creating a mold for casting the monstrance in fiberglass over a metal frame, and finishing the surface in gold leaf.

A team of “about a dozen” staff worked on the project for a year, said Stromberg, noting that he and his team donated time and material for the 220-pound monstrance.

“A lot of them are Catholic, so we had people bringing their spouses and kids to show what mom and dad were working on,” Stromberg said.

The procession has also become an ecumenical encounter, said Father Champagne.

“I’ve been meeting with tugboat companies and pilots and industry guys that worked on the river their whole life,” he said. “One guy told me, ‘Look I’m Baptist, I’m not Catholic. I’ve been on the river 50 years, and it’s never been blessed. We got to bless the river, man. I’m all in.’ And another guy who’s not Catholic completely renovated one of his boats, with lots of money invested, just because he’s going to carry a statue and bells.”

As the procession looked to “bless the state of Louisiana and the Mississippi River … by bringing Jesus down a good swath of it,” Father Champagne hopes that participants were swept from the shallows of faith into a current of desire for Christ.

“I couldn’t imagine life without being in the presence of the Lord,” he said. “And I’ve got to go deeper, I’ve got to be more and more preoccupied with the Lord, and bring people to the Eucharist.”

(Gina Christian is a multimedia reporter for OSV News. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @GinaJesseReina.)

Father Michael Champagne of the Community of Jesus Crucified, climbs a ladder to remove the host from a 14-foot monstrance on the second day of Fête-Dieu du Mississippi in New Orleans Aug. 15, 2024, the feast of the Assumption of Mary. (OSV News photo/Jaymie Stuart Wolfe)