OCTOBER 27, 2023
mississippicatholic.com
As synod winds down, members urged to sow patience By Cindy Wooden
After a day off to give time to the committee writing the synthesis of VATICAN CITY (CNS) – As the assembly's discussions, particmembers of the assembly of the ipants were to meet again Oct. 25 Synod of Bishops return home, to examine, discuss and amend the share the results of their work synthesis and to propose "methods and prepare for the final synod and steps" for continuing the synassembly in 2024, they must be odal process in preparation for its on guard against people who will next assembly in October 2024. want to make them take sides as if "We have listened to hundreds the synod were a political debate, of thousands of words during the said Dominican Father Timothy last three weeks," Father Radcliffe Radcliffe. said. "Most of these have been pos"The global culture of our itive words, words of hope and astime is often polarized, aggressive piration. These are the seeds that and dismissive of other people's are sown in the soil of the church. views," Father Radcliffe, spiritual They will be at work in our lives, adviser to the synod, told memin our imagination and our subbers Oct. 23. "When we go home, conscious, during these months. people will ask, 'Did you fight for When the moment is right, they our side? Did you oppose those unwill bear fruit." enlightened other people?'" Father Rush told participants "We shall need to be profoundly that as he listened to discussions prayerful to resist the temptation over the previous three weeks, "I to succumb to this party-political have had the impression that some way of thinking," he said. "That of you are struggling with the nowould be to fall back into the stertion of tradition, in the light of ile, barren language of much of your love of truth." our society. It is not the synodal During the Second Vatican way," which is "organic and eco- Pope Francis greets U.S. synod members Father Ivan Montelongo from the Diocese of El logical rather than competitive." Paso, Texas, Wyatt Olivas, a student at the University of Wyoming, and Julia Oseka, a Council, when different approachHaving discussed synodality, student at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, before the assembly's working session es to the question of tradition were hotly debated, then-Father Joseph communion, mission and partic- Oct. 10, 2023, in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) Ratzinger – later Pope Benedict ipation over the previous three XVI – explained the two approachweeks, members of the synodal assembly began the final segment of their work with talks from Father Radcliffe, es as being "a 'static' understanding of tradition and a 'dynamic' understanding," Benedictine Mother Maria Ignazia Angelini, the other spiritual guide for the synod, Father Rush said. The static version is "is legalistic, propositional and ahistorical – relevant for all and by Father Ormond Rush, a theologian from Australia. They were to work on a "Letter to the People of God" at the synod's morning – Continued on page 6 – session Oct. 23.
Catholic Charities aims to combat drug addition in Leflore County By Joanna Puddister King
GREENWOOD – On Friday, Sept. 22, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked a significant milestone for Healing Hearts Family Counseling, a drug prevention program aimed at adolescents in Leflore County. The event was celebrated with enthusiasm as the program opened its doors in the former St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School. When Wanda Thomas arrived as executive director of Catholic Charities of Jackson in 2019, she recalled receiving numerous calls from communities across the state, seeking assistance in filing gaps in services. To address those short-falls, Catholic Charities conducted a comprehensive assessment, looking at areas that needed support, while considering available resources, said Thomas. The Delta region emerged as an area in critical need of assistance, backed by years of data and statistics. In 2022, an opportunity presented itself to Catholic Charities in the form of a grant designed to prevent substance abuse within the adolescent population. Recognizing the connection between substance abuse drug addiction, mental illness and an elevated risk of suicide, Catholic Charities seized the opportunity to provide these essential services. The establishment of Healing Hearts Family Coun-
seling and the unwavering support for Catholic Charities of Jackson highlight the community’s collective efforts to combat substance abuse and make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of adolescents and their families in Leflore County. Jackie Lewis, program director of Healing Hearts shared a unique feature of the program with The Greenwood Commonwealth, stating that interactions through the program can occur at the program’s office,
the family’s home, or in any other suitable location. The program is also actively reaching out to adolescents and their families to provide crucial support and education on the dangers of drug abuse through engagement with local schools. The Greenwood Commonwealth reported that Healing Hearts completed a 12-week program at Delta Streets Academy and has
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INSIDE THIS WEEK
Israel-Hamas war 7 Attack on Christian hospital in Gaza
Archive photos 8 Woodward shares photos from diocese archives
Movie Reviews 10 Catholic reviews of Taylor Swift and the new Exorcist