MS Catholic December 22, 2023

DECEMBER 22, 2023

mississippicatholic.com

Renovations ‘prepare the way of the Lord in the Delta’

BY BERTA MEXIDOR

Commending the parishioners who contributed to the renovation, Bishop GREENVILLE – Bishop Joseph KoKopacz emphasized the significance of pacz presided over a momentous Mass their collective effort – including that for the parish of St. Joseph in Greenville of Salvador Sarullo, who bequeathed a on Sunday, Dec. 10, marking the end of large portion of his estate to the parish. a seven-month renovation period. The “Today is very special … the hand of historic church, steeped in significance, the Lord has blessed us, the generosity of opened its doors to eager parishioners Salvador Sarullo, and all of those … who who had patiently awaited this joyous made this possible,” said Bishop Kopacz. occasion.

Mary Lynn Powers, the parish histoPrior to the blessing Mass, a multirian, shared a brief history of St. Joseph tude of parishioners gathered in anticparish with the parishioners gathered ipation, radiating joy as they reveled in for the renovation blessing. The church, the transformed ambiance of the sacred a dream of Canon Paul Korstenbrock, place. The church, which had been closed an architect-turned priest, was erected for months, now showcases a renewed viin 1908, designed in true Dutch Gothic tality that captivated the attention of all style. The renovation retained antique who entered. features, including hand-carved altars, Parishioners and visitors alike maroriginal windows depicting the lives of veled at the renovations, noting the ensaints, and the more modern Stations of hanced brightness and vibrant colors the Cross from 2008. that adored the church. One notable Powers noted the fortuitous contrirenovation was the Stations of the Cross. butions of the estates of Joe and KathConversations around the parish buzzed erine Reilly, in addition to that of Sarulwith admiration, as parishioners remilo, which she said truly helped save the nisced about the church’s previous state and expressed gratitude for the remark- GREENVILLE – Parishioners of St. Joseph parish gathered for a special Mass church from deterioration.

As the Mass concluded, Father Jose able conclusion of the renovation. on Sunday, Dec. 10 with Bishop Joseph Kopacz for the blessing of the parish de Jesus Sanchez, pastor of St. Joseph, As Bishop Kopacz delivered his blessexpressed gratitude to Bishop Kopacz ing, spanning not only the people but ev- after months of extensive renovations. (Photo by Berta Mexidor) and the supportive community. Attendery corner of the building, including the ees were then invited to the community center, where the atmosphere buzzed with Stations of the Cross, culminating in the blessing of the altar.

During his homily, Bishop Kopacz drew parallels between the Gospel centered joy. Reflecting on the church’s 115-year journey, the community embraced the timeon the Holy Spirit, water symbolism and the themes of preparation and repentance. less legacy shaped by the Holy Spirit, Father Korstenbrock’s vision, parishioners’ Quoting Isaiah, he urged the congregation to “prepare the way of the Lord in the generosity, contractors’ hard work, and the prayers of past, present and future genDelta,” drawing a connection between the spiritual journey and the geographical erations in the heart of the Mississippi Delta. context.

–See photos on page 6–

Celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe features celebration of culture, heritage

BY BERTA MEXIDOR

featuring the image of Guadalupe, conchas (shells) and tambor (drum), performing NATCHEZ – On Monday, Dec. 11, a vibrant procession coursed through histor- various routines in honor of the Virgin Mary.

A separate dance ensemble from Guerrero, Mexico, showcased the tradition of ic downtown Natchez, featuring the revered Our Lady of Guadalupe with a group of devoted Guadalupeans present for the celebration. The culminating event was Los Chinelos, a cultural heritage from Morelos, a region in Mexico. Dressed in cola Mass presided over by Father Aaron Williams, accompanied by Father Charles orful attire, the group depicted an elderly figure with a long beard, carrying the image of Guadalupe on the back of the cape. They danced joyously to regional music, Yaklin, IVE, who delivered the homily.

This marked the second instance in which Hispanic Catholics from the Nat- adding a dynamic element to the festivities. chez-Vidalia area received the support of Father Williams, of – Continued on page 6 – the Basilica of St. Mary, and Father Charles, a monk INSIDE THIS WEEK hailing from St. Joseph Monastery in Natchez.

Father Charles, who arrived in Natchez two years ago, has been offering Mass in Spanish to the local Catholic community. In his Spanish homily, he emphasized the significance of Our Lady of Guadalupe, stating that her call is for everyone to draw near to Jesus. He highlighted, “She asked to build a temple, not for her glory, not for us to praise her, because she is surrounded by thousands of angels, but the message of her heart is for us to be close to her son, through the Eucharist.”

The successful organization of the 12-day celebration, including Rosaries and traditional dances, is Youth 14 Gay couples blessing 7 From the archives 9 attributed to the dedicated efforts of numerous volYouth photos from schools Doctrinal Dicastery exWoodward delves into unteers, notably Lupe Valencia, of Mexican heritage. and parishes plains blessing document POWs housed in state Valencia led a group of dancers adorned in ponchos

DECEMBER 22, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS

ANGUILLA – Our Mother of Mercy, Celebrating 100 years of our Catholic faith, Saturday, Jan. 27. Mass at 10:30 a.m. with reception following. Please join us!

COLUMBUS – Annunciation, Mardi Gras Mambo, Friday, Feb. 9, 2024 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in the Annunciation Gymnasium. Adults only. Dinner and open bar included. To attend purchase a draw down ticket for $100 or a $35 silent auction ticket at the door. Details: email psa.acseagles@gmail.com.

HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Women in the New Testament Scripture Study, Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25 and Feb. 1 and 8 from 6:30-8 p.m. Facilitator for the program is Chris Greer. Details: Contact Chris at (662) 429-7851 for details and to order a workbook.

JACKSON – Cathedral of St. Peter, Mass of Thanksgiving for MLK, Jr. and Sister Thea Bowman, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at 3 p.m. Details: Office of Intercultural Ministry at (601) 949-6935.

St. Richard School, Krewe de Cardinal, Save the date: Friday, Feb. 2 from 7-11 p.m. at The South Warehouse. Details: school office (601) 366-1157.

St. Richard Church, ChristLife, begins Jan. 3 and ends Feb. 14. Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in Foley Hall, with a life-changing retreat on Feb. 14. Explore answers to important questions like: How does knowing Jesus really make a difference? How can I know the power of the Holy Spirit? What is the purpose of my life? All within a community of people who are soul searching as well. Dinner included. Childcare provided as needed. Seating is limited, so register as soon as possible. Details: register at https://saintrichard.com/ christlife/ or email Tiffany at strchristlife@gmail.com.

Theology on Tap, Dates for 2024: Jan. 10 with Cookie Leffler; Feb. 7 with Bishop Kopacz; March 6 with Father Lincoln Dall; April 10 – Easter celebration. Meetings are on Wednesdays at Martin’s Restaurant Downtown Jackson.

World Marriage Day, Saturday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter Jackson and Sunday, Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. at St. James Tupelo. This is a wonderful

celebration of the sacrament of matriomony for those couples in the diocese celebrating their 25th, 50th, 60th or greater anniversary. To register contact your parish office or go to www.jacksondiocese.org/family-ministry to register yourself. Details: Office of Family Ministry (601) 960-8487.

MADISON – St. Francis, Ring in Your Faith 10k/5k, Monday, Jan. 1 at 8 a.m. You are guaranteed a delicious New Year’s Day meal and fellowship after the race.

Cost is $30, with proceeds to assist Knights ongoing service projects. Register at https://bit.ly/ringinyourfaith2024. Details: Joe at leslieslee@hotmail.com.

St. Joseph School, Jeans, Jazz and Bruin Blues $10,000 Draw Down, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024 at the Reunion Country Club. Sponsorships available. Details: www.stjoedrawdown.com.

MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, Spaghetti Dinner, Saturday, Dec. 30 at 6 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Plate cost: Adults $10/Children $5. Come enjoy a delicious dinner and fellowship. Details: church office (601) 6931321.

St. Patrick, M*A*S*H Bash Blood Drive, Tuesday, Dec. 26 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the KC Hall. Please go to vitalant.org to make an appointment.

PEARL – St. Jude, Floral Design for Churches Workshop, Saturday, Jan. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cost: $20 to cover cost of flowers and lunch. Details: RSVP at mary.woodward@jacksondiocese.org or call (601) 969-1880.

SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Pizza Movie Night, Friday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. for grades 4-8. Enjoy an evening watching “The Fourth Wise Man.” Details: Please sign up to attend by Tuesday, Jan. 2 by signing up in the church or educations or email ctksdonna@ gmail.com.

Christ the King, Pastoral Council Town Hall, Saturday, Jan. 23 at 1 p.m. (English) and Sunday, Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. (Spanish) – both events in the social hall. The Council would like to hear your needs, challenges and concerts to recommend solutions, create strategies, plan and promote growth for the parish. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

NATCHEZ – 2nd annual Believe Conference, April 19-21, 2024. Featured speakers are Anne Trufant, Catholic speaker and founder of The Mission on the Mountain; Barbara Heil, Catholic speaker and founder of From His Heart Ministries; and Joanne Moody, minister author, and founder of Agape Freedom Fighters.

Cost: $100 for the weekend; $50 for students. Lunch included on Saturday. Details: visit https://www.themissiononthemountain.com.

PINE MOUNTAINS, GA – The Girls Garden Retreat, April 4-7, 2024 at Callaway Resort and Gardens.

Retreat is for any woman who seeks goodness of God through beauty, rest, prayer and small community.

Featured speaker is Laura Huval, a Grammy-nominated recording artist, Catholic speaker, author and more.

Details: for registration, information and pricing visit www.girlsgardenretreats.com.

LOUISVILLE, KY – National Black Catholic Women’s Gathering, July 26-28, 2024. Join Black Catholic women to engage talents for becoming and forming missionary disciples. Sponsored by the National Black Sisters’ Conference. Details: nbsc@nbsc68.org.

VIRTUAL – School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND), “Joyful & Alive Conversation,” Thursday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. CST via Zoom. Single women ages 18-45 interested in how to discover God’s invitations in their life and/ or who are curious about religious life are invited to attend and bring questions. Details: More information and registration for the Zoom link is available at ssnd. org/events/1-11-24/.

FEATURED PHOTO ... Diaconate Candidates instituted as lectors ...

PEARL – On Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 at St. Jude parish, Bishop Joseph Kopacz instituted the seven diaconate candidates as lectors. This is one of the two ministries that all priests and deacons are given on the path toward ordination. The next step for these men is to have them instituted as acolytes, in late 2024, and (hopefully) with an ordination date some time in the spring or summer of 2026. Pictured (l-r): Hunter Yentzen, Donald Coker, William Vautrot, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Jeffrey Cook, Christopher Halliwell, Enrique Amador and Pablo Garcia. (Photo courtesy of Deacon John McGregor)

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MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC DECEMBER 22, 2023

let there be light

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

BY BISHOP JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D.

“Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you.

Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you, they would have not been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace.”

These awe-filled words of St. Augustine from Book 10 of his Confessions are indeed ever ancient and ever new. They are an echo of the voices who have summoned us to prepare a way for the Lord, the eternal beauty of whom Augustine gushes. Isaiah and St. John the Baptist on behalf of the living God, have called and shouted to break through our deafness. Though them God flashes, shines and dispels our blindness.

Both prophets in extraordinary ways bring us into the presence of the light of the world, Jesus Christ, the Son of God once again this Christmas. The words of the prophet Isaiah are the ancient origin of the liberating experience of St. Augustine nearly a millennium later.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to

the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord.” (61:1-2) It was and is God’s voice calling individuals and a people out of darkness into the marvelous love of the Savior. Through faith and baptism, we are the Lord’s anointed and thus charged to be bearers of the Good News though the uniqueness of our lives and circumstances of the current generation. The gift is to be shared, and the opportunities are endless.

Next, we turn to Mary, highly favored, the chosen one full of grace who was enfolded in the beauty and power of God’s love and so exclaimed for pure joy.

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior, for he has looked upon the lowliness of his handmaid.”

God touched her, and she was aflame in his peace. John the Baptist, the final prophet of the Old Testament, and our guide during Advent, who once leapt for joy in the womb of his mother Elizabeth in the moment of Mary’s visitation was perfectly aligned with the long-awaited Messiah as “the voice of one crying out in the desert preparing the way of the Lord.”

(John 1:23) This bridge to the Reign of God knew that he was the voice, not the light, not the Word

made flesh but the voice summoning people to prepare for God’s eternal beauty and power that was dawning upon them.

St. Paul encouraged the first Christians in Thessalonica to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances.” (1Thessalonians 5:16-18) How is this possible in the face of so much suffering in our age, any reasonable person might ask?

In Advent we dare to hope; we dare to dream and we sing, “O come, O come Emmanuel,” a name that means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23) and for whom nothing is impossible. (Luke 1:37) With St. Augustine may the Lord break through our deafness, dispel our blindness and inspire us to experience deeply his beauty which is pure gift, ever ancient, ever new. Come, Lord Jesus and dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

Merry Christmas in the light and love of Jesus Christ.

Happy Ordination Anniversary December 27

January 8

Father Antony Chakkalakkal

Father Bill Cullen

Father Augustine Palimattam Poulose

Father José Lopez

St. Dominic Hospital & Cathedral of St. Peter

St. Patrick & St. Joseph Meridian

Retired

January 12 Retired

JACKSON – This scene from Italy has been a staple at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle for more than 75 years. This exact Nativity set can also be seen at Basilica Papale di San Paolo fuori le Mura, commonly known as St. Paul’s Outside the Walls (Rome). (Photo by Mary Woodward)

Thank you for answering the call!

Volume 70 Number 2 (ISSN 1529-1693)

BISHOP’S SCHEDULE

P.O. Box 2130 Jackson, MS 39225-2130 Phone: 601-969-3581 E-mail: editor@jacksondiocese.org

Sunday, Dec. 24, 10:30 a.m. – 4th Sunday of Advent Mass, Cathedral of St. Peter, Jackson

Publisher ........................................................................................... Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz

Sunday, Dec. 24, 4 p.m. – Christmas Vigil Mass, Cathedral of St. Peter, Jackson

Communications Director ...................................................................... Joanna Puddister King Production Manager ...................................................................................................Tereza Ma Contributors ......................................................................................................... Berta Mexidor 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

Sunday, Jan. 7, 9:30 a.m./12:15 p.m. – Mass/Misa, St. Jude, Pearl Sunday, Jan. 14, 3 p.m. – Mass of Thanksgiving for MLK, Jr. and Sister Thea Bowman, Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson Tuesday, Jan. 23, 7:30 a.m. – Mass, Carmelite Monastery, Jackson Saturday, Jan. 27, 10:30 a.m. – 100th Anniversary Celebration, Our Mother of Mercy, Anguilla All events are subject to change. Check with parishes and schools for further details.

DECEMBER 22, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

4 VOCATIONS CALLED BY NAME I have now been the Rector of the Cathedral for a year and a half, and throughout my professional life I have noticed that it takes about that amount of time to get my feet under me whenever I start something new. Being a pastor is a great responsibility but also a great source of joy as I get to walk with the parishioners here at St. Peter. While it’s a challenge to live in the two worlds of parish life and seminarian accompaniment and vocation promotion, I think that living in these two worlds has helped me realize what is ‘absolutely necessary’ and helpFather Nick Adam ful to promote vocations and what isn’t.

One thing that has proven to be helpful time and time again is the ‘Come and See’ that is offered by St. Joseph Seminary College twice a year – once in the fall and once on Palm Sunday weekend in the spring. During this weekend young men are invited to come live at the seminary and hear talks from current seminarians. Our own Grayson Foley served as the emcee at one of these retreats. The Palm Sunday weekend retreat is especially helpful, I think, because the guys get to see the liturgy of the monastery in full color. Holy Week is astounding at St. Joseph Abbey, and I know that is inspiring to see so many seminarians participating in the liturgy and it is a source of grace for the discernment of those considering whether to enter the seminary or not.

So, our offerings for ‘come and see’ experiences have certainly narrowed since I became a pastor. I simply can’t organize the dioce-

san experiences that we had for a couple of years. But I do believe that we have sufficient resources to accompany young men considering the priesthood, and so I want to encourage you all to promote this ‘Come and See’ to the good young men in your parish. You can share this article with them if you’d like, and make sure they know that they can reach out to me via phone at (601) 969-4020 or email nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org to learn more.

At the end of this year, I’d like to thank all of you who have been consistent readers and encouragers of mine. This little article has been a labor of love for me and it’s just a way to help connect you with vocation ministry. The more we can all be on the same page about what is needed to increase vocations and bring forth men for the (Photo courtesy of BigStock priesthood from our own diocese, the more faces we’ll see on that famous seminarian poster that comes out each fall. Merry Christmas, and please, continue to pray for the master of the harvest to bring forth laborers for the harvest!

– Father Nick Adam, vocation director

(Read about our current seminarians and their inspirational vocation stories at https://jacksondiocese.org/seminarians. Father Nick Adam can be contacted at nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org.)

In memoriam: Genevieve Feyen of Pax Christi Franciscans JACKSON – Genevieve “Gen” Feyen was born June 14, 1931 to Henry and Alma Feyen in Fond-du-lac, Wisconsin. While in seventh grade she was asked to play the piano, by the Sisters at Holy Rosary School, for the summer weekday Masses. She gathered Kathleen and classmates to get up early and sing in the choir. This went on for six long summers, which turned out God was preparing her for directing a choir.

Following in her aunt Emily’s footsteps, she become a student at St. Agnes School of Nursing in Fond-du-lac, graduating in 1952. She then moved to Milwaukee to work in a hospital there. She had an encounter with God, asking her to dedicate her life to Him. In 1955, she went to St. Francis Center, which was a part of Pax Christi Franciscans in Greenwood, for one year of service to God. This was in the days of segregation, and the Black community was at the bottom of the list for everything, including health care.

She was the nurse working with patients in the dispensary and making home visits. At the end of her year, she moved back to New Holstein, but was bored within a month so returned to Mississippi.

Besides nursing, she worked with Father Daniel Machesky, OFM and developed a skating project for teens. The students really learned to skate well, jumping, spinning, skating backwards and with partners.

They learned so quickly that they formed a skating show, the “Centerama” and traveled around to other schools to perform.

Gen’s greatest concern was family centered care and patient teaching. She did home deliveries for many years, and St. Francis Center moved toward the idea of

developing a birthing center. In 1964-65, she reluctantly went to school to become a nurse midwife. She graduated as a Certified Nurse-Midwife and being the first in the state of Mississippi. Her license was stamped #1.

In 1968 Gen moved to Jackson and became a member of Christ the King parish where she joined the choir, then became the organist. She loved this part of her life and worked with the choir for the early Mass.

While in Jackson, Gen’s first job was working at Hinds General Hospital.

Then, in 1970 she joined the Nurse-Midwifery program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Gen supervised Nurse-Midwifery students in clinics, labor and delivery. She also supervised Nurse-Midwifery Assistants who made home visits to the mothers and babies for the infant’s first year of life. Later she taught a course at UMMC for nine young ladies who became OB technicians, and she delivered babies when she could in the hospital.

Her work continued in nursing in Family Centered Care in the hospital in 1973, seeing to it that the babies were taken out of the nursery and “roomed in” with their mothers. She taught daily, prenatal classes in the clinic, as mothers waited for their turn to be seen by the residents. She then began working as a Nurse-Midwife in the Prenatal and Women’s Health Clinics at the Mississippi State Board of Health in Jackson in 1977.

In 1983 she was honored, receiving the Public Health Nurse Clinician of the Year in Mississippi, and then joined the staff at Rankin County Health Care Center. In 1993 she was awarded the Mississippi Primary Health Care Association’s Outstanding Mid-Level

Clinician of the year. This also brought an end to her Nurse-Midwifery career.

Gen continued working with the choir at Christ the King parish. She and Grace Lee formed the Senior Swingers group. It was stated very clearly in the beginning that this was a group to have fun, not another working group. The seniors worked all their lives and it was time for them to relax a bit. She helped out at the school by working one on one with students. She worked many yard sales, raising money for the parish.

She was a member of the liturgy team, King’s Workers, Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary and Senior Swingers.

On Feb. 24, 1991, she was presented with the L.W. Sampson Award from the Knights of Peter Claver for “Outstanding Leadership Service and Dedication in Christ the King Catholic Church and Community.”

Following her mother’s dreams of traveling, Gen visited Medjugorje, where her life was completely changed. She went from a reluctant disciple to an enthusiastic disciple.

Genevieve was the current president of Pax Christi Franciscans, a position she held many times. Under her direction, she formed the PCF associates with members in Greenwood and Jackson. She continued to be active in so many aspects of life it is hard to name them all, as she served 68 years in Mississippi.

Her last major project and accomplishment was writing a book on her life, “The Reluctant Disciple” which will go to print soon.

Genevive passed on Nov. 8, 2023 and her funeral service was held at Christ the King Church in Jackson on Saturday, Dec. 2.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pax Christi Franciscans in her honor.

Spirituality 5

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC DECEMBER 22, 2023

Lighting an Advent candle IN EXILE

By Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI

Hope, as we can see from this, requires both faith and patience.

It works like yeast, not like a microwave oven. Jim Wallis, the founder of Sojourners, expresses this colorfully: “All politicians are alike,” he says, “they hold a finger up and check which way the wind is blowing and then make their decisions in that direction. That will never change, even if we change politicians. So, we must change the wind! That’s hope’s task – to change the wind!”

When we look at what has morally changed this world – from the great religious traditions coming out of deserts, caves, and catacombs and helping leaven whole cultures morally, to apartheid being overthrown in South Africa – we see that it has happened precisely when individuals and groups lit candles and hoped long enough until the wind changed.

We light Advent candles with just that in mind, accepting that changing the wind is a long process, that

the evening news will not always be positive, the stock markets will not always rise, the most sophisticated defenses in the world will not always protect us from terrorism, and secular liberal and conservative ideologies will not rid this planet of selfishness.

However, we continue to light candles and hope anyway, not on the basis of a worsening or improving evening newscast, but because the deepest reality of all is that God exists, that the center holds, that there’s ultimately a gracious Lord who rules this universe, and this Lord is powerful enough to rearrange the atoms of the planet and raise dead bodies to new life. We light candles of hope because God, who is the ultimate power, has promised to establish a kingdom of love and peace on this earth and is gracious, forgiving and powerful enough to eventually make it happen.

In the days of apartheid in South Africa, Christians there used to light candles and place them in their windows as a sign to themselves and others that they believed that someday this injustice would end. A candle burning in a window was a sign of hope and a political statement.

The government didn’t miss the message. It passed a law making it illegal to place a lit candle in a window, the offense being equal to (Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser is a theologian, teachowning a firearm; both were coner and award-winning author. He can be contacted sidered equally dangerous. This through his website www.ronrolheiser.com.) eventually became a joke among the kids: “Our government is afraid of lit candles!”

And well they should be! Lit candles, more than The Pope’s Corner firearms, overthrew apartheid. Hope, not guns, is what ultimately transforms things. To light a candle as an act of hope is to say to yourself and to others that, despite anything that might be happening in the world, you are still nursing a vision of peace and unity that’s based upon something beyond the present state of things and upon deeper realities and powers than what the world admits. To light a candle is to state publicly that you believe that, living Nativity scene. Thus, the tradition of the NativiBy Cindy Wooden at the end of the day, more than what you see on VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Away in a cave near Grec- ty scene as we understand it was born.” the evening news will shape the final outcome of Remembering Greccio today, the pope said, people cio, Italy, St. Francis of Assisi had the first Nativity things. There are other powers also at work. To scene – a live one – staged for the faithful on Christmas should also think of Bethlehem. “And as we contemlight a candle is an act of political defiance and an plate Jesus – God made man, small, poor, defenseless Eve in 1223. act of hope.

A 15th-century fresco now decorating the cave in- – we cannot but think of the tragedy that the inhabiWhat is hope? spired the Nativity scene erected in St. Peter’s Square tants of the Holy Land are living, expressing to those First, it’s not wishful thinking. I can wish to win brothers and sisters of ours, especially the children for the 800th anniversary celebrations. a lottery, but that wish, in itself, contains no real Before the scene was unveiled and the Christmas and their parents, our closeness and our spiritual suppower to make it happen. Second, hope is not simtree in the square was lighted Dec. 9, Pope Francis met port. They are the ones who pay the true price of war.” ply temperamental optimism, an upbeat temperaWhether the Nativity scene is in St. Peter’s Square, with the more than 100 people involved in erecting the ment that always sees the bright side of things. An creche, officials from the Rieti Valley, which includes in a church or in one’s home, the pope said, people unwavering optimism about things can sometimes Greccio, and from the little town of Macra, in northern passing one should remember Jesus’ birth 2,000 years be helpful, but it’s no basis for hope; like wishful ago and be moved to “silence and prayer in our often Italy, which donated the silver fir tree. thinking it lacks the power to make its own dream For St. Francis of Assisi, who had traveled to the so hectic daily lives.” come true. Finally, hope is not simply shrewd ob“Silence to be able to listen to what Jesus tells us Holy Land, “the caves of Greccio reminded him of servation and common sense, a talent for sorting the landscape of Bethlehem,” the pope said. The saint from the unique ‘cathedra’ of the manger,” he said. out the real from the fluff. Useful as this is, it’s still asked that a donkey and an ox, some hay and a manger “Prayer to express grateful wonder, tenderness and not hope. Why not? be brought to the cave on Christmas Eve and invited perhaps the tears that the Nativity scene stirs in us.”

Because hope doesn’t base itself upon a shrewd other friars and people from the village, “creating a assessment of the empirical facts, but upon belief in a deeper set of realities: God’s existence, God’s power, God’s goodness and the promise that flows from that.

There’s a story told about Pierre Teilhard de Chardin that helps illustrate this. Teilhard wasn’t much given to wishful thinking or even to an optimistic temperament; he tended rather toward a lonely realism. Yet he was a man of real hope. For example, on one occasion, after giving a conference where he laid out a vision within which ultimately unity and peace will be achieved on earth in a way that parallels the vision of scripture, he was challenged by some colleagues to this effect: “That’s a wonderful, idealistic vision of things, but suppose we blow up the world with a nuclear bomb, what happens to your vision then?” Teilhard replied, “that would set things back some millions of years, but this will still come to fruition, not because I say so or because the facts right now indicate that it Wholesale and home will, but because freezer service God promised it Beef – Pork – Sausage and in the resur109 - A Camellia Dr. rection of Jesus has shown that The Nativity scene is unveiled and the Christmas tree is lighted in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Dec. He is powerful 9, 2023. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez) enough to deliver on that promise.”

Pope marks 800th anniversary of Nativity scene, asks prayers for Holy Land

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6 DIOCESE

DECEMBER 22, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

' ... St. Joseph Greenville renovations ...'

– Continued from page 1 – GREENVILLE – On left, the original hand-carved altar remains as a part of the renovations at St. Joseph parish. On right, Bishop Joseph Kopacz prepares to bless the walls of the parish on Sunday, Dec. 10 after a seven month renovation period for the parish. (Photos

by Berta Mexidor)

' ... In honor of Our Lady ...'

NATCHEZ – On Dec. 11 the faithful participated in a procession in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, before Mass celebrated by Father Aaron Williams and Father Charles Yaklin, a monk from St. Joseph's Monastery. (Photo by Berta Mexidor) – Continued from page 1 –

GREENVILLE – The exterior of the parish shines brightly as parishioners exit after Mass on Sunday, Dec. 10.

Valencia received valuable assistance from a dedicated team, including Paola Siles from Nicaragua, Guillermina Vega, and Monzerrat Gonzalez, a mother-daughter duo from Mexico residing in Vidalia. Rosendo Gonzales and Antonio Ortiz carried the image of Our Lady in the procession, while Bettina Coffey provided translation services for Father Williams at the Family Life Center. The celebration concluded with a heartfelt blessing, lively dances and a shared feast in honor of Our Lady.

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC DECEMBER 22, 2023

WORLD 7

Doctrinal dicastery explains how, when gay couples can be blessed

By Cindy Wooden

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – A Catholic priest can bless a gay or other unmarried couple as long as it is not a formal liturgical blessing and does not give the impression that the Catholic Church is blessing the union as if it were a marriage, the Vatican doctrinal office said.

The request for a blessing can express and nurture “openness to the transcendence, mercy and closeness to God in a thousand concrete circumstances of life, which is no small thing in the world in which we live. It is a seed of the Holy Spirit that must be nurtured, not hindered,” the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith said in a formal declaration published Dec. 18.

The document, “Fiducia Supplicans” (“Supplicating Trust”) was subtitled, “On the pastoral meaning of blessings,” and was approved by Pope Francis during an audience with Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, dicastery prefect, Dec. 18.

In his introductory note, Cardinal Fernández said questions about a priest blessing a LGBTQ+ or other unmarried couple had been sent to the doctrinal office repeatedly over the past few years.

The need for a fuller explanation of blessings became clear, he wrote, after Pope Francis responded to the “dubia” or questions of several cardinals in a letter released in early October.

Pope Francis shares a laugh with Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, right, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of In his letter, the pope insisted mar- the Faith, and Msgr. Armando Matteo, secretary of the dicastery’s doctrinal section, during a meeting in the library of riage is an “exclusive, stable and indissol- the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Dec. 18, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) uble union between a man and a woman, naturally open to conceiving children,” “avoid the risk of reducing the meaning of blessings” peated that “it is not appropriate for a diocese, a bishwhich is why the church “avoids all kinds of rites or sacramentals that could contradict this con- to their formal, liturgical use because that “would lead ops’ conference” or other church structure to issue a viction and imply that it is recognizing as a marriage us to expect the same moral conditions for a simple formal blessing prayer or ritual for unwed couples. blessing that are called for in the reception of the sac- The blessing also should not be given “in concurrence” something that is not.” with a civil marriage ceremony to avoid appearing as a At the same time, the pope said, “pastoral prudence raments.”

“Indeed, there is the danger that a pastoral gesture sort of church blessing of the civil union. must adequately discern if there are forms of blessing, However, it said, a priest or deacon could “join in solicited by one or various persons, that don’t transmit that is so beloved and widespread will be subjected to too many moral prerequisites, which, under the claim the prayer of those persons who, although in a union a mistaken concept of marriage.”

Cardinal Fernández said the declaration “remains of control, could overshadow the unconditional pow- that cannot be compared in any way to a marriage, defirm on the traditional doctrine of the church about er of God’s love that forms the basis for the gesture of sire to entrust themselves to the Lord and his mercy, to invoke his help and to be guided to a greater undermarriage, not allowing any type of liturgical rite or blessing,” it said.

A person who asks for God’s blessing, the declara- standing of his plan of love and of truth.” blessing similar to a liturgical rite that can create confusion,” but it also explores the “pastoral mean- tion said, “shows himself to be in need of God’s saving ing of blessings” in a way that opens “the possibility presence in his life and of blessing couples in irregular situations and same- one who asks for a blesssex couples without officially validating their status or ing from the church recogThe Diocese of Jackson has launched a third-party reporting changing in any way the church’s perennial teaching nizes the latter as a sacrasystem that will enable all diocesan employees, volunteers and pament of the salvation that on marriage.” rishioners to anonymously (or named if preferred) make reports.

The church “remains firm” in teaching that mar- God offers.”

Examples of this activity include fraud, misconduct, safety violaThe church, it said, riage can be contracted only between one woman and tions, harassment or substance abuse occurring at a Catholic parone man, he said, and continues to insist that “rites and should be grateful when ish, Catholic school or at the diocesan level. The system is operatprayers that could create confusion” about a marriage people ask for a blessing ed by Lighthouse Services. Based in Deerfield, Illinois, Lighthouse and should see it as a sign and another form of relationship “are inadmissible.”

Services maintains ethics, safety and fraud hotlines for over 4,100 But in Catholic tradition blessings go well beyond that they know they need organizations between the U.S. and abroad. the formal ritual used in marriage and other sacra- God’s help.

“When people ask for ments.

To make a report visit www.lighthouse-services.com/ “Blessings are among the most widespread and a blessing, an exhaustive jacksondiocese or call 888-830-0004 (English) or 800-216evolving sacramentals. Indeed, they lead us to grasp moral analysis should not God’s presence in all the events of life and remind us be placed as a precondi1288 (Spanish). that, even in the use of created things, human beings tion for conferring it. For, are invited to seek God, to love him, and to serve him those seeking a blessing The Association of Priests of the Dioceses of Jackson and Bifaithfully,” the declaration said. That is why people, should not be required to loxi provide a small pension to our retired priests. As you conmeals, rosaries, homes, pets and myriad other things have prior moral perfecsider your estate plans, please remember these faithful servants tion,” it said. can be and are blessed on various occasions. by making a donation or leaving a bequest to the Association of At the same time, the “From a strictly liturgical point of view,” the declaPriests.

Our parish priests dedicate their lives to caring for us, ration said, “a blessing requires that what is blessed be declaration insisted that their flocks. Let us now care for them in their retirement. Donaconformed to God’s will, as expressed in the teachings the Mass is not the proptions can be made payable to the Association of Priests and can of the church,” which is why the then-doctrinal con- er setting for the less forgregation in 2021 excluded the possibility of blessing mal forms of blessing that be mailed to: could include the blessing gay couples.

Diocese of Jackson, P.O. Box 22723, Jackson, MS 39225-2723 But, the new document said, Catholics should of a gay couple, and it re-

DECEMBER 22, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

8 NaTION/diocese

National Eucharistic Revival invites Catholics to ‘spark’ a fire with prayer series

By Katie Yoder

Nearly 22,000 people have already signed up to receive and pray through the WASHINGTON (OSV prayer series, Frank revealed. The inspiration for the series, he said, came from a News) – The National Eu- desire for the church to be unified in its prayers for revival.

“We believe true revival is far more than a series of events or a program, so we charistic Revival is inviting everyday Catholics to per- created these short reflections that would serve as a prayer guide for personal consonally participate in the version and renewal for the church,” he said.

Frank explained that the name of the prayer series draws from the vision of nationwide movement by asking God to transform Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, chairman of the board of the and renew their hearts National Eucharistic Congress, who said of the revival, “We want to start a fire, not a program.” through prayer.

“The fiercest fires still start with a small spark, so we hope these reflections are “If we want revival for the American church, it simply the start of something far greater,” Frank added.

He addressed the series’ focus on fostering Catholics’ personal renewal and remust start with you and me,” Kris Frank, chief mis- vival.

“Revival doesn’t simply happen because we say we are in a revival, or because we sion officer for the National Eucharistic Congress, told release resources about revival,” he said. “We believe true revival can only happen OSV News of their Spark through a renewal of hearts.”

Series, a prayer series that (Katie Yoder writes for OSV News from Washington. She is a contributing editor anyone can join. “As St. Augustine once taught, for the Our Sunday Visitor newspaper. A link to the Spark Series can be found here ‘One loving heart sets an- at the National Eucharistic Revival’s website: https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/ other on fire.’ So while the get-involved) revival is for the entire church, it is also for the individual.”

The revival, a three-year initiative by the U.S. Catholic bishops, seeks to renew the Catholic Church by enkindling

By Joanna Puddister King a living relationship JACKSON – Nine years ago (2015), the #iGiveCatholic campaign for #Givwith Jesus Christ in ingTuesday took off as an initiative of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, raising over the holy Eucharist. a million dollars in a 24-hour period for Catholic parishes, schools and ministries.

The grassroots moveSubsequently, this campaign spread to other dioceses throughout the nation, with ment culminates in participating dioceses increasing with each year. The 2023 #iGiveCatholic campaign the 10th National Euhad a great impact, with growth in dollars given and donors, raising over $20.1 milcharistic Congress, lion for Catholic entities this year.

(Photo Diocesan Archives) taking place in IndiThe Diocese of Jackson joined the #iGiveCatholic campaign in 2016, making this anapolis July 17-21, year the eighth year of participation in the nationwide campaign, and generating 2024, followed by a nearly $193,000 in gifts to a total of 27 parishes, schools and ministries within the “year of going out on mission.” OSV (the parent company of OSV News and diocese. the Our Sunday Visitor newspaper), which has supported the revival from its The success of each organization is based on the amount of effort put forth in beginning, was named a “mission partner” for the congress earlier this year. publicizing their causes, or reason to raise funds, by reaching out to donors via soAs part of the movement, the Spark Series consists of nine short daily recial media (Facebook, Instagram, emails, websites, etc.) and print publications such flections inviting the faithful to open their hearts for revival. Each day includes as bulletins, posters and flyers. a reflection, prayer, and challenge centered on a particular theme.

The #iGiveCatholic campaign focuses on electronic giving and includes a spe“We didn’t want this prayer series to be daunting or overwhelming, so uscific website provided to the organizations at no cost, in hopes to encourage greater ing the framework of a nine-day novena gave us a structure and kept the reparticipation and help generate funds. Each year, the diocese receives a generous flections focused,” Frank said of the format. “Obviously, that means we had grant from Catholic Extension to cover half of the online giving platform fees. to leave out some topics we would have liked to include, but the hope is that Also included in the grant from Catholic Extension was additional money earthe Spark Series is a springboard for people to dive deeper into prayer and the marked for training or prizes to aid in a successful campaign and help generate richness of the church through revival.” excitement. Five prizes were awarded in random drawings for entities who had onCatholics can sign up online at the National Eucharistic Revival’s website – line donors during specific time frames; and three prizes were awarded to the top eucharisticrevival.org/get-involved – by submitting their email address. three fundraisers. The grand prize winners this year were Carmelite Monastery in “This prayer series is for everyone,” Frank stressed. “From the holiest Jackson; Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Canton; and St. Richard Catholic School amongst us to the person who is just learning about prayer and the church, we in Jackson. believe God has a special grace for all in this season of Eucharistic revival.”

The National Sponsor of #iGiveCatholic this year was Our Sunday Visitor, a He added, “Our hope is that as people pray through these reflections that Catholic publisher that serves millions of Catholics globally through its publishing God does something new in their heart, and through a renewal of hearts, God and communication services. For the past several years, Our Sunday Visitor has will bring about a revival that will bless our church for years to come.” donated offertory envelopes at no cost to participating organizations, to encourage The prayer series presents reflections to the faithful in a hopeful, encouragdonors, who otherwise would not want to give electronically, helping to increase ing tone while challenging them to examine their lives as children of God. The participation and overall total giving. messages remind people of God’s love and mercy while centering on revival “I am always amazed at the generosity of the Catholic community in our dioand renewal through the Eucharist. The nine themes for each day are: Revival; cese,” said Rebecca Harris, director of Stewardship and Development for the DioKerygma/Missionaries; Encounter; Healing; Source and Summit; Mary, Mothcese of Jackson. “It is such a blessing to see that same generosity across the country er of the Eucharist (Adoration); Pilgrimage; Works of Mercy; and Mission. as Catholics generously give to so many ministries.”

“As you walk with the Holy Spirit during this time, be open to how he wants In a year when overall donations were down for #GivingTuesday, #iGiveCatholic to speak to you about encounter, healing, mission, and mercy, all flowing from did not experience that trend, with the giving day raising 8.7% more than in 2022 and a love for the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith, in which Christ a total of 11% more donors. is truly, really, and substantially present,” the introduction to the series reads.

Harris said, “A big thank you goes out to all those who participated in our dio“Above all, expect God to work in amazing ways in your life as you surrender cese and a big thank you to all of the donors who supported so many great projects.” yourself more deeply to him.”

“What a joy it is to be a part of so many Catholics joyfully sharing their blessAt the end of the nine days, the series recommends that Catholics share ings.” their experience with others and invite them to participate in the Spark Series too.

Local Catholics give back for #iGiveCatholic campaign

22 de diciembre de 2023

Mississippicatholic.com

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

Guadalupe llama a estar cerca de su Hijo Por bErTa MEXidor

NATCHEZ – El lunes 11 de diciembre, día de San Juan Diego, la Virgen, cargada por guadalupanos de la región, salió en procesión por las calles de Natchez, antes de una Misa celebrada por el Padre Aaron Williams y con el Padre Charles Yaklin, IVE como homilista.

Esta fue la segunda ocasión en que los católicos hispanos de la región Natchez-Vidalia recibieron el apoyo del Padre Williams, rector de la Basílica de Santa María y del padre Charles, IVE, monje del monasterio de San José en Natchez.

El padre Charles vino a Natchez hace dos años y todos los domingos ofrece Misa en español a los católicos de la zona.

Durante su homilía en español, remarcó que la causa de Guadalupe es el llamado de María a todos para estar cerca de Jesús, el Hijo de Dios “…Ella pidió que se le construyera un templo, no para su gloria, no

NATCHEZ – Por segunda vez los Guadalupanos de la región se reunieron en la noche del 11 de diciembre para procesión y Misa en honor de la Virgen de Guadalupe. La Misa fue celebrada por el Padre Aaron Williams y concelebrada por el Padre Charles Yaklin, en altar detrás de imagen del Vírgen, monje del Monasterio St. Joseph perteneciente a la rama contemplativa del Instituto del Verbo Encarnado y quien fue el homilista.

(Foto de Berta Mexidor)

para que la alabáramos, porque miles de ángeles la rodean, pero el mensaje de su corazón es que estemos cerca de su hijo, a través de la Eucaristía, ” dijo el Padre Charles.

Los hispanos de la zona celebraron este segundo año de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Natchez, gracias a muchos voluntarios, entre ellos Lupe Valencia, mexicana, que no quiere llevarse todo el crédito por organizar doce días de Rosarios y bailes.

Ayudaron también a Valencia, Paola Siles, Nicaragua, Guillermina Vega y Montserrat González, madre e hija, mexicanas residentes en Vidalia, Rosendo González y Antonio Ortiz, mexicanos que llevaron la imagen en procesión, y Bettina Coffey, Argentina, quien tradujo para el Padre Williams en el centro comunitario, donde finalizó la celebración con bendición, bailes y comida.

Los niños como cada año se roban el show. Sus padres los visten con los trajes típicos, representan a la Virgen y a San Juan Diego y no dejan de bailar en los diferentes grupos de danza. Así es como los Guadalupanos perpetuan la fe y tradición por generaciones. (i-d) Niños de St. Jude Pearl, St. Therese Jackson y St. Mary Basílica Natchez. (Fotos de Tereza Ma, Rosalinda Montoya y Berta Mexidor)

22 de diciembre de 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO

'...María de Guadalupe: Madre y compañera de camino con fe y esperanza...'

Por María Elena Méndez Ochoa, MGSPS

visitamos la Basílica por la tarde y estando allí, nos María de Guadalupe diciéndoles: “¿No estoy aquí, yo, que soy tu madre? ¿No estás bajo CIUDAD MEXICO – Estamos a tan solo ocho años dimos cuenta de la peregrinación de los pirotécnicos para la celebración del V centenario de las apariciones -los que elaboran castillos-. Ellos tenían como ocho mi sombra y resguardo? ¿No soy la fuente de tu alegría? ¿No estás en el hueco de mi de la Virgen de Guadalupe en la colimanto, en el cruce de mis na del Tepeyac. brazos? ¿Tienes necesidad Su presencia nos sigue mostrando de alguna otra cosa? su “compasión, auxilio y defensa” ante Claro, triple manto los las constantes vicisitudes de la vida. cubría del rocío de la mañaElla nos da esperanza especialmente na: la bolsa de dormir, la en un mundo marcado por la guerra, cobija que cada uno carga la violencia, la migración, la pobreza y el amanecer del cielo al y las polarizaciones marginales. lado de la estructura en En la primera semana de noviemforma de manto acogedor. bre, estuve en la Ciudad de México.

En noviembre del 2022, Por estar a solo quince minutos, camvisité la Librería Pública inando de la Basílica de Guadalupe, de New York. Al ver la hoja me permitió visitarla, casi todos los original del Nican Mopodías, a las 6:30 de la mañana. hua en Nahualt, mi alegría Al llegar, la primera acción a la era inmensa al saber que que me sentía movida era cantarle las me encontraba ante un Mañanitas Guadalupanas, tradición documente original, donde en muchas de las parroquias, tal como se narra lo que se cree es el si fuera el 12 de diciembre. Ponerme primer testimonio escrito de pie frente a ella y decirle “Buenos de las apariciones de la Virdías, Paloma Blanca, hoy te vengo a gen de Guadalupe a Juan saludar…” y llamarla cariñosamente, Diego en 1531, en lo que es “Niña linda, niña santa,…” era como hoy la ciudad de México. dar y recibir una caricia de mi madre.

Sabia que se encontraDespués del saludo y tiernas miradas ba ahí todo el documento, entre ambas, deposité en su regazo pero para verlo se necesitmis peticiones y agradecimientos; al aba cita y no la podían hacmismo tiempo que ofrecí las de la gener porque una hoja está en te que me encargó orar por ellos. exposición, así que me conVer, observar, dejarme sentir por formé con ver solo la hoja, el amor de los peregrinos fue primoradmírala y agradecer esa dial. No es lo mismo entender desde la experiencia. Si me hice la mente que desde el corazón, ni como pregunta, ¿por qué estaba mexicana y Misionera Guadalupana Dentro y fuera de la Basílica de Guadalupe, peregrinos, turistas y fieles Guadalupanos, no de- el documento original en del Espíritu Santo, con un carisma jan sola durante el año a la Morenita del Tepeyac. En fotos (arriba) personas admiran una obra Nueva York y no en MéxiSacerdotal-Guadalupano, viviendo en el extranjero. Captar la sencillez, de arte que representa uno de los momentos de la aparición. (debajo. izq.) Asistentes a una de co?

En estos dos últimos la fe y la naturalidad de la gente que las Misa (debajo. der.) la hermana Maria Elena Mendez, MGSP posa frente a una reprentación guadano se va sin tomarse una foto con la artística de la evangelización de las Américas y el mundo, a través de la Virgen dirigiéndose a acontecimientos lupanos se renovaron mi Madre, como lo hice también yo, fue los indígenas del lugar. (Fotos de María Elena Mendez, MGSP) amor, mi fe y mi esperanza. gratificante a mis ojos y gozo para mi María de Guadalupe sigue corazón.

En mi búsqueda de la experiencia de la gente, con- castillos dedicados a la Virgen de Guadalupe que en- siendo la Madre que levanta, anima y envía como a versé con peregrinos de Tlaxcala, México que camin- cenderían al terminar la Misa. ¡Cómo perdérnoslos!, Juan Diego a mostrar “todo su amor, auxilio y defensa” aron varias horas a pie para llegar a la basílica y visitar hasta éramos capaces de quedarnos sin cenar con tal a quien la busque y en ella confíe. Nuestra Señora de a la “morenita del Tepeyac”. La otra parte de sus famil- de verlos! Gracias a Dios no nos perdimos ninguna de Guadalupe, casi 500 años atrás vino a darle unidad y esperanza a un pueblo convulsionado, hoy nuestro llaias llegaron en camión durante la noche para unirse las dos cosas.

Dos cosas más me impresionaron: una fue la nat- mado es a la comunión en medio de nuestra diversidad a ellos a la Misa de 7 de la mañana y me explicaron el uralidad de la gente para dormirse alrededor de la cultural, ella Madre y la Madre siempre nos busca, degozo que sentían al hacer ese recorrido cada año.

Por la tarde de mi tercer día, algunas hermanas basílica, es como si de verdad sintieran las palabras de jémonos encontrar y atraer por ella para Dios.

22 de diciembre de 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO

Ven, Ven Enmanuel Por Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.

“¡¡Tarde te amé,hermosura tan antigua y tan nueva,tarde te amé! Tú estabas dentro de mí, y yo fuera,y por fuera te buscaba, y deforme como era me lanzaba sobre las cosas hermosas por Ti creadas.Tú estabas conmigo, y yo no estaba contigo.

Me retenían lejos de Ti todas las cosas,aunque, si no estuviesen en Ti, nada serían.

Llamaste y clamaste, y rompiste mi sordera. Brillaste y resplandeciste, y pusiste en fuga mi ceguera. Exhalaste tu perfume, y respiré, y suspiro por Ti. Gusté de Ti, y siento hambre y sed. Me tocaste, y me abrazó tu paz.”

Estas palabras llenas de asombro de San Agustín del Libro 10 de sus Confesiones son en verdad siempre antiguas y siempre nuevas. Son eco de las voces que nos han convocado a preparar el camino al Señor, cuya eterna belleza brota en San Agustín. Isaías y San Juan Bautista en nombre del Dios vivo, han llamado y gritado para romper nuestra sordera. A través de ellos Dios resplandece, brilla y disipa nuestra ceguera.

Ambos profetas nos llevan de manera extraordinaria a la presencia de la luz del mundo, Jesucristo, el Hijo de Dios, una vez más esta Navidad. Las palabras del profeta Isaías son el origen antiguo de la experiencia liberadora de San Agustín casi un milenio después.

“El espíritu del Señor está sobre mí, porque el Señor me ha consagrado; me ha enviado a dar buenas noticias a los pobres, a aliviar a los afligidos, a anunciar libertad a los presos, libertad a los que están en la cárcel; a anunciar el año favorable del Señor.” (61:1-2) Fue y es la voz de Dios que llama a personas y a un pueblo a salir de las tinieblas al maravilloso amor del Salvador. A través de la fe y el bautismo, somos ungidos por el Señor y, por lo tanto, estamos encargados de ser portadores de la Buena Nueva a través de la singularidad de nuestras vidas y las circunstancias de la generación actual. El regalo debe ser compartido y las oportunidades son infinitas.

A continuación, nos dirigimos a María, muy favorecida, la elegida llena de gracia que se vio envuelta en la belleza y la potencia del amor de Dios y por eso exclamó de puro gozo.

“Mi alma proclama la grandeza del Señor; mi espíritu se regocija en Dios, mi Salvador, porque ha mirado la humildad de su esclava”.

Dios la tocó y ella ardió en su paz. Juan Bautista, el último profeta del Antiguo Testamento y nuestro guía durante el Adviento, que saltó de alegría en el vientre de su madre Isabel en el momento de la visita de María, estaba perfectamente alineado con el tan esperado Mesías como “la voz de uno que clama en el desierto preparando el camino del Señor”.

(Juan 1:23) Este puente hacia el Reino de Dios sabía que él era la voz, no la luz, no la Palabra hecha carne, sino la voz que convocaba a las personas a prepararse para la eterna belleza y el poder de Dios que estaba amaneciendo sobre ellos.

San Pablo animó a los primeros cristianos Un fragmento de fresco del maede Tesalónica a “estar siempre alegres, orar sin cesar y dar gracias en todo”. (1 Tesaloni- stro renacentista Bernardino di Betto, más conocido como Pincenses 5:16-18) ¿Cómo es posible esto ante tanto su- toricchio, muestra al niño Jesús. frimiento en nuestra época?, podría pregun- (Foto de OSV News/archivo tarse cualquier persona razonable.

CNS, cortesía de Fondazione En Adviento nos atrevemos a tener esper- Guglielmo Giordano) anza; nos atrevemos a soñar y cantamos: “Oh ven, oh ven Emanuel”, nombre que significa “Dios con nosotros” (Mateo 1:23) y para quien nada es imposible. (Lucas 1:37) Que el Señor, con San Agustín, rompa nuestra sordera, disipe nuestra ceguera y nos inspire a experimentar profundamente su belleza, que es don puro, siempre antiguo, siempre nuevo. Ven, Señor Jesús y disipa las tinieblas de nuestros corazones y mentes. !Feliz Navidad en la Luz y el Amor de Jesucristo!

Papa: mensaje Guadalupano se basa en sencillez, no en ideología Por Cindy Wooden

la historia de San Juan Diego, a quien María pidió que recogiera rosas durante el CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) – La imagen icónica de Nuestra Señora de Gua- invierno para mostrárselas al obispo local como signo de su aparición.

Las flores "significan las virtudes que el Señor infunde en el corazón, no son obra dalupe, que se ha convertido en un símbolo cultural y espiritual para América Latina, no puede ser utilizada para promover ningún tipo de ideología, sino que debe nuestra", dijo. "El acto de recogerlas nos revela que Dios quiere que acojamos s ese don, que 'perfumemos' nuestra débil realidad con obras de bien, ahuyentando odios mantener su mensaje de amor sencillo, dijo el Papa Francisco.

La imagen mariana que apareció en la tilma de San Juan Diego "nos defiende de y temores".

Aunque habló sin dar muestras de ditantas ideologías sociales y políticas con ficultad, el Papa Francisco se saltó gran la que con tanta frecuencia se usa esta reparte del texto que tenía preparado. Realidad guadalupana para fundamentarse, cientemente canceló un viaje a los Emirjustificarse, y ganar dinero", dijo el 12 de atos Árabes Unidos debido a una infección diciembre durante la Misa en la fiesta de bronquial, y sus ayudantes leyeron sus la Virgen de Guadalupe. discursos en su nombre varias veces en la "El mensaje guadalupano no tolera última semana. ideologías de ningún género", dijo en la El Papa recordó las palabras que María Misa en la Basílica de San Pedro, sin esdirigió a San Juan Diego durante una de pecificar ninguna ideología en particular. sus apariciones: "¿No estoy yo aquí, que La Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guasoy tu madre?" dalupe, en Ciudad de México, que exhibe Dijo que la presencia de María está la tilma en la que apareció la imagen de "permanentemente impresa" en la vida María, atrae cada año a unos 20 millones de los cristianos como en las ropas de San de peregrinos.

Juan Diego, "perfumadas por unas virEl Papa dijo que la imagen mariana tudes recogidas en un mundo que parece "queda impresa en la humildad de aquello incapaz de producirlas". que somos y tenemos, que no vale mucho, "Virtudes", dijo, "que llenan nuestra pero que será algo grande a los ojos de pobreza en la sencillez de pequeños actos Dios". de amor, que van iluminando nuestra tilPeregrinos hispanohablantes llenaron ma, sin que nos demos cuenta, con la imla Basílica de San Pedro para la Misa paagen de una Iglesia que lleva a Cristo en pal. Muchos llevaban mantones o pañuesu seno". los con una imagen de Nuestra Señora de Para finalizar la Misa, los coros del Guadalupe y otros trajeron retratos enPontificio Colegio Mexicano y del Pontifmarcados de la imagen para ser bendeciicio Colegio Latinoamericano, a los que se dos. unieron miles de personas en la basílica, El cardenal estadounidense Robert cantaron "La Guadalupana", una canción Prevost, prefecto del Dicasterio para los Obispos y presidente de la Pontificia Una imagen de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe estaba cerca del altar princi- que habla del vínculo especial entre NuesComisión para América Latina, fue el cele- pal de la Basílica de San Pedro en el Vaticano antes del inicio de una misa tra Señora de Guadalupe y el pueblo de brante principal en el altar. celebrada por el Papa Francisco, el 12 de diciembre de 2023, día de su México.

En su homilía, el Papa destacó parte de fiesta. (Foto CNS/Lola Gómez)

22 de diciembre de 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO

Alrededor Diocesano: Guadalupanos NATCHEZ – (arriba) Liderados por Lupe Valencia, miembros de la comunidad Hispana se unieron por segundo año. Vestidos con ponchos y de (izq.) Chinelos todosbailaron en procesión por las calles del pueblo.

(Fotos de Berta Mexidor)

JACKSON – En fotos, (izq. debajo.) algunos de los danzantes que cada año celebran a la Guadalupe en la parroquia de Santa Teresita Jackson. (Fotos de la Hermana Amelia Bretton y Rosalinda Montoya)

PONTOTOC – (izq.) Miembros del grupo de jóvenes fueron los protagonistas de la celebración a la Guadalupe. Niñas frente a la Virgen, (izq. debajo) Parte de los actores de la representación de la aparición. (Fotos de Aracely Nieves)

TOME NOTA Feliz Navidad y Año Nuevo Envíenos sus fotos a editor@jacksondiocese.org Síganos en Facebook @Diócesis Católica de Jackson Visite Nuestra página web www.mississippicatholic.com/Español

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC DECEMBER 22, 2023

NATION

FORT CALHOUN, Neb. (OSV News) – A Nebraska priest has died after being attacked in the rectory of his parish in the early morning of the Second Sunday of Advent. Father Stephen Gutgsell was found “suffering from injuries sustained during an assault” Dec. 10 at the rectory of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, where he served as pastoral administrator. According to a Dec. 10 press release from the Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson, the county’s 911 emergency dispatch received an emergency call that day at approximately 5:05 a.m. reporting an attempted break-in at the rectory. Deputies arrived within six minutes and took the suspect into custody while the injured priest was transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he later died from his injuries. Robinson told local media he does not believe the death is related to the deceased priest’s 2007 conviction for embezzling more than $125,000 from a former parish, for which he received five years’ probation and was returned to ministry following a successful residential rehabilitation program.

Local media reported tributes poured in at a vigil held that Sunday, with parishioners mourning a priest they called a “wonderful person” who devoted himself to others above himself. The priest’s final bulletin message to his flock spoke of St. John the Baptist, their patron, who is “to remind us of what we all should be preparing to receive in the Advent Season” before asking God’s blessing on them and their families “in this Wonderful Season of Grace.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (OSV News) – Two Ohio dioceses are considering a potential merger, according to a joint letter issued Dec. 11 by Bishop Earl K. Fernandes of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, and Bishop Paul J. Bradley, apostolic administration of the Diocese of Steubenville, Ohio, who said they “have begun very preliminary discussions regarding the potential merger of the dioceses.” The bishops said, “the Apostolic Nunciature has asked the dioceses to work together to consider how different dimensions of the dioceses, including the temporal aspects of life, might be affected by such a proposal.” The move comes a year after a similar attempt was put on hold by former Steubenville Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton, who admitted he encountered “disappointment and even fear” among faithful regarding the prospect. Now, “while no decision has been made, due diligence is needed so an educated and responsible decision can be discerned in a timely manner,” wrote Bishop Fernandes and Bishop Bradley. “Ultimately the decision is up to the Holy Father,” they wrote. “The work has begun, and as the work continues, updates will be provided.”

OWENSBORO, Ky. (OSV News) – Two years ago over the course of a Friday night Dec. 10-11, a series of tornadoes struck western Kentucky, killing 57 with additional fatalities in Illinois, Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri and damaging and destroying several thousand residences as well as nearly 200 commercial buildings. Just one day before area residents officially observed the outbreak’s second anniversary, tornadoes ripped through middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky inflicting another weather disaster on Dec. 9 just weeks before Christmas. Although no Catholic schools or parishes suffered storm damage, six people were killed in Clarksville, Tennessee, and other communities were devastated as well. Laura Miller, faith formation director and office assistant at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and School in Clarksville, told OSV News their buildings escaped damage but “north Clarksville is pretty torn up.” Father Ryan Harpole, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Bowling Green, Kentucky, reflected on their own experience rebuilding following the deadly 2021 tornadoes, saying “we have adapted quite well, and people have moved on, and if anything came out of this it is a message that says there is hope in the future.” Diocese of Owensboro, Kentucky, Bishop William F. Medley issued a special statement of reflection for the remembrance of the December 2021 tornadoes, saying that while they “permanently changed our communities” they also showed the Catholic Church’s “fast and generous response to those who suffered.”

BRIEFS 9 VATICAN

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis said he has decided to be buried in Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major instead of in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican and that he has simplified the rites for a papal funeral.

In a Dec. 12 interview with Mexican news outlet N+, the pope, in good humor, discussed plans for his own funeral as well as the trips he still hopes to complete during his pontificate. The pope said he had already discussed preparations for a papal funeral with his master of liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli. “We simplified them quite a bit,” he said, and jokingly added that “I will premiere the new ritual.” Breaking with recent tradition, Pope Francis said he has chosen to be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major because of his “very strong connection” with the church. “The place is already prepared,” he said. Asked about his future travels, the pope said that a trip to Belgium is “certain” and that two other trips, to Polynesia and Argentina, are pending.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The Christmas season is a reminder to Christians that despite hardships, God chose to join himself to humanity and still remains by its side, Pope Francis said. “Christmas is a reminder that God loves us and wants to be with us,” the pope told a group of children at the Vatican Dec. 15 during a meeting with representatives from the Italian Catholic Action movement. The Incarnation, he said, “is a stupendous gift, and it brings with it another: that we may also love one another as brothers and sisters.” He added that such love is needed today when “so many people, so many children suffer because of war.” Later in the day, the pope met with the organizers of a Christmas concert hosted at the Vatican for people in need.

Reflecting on the concert’s title, “Christmas Concert with the Poor and for the Poor,” the pope said moving from an attitude of being “for” the poor to one of being “with” the poor is key. “One starts from the ‘for’ but wants to reach the ‘with,’ and this is very Christian,” he said. “God came for us, but how? In what way? By coming to live with us, by even becoming like us.”

WORLD

KHARKIV, Ukraine (OSV News) – When Ukraine’s embattled citizens gather this Christmas, their rich festivities will feel symbolically different – as the festival is celebrated for the first time on Dec. 25, in line with the Western calendar. “People here have long in-

sisted we should be united around a common festival, expressing our faith together and enjoying the same work-free days,” explained Auxiliary Bishop Jan Sobilo from Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv-Zaporizhzhia Diocese. “As we withstand Russia’s attacks, however, this change will also have a political dimension in bringing us closer to Western civilization. Many of those who no longer attend church, believing Christians are always feuding, may well be led back to God by this new united spirit of prayer and celebration,” he said. The bishop spoke to OSV News amid preparations for the long-awaited switch to the Western Christmas, agreed earlier in 2023 by church and government leaders.

Amid harsh conditions of war, Ukrainians have shown determination in maintaining their Christmas customs. The great festival of Vigilia, or Christmas Eve, is marked with family gatherings around a sviata vechera, or “holy supper,” incorporating a dozen dishes representing the Twelve Apostles, and ends with the midnight Mass. Homes are decorated with the customary didukh, a sheaf of wheat stalks symbolizing ancestors’ spirits, for whom dishes such as the traditional kutia are left on the table.

WARSAW, Poland (OSV News) – Cardinal Grzegorz Rys of Lodz, chairman of the Committee for Dialogue with Judaism of the Polish bishops’ conference, strongly condemned the incident in which a far-right Polish lawmaker used a fire extinguisher to put out Hanukkah candles in the Sejm, the country’s parliament. “In connection with the incident in the Sejm committed

by Mr. MP Grzegorz Braun, who extinguished the Hanukkah candles and declared that he was not ashamed of what he had done, I declare that I am ashamed and apologize to the entire Jewish community in Poland,” Cardinal Rys wrote Dec. 12. Braun, a member of the Confederation party, provoked outrage from members of faith communities and other members of parliament when he used a fire extinguisher to put out Hanukkah candles Dec. 12 during an afternoon event with members of the Jewish community. This is a disgrace,” said Donald Tusk, newly appointed prime minister. “Poland’s Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich told Reuters by telephone that Braun’s actions were not representative of the country and that he was “embarrassed” by them. “Someone extinguished the Hanukkah candles and a few minutes later we relit them,” Rabbi Schudrich told Reuters. “For thousands of years our enemies have been trying to extinguish us, from the time of the Maccabees right through to Hamas. But our enemies should learn, they cannot extinguish us.”

An Ukrainian serviceman carries his daughter on his shoulders, while people gather around a Christmas tree in front of the St. Sophia Cathedral, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Dec. 6, 2023. (OSV News photo/Alina Smutko, Reuters)

10 DIOCESE

DECEMBER 22, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

Italian, German POWs housed in Mississippi camps

FROM THE ARCHIVES

By Mary Woodward

JACKSON – This article is a follow up to last issues focus on the Pearl Harbor anniversary and Bishop Gerow’s diary accounts of the POW camp in Panola County near Como. The subject of prisoner of war camps at Christmas is a little bizarre, but perhaps it is fitting to show how kindness and compassion can be central in the midst of a terrible time.

Throughout the history of our diocese, our clergy and religious have served as chaplains and angels of mercy to those on battlefields at home and abroad.

Women Religious nursed Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Father Ghislain Boheme, founding pastor of St. Michael in Paulding, accompanied a group of men from the little town as they marched with Stonewall Jackson. Boheme succumbed to the harsh conditions and died on the side of the path in Virginia.

Father Hubert Spengler signed up for service in World War I, but fortunately he spent minimal time in the war to end all wars. Father Peter Quinn served as a chaplain in the European Theater in WWII. He received several battlefield citations for his pastoral heroism on and near the front lines in Germany.

Back home, the State of Mississippi became a housing site for Italian and German prisoners. The first of these came from the campaign in North Africa. Initially there were four main camps that housed several thousand POWs – Camp Shelby near Hattiesburg, Camp Clinton, Camp McCain near Grenada, and Camp Como mentioned above. Several smaller satellite camps and work details spawned from these. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History has loads of information on these camps.

From his 2001 article in Mississippi History Now entitled “German Prisoners of War in Mississippi, 1943-1946,” John Ray Skates describes the four camps in this way: “Other major POW camps in Mississippi were established at Camp McCain near Grenada, Camp Como in the northern Delta, and Camp Shelby near Hattiesburg. The four base camps were large compounds designed to house large numbers of POWs. Camp McCain housed 7,700; Camp Clinton 3,400; and Camp Shelby housed 5,300. Camp Como originally held 3,800 Italian soldiers, but the Italians were soon moved out of

Mississippi and replaced by a smaller number of Germans.”

In the previous column, the quotes from Bishop Gerow’s diary detailed his visit to Camp Como in 1943 to check on the Italian POWs. Bishop Gerow, who studied in Rome, would have been able to converse with the Italians.

Among the POWs were not only officers and soldiers, but also four Italian Catholic priest chaplains.

The presence of so many Italian POWs caught the attention of the Holy See and Bishop Gerow received a letter from the Gen. Emil Reinhardt presents Father Peter Quinn with the Bronze Star for service Apostolic Delegate and bravery on the front lines in Germany. Father Quinn was Division Chaplain of inquiring about the the 69th. The 69th was the first division to make contact with Soviet troops in conditions of the Germany. (Photos from archives) camp. In a letter dated June 11, 1943, tention to the Italian prisoners of war at Camp Como the Apostolic Delegate instructs Bishop Gerow to “see who are now in Father Rotondo’s territory picking cotthat these men have adequate religious ministration ton.” and whatever little comforts it may be possible to give The Delegate replies in a letter dated Nov. 3, grantthem; and if the camp commander permits, that they ing permission. He adds he is sending prayer books, be supplied with a radio phonograph, which the Apos- holy cards, etc., for the prisoners and asks Bishop Getolic Delegate will pay for and present in the name of row to get two radios for the POWs once again in the the Holy Father.” name of the Holy Father.

Bishop Gerow replied in a letter dated June 19, that Not long after these letters were exchanged the ItalFather Cletus Manon, who was based in Water Val- ian POWs were transferred out of Mississippi and the ley, has visited the camp and found the four chaplains camps were used strictly to house Germans. Pastoral among the prisoners. Father Manon supplied them care did continue, but the unique Italian connection with altar stones, vestments, wine and hosts, candles between Pope, Apostolic Delegate, Delta pastor and and all that was necessary for Mass. prisoners was lost.

In the fall of 1943, Father Emile Rotondo, a native Writing about POWs and war at Christmas seems Italian and pastor in Cleve- quite odd – war with all its brutality and lack of huland, began ministering to manity. In quoting these letters and diary accounts, the POWs from Como who I have tried to reflect how our local diocesan church were being used to work in responded to a unique situation during the violence of the fields in the Delta. On world war.

Oct. 4, Bishop Gerow wrote O Come, O Come Emmanuel… Let us pray for the Delegate asking for per- peace! mission for Father Rotondo to celebrate three Masses (Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for so he might give “proper at- the Diocese of Jackson.)

Father Hubert Spengler in his chaplain’s uniform poses with Father John Burns in Gulfport in 1917.

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC DECEMBER 22, 2023

Yes, Christmas Eve is a Sunday, but there’s no ‘double dipping’ for Catholics

By Maria Wiering

(OSV News) – “Pick 1,” directs a guide printed in the parish bulletin of St. Joseph Church in York, Pennsylvania. The command in the graphic is listed twice, over two columns: The first lists Mass times for the fourth Sunday of Advent, the second lists Christmas Mass times.

The takeaway: No single Mass fulfills both a Catholic’s Sunday obligation and the Christmas obligation. Because they are different liturgical days – even if they overlap on the calendar – they require attendance at different Masses.

Typically, Mass celebrated at any time on Sunday – including Sunday evening – fulfills Catholics’ obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Same goes for Saturday evening Masses that anticipate Sunday Mass. Likewise, an evening Mass before a holy day of obligation (such as Christmas) also typically satisfies a Catholic’s requirement to attend the holy day Mass.

This year, Christmas Eve is Sunday. So, many Catholics are asking if attending Sunday evening Mass this year can “count” for both.

Canon lawyer Jenna Marie Cooper recently tackled the query in her regular “Question Corner” column for OSV News.

“Because there are two days of obligation – Sunday and Christmas – this means that there are two distinct obligations to speak of. Each separate obligation needs to be fulfilled by attending a separate Mass,” she wrote in her column, published Dec. 4.

“That is, you cannot ‘double dip’ by attending a Christmas Eve Mass that happens to be on Sunday and have this one Mass fulfill two obligations.”

That may seem straightforward, but there’s some nuance, Cooper explained.

“Now for the part that can get confusing: Even though you must attend two Masses to fulfill the two obligations, all this means is that you must go to Mass on that calendar day or attend a vigil Mass the evening before. The readings and prayers do not necessarily need to match the day whose obligation you are fulfilling,” she wrote. “So, you could go to a Christmas Vigil Mass on Sunday, Dec. 24, and have it count as your Sunday obligation this year; but if you intend for this to fulfill your Sunday obligation, then you must also attend another Mass on Christmas Day to fulfill your obligation for the holy day.”

“Of course, if you were to attend a vigil Mass on Saturday for Sunday, and then the Christmas Vigil Mass on Sunday (Christmas Eve) for Christmas Day, then you’ve got it all covered,” she said.

A Catholic also could technically attend Mass twice on Sunday, Dec. 24 – once for the Sunday obligation, and again in the evening for the Christmas obligation.

Cooper notes that when Christmas falls on a Sunday – as it did last year, and will again in 2033 – that “Christmas essentially replaces the Sunday liturgically, which means there is only one obligation.”

Regarding the meaning and necessity of a Catholic’s “Sunday obligation,” the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.”

It goes on to say, “The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days (Photo courtesy of BigStock of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.”

St. John Paul II expounded on the meaning of Sunday (and, by extension, holy days of obligation) and Catholics’ obligation to attend Mass – which is rooted in the Third Commandment to keep holy the Sabbath – in the 1988 apostolic letter “Dies Domini” (“The Lord’s Day”).

He wrote, “When its significance and implications are understood in their entirety, Sunday in a way becomes a synthesis of the Christian life and a condition for living it well. It is clear therefore why the observance of the Lord’s Day is so close to the church’s heart, and why in the church’s discipline it remains a real obligation. Yet more than as a precept, the observance should be seen as a need rising from the depths of Christian life. ... The Eucharist is the full realization of the worship which humanity owes to God, and it cannot be compared to any other religious experience.”

(Maria Wiering is senior writer for OSV News.)

NATION 11

DECEMBER 22, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

12 Columns

A Star and a Gift: Two remarkable classic movies for the holidays REFLECTIONS ON LIFE

By Melvin Arrington

Each year the Christmas season gets underway with carols and festive songs on the radio, parades, parties, decorations and a host of holiday-themed movies on television. When you think of Christmas movies, certain perennial favorites come to mind, such as A Christmas Carol (1938), It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) and Miracle on 34th Street (1947). And if your taste runs to more modern fare, the viewing possibilities become almost endless.

But if you prefer movies of Hollywood’s Golden Age (1930s – 1950s), as I do, you may want to take a look at a couple of short films from the 1940s that, although seldom shown on TV, deserve some recognition and even a little fanfare. These little-known and unjustly neglected films: The Greatest Gift (1942) and Star in the Night (1945), with running times of 11 minutes and 22 minutes, respectively, are guaranteed to warm your heart and put you in the proper spirit to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

The Greatest Gift, as we learn in the opening frame, is based on a medieval French legend concerning monks who, while snowed in during the winter months, dedicate themselves to fashioning gifts they will offer to the Virgin when springtime arrives. When a half-frozen itinerate juggler, played by Edmund Gwenn (Kris Kringle in Miracle on 34th Street), is found outside the monastery, the abbot, Father Cyprian, has the poor man brought inside and cared for. The juggler, Bartolomé, was hoping to make it to the winter fair in

Florence before the snow closed the pass to Italy, but the pass is already closed, so he will have to spend the winter with the monks.

With the coming of spring Bartolomé prepares to go on his way, but he is persuaded to remain for the next day’s festivities in honor of the Blessed Lady. As the monks add the final touches to their gifts, Bartolomé, intending to make an offering of his own, selects his two best juggling clubs, but Father Cyprian, in his wisdom, tells the poor juggler he will not allow him to give away his only means of earning a living, adding that after all, “a grateful heart is the greatest gift of all.”

The next day the monks process into the little chapel chanting and carrying their gifts – fine candles and fancy candlesticks, beautiful altarpieces and illuminated manuscripts – all of which they lay before the statue of the Virgin. Bartolomé offers a gift as well, but you will have to watch the film’s spectacular conclusion to discover what it is.

In Star in the Night (winner of the Academy Award for that year’s Best Short Film) the scene shifts from medieval Europe to Christmas Eve in the southwestern part of the United States in the 1940s. We see three men on horseback loaded with gifts they purchased because they wanted to impress a salesgirl. As they ride along in the dark, wondering what to do with all these store-bought items, they notice a bright star in the distance and ride toward it. The source of the light is a huge star-shaped sign advertising the Star Auto Court (as motels were called at that time) owned by the cynical, Scrooge-like Nick Catapoli and his virtuous wife, Rosa.

Nick, who thinks the worst of people and hates Christmas, refuses hospitality to a passing hitchhiker, a man who only wants to warm himself by the stove and get a cup of coffee. The hitchhiker espouses peace,

brotherhood and love, but Nick calls these things “a lot of baloney.” On this night when everyone should be of good cheer, all the guests display just the opposite.

They are discontented because they are thinking only of themselves: a woman complains because the people in the cabin next to hers are signing loudly (they are singing Christmas carols); a man is upset because the shirts he sent out to the cleaners were improperly ironed and one is torn; an elderly couple argue with Nick over getting extra blankets for their cabin.

At this point a young couple, José Santos and his wife María, arrive at the auto court. José asks for a cabin because María is not well. But Nick can’t help them because there are no more vacancies. However, Rosa generously offers them the use of a little shed, a barn, where the young couple can rest. Most viewers, long before this scene, will have figured out that Star in the Night is a re-telling of the Christmas story. What ensues after Rosa leads José and María to the barn is not unexpected, but it’s what happens to all the other characters that makes this little gem of a film memorable and well worth watching.

This Christmas season treat yourself to these two short films and you will wonder why they are not regularly shown on TV during the holidays. Each one is available on YouTube. For The Greatest Gift the website is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6QmDPF-ln8 and for Star in the Night go to: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=OXjdBs70syY. Happy viewing and Merry Christmas!

(Melvin Arrington is a Professor Emeritus of Modern Languages for the University of Mississippi and a member of St. John Oxford.)

‘Christ before me’: Pray the Breastplate of St. Patrick at the manger GUEST COLUMN

By Father Patrick Briscoe, OP

Of all the things and people to be present at the birth of Jesus Christ, there were shepherds! I would probably have been more surprised if there were not shepherds.

After all, David was a shepherd boy from Bethlehem. David taught us to pray, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Ps 23:1) And Christ fulfills David.

Imagine the life of a shepherd, his days spent under the vast expanse of open sky, hills and valleys stretching out before him. St. Patrick, a shepherd himself, was no stranger to this way of life. And then, on that glorious night, the angel of the Lord announced the good news of Christ’s birth to shepherds in the fields around Bethlehem. Patrick, too, found God while pasturing sheep.

–Shepherding the shepherds The shepherd of shepherds will lead the way through unknown paths of life.

He sent his angel to lead shepherds to him. And find him they did. But regardless of what comes, each step can be taken with the assurance that the Incarnate Lord walks alongside them. In solitary pastures and on stormy nights, every shepherd will pray, “Christ with me.“ The shepherds of Bethlehem, who lived as one with their flock, discovered on Christmas night a shepherd who lives as one with them. Their lives entwined with their sheep, they find a savior whose life will be inseparable from theirs. “Christ before me,” the shepherd humbly prays, kneeling before the infant king’s crib.

Christ is there when the shepherd rises in the crisp morning air, when he sleeps beneath the starry canopy, when he breaks bread at the end of a weary day’s toil.

In all these moments, “Christ behind me, Christ within me” becomes a whispered assurance that the incarnate God is there – in waking and sleeping, in moments of rest and labor. “Christ beneath me, Christ above me …”

The shepherd’s life mirrors the encompassing nature of the Incarnation. Christ

isn’t a distant figure but an ever-present companion, woven into every aspect of the shepherd’s life. “Christ on my right, Christ on my left …”

–Invited to set out in our hearts This discovery of the presence of Christ is not hypothetical. Luke’s Gospel tells us, “They made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.” (Lk 2:1718) And just as God called the shepherds, he calls us. “Exactly the same sign has been given to us,” says Pope Benedict XVI. “We too are invited by the angel of God, through the message of the Gospel, to set out in our hearts to see the child lying in the manger.”

Weakness and sin and all, he calls us. Like a shepherd, he calls us. He calls us to come to him, to see the babe among the animals and know that he is near. “Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down …”

The mystery of Christmas is the mystery of discovering Christ among us and carrying him with us from this day on. Never do we have to be alone. Never do we have to fear. Never do we have to agonize about the way we should go. Love has come and love will lead us. “Christ when I arise …”

And, please God, may others see his love in me. “Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me …”

This Christmas, I’m praying the Breastplate of St. Patrick at the manger. And I hope you will too. Together we can think of the shepherds, and in so doing, may we find again the Good Shepherd, who first revealed his love in the manger.

(Father Patrick Briscoe, O.P., is a Dominican friar and the editor of Our Sunday Visitor.)

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14 YOUTH

MARCH 10, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

Around our Catholic Schools

JACKSON – St. Richard sixth graders carried on the tradition of putting on the “Manhattan Mall” for the residents of the Manhattan nursing home across from campus. Seniors are able to “shop” for gifts for their loved ones. (Photo

by Chelsea Dillon)

COLUMBUS – Annunciation dad, James Wagner, teaches students about electricity during a Superhero themed STREAM Day at the school. (Photo by Logan Gentry)

MADISON – Student musicians practice for St. Joseph Catholic School’s annual “Gifts of the Season” Christmas concert that took place on Sunday, Dec. 10, in the school Fine Arts auditorium. Pictured are sophomore Talia Ramos, far right, and freshman Mackenzie Maberry rehearsing for “Gifts of the Season.” (Photo courtesy of school)

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC DECEMBER 22, 2023

YOUTH 15

Around the diocese

MADISON – St. Anthony School PreK-4 students, Bryan Gardner and Ridge Bond, were excited to find a candy treat and prayer card in their shoes on the Feast of Saint Nicholas on Dec. 6. (Photo by Kati Loyacono)

COLUMBUS – Father Jeffery Waldrep assists Mrs. Ford’s Kindergarten class with their Thanksgiving story bracelets. (Photo by Logan Gentry)

PEARL – St. Jude youth performed their annual Christmas program on Sunday, Dec. 12.

(Photo courtesy of Lauren Roberts)

AMORY – The children of St. Helen Church proclaimed the Christmas Story, “Our Chaos, His Peace,” for parishioners and all grandparents following Mass on Dec. 10. Afterwards, they presented grandparents with hand-painted ornaments. High school youth served as lectors, intercession readers and greeters for the Mass. (Photo by Jean Pinkley)

This is a depiction of the Nativity by British artist Alex Williams. The feast of the Nativity of Christ, a holy day of obligation, is celebrated Dec. 25. (OSV News photo/Bridgeman Images)