DECEMBER 24, 2020 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
let there be light
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC DECEMBER 24, 2020
Volume 66 Number 2 (ISSN 1529-1693)
P.O. Box 2130 Jackson, MS 39225-2130 Phone: 601-969-3581 E-mail: editor@jacksondiocese.org Publisher ........................................................................................... Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz Communications Director ...................................................................... Joanna Puddister King Production Manager ...................................................................................................Tereza Ma Contributors ......................................................................................................... Berta Mexidor ............................................................................................................ Cindy Wood MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
Sunday, Jan. 10 – Re-dedication , Our Lady of Victories, Cleveland Wednesday, Jan. 27 – School Mass, Sr. Thea Bowman, Jackson
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mississippi Catholic, P. O. Box 2130, Jackson, MS 39225-2130. Website: www.mississippicatholic.com
BISHOP KOPACZ’S SCHEDULE
www.jacksondiocese.org
Only public events are listed on this schedule and all events are subject to change. Please check with the local parish for further details
DECEMBER 24, 2020 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
4 VOCATIONS CALLED BY NAME
The Lord doesn’t require us to achieve a certain level of measurable success, but only to be faithful. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta said this during her long life of ministry to the poor of India, and it is important that all of us take stock of that call at the end of this year. In the Department of Vocations, success could very easily be measured: How many new seminarians do we have signed up for next year? It is tempting for me to take stock in this way, and yet constantly the Lord gives me examples of how suchave seen our seminarians be formed into more virtuous men who look out for one another and have a deep love for the people of our diocese. I have watched as many discerners have experienced a taste of seminary life and have learned more about God’s call for them. I have spoken with many of you about sharing a vision for the future health of our diocese by supporting the mission of this department. There is one way in which worldly “success” can be measured, but there are many more ways that faithfulness can be measured. Disciples of the Lord are known by the fruits that they produce in the world, and there have been many fruits born from this department this year. One of the greatest is the unity of the seminarians that we currently have and their dedication to praying for one another. In the summer Bishop Kopacz and seminarian Ryan Stoer came up with a plan to pray for one another more intentionSacrament from 6-7 a.m. Since we started this in August, we all have experienced an increase in our bond of charity that goes beyond a dinner together or shared experiences of formation. This is what I am most excited to share with you as we look toward a new year. I have no idea how many new seminarians we will have in the Fall of 2021, but I am hopeful. I am hopeful because the faith of the men who are a part of this mission for more laborers for the harvest, and pray that the men who are laboring now, including myself, remain faithful. Father Nick Adam (Fr. Nick travels a lot, but he puts his homilies on the internet for those who would like to hear them! Go to www.jacksonpriests.com/podcasts
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC DECEMBER 24, 2020
IN EXILE
Spirituality 5
6
DECEMBER 24, 2020 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
Support our Latin American Mission
MEXICO
PLEASE, GIVE GENEROUSLY!
24 de diciembre de 2020
24 de diciembre de 2020 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO
24 de diciembre de 2020 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO
24 de diciembre de 2020 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO
¡Feliz Navidad! ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC DECEMBER 24, 2020
dIOCESE 7
8 Columns
KNEADING FAITH
AMID THE FRAY
DECEMBER 24, 2020 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC DECEMBER 24, 2020
DIOCESE 9
10 DIOCESE
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MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC DECEMBER 24, 2020
YOUTH 11
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2021 from the staff of Mississippi Catholic
12 DIOCESE
DECEMBER 24, 2020 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC