MS Catholic January 13, 2023

At funeral, pope remembers Benedict's 'wisdom, tenderness, devotion'

BY CAROL GLATZ

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Benedict XVI "spread and testified to" the Gospel his entire life, Pope Francis told tens of thousands of people gathered Jan. 5 for his predecessor's funeral Mass.

"Like the women at the tomb, we too have come with the fragrance of gratitude and the balm of hope, in order to show him once more the love that is undying. We want to do this with the same wisdom, tenderness and devotion that he bestowed upon us over the years," Pope Francis said in his homily.

The Mass in St. Peter's Square was the first time in more than 200 years that a pope celebrated the funeral of his predecessor. Pope Pius VII had celebrated the funeral of Pius VI in 1802 when his remains were returned to Rome after he died in exile in France in 1799.

Pope Benedict, who had retired in 2013, had requested his funeral be simple; the only heads of state invited to lead delegations were those of Italy and his native Germany.

However, many dignitaries – including Queen Sofia of Spain and King Philippe of Belgium – and presidents and government ministers representing more than a dozen nations were in attendance, as were most of the ambassadors to the Holy See.

Members of the College of Cardinals sat on one side of the casket, while, on the other side, sat special guests, including the late pope's closest collaborators and representatives of the Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant and U.S. evangelical communities. Jewish and Muslim organizations also sent delegations.

Pope Francis presided over the Mass and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, was the main celebrant at the altar. Some 120 cardinals,

another 400 bishops and 3,700 priests concelebrated. The vestments and stoles were red in keeping with the color of mourning for deceased popes.

Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, who turns 91 Jan. 13, was allowed to leave China to attend the funeral of Pope Benedict, who had made him a cardinal in 2006. The retired cardinal was arrested in May and fined in November together with five others on charges of failing to properly register a now-defunct fund to help anti-government protesters.

More than 1,000 journalists, photographers and camera operators from around the world were accredited to cover the funeral in St. Peter's Square.

An estimated 50,000 people filled the square for the Mass, and a number of visitors told Catholic News Service that banners and flags were being confiscated by security upon entrance. Of the few flags and banners that did make it past security was a white cloth with "Santo Subito" ("Sainthood Now") written in red

and

Diocese Annual Report Report from the diocese in the center of this edition

Youth

Photos from around the diocese

Pope Benedict XVI poses in Alpeggio Pileo near his summer residence in Les Combes, at the Valle d'Aosta in northern Italy, July 14, 2005. Pope Benedict died Dec. 31, 2022, at the age of 95 in his residence at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Reuters/Vatican Pool)

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

BILOXI Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church, The Role of Beauty in the Spiritual Life: understanding and praying with the church’s Sacred Music, Jan. 26, 2023 at 7 p.m. Event is a talk by Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka. Details: visit olgchurch.net.

GREENWOOD Locus Benedictus, School of the Holy Spirit, Feb. 16-19. Cost $100 per person, no charge for age 18 and under. Featured speakers: Father Tom Dilorenzo, Maria Vadia and Pastor Myles Milham, with worship team of Mike McDuffee and Arianna Alberti. To register or more details visit: https://tinyurl.com/ SHS-2023-locus-benedictus. Details: Magdalene (662) 299-1232 or locus-benedictus@gmail.com

NATION Bible in a Year Online Retreat, Feb. 10-13, led by Father Mike Schmitz. Details: for info and to register visit ascensionpress.com/pages/2023biyretreat.

PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS

BROOKHAVEN St. Francis, Knights of Columbus St. Joseph Icon Mass, Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m. All are invited. Details: church office (601) 833-1799.

CANTON Sacred Heart, Chair Stretch and Contemplative Prayer, Mondays and Thursdays at 10-11 a.m. in the Parish Center. Details: contact Teresa at (769) 233-1989.

CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, CYO Indoor Yard Sale, Saturday, Jan. 21. You can drop off items at the parish center. Details: church office (662) 846-6273.

Our Lady of Victories, 2nd annual Supper and Substance for married couples, Saturday, Feb. 11 in the parish center, following 5:30 p.m. Cost $50 per couple. Forms due Feb. 1. Details: church office (662) 846-6273.

GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, “Mamas” group, starting Sunday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Ashbrooke Clubhouse. Are you struggling with “a season” of life and looking for encouragement from other moms? This is

the group for you. Details: call or text Amy at (228) 6695923.

JACKSON St. Richard School, Krewe de Cardinal, Friday, Feb. 10 at The South Warehouse in Jackson. Theme is “Rio de Janiero.” Enjoy food and drinks, plus music by the Epic Funk Brass Band. Silent auction and raffles. Tickets $200 per couple. Details: Tammy at tconrad@strichardschool.org.

MADISON St. Joseph School, Jeans, Jazz and Bruin Blues Draw Down, Saturday, Jan. 28 from 6-9 p.m. at The Country Club of Jackson. Tickets are $130 per couple. Enjoy a wide selection of food, open bar, auctions and a chance to win $10,000. Only 500 draw down tickets will be sold. Details: www.stjoedrawdown.com.

NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, “Rekindling Eucharistic Amazement” Catholics as Intentional Missionary Disciples of Jesus, Jan. 30 through Feb. 1. Featured speaker is Father James Wehner of the Diocese of Pittsburg. Events begin at 6 p.m. each day of the program. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.

PEARL St. Jude, Feed My Sheep Ministry will be serving lunch and passing out “Blessing Bags” at Poindezter Park in Jackson on Sunday, Jan. 29. Donations accepted to help with cost of meal. Volunteers are needed to assemble blessing bags, prepare the meal and transport and serve the meal. Details: contact Beth at bethpaczak@gmail.com to volunteer.

SOUTHAVEN, Cocktails and Catholicism, Second Friday of each month from 7-8:30 p.m., for adults only. Meeting space at Sacred Heart School will be determined by RSVPs. On Feb. 10, Father Ben Bradshaw of St. Michael’s in Memphis and creator of Soul Food Priest will discuss faith and food in his talk “Can we eat alligator on Fridays and other important things to prepare for Lent. Details: Deacon Ted at Christ the King at (662) 3421073.

JANUARY 13, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

YAZOO CITY St. Mary, Birthday Party and Bingo, Sunday, Jan. 22 after Mass in the parish hall. Bingo cards $5. Each family is asked to bring a wrapped item from home. Details: church office (662) 746-1680

SAVE THE DATE

DIOCESE Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 29 – Feb. 4. The theme is Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service. Be on the lookout for special activities at Catholic schools across the diocese on this very special week.

DIOCESE World Marriage Day at St. Peter Cathedral in Jackson on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. This is a celebration of the sacrament of matrimony for couples celebrating their 25th, 50th or 60th wedding anniversaries. For couples who were not able to celebrate other special anniversaries due to COVID, please join us this year. Details: couples may register to attend with their parish or at www.jacksondiocese.org/family-ministry.

JACKSON 17th Annual Sr. Thea Bowman SchoolDraw Down, Saturday, April 29th at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose building. Details: school office (601) 3525441.

MADISON – St. Francis of Assisi Mexican Fiesta presented by youth group, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 5:15-7 p.m. All proceeds will benefit our diocesan mission in Saltillo, Mexico. Details: church office (601) 856-5556.

Jackson Flowood Pearl

ST. LOUIS – Nearly 19,000 from across the country attended the FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) SEEK23 conference in St. Louis, Missouri from Jan. 2-6. The event invites people into a deeper relationship with Jesus and His church. Pictured is a portion of the event where students raised their school flags. The Diocese had approximately 80 that attended this year’s event. (Photo by Father Nick Adam)

Love for God’s Word

BY BISHOP JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D.

On the weekend of Jan. 21-22 the Catholic Church will mark for the fourth consecutive year, Sunday of the Word of God. Pope Francis dedicated the third Sunday in January on the feast of St. Jerome, Sept. 30, 2019, as such with his Apostolic Letter, Aperuit Illis taken from the Emmaus story when the two disciples recognized the risen Lord in the breaking of the bread and how with hearts burning, he “opened the Scriptures for them” as they walked along the road.

We celebrated the culmination of the Christmas season last weekend with the feast of

the Epiphany, the manifestation of Christ to the nations. The Magi in St. Matthew’s Gospel remain the pioneers for us as we seek our path in life, led by the star of God’s grace, into the presence of Jesus Christ.

Statement from Bishop Kopacz on the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

A favorite Christmas card is the image of the Magi following the star with the caption, “The Wise still seek Him.” Their love for and study of the heavens led them into the presence of Christ. May our love for and study of the Word of God, a lamp for our feet, be the star that brings us into the presence of Jesus Christ, to adore, to open ourselves up in generosity, and to live with his mind and heart in this world. This encounter of worship and wisdom is God’s gift to us at the Eucharist, the source and summit of our life in Jesus Christ. The Word of God can open the eyes of faith to know the risen One in his Body and Blood upon the altar and in one another.

(Jan. 1, 2023) – The Catholic Church throughout the world commends to God Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, one of her outstanding witnesses to the love of Jesus Christ, the Good News first announced by the Angel and the Heavenly Host to the Shepherds caring for their flocks.

From the center of the church in Rome for decades serving in critical ministries, culminating in the papacy, Pope Benedict was able to announce the Good News of the Gospel in many remarkable ways, and ultimately to care for his world-wide flock. The Gospel on the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God in the Christmas season portrays his life in exemplary fashion.

Like Mary he treasured the Lord in his arms and the wisdom of the Catholic Faith of nearly 2000 years. By the light of faith he followed the path of the Shepherds, glorifying and praising God, announcing the Good News and evangelizing all, in the church and in the world. He was a Good Shepherd after the heart of Jesus Christ, a faithful priest, prophet, and king, the marks of own Baptism whose legacy will endure in the church he cherished so dearly.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

During this 60th anniversary year of the opening of Vatican II, let the timeless teaching of the Council reinvigorate in us the treasures of God’s Word, and the sacrament of the Eucharist. Sacrosantum Concilium, the exemplary document on the Mass, states splendidly that “the divine sacrifice of the Eucharist is the outstanding means whereby the faithful may express in their lives and manifest to others the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the church.” (S.C.2) Likewise, “the Sacred Scripture is of the greatest importance in the celebration of the liturgy. Thus, to achieve the restoration, progress, and adaptation of the sacred liturgy, it is essential to promote that warm and living love for scripture.”(24)

Dei Verbum (Word of God), the document on divine revelation, sought to restore a profound love for the sacred scriptures throughout the church. “The church has always venerated the divine Scriptures just as she venerates the body of the Lord, since especially in the sacred liturgy, she unceasingly receives and o ers to the faithful the bread of life from the table both of God’s word and of Christ’s body.” (DV 21)

The daily reading and praying with the

Word of God that is much more common today finds its impetus in Dei Verbum. “The sacred synod also earnestly and especially urges all the Christian faithful to learn by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures the “excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ.” (Phil 3:8) St. Augustine sheds further light over the divine-human dialogue. “Your prayer is the word you speak to God. When you read the Bible, God speaks to you; when you pray, you speak to God.”

Finally, let us call forth the wisdom of Pope Benedict of happy memory who was present at the Second Vatican Council. “God’s word is given to us precisely to build communion, to unite us in the Truth along our path to God. While it is a word addressed to each of us personally, it is also a word that builds community, that builds the church ... For this reason, the privileged place for the prayerful reading of sacred Scripture is the liturgy, and particularly the Eucharist, in which as we celebrate the Body and Blood of Christ in the sacrament, the word of God is present and at work in our midst.”

From personal experience over a long life seeking to know the living God, Benedict proposed that “the Word of God sustains us on our journey of penance and conversion, enables us to deepen our sense of belonging to the church, and helps us to grow in familiarity with God.”

As St. Ambrose puts it, “When we take up the sacred Scriptures in faith and read them with the church, we walk once more with God in the Garden.” May we encourage one another in our love for God’s Word, in season and out of season, and with special focus at this time of Eucharistic renewal in the church.

BISHOP’S SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Jan. 24, 7:30 a.m. – Mass, Carmelite Monastery, Jackson

Saturday, Jan. 28, 6 p.m. – St. Joe Jeans, Jazz and Bruin Blues Draw Down, Country Club of Jackson

Sunday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m. – Mass, Millsaps College, Jackson

Friday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m. – Rite of Candidacy – Deacons, Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson

Sunday, Feb. 5, 5 p.m. – Confirmation, St. Richard, Jackson

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 7:30 a.m. – Mass, Carmelite Monastery, Jackson

Friday, Feb. 10, 6 p.m. – St. Richard School Krewe de Cardinal, The South Warehouse, Jackson

Jackson, MS 39225-2130.

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

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

A photo of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI sits near the Tabernacle at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle after a Memorial Mass for the Repose of the Soul was celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz on Thursday, Jan. 5. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

CALLED BY NAME

In his book From Christendom to Apostolic Mission, Msgr. James Shea makes the argument that the Catholic Church must reconnect with her evangelical roots. He spends a couple of chapters in this short book explaining that structures within our society that used to be infused with Christianity no longer are, and college students who used to return to their religious roots after a few years away at school often no longer do so. Msgr. Shea does a great job explaining the reality that we are living in, and he also gives an encouraging and invigorating challenge to those who love Jesus and His church: be disciples first, and then become apostles.

FOCUS seeks to answer this call in an inspiring way. The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) is a national network of missionaries who work on college campuses to help students become disciples of Jesus Christ. They also train those student-disciples to become apostles, encouraging them to go out and preach the Gospel after it has led them to change their own lives. The annual FOCUS conference, SEEK, was held in St. Louis earlier this month, and the fruits of their mission were on display. About 19,000 people attended the conference. It was amazing to witness the faith and dedication of these young people, and not just their faith, but their formation. In speaking with the attendees and spending time with them, it was clear that they didn’t just like coming to church, but on top of that they were in a living relationship with Jesus Christ, or they were at least on the road to having one. They were dedicated to the sacraments and they understood why the sacraments were important to their life.

As the head of FOCUS, Curtis Martin stated in one of the breakout sessions: our colleges and universities help to set the course of our culture, and the next generation is formed during these four critical years, so we must bring the Gospel to these campuses or risk young people losing their faith entirely before entering the work force. This conference was a very life-giving event for me, but it also has left me considering what I can do as a priest to support the young people I met and was inspired by. The young church needs priests who will accompany them and bring them into contact with the Lord through the sacraments. There were about 400 priests at FOCUS, and it was amazing to see how the students would regularly come up to us with big smiles and ask for various items to be blessed, or for prayers for a certain intention, or for one of us to hear their confession.

As vocation director, I am grateful for the work done by campus ministers across our diocese. About 80 students from our diocesan universities attended the conference. FOCUS serves at Mississippi State right now and they had about 60 attendees alone! But all of us share in the responsibility to form our young people in the faith, and I am grateful that I was able to attend this event, and it has led me to think seriously about the way that I evangelize. Nearly 19,000 people attended a conference centered on Jesus and the sacraments. The desire for God is in the hearts of young people — what are we doing to bring Him to them?

– Father Nick Adam

If you are interested in learning more about religious orders or vocations to the priesthood and religious life, email nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org.

Jackson Carmelite Seculars receive scapulars, make promises

PEARL – On Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 at St. Jude Pearl, the Carmelite Secular Community of Jackson, St. Joseph and St. Therese of Lisieux, OCDS had three members to make their definitive promise: Elena Buno, Maria Asuncion Cannon and Rizalina Caskey. Elizabeth Jones made her first promise, and three members were clothed in the large brown scapular, the habit of the order – Overton “Pierce” Crockett, Elizabeth Lee and Christina Overton. Their spiritual assistant, Father Jerome Earley, OCD (Marylake Monastery) was presider, with community member, Father Lincoln Dall, con-celebrating.

Founded by St. Teresa of Avila, the local Carmelite Secular community meets monthly on fourth Saturdays at the St. Jude Family Life Center. They are a contemplative, yet active order with a vocation of prayer. They learn to listen and commune in the silence with God, and about the many saints of Carmel. They imitate Mary in that she “kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) If you would like further information, please contact Dorothy Ashley at (601) 259-0885 or carmelite57@yahoo.com.

Father Nick Adam

Anthropological function of gossip

IN EXILE

By Father ron rolheiser, oMi

In his novel, “Oscar and Lucinda,” Peter Carey offers this colorful image of gossip. The setting is a small town where there are rumors about the priest and a particular young woman. Here’s his metaphor: “The vicar of Woolahra then took her shopping and society, always feeling shopping to be the most intimate activity, was pleased to feel the steam pressure rising in itself as it got ready to be properly scandalized – its pipes groaned and stretched, you could hear the noises in its walls and cellars. They imagined he paid for her finery. When they heard this was not so, that the girl had sovereigns in her purse – enough, it was reported, to buy the priest a pair of onyx cufflinks – the pressure did not fall, but stayed constant, so that while it did not reach the stage where the outrage was hissing out through the open valves, it maintained a good rumble, a lower note which sounded like a growl in the throat of a smallish dog.”

What an apt image! Gossip does resemble steam hissing from a radiator or the growl of a small dog, and yet it’s important. For most of our lives, we form community around it. How so?

Imagine going out for dinner with a group of colleagues. While there isn’t overt hostility among you, there are clear differences and tensions. You wouldn’t naturally choose go out to dinner together, but you have been thrown together by circumstance and are making the best of it.

You have dinner together and things go along quite pleasantly. There’s harmony, banter and humor at the table. How do you manage to get on so well despite and beyond differences? By talking about somebody else. Much of the time is spent talking about others on whose faults, eccentricities, and shortcomings we all agree. Alternatively, we talk about shared indignations. We end up having a harmonious time together because we talk about someone or something else whose difference from us is greater than our differences from each other. Of course, you are afraid to leave the table because you already suspect whom they will be talking about then! Your fear is well founded.

Until we reach a certain level of maturity, we form community largely around scapegoating, that is, we overcome our differences and tensions by focusing on someone or something about whom or which we share a common distancing, indignation, ridicule, anger or jealousy. That’s the anthropological function of gossip – and it’s a very important one. We overcome our differences and tensions by scapegoating someone or something. That’s why it’s easier to form community against something rather than around something and why it’s easier to define ourselves more by what we are against than by what we are for.

Ancient cultures knew this and designed certain rituals to take tension out of the community by scapegoating. For example, at the time of Jesus within the Jewish community a ritual existed that essentially worked this way: At regular intervals, the community would take a goat and symbolically adorn it with the tensions and divisions of the community. Among other things, they would drape it with a purple cloth to symbolize that it

symbolically represented them and push a crown of thorns into its head to make it feel the pain of their tensions. (Notice how Jesus is draped in these exact symbols when Pilate shows him to the crowd before the crucifixion: Ecce homo ... Behold your scapegoat!) The goat was then chased off to die in the desert. It leaving the community was understood as taking the community’s sin and tension away, leaving the community free of tension by its banishment.

Jesus is our scapegoat. He takes away our sin and division, though not by banishment from the community. He takes away our sins by taking them in, carrying them, and transforming them so as not to give them back in kind. Jesus takes away sin in the same way as a water filter purifies, by holding the impurities within itself and giving back only what is pure.

When we say Jesus died for our sins, we need to understand it this way: He took in hatred and gave back love; he took in curses and gave back blessing; he took in bitterness and gave back graciousness; he took in jealousy and gave back affirmation; and he took in murder and gave back forgiveness. By absorbing our sin, differences, and jealousies, he did for us what we, in a less mature and less effective way, try to do when we crucify each other through gossip.

And that’s Jesus’ invitation to us: As adults, we are invited to step up and do what Jesus did, namely, take in the differences and jealousies around us, hold them, and transform them so as not to give them back in kind.

Then won’t we need scapegoats any more, and the steam-pipes of gossip will cease hissing and the low growl of that smallish dog inside us will finally be silent.

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

Benedict XVI ‘did theology on his knees,’ pope says

By Cindy Wooden

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The theological writings and papal teaching of the late Pope Benedict XVI were and will continue to be a blessing to the Catholic Church, Pope Francis wrote.

“Benedict XVI’s thought and magisterium are and always will remain fruitful because he knew how to focus on the fundamental references of our Christian life: first of all, the person and the word of Jesus Christ, as well as the theological virtues, namely charity, hope and faith,” the pope wrote in the introduction to a new book.

The Vatican publishing house described the book “Dio è Sempre Nuovo,” (“God is Ever-New”), as a collection of the “spiritual thoughts” of the late pope, “an anthology of the principal themes of the Christian faith in the words of Pope Benedict XVI.”

The book was edited by Luca Caruso, communications officer for the Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation, and was scheduled for release Jan. 14. The Vatican published Pope Francis’ introduction Jan. 4.

Pope Francis’ highest praise for theologians always has been that they “do theology on their knees” in prayer and with love for the church.

“Benedict XVI did theology on his knees,” the pope wrote in the book’s introduction. “His explanation of the faith was carried out with the devotion of a man who has surrendered all of himself to God and who, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, sought an ever-greater participation in the mystery of that Jesus who had fascinated him from his youth.”

The new book’s title, Pope Francis said, “expresses one of the most characteristic aspects of my predecessor’s magisterium and vision of faith: yes, God is always new because he is the source and reason for beauty, grace and truth.”

“God is never repetitive, God surprises us, God brings newness,” the pope wrote, and the “spiritual freshness” of the late pope’s writings confirms those affirmations “with intensity.”

Pope Benedict, he said, offered all Christians a model showing how “heart and reason, thought and affection, rationality and emotion interact” in both living and explaining the power of the Gospel.

The selected quotations, Pope Francis said, offer “a sort of ‘spiritual synthesis’ of Benedict XVI’s writings,” and demonstrates “his ability to show the depth of the Christian faith ever anew.”

Quoting just six words of the late pope – “God is an event of love” – is enough to do “full justice to a theology that always shows the harmony between reason and affection,” the pope said.

Another book about the late pope also was sched-

uled for release in January.

The Italian publisher Piemme announced it would publish Jan. 12 a book, “Nient’altro che la Verità” (“Nothing but the Truth”) by the late pope’s longtime personal secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein.

Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, said Jan. 4 he had not spoken to the archbishop about the book so could not say if the publisher’s description was hype or reflected the contents of the book.

Piemme had said that with the death of Pope Benedict, “the time has come” for the archbishop “to tell the truth about the blatant calumnies and dark maneuvers that tried in vain to cast shadows on the German pontiff’s magisterium and actions.”

This is the cover of the book, “Dio è Sempre Nuovo,” (“God is Ever New”). The book is a collection of the spiritual thoughts of the late Pope Benedict XVI. (CNS photo/courtesy Libreria Editrice Vaticana)

'... into your hands we commend his spirit ...'

– Continued from page 1 –

a "Thank you, Pope Benedict" written in light blue in German.

Just as Pope Benedict dedicated his pontificate to directing the faithful's focus to the person of Christ, Pope Francis dedicated his homily to Christ's loving devotion and suffering witness as the "invitation and the program of life that he quietly inspires in us," rather than on a summary of his predecessor's life.

Pope Francis spoke of Jesus' grateful, prayerful and sustained devotion to God's will and how Jesus' final words on the cross, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit," summed up his entire life, "a ceaseless self-entrustment into the hands of his Father."

"His were hands of forgiveness and compassion, healing and mercy, anointing and blessing, which led him also to entrust himself into the hands of his brothers and sisters," he said.

"Father into your hands I commend my spirit," the pope said, is the plan for life that Jesus quietly invites and inspires people to follow.

However, he said, the path requires sustained and prayerful devotion that is "silently shaped and refined amid the challenges and resistance that every pastor must face in trusting obedience to the Lord's command to feed his flock."

"Like the Master, a shepherd bears the burden of interceding and the strain of anointing his people, especially in situations where goodness must struggle to prevail and the dignity of our brothers and sisters is threatened," said the pope.

"The Lord quietly bestows the spirit of meekness that is ready to understand, accept, hope and risk, notwithstanding any misunderstandings that might result. It is the source of an unseen and elusive fruitfulness, born of his knowing the One in whom he has placed his trust," he said.

"Feeding means loving, and loving also means being ready to suffer. Loving means giving the sheep what is truly good, the nourishment of God's truth, of God's word, the nourishment of his presence," Pope Francis said, quoting his predecessor's homily marking the start of his pontificate April 24, 2005.

"Holding fast to the Lord's last words and to the witness of his entire life, we too, as an ecclesial community, want to follow in his steps and to commend our brother into the hands of the Father," he said of Pope Benedict. "May those merciful hands find his lamp alight with the oil of the Gospel that he spread and testified to for his entire life."

"God's faithful people, gathered here, now accompany and entrust to him the life of the one who was their pastor," the pope said. "Together, we want to say, 'Father, into your hands we commend his spirit.'"

"Benedict, faithful friend of the Bridegroom, may your joy be complete as you hear his voice, now and forever!" he concluded, as the crowd prayed in silence.

Among the people in the crowd was Georg Bruckmaier who traveled nearly 10 hours by car to come to the funeral from his home in Bavaria, not far away from where the late pope was born.

Wearing a Bavarian flag around his back, he told CNS, "There are a lot of Bavarians here today, I've seen people I know from university. I wanted to be here for the atmosphere."

"People felt very close to him, because he is a Bavarian, so this is a really big event to be here," Bruckmaier said, adding that being able to pay his last respects before the pope's remains in St. Peter's Basilica, "is a different thing than seeing it on television. It's something I won't forget in my whole life."

Fiona-Louise Devlin told CNS she and her companions were wearing scarves from the late pope's visit to Scotland in 2010. She said they traveled to Rome from Scotland specifically for the funeral, booking their flight the day the pope passed away.

"He's the pope of our generation. Like, how so many people say that John Paul II was their pope, he was mine. I've traveled around the world to go to celebrations that he's been a part of, so I wanted to be here for

this," she said.

As the day began, the thick morning fog obscuring the cupola slowly began to lift as 12 laymen emerged from the basilica carrying the pope's casket. The crowd applauded as the cypress casket was brought into the square and placed before the altar.

The pope's master of liturgical ceremonies, Msgr. Diego Giovanni Ravelli, and Archbishop Georg Gänswein, the late pope's longtime personal secretary, together placed an opened Book of the Gospels on the casket. The simple casket was decorated with his coat of arms as archbishop of Munich and Freising, Germany, which depicts a shell, a Moor and a bear loaded with a pack on his back.

The Bible readings at the Mass were in Spanish, English and Italian, and the prayers of the faithful at the Mass were recited in German, French, Arabic, Portuguese and Italian.

The prayers included petitions for "Pope Emeritus Benedict, who has fallen asleep in the Lord: may the eternal Shepherd receive him into his kingdom of light and peace," followed by a prayer "for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and for all the pastors of the church: may they proclaim fearlessly, in word and deed, Christ's victory over evil and death."

The other prayers were for justice and peace in the world, for those suffering from poverty and other forms of need, and for those gathered at the funeral.

At the pope's funeral, like any Catholic funeral, Communion was followed by the "final commendation and farewell," asking that "Pope Emeritus Benedict" be delivered from death and "may sing God's praises in the heavenly Jerusalem."

Pope Francis prayed that God have mercy on his predecessor, who was "a fearless preacher of your word and a faithful minister of the divine mysteries."

While the funeral was based on the model of a papal funeral, two key elements normally part of a papal funeral following the farewell prayer were missing: there were no prayers offered by representatives of the Diocese of Rome and of the Eastern Catholic churches, since those prayers are specific to the death of a reigning pope, who is bishop of the Diocese of Rome and is in communion with the leaders of the Eastern-rite churches.

A bell tolled solemnly and the assembly applauded for several minutes – with some chanting "Benedetto" –as the pallbearers carried the casket toward St. Peter's Basilica.

Pope Francis blessed the casket and laid his right hand on it in prayer, then bowed slightly in reverence

before it was taken inside for a private burial in the grotto of St. Peter's Basilica, in the same tomb that held the remains of St. Pope John Paul II before his beatification.

The evening before the funeral Mass a small assembly of cardinals, officials of St. Peter's Basilica and members of the late pope's household gathered in St. Peter's Basilica to witness Pope Benedict's body being placed into a cypress casket and closed. The ceremony took place Jan. 4 after about 195,000 people had paid their respects to the pope over three days of public viewing.

The "rogito," a document rolled up and placed in a tube, was placed in the casket with the body. In addition to containing his biography, the legal document, written in Latin, also attested to his death and burial. Medals and coins minted during his pontificate also were placed in the casket.

Archbishop Gänswein and Msgr. Ravelli extended a white silk cloth over the deceased pope’s face. The pope was wearing a miter and the chasuble he wore for Mass at World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008; between his clasped hands were a rosary and small crucifix.

After the funeral Mass, the pope's casket was taken to the chapel in the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica where he was to be buried.

Although the burial was private, images supplied by Vatican Media showed Cardinal Re leading prayers and blessing the remains during the burial rite attended by a small number of senior cardinals, the retired pope’s closest aides and others.

The cypress casket was wrapped with red ribbon, which was affixed to the wood with red wax seals, then placed inside a zinc casket soldered shut and put inside a larger casket made of oak. The tops of both the zinc and oak caskets were decorated with a simple cross, a bronze plaque with the pope's name and dates of birth, papacy and death, and his papal coat of arms.

His tomb is located between the only two women buried in the grotto under the basilica: the 15th-century Queen Charlotte of Cyprus and the 17th-century Queen Christina of Sweden.

The burial ceremony ended before 1 p.m. but Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, said he thought the crypt would not be open to the public until Jan. 8.

(Contributing to this story was Justin McLellan at the Vatican. available to all of us through the sacraments and in loving union with one another.)

Pope Francis touches the casket of Pope Benedict XVI at the conclusion of his funeral Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Jan. 5, 2023. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Pope Benedict placed Jesus Christ at the heart of church’s mission

By Gina Christian

in his life, and was seeking ... to help others have that same encounter.”

ten about the faith, said Weddell.

(OSV

NEWS)

– Catholic evangelizers are recalling the profound impact the late Pope Benedict XVI had on the Church’s mission of evangelization – a legacy that placed Jesus Christ at the heart of any effort to share the Gospel.

“A personal relationship with Jesus – he always came back to that,” said Sherry Weddell, author of “Forming Intentional Disciples” and executive director of the Colorado Springs, Colorado-based Catherine of Siena Institute, which provides parish resources for faith formation in discipleship and evangelization.

“Before we can go out and proclaim God, we must first know God ourselves. Pope Benedict XVI knew this was key to evangelize,” said Curtis Martin, founder and CEO of FOCUS, a Catholic outreach to college and university students.

In an email to OSV News, Martin noted Pope Benedict significantly advanced the evangelization initiatives of Pope St. John Paul II, seeking to “reawaken the Christian faith in areas where it (had) once thrived, but had declined.”

Martin said he was honored to have been appointed by the late pope, whom he had known “for more than 30 years,” as a consultor to the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, which Pope Benedict established in his 2010 motu proprio “Ubicumque et Semper.” (In June 2022, the council was merged with the former Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples to create the Dicastery for Evangelization.)

Pope Benedict “understood the connection between solid faith formation and evangelization,” said Father Hezekias Carnazzo, a Melkite Catholic priest and founding executive director of the adult catechetical Institute of Catholic Culture based in McLean, Virginia.

For the late pope, that dynamic required “always required asking the question of who God is,” said Father Carnazzo, noting that Pope Benedict “very clearly answered that question with his encyclical ‘Deus Caritas Est’ (‘God is Love’), in which he reminds us that God is love, and love is the giving of ourselves to the beloved.”

That message radiated in the late pope’s writings, said Weddell, who “quoted him extensively” in her book “Forming Intentional Disciples: the Path to Knowing and Following Jesus,” an updated edition of which was published in November by OSV Books.

“The language he used was so clear,” Weddell said. “He talked about Jesus as living, present and active

Saul Keeton, a former Episcopalian who came into full communion with the Catholic Church, said Pope Benedict’s election marked “the true beginning” of his Catholic formation.

“His papacy and his writings on the liturgy helped me to find my own voice,” said Keeton, now the advancement director for Family Missions Company in Abbeville, Louisiana. “I deeply appreciated the way he explained the beauty of the liturgy, and how important it was for us as humans to tap into that.”

For many young people, particularly those of post-Millennial or “Gen Z” demographic, “Pope Benedict’s papacy and evangelization was foundational and formative,” said Martin. “He loved young people and brought them … to Jesus. He was their calm shepherd – his trust and his peace, which came from Our Lord, led the way.”

Keeton pointed to Pope Benedict’s “very logical approach to exegesis and the fact that it began from a place of faith.” Keeton admitted he was “binging on Benedict podcasts” during his travel to the Jan. 2-6 SEEK23 conference in St. Louis.

Yet the late pope’s greatest proclamation of the Gospel may well have been a silent one, said Keeton.

Pope Benedict, the first pope to resign in 600 years, “spent the majority of his post-election years primarily as a contemplative intercessor,” said Keeton. “I have to imagine at times it was very lonely for him; he had to have known (his resignation) would be misunderstood. He took on this mystical element, and the suffering was unique.”

The late pope’s final years witnessed to all that he had writ-

“What we have in him is a brilliant theologian who had lived it,” she said. “He had prayed it through, and you could tell by the way he talked about Jesus, his friend.”

(Gina Christian is a National Reporter for OSV News.)

Pope Benedict XVI arrives for a rally with young people outside St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y., April 19, 2008. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)

German pope made no secret of his love for cats

By Carol Glatz

(OSV NEWS) – Like any bona fide cat lover, Pope Benedict XVI’s face would light up and his hand would reach out at the sight of a fluffy feline – even when that soft bundle of fur was a squirming, feisty lion cub brought to the Vatican by visiting circus performers.

His comments about how animals must be respected as “companions in creation” earned him high marks with animal welfare groups, including the Humane Society of the United States and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

As cats are known to sense approaching cat lovers, Vatican kitties would apparently swarm around him.

For example, one day after celebrating Mass at a small church near St. Peter’s Basilica, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger went to the church’s cemetery, which was full of cats, Konrad Baumgartner, an eyewitness and theologian, told Knight Ridder in 2005. “They all ran to him. They knew him and loved him.”

A fellow cardinal who worked under the future pope at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith portrayed him as a kind of Dr. Doolittle.

“I tried to understand the language he used with cats, who were always enchanted when they met him. I thought maybe it was a Bavarian dialect, but I don’t know,” Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone told Vatican Radio in 2005.

While the pope never owned a cat, it was reported he fed the strays that lurked around the building he lived in as a cardinal in Rome.

Being pope, however, prevented him from such daily encounters. And yet he kept a white ceramic cat – crouched next to a silver icon of Our Lady – on his large desk in the papal apartments.

He and his brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, also collected plates with images of cats.

His love for creatures and nature, the pope said, came from growing up in the Bavarian countryside.

In the small town of Aschau am Inn, his childhood home, “I experienced the beauty of creation,” he said.

He would hike and bike the surrounding hills and mountains and play with the many animals his neighbors kept.

“I even herded cows,” which “brought me closer to nature, and it was important for me to have had this first experience with God’s creatures and to bond with animals,” he said.

When he later built a home in Pentling, near Regensburg, he became fast friends with the neighbor’s orange cat, Chico, who often wandered into his garden.

The neighbor, Rupert Hofbauer, said he also had a dog, Igor, who frequented the garden, “but the cardinal prefers Chico. There are dog and cat people in the world, and he is definitely a cat person.”

When Chico’s friend became famous as pope, the German “katz” became the ersatz narrator of a papal biography in the children’s book, “Joseph and Chico: The Life of Pope Benedict XVI as Told by a Cat.”

After the pope’s retirement, living at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican Gardens meant moving to kitty haven.

The good number of friendly, well cared for cats in the area – including Contessina, an often-photographed black-and-white female – meant finally being back among his feline friends.

@CarolGlatz)

(Follow Glatz on Twitter:

Pope Benedict XVI looks at a lion cub held by a performer of the Medrano Circus during his weekly general audience at the Vatican Jan. 28, 2009. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters)

Pope Benedict XVI pets Pushkin the cat, held by Father Anton Guziel, at the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Birmingham, England, Sept. 19, 2010. The pope visited the oratory after beatifying Cardinal John Henry Newman. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano)

Pope

Pope Benedict XVI in photos

Francis greets retired Pope Benedict XVI at the retired pontiff’s Vatican residence Dec. 23, 2013. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger greets Pope John Paul II upon the pontiff’s arrival to West Germany in 1980. Pope Benedict died Dec. 31, 2022, at the age of 95 in his residence at the Vatican. (CNS photo)

Pope Benedict XVI and U.S. President Barack Obama clasp hands as they exchange gifts in the pontiff’s private library at the Vatican July 10, 2009. The president was accompanied by his wife, first lady Michelle Obama, right. (OSV News photo/Grzegorz Galazka, Catholic Press Photo pool)

Pope Francis prays with retired Pope Benedict XVI at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, March 23, 2013. Shortly after his election, Pope Francis traveled by helicopter from the Vatican to Castel Gandolfo for a private meeting with the former pontiff. (CNS photo/Vatican Media via Reuters)

"!Manténganse Firmes en la Fe...No se dejen Confundir!"

Testamento Espiritual del Papa Benedicto

Por ciNDY WooDeN

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – El mensaje final del Papa Retirado Benedicto XVI a los católicos de todo el mundo fue: "¡Manténganse firmes en la fe! ¡No se dejen confundir!"

A menos de 10 horas de informar al mundo que el papa de 95 años había muerto el 31 de diciembre, la oficina de prensa del Vaticano publicó su testamento espiritual, una declaración de fe y acción de gracias.

A diferencia del testamento espiritual de San Juan Pablo II, el del Papa Benedicto no incluyó instrucciones para su funeral o entierro y no mencionó lo que debería suceder con sus pertenencias.

"A todos aquellos a quienes he agraviado de alguna manera, les pido perdón de corazón", escribió el Papa Benedicto.

Escrito en alemán y con fecha del 29 de agosto de 2006 – en el segundo año de su pontificado de casi ocho años – el Papa Benedicto XVI escribió con gran afecto de sus padres, su hermana y su hermano, la belleza de Baviera y su fe en Dios.

"Si en esta última hora de mi vida miro hacia atrás, a las décadas que he vivido, primero veo cuántas razones tengo para dar gracias", escribió en el documento cuando tenía 79 años.

"Ante todo, agradezco a Dios mismo, dador de todo bien, que me dio la vida y me guió en diversos momentos de confusión, siempre me levantó cuando empezaba a resbalar y siempre me devolvió la luz de su semblante," dijo. "En retrospectiva, veo y comprendo que incluso los tramos oscuros y agotadores de este camino fueron para mi salvación y que fue en ellos donde Él me guió bien".

Nacido en 1927, Joseph Ratzinger se crió en una Alemania que luchaba por recuperarse de la Primera Guerra Mundial; Adolf Hitler llegó al poder cuando el futuro papa tenía solo 7 años.

En su testamento, agradeció a sus padres, "quienes me dieron la vida en una época difícil y quienes, a costa de grandes sacrificios, con su amor me prepararon un magnífico hogar que, como una luz clara, ilumina mis días hasta el día de hoy ... La clara fe de mi padre nos enseñó a nosotros los hijos a creer, y como señal siempre se ha mantenido firme en medio de todos mis logros académicos", dijo. "La piedad sincera y la gran

– Continúa en la pág. 2 –

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

El Papa Benedicto XVI falleció el 31 de diciembre de 2022 a la edad de 95 años en su residencia en el Vaticano, su funeral fue el 5 de enero y fue sepultado en la cripta donde fueron enterrados dos Papas canonizados, su predecesor polaco, San Juan Pablo II y San Juan XXIII, quienes también fueron enterrados allí antes de su beatificación. En la foto, el Papa Benedicto XVI lleva su personal pastoral al celebrar la Misa en la Plaza de la Revolución, en La Habana el 28 de marzo de 2012. (Foto CNS/Paul Haring)

El recién elegido Papa Juan Pablo II saluda al Cardenal Joseph Ratzinger de Munich y Freising en la Plaza de San Pedro en el Vaticano el 22 de octubre de 1978. (Foto CNS/L'Osservatore Romano/KNA)

"Los tramos oscuros y agotadores de este camino fueron para mi salvación"

– Viene de la pág. 1 –

bondad de mi madre son un legado por el que no puedo agradecerle lo suficiente".

El Papa Benedicto le dio gracias a Dios por los muchos amigos, tanto hombres como mujeres, que había tenido a su lado, y por sus maestros y alumnos, con muchos de los cuales siguió reuniéndose en los últimos años de su vida.

Un papa conocido por su preocupación por el medio ambiente, él agradeció a Dios por la belleza de su tierra natal bávara, "en la que siempre he visto brillar el es-

Víctimas de abuso sexual del clero y sus partidarios se manifiestan en Roma el 31 de octubre de 2010. El Papa Benedicto XVI fue el primer pontífice en reunirse con víctimas de abuso. Aclaró las leyes de la iglesia para acelerar los casos y ordenó que las conferencias de obispos establecieran normas estrictas contra el abuso. (Foto del CNS/Paul Haring)

plendor del Creador mismo ... Rezo para que nuestra tierra siga siendo una tierra de fe", escribió antes de suplicar a sus compatriotas alemanes que no permitan que nada los aleje de la fe. "Y, finalmente", escribió, "doy gracias a Dios por toda la belleza que experimenté en cada etapa de mi recorrido, especialmente en Roma y en Italia, que se ha convertido en mi segunda patria".

Dirigiéndose a toda la Iglesia, el Papa Benedicto instó a los católicos a aferrarse a su fe y no permitir que la ciencia o la investigación sacudan los cimientos de su creencia. "A menudo parece como si la ciencia, las ciencias naturales por un lado y la investigación histórica (especialmente la exégesis de la Sagrada Escritura) por el otro, fuera capaz de ofrecer resultados irrefutables en desacuerdo con la fe católica", dijo.

Pero aseguró a quienes leyeron el documento que a lo largo de su vida había visto a

la ciencia ofrecer "aparentes certezas contra la fe" para luego verlas desvanecerse, "demostrando no ser ciencia, sino de interpretaciones filosóficas que sólo parecen pertenecer a la ciencia".

Al mismo tiempo, dijo, "es en diálogo con las ciencias naturales que también la fe ha aprendido a comprender mejor el límite del alcance de sus pretensiones y, por tanto, su especificidad".

En 60 años de estudio y observación teológica, dijo, había visto colapsar tesis "inamovibles", incluidas las ofrecidas por la "generación marxista" de teólogos.

"Vuelve a surgir lo razonable de la fe y está emergiendo de nuevo", escribió. "Jesucristo es verdaderamente el camino, la verdad y la vida, y la Iglesia, con todas sus insuficiencias, es verdaderamente su cuerpo".

Por último, el Papa Benedicto escribió: "Pido humildemente: oren por mí, para que el Señor, a pesar de todos mis pecados e insuficiencias, me reciba en la morada eterna".

(izq.)

XVI,

(arriba) El Papa Benedicto XVI usa un sombrero rojo conocido como "Saturno" cuando llega a su audiencia general en la Plaza de San Pedro en el Vaticano el 4 de agosto de 2010. El Papa usó varias prendas papales, vestimentas litúrgicas y muebles utilizados por sus predecesores. (Foto del CNS/Paul Haring)

fecha. (Foto

Seminaristas mexicanos sostienen un cartel que elogia al Papa Benedicto XVI mientras esperan el inicio de su audiencia general final en la Plaza de San Pedro el 27 de febrero de 2013. El Papa sorprendió al mundo cuando anunció que renunciaba al papado, el primer Papa en hacerlo en 600 años. (Foto del CNS/Paul Haring)

Joseph Ratzinger, el futuro Papa Benedicto

aparece en una foto sin

del CNS/KNA)

El Papa Benedicto XVI visita el antiguo campo de exterminio de Auschwitz en Oswiecim, Polonia, el 29 de mayo de 2006. "Hablar en este lugar de horror, en este lugar donde se cometieron crímenes masivos sin precedentes contra Dios y el hombre es casi imposible – y es particularmente difícil y preocupante para un cristiano, para un Papa de Alemania", dijo en ese momento. (Foto OSV News/ Giancarlo Giuliani, Prensa católica)

Dear Friends in Christ,

Another new year is upon us, and we pray that the year ahead will be one of favor from our Lord, Jesus, in our personal lives, our families and in all of our diocesan ministries. As we naturally look ahead, we pause to review the recent past by presenting our annual diocesan report which portrays a multitude of services at the chancery. These efforts support our diocesan mission to proclaim our Lord, crucified and risen, by word and deed, and to foster this Gospel work in our parishes, schools, and in all ministries throughout our expansive diocese. A lot of work goes on each day to get the job done.

I am grateful to the faithful who generously support the work of the diocese because without this financial commitment we could not serve at such a high level. A careful reading of this report makes it clear that all in the chancery are working

QUICK Stats

Annual report

Chancery Office of the Diocese of Jackson

hard to achieve a standard of excellence as good stewards of God’s manifold graces and the financial resources entrusted to us. This inspires confidence at every level.

In the recent past I have appreciated the strengthening of collaboration and communication with leadership in the chancery, and, in turn, with leadership throughout the diocese. Communion, participation and mission are the themes and goals of the process of Synodality for the church, and this is what I see every day in the chancery and in our diocese.

The Synod has reminded us that we are the Body of Christ, the church, and we cannot lose sight of the Holy Spirit’s impulse toward greater unity, active participation in worship and in ministry, and the mission to make disciples by the light of the Gospel. A strong chancery network at the center of the diocese provides a structure that al-

lows all of us to value and stive for what is most important in God’s eyes.

Over the past couple of years, we have navigated well through the pandemic, and have moved forward with a renewed sense of purpose. But some of our parishes and ministries are still recovering, and some parishioners have not returned. Rightly, we give thanks for such a positive annual report, all the while knowing that the work of evangelization and outreach are always before us. Let us never forget one of our lasting treasures, the power of prayer to accomplish God’s purposes.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+Joseph R. Kopacz Bishop of Jackson

Financial Report

Carolyn Callahan – Director, Department of Temporal Affairs

The full audit report for the Chancery office finances of the Diocese of Jackson is available online at https://jacksondiocese.org/temporal-affairs.

The pie charts included in this report exclude the restricted net asset and related transactions of the proceeds from the Sarullo Estate bequeathed to the Diocese, for the sole use and benefit of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Parish, Greenville, that are a required part of the audited financial statements.

Included in the audited financial statements are the Current Fund and Deposit and Loan Fund. The Current Fund represents the services provided to the parishes, schools, and missions by the diocesan bishop and his representatives including the offices of the Bishop, Vicar General, Chancellor, Archives, Communication, Education, Faith Formation, Liturgy, Seminarian Education and Vocations, Stewardship and Development and Temporal Affairs. The Deposit and Loan fund represents the savings of all parish and school locations and the related investment portfolio. Separate from this report are the income and expenses of Catholic Charities and the Catholic Foundation.

Two main sources of income for the Chancery office are the annual Cathedraticum Assessment and the Catholic Service Appeal. The Cathedraticum Assessment is currently 10.5% of the annual parish income, less certain exemptions for approved capital campaigns and subsidies paid

to schools. Income from this annual assessment funds the expenses of the office of the Bishop and his extended administration, all priest retirement and health insurance costs, and seminarian education, stipends and benefits costs.

Personnel salary and benefits, clergy benefits and assistance, and seminarian education represent the major expenses of the administration of the Bishop. Other routine expenses include workshops and conferences held and attended, travel, newspaper printing and distribution costs, and grants awarded to parishes and schools.

Significant areas to note for the finances of the Diocese and the Department of Temporal Affairs since the last annual report filed in January 2022 are:

• While the overall Statement of Activities not including income/expenses restricted to St. Joseph Parish Greenville reflects a deficit of $98,115 it is important to note the Unrealized Losses on the Deposit and Loan portfolio of $3.3 million and adjustments made to the unfunded pension liability of the Lay Frozen Employee Retirement Plan considering the state of the economy and market as of 06/30/2022 and currently.

• Although the decline in the market has significantly impacted the Deposit and Loan Portfolio, the current balance overall is greater than the amount in savings less loans of our parishes and schools.

• Committees of the Diocesan Finance Council including lay expert members and priest

members that meet regularly to advise Bishop Kopacz and provide oversight include the Budget Committee, Investment Committee, Audit Committee, Deposit and Loans Rate Committee, Compliance Committee, Cathedraticum Committee and the newly formed Revenue Committee.

• Internal audits of parishes began in July 2022 by two external local CPA firms. As of Dec. 31, 2022, there were 14 audits completed, reports issues, and responses received. Areas of improvement noted and agreed upon include proper signatures on bank accounts, documentation for projects, collections, and all transactions, establishing written procedures, improved approval workflows, and transparency regarding financial status to parishioners.

• Assets including Diocesan houses were sold and the proceeds used to make needed improvements to the Chancery office building.

• Collaboration with Catholic Charities to help streamline their accounting processes.

• Continued improvement within the Diocesan medical benefits program with RETA Trust.

• Strong working relationship with external audit firm and report issued without exceptions.

Questions regarding diocesan finances may be sent to Carolyn Callahan, Director, Department of Temporal Affairs via email to Cathy Pendleton at cathy.pendleton@jacksondiocese.org.

Catholic Diocese of Jackson

Stewardship and Development Director

Rebecca Harris

Stewardship Office

• The Stewardship Paths monthly newsletter through Flocknote provides diocesan parishes and parishioners with stewardship materials. It includes weekly readings, reflections and other materials on time, talent and generosity.

• Collaborated with the Office of Vocations on the 2nd annual Homegrown Harvest which raised $159,000.

• Worked with parishes to write Catholic Extension grants which funded over $128,000.

Catholic Service Appeal

• The Chancellor coordinates archives and records for the Bishop of the Diocese.

• In summer of 2022, the Office of Catholic Education (OCE), the four Catholic High Schools and Mississippi State University began talks to implement a dual enrollment program in the 2324 school year

• The OCE and Diocesan Catholic Schools began development of a three-year strategic plan with our accrediting body, Cognia, Inc.

• St. Francis of Assisi in Greenwood closed after serving the community for over 70 years.

• Welcomed new administrators Robin Branton, principal of Cathedral (Natchez); Pat Sanguinetti, interim lead administrator, Cathedral (Natchez); Robert Calcote, principal, St. Patrick (Meridian); Christopher Payne, principal of Sr. Thea Bowman School (Jackson); Jon Graham, assistant principal, St. Aloysius (Vicksburg); Dr. Buddy Strickland, interim lead administrator, St. Aloysius (Vicksburg); and Latoya Kelly, interim director, Assisi Early Learning Center (Madison).

Class of 2022

• 151 graduates

• Scholarship Recipients: 136

• Scholarships Offered: $12,779,278

• Scholarships Accepted: $6,094,490, with an average of $40,361 per graduate

• Service Hours over 4 years: 19,448, with an average of 129 per graduate

• The Chancellor is the official ecclesiastical notary for the bishop; and coordinates diocesan liturgies celebrated by the bishop.

• The intricate process for the cause of canonization for Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA, is the responsibility of the Chancellor’s office as well.

• Over the past year, the following activities have been a part of the workings of the Chancellor’s office:

• Coordinated the U.S. Bishops’ independent onsite audit for the diocesan Protection of Children and Youth program;

• Developed a two-day Eucharistic Revival event with adoration, prayer, and Mass with Bishop Kopacz;

• Designed art and environment presentations for the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions National Conference in New Orleans;

• Facilitated several canonical processes for the diocese; enrolled in a Graduate Certificate in Canon Law to assist with this in the future;

• Completed a certificate in records management to help better organize diocesan data and information;

• Collaborated in creating an enterprise content management system to build a more compliant records management platform for the diocese.

• The Catholic Service Appeal raises money for 13 ministries in our diocese. The 2022 Catholic Service Appeal goals was $1,175,331. The CSA raised $1,318,600 with 2,638 donors with an average gift of $500. The following ministries received funds through the 2022 CSA:

• Seminarian Education $175,000 (16%)

• Retired Priests $125,000 (12%)

• Clergy Assistance $133,245 (12%)

• Permanent Diaconate Program $10,000 (1%)

• Evangelization/Communications $50,000 (5%)

• Religious Ed. & Faith Formation $40,000 (40%)

• Youth Ministry $40,000 (40%)

• Intercultural Ministry $30,000 (3%)

• Campus Ministry $50,000 (5%)

• Family Ministry $30,000 (3%)

• Young Adult Ministry $20,000 (2%)

• Catholic Charities $325,000 (30%)

• Parishes & Schools Grant Assistance $50,000 (5%)

Catholic Foundation

• Foundation celebrated 49 years and the investments reached $54M and manages 392 trusts.

• The Foundation distributed 5% to trust beneficiaries totaling $2,172,189.

• The Foundation funded 26 grant projects totaling $71,000.

• The Foundation had 802 members and raised over $112,000 for membership. The annual membership funds the operations of the Foundation office so that management fees are not charged to each trust.

• The Foundation sponsored the 40th annual Bishop Cup Golf Tournament and raised over $43,000.

Chancellor

Mary Woodward Catholic

Karla Luke

Directors’ Summaries

Faith Formation Director

Fran Lavelle

Office of Family Ministry

• After overturning of Roe v. Wade, the office has continued to promote and provide resources for those dealing with unexpected pregnancies by working with the USCCB’s Walking With Mom’s In Need initiative.

• Partnered with “Her PLAN (Her Pregnancy and Life Assistance Network)” to assist with creating a web-based comprehensive directory of services supporting pregnant and parenting women.

• Engaged Encounter weekends were held in person in Oct. 2021, and in Jan., April and July 2022.

• In Oct. 2022, Debbie Tubertini was hired to lead the office after our long-time coordinator retired in July.

Office of Intercultural Ministry

• Evangelization, sacramental preparation and expanding intercultural competencies continued in the first half of 2022 before both Father Clem Oyafemi and Daisey Martinez left the department. The foundation they built will serve us well as a new coordinator for the Office of Intercultural Ministry will be welcomed in 2023.

Office of Religious Education & Faith Formation

• The Pastoral Ministry Workshop, a formation program for lay leaders was a great success. One of the things we heard from our listening sessions from the Synod on Synodality was greater formation opportunities for lay leaders. The Pastoral Ministries Workshop fills that need for many lay ministry disciplines.

• Fall Faith Formation Day resumed for the first time since 2019, with over 100 in attendance.

• The High School Confirmation Retreat was successfully held in March 2022, after being postponed in January due to the spike in Omicron.

• Presented RCIA retreats, days of reflection for women’s groups, religious education parent sessions and other opportunities to present formation materials.

Office of Youth Ministry

• The OYM resumed a full schedule of in-person ministry; including the diocesan youth conference, DCYC in Feb. 2022; Search in April 2022; and the Middle School Fall Retreat in Oct. 2022.

• Abbey Schuhmann, coordinator for the OYM, joined the faculty for the Pastoral Ministries Workshop presenting the Year 2 workshop on “Developing, Maintaining and Balancing Programs.”

• Sponsored and coached the First Things in Youth Ministry Training Program, with seven parish youth ministers in the diocese completing the training.

Office of Young Adults and Campus Ministry

• We heard repeatedly in the listening sessions for the Synod on Synodality for the need of intentional ministry for young adults. In October, the first coordinator for the Office of Young Adults and Campus Ministry was hired – Amelia Rizor.

Vocations

Director Father Nick Adam

• We have nine seminarians studying for the diocese with one man actively in the application process for Fall 2023. The cost of tuition/books/fees for all is just under $400,000. Father Andrew Bowden was ordained a priest on May 14, 2022. Deacon Carlisle Beggerly was ordained a transitional deacon on June 4, 2022. He will be ordained a priest May 27, 2023. Ryan Stoer and Tristan Stovall will be ordained transitional deacons on May 20, 2023, with priesthood ordinations in 2024.

• Father Nick Adam visited approximately 15 parish communities, with visits consisting of Masses, youth group talks, and other activities, with a focus on diocesan university parishes. He also visited several schools throughout the year, celebrating Mass or hosting other activities to promote vocations. In July 2022 he traveled to Cuernavaca, Mexico to explore language immersion for our seminarians. The summer program offered at the Monastery of Our Lady of the Angels will begin being a requirement for our seminary formation program this coming summer.

• This travel was supported through the vocations budget as were trips for three men to visit the seminary. Two of those men are now seminarians and the other is enrolled in the High Calling pre-seminary online discernment program.

• After Father Nick was named the Rector of the Cathedral of St. Peter in July 2022, Debra Padula was hired as a part-time assistant. She is assisting with ongoing projects, such as helping to plan events, editing and updating a Seminarian Handbook and checking in with K of C Councils who wish to offer support to our seminarians.

• The first ever Chosen retreat for young men and women was organized and executed as a collaborative effort between the Diocese of Baton Rouge and the Diocese of Jackson Vocation Departments and St. Joseph Abbey and Seminary College. This retreat brought about 50 young people to the grounds of St. Joseph Monastery in St. Benedict, Louisiana to engage with representatives from religious communities and vocation directors from around the southeast.

• We held the 3rd Annual Homegrown Harvest Festival to support seminarian education, that raised $153,719.14. This exceeded our goal as we were blessed by record support from supporters in the diocese.

Permanent Diaconate Director Deacon John McGregor

• Six men were ordained to Permanent Diaconate by Bishop Kopacz on July 16, 2022, bringing the total number of active deacons in the diocese to 13. There are two retired deacons.

• Seven men are scheduled for the Rite of Candidacy on February 4, 2023, which begins the fouryear period of formation. Tentatively, these men would be ordained in 2026.

Communications Director Joanna Puddister King

• Continues to assist in implementing new parish and diocese email and text communication tool –Flocknote. Traveled to several parishes requesting in-person training.

• Communications staff attended a 16-week course on streamlining digital production.

• Maintained presence with postings on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. All may be followed with the tag @jacksondiocese.

• Boosted chancery department and Catholic Charities events with online advertising.

• Mississippi Catholic continues publish 14 printed editions and 21 digital editions through Flocknote per year. The digital edition is made available to all parishes under the diocese Flocknote system to send to their parishioners. To join the email list, text MSCATHOLIC to 84576. An English and Spanish version are available.

• Worked with Bishop Kopacz on videos touching on various Catholic events, holy days and Catholic social teaching topics.

• Began work on an updated diocese logo and a new website for the Diocese of Jackson.

Statements of Income and Expenses

INCOME (EXCLUDING SARULLO ESTATE)

Cathedraticum Assessment $ 5,818,480

Management fees 96,200 Workshop and convention fees 58,267 Registration fees and tuition 79,120 Total Assessments and Fees $ 6,052,067

Donations $ 335,045

Catholic Foundation Trust Income 354,003 Grants 256,731 Catholic Service Appeal 1,297,263 Total Donations, Bequests, and Grants $ 2,243,042

Newspaper advertising income $ 47,223 SMP Insurance program net 160,905 Rental income 17,300 Other Income 79,339

Total Other Operating Income $ 304,767

Investment and loan interest & dividends $ 880,020 Gain on disposal of property 169,718 Reversal of loan lossess 100,000 Total Investment Income $ 1,149,738

TOTAL INCOME $ 9,749,614

Assessments and Fees 62% $ 6,052,067 Other Operating Income 3% 304,767 Investment Income (not incl. unreal losses) 12% 1,149,738 Donations, Bequests and Grants 23% 2,243,042

Total 100% $ 9,749,614

EXPENSES

Salaries and Wages $ 1,544,469 Employee and Priest Benefits 2,147,778 Total Salaries and Benefits $ 3,692,247

CSA Allocated to Catholic Charities $ 380,973 Grants, Contributions, and Assistance 312,787 Total Assistance Given $ 693,760

Unrealized and realized gain on investments 3,361,984

Advertising $ 17,708 Computer maintenance 28,543 Dues, Subscriptions and Periodicals 15,501

Interest expense DL Fund 234,669

Mississippi Catholic newspaper, printing and distribution 222,202 Office supplies, Postage and Printing 25,694 Pastoral 118,703 Professional services (incl. software) 385,406 Public relations 5,718

Tax 2,108

Registration fees and tuition 287,693

Travel 22,225

Workshops and conventions held and attended 145,117 Other Expenses 155,602

Total General Expenses $ 1,666,889

Maintenance, Building, Grounds, Equipment $ 77,933

Depreciation 275,982 Telephone and Utilities 78,934 Other Total Facilities Expenses $ 432,849

TOTAL EXPENSE $ 9,847,729

Salaries and Benefits 37% $ 3,692,247

Net unrealized investment losses 34% 3,361,984

Facilities Expenses 4% 432,849

Assistance Given 7% 693,760

General Expenses 17% 1,666,889

$ 9,847,729

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

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

"Los Sabios todavía lo Buscan"

Por obisPo JosePh r. KoPacz, D.D.

El fin de semana del 21 al 22 de enero la Iglesia Católica celebrará por cuarto año consecutivo el Domingo de la Palabra de Dios.

El Papa Francisco dedicó el tercer domingo de enero a la fiesta de San Jerónimo, el 30 de septiembre de 2019, como tal con su Carta Apostólica, Aperuit Illis, tomada de la historia de Emaús cuando los dos discípulos reconocieron al Señor resucitado al partir el pan y cómo, con el corazón ardiendo, les “abrió las Escrituras” mientras caminaban por el camino.

Celebramos la culminación de la temporada navideña el pasado fin de semana con la fiesta de la Epifanía, la manifestación de Cristo a las naciones. Los magos del Evangelio de San Mateo siguen siendo los pioneros para nosotros mientras buscamos nuestro camino en la vida, guiados por la estrella de la gracia de Dios, hacia la presencia de Jesucristo.

Una de las tarjetas navideñas favoritas es la imagen de los Reyes Magos siguiendo a la estrella con el título: “Los sabios todavía lo buscan”. Su amor y estudio de los cielos los llevó a la presencia de Cristo. Que nuestro amor y estudio de la Palabra de Dios, lámpara para nuestros pies, sea la estrella que nos lleve a la presencia de Jesucristo, para adorar, abrirnos en la generosidad y vivir con su mente y corazón en este mundo.

Este encuentro de adoración y sabiduría es el regalo de Dios para nosotros en la Eucaristía, la fuente y cumbre de nuestra vida en Jesucristo. La Palabra de Dios puede abrir los ojos de la fe para conocer al Resucitado en su Cuerpo y Sangre sobre el altar y en los demás.

Durante este año del 60 aniversario de la apertura del Vaticano II, que la enseñanza eterna del Concilio revitalice en nosotros los tesoros de la Palabra de Dios y el sacramento de la Eucaristía. Sacrosantum Concilium, el documento ejemplar sobre la Misa, afirma espléndidamente que “el divino sacrificio de la Eucaristía es el medio excepcional por el cual los fieles

pueden expresar en sus vidas y manifestar a los demás el misterio de Cristo y la naturaleza real de la iglesia”. (S.C.2)

Asimismo, “la Sagrada Escritura es de la mayor importancia en la celebración de la liturgia. Por eso, para lograr la restauración, el progreso y la adaptación de la sagrada liturgia, es indispensable promover ese amor cálido y vivo por la Escritura.”(24)

Dei Verbum (Palabra de Dios), el documento sobre la revelación divina, buscó restaurar un profundo amor por las Sagradas Escrituras en toda la iglesia. “La Iglesia siempre ha venerado las divinas Escrituras como venera el cuerpo del Señor, ya que, especialmente en la sagrada liturgia, recibe y ofrece incesantemente a los fieles el pan de vida de la mesa, tanto de la palabra de Dios como del cuerpo de Cristo. ” (DV 21)

La lectura diaria y la oración con la Palabra de Dios, mucho más comunes hoy, encuentran su impulso en la Dei Verbum. “El sagrado sínodo también exhorta encarecida y especialmente a todos los fieles cristianos a aprender mediante la lectura frecuente de las divinas Escrituras el “excelente conocimiento de Jesucristo”. (Filipenses 3:8) San Agustín arroja más luz sobre el diálogo divino-humano. “Tu oración es la palabra que hablas a Dios. Cuando lees la Biblia, Dios te habla; cuando oras, le hablas a Dios”.

Finalmente, invoquemos la sabiduría del Papa Benedicto de feliz memoria que estuvo presente en el Concilio Vaticano II. “La palabra de Dios nos es dada precisamente para construir la comunión, para unirnos en la Verdad en nuestro camino hacia Dios.

Si bien es una palabra dirigida a cada uno de nosotros personalmente, es también una palabra que construye comunidad, que construye la iglesia ... Por eso, el lugar privilegiado de la lectura orante de la Sagrada Escritura es la liturgia, y en particular la Eucaristía, en que mientras celebramos el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo en el sacramento, la palabra de Dios está presente y obrando en medio de nosotros”.

A partir de la experiencia personal de una larga vida buscando conocer al Dios vivo, Benedicto propuso que “la Palabra de Dios nos sostiene en nuestro camino de penitencia y conversión, nos permite profundizar nuestro sentido de pertenencia a la iglesia y nos ayuda a crecer en familiaridad con Dios.”

Como dice San Ambrosio: “Cuando tomamos las Sagradas Escrituras con fe y las leemos con la iglesia,

caminamos una vez más con Dios en el Jardín”. Que nos animemos unos a otros en nuestro amor por la Palabra de Dios, a tiempo y fuera de tiempo, y con un enfoque especial en este tiempo de renovación eucarística en la iglesia.

Declaración del obispo Kopacz sobre el fallecimiento del Papa emérito Benedicto XVI

(1 de enero de 2023) – La Iglesia Católica en todo el mundo encomienda el alma del Papa Emérito Benedicto XVI a Dios por ser uno de sus destacados testigos del amor de Jesucristo, la Buena Noticia anunciada por primera vez por el Ángel y de la Hostia Celestial a los Pastores cariñosos para con sus rebaños.

Desde el centro de la iglesia en Roma durante décadas sirviendo en ministerios críticos, que culminaron en el papado, el Papa Benedicto pudo anunciar las Buenas Nuevas del Evangelio de muchas maneras notables y, en última instancia, cuidar de su rebaño mundial. El Evangelio de la solemnidad de María Madre de Dios en el tiempo de Navidad retrata su vida de manera ejemplar.

Como María, atesoró al Señor en sus brazos y la sabiduría de la fe católica de casi 2000 años. A la luz de la fe, siguió el camino de los Pastores, glorificando y alabando a Dios, anunciando la Buena Noticia y evangelizando a todos, en la Iglesia y en el mundo. Fue un Buen Pastor según el corazón de Jesucristo, un sacerdote, profeta, rey fiel y que junto a las marcas de su propio bautismo es el legado que perdurará en la iglesia que tanto amaba.

Concédele el descanso eterno, oh Señor, y brille para él la luz perpetua. Puede él descansar en Paz. Amén.

Que su alma y las almas de todos los fieles difuntos descansen en Paz. Amén.

El Obispo Joseph Kopacz ofreció una Misa en memoria del Papa Benedicto XVI al mediodia del 5 de enero, pocas horas después del funeral del Papa en Roma. El Papa Benedicto falleció el 31 de diciembre de 2022 a la edad de 95 años en su residencia en el Vaticano y fue sepultado en la cripta donde fueron enterrados dos Papas canonizados, su predecesor polaco, San Juan Pablo II y San Juan XXIII. (Foto de Tereza Ma)

Navidad en las Parroquias

TOME NOTA

Vírgenes y Santos

Milagroso Señor de Esquipulas Enero 15 Nuestra Señora de Altagracia. Enero 21

Conversión de San Pablo. Enero 25 San Juan Bosco. Enero 31 Fiesta de la presentación del Señor. Purificación de María Santísima y Día de la Candelaria. Feb. 2

Nuestra Señora de Supaya. Feb. 3 Nuestra Señora de Lourdes. Feb. 11 San Valentín. Patrono de los Enamorados. Feb. 14 Dia de los Presidentes. Feb. 20 Martes de Carnaval. Feb. 21 Miércoles de Ceniza. Feb. 22

Envíenos sus fotos a editor@jacksondiocese.org

Síganos en Facebook

@ Diócesis Católica de Jackson Para disfrutar el boletín Mande un texto: MSCATHOLIC a 84576

CORINTH – Algunas familias y jóvenes de la comunidad de St. James the Less, junto al Padre Mario Solórzano, recordaron el nacimiento de nuestro Salvador, el verdadero motivo por el cuál celebrar la Navidad para saber cuál es la verdadera fiesta y a quién celebrar. (Reporte y fotos de Bernardo Sorcia)

GREENVILLE – La parroquia Sagrado Corazón celebró su rifa anual de Navidad en fiesta con la presencia de los Padres Sebastián Myladiyil, SVD y Thomas Mullally, SVD. El Padre Sebastián felicitó a los ganadores mientras el Padre Tom mostraba su camiseta navideña favorita. Los jóvenes participaron en la rifa, sacaron boletos y jugaron su versión del juego Dirty Santa – "Sucio Papá Noel", donde se intercambian regalos. (Reporte y foto de Maurice Mosley)

FOREST – La comunidad de feligreses de St. Michaels tuvo varias celebraciónes de la temporada de Navidad. (Foto cortesía de Diane Pratt)

Pope John Paul I greets Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Munich and Freising, the future Pope Benedict XVI, during the pontiff’s inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Sept. 3, 1978. (CNS photo/KNA)

(Above) Pope Benedict XVI is pictured with U.S. President George W. Bush at the White House April 16, 2008. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)

(Left) Pope Benedict XVI, who had an impressive record as a teacher and defender of the basics of Catholic faith, is likely to go down in history books as the first pope in almost 600 years to resign. He is seen among pilgrims during a general audience at the Vatican Nov. 21, 2007. Pope Benedict died Dec. 31, 2022, at the age of 95 in his residence at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

(Below) Pope Benedict XVI carries a candle during the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 7, 2012. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

NATION

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will allow retail pharmacies to offer abortion pills in the United States for the first time, the agency announced Jan. 3, prompting criticism from Catholic and pro-life groups. The Biden administration’s rule change comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision last year in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that struck down its previous ruling in Roe v. Wade, prompting many states to either attempt to restrict or expand access to abortion. The regulatory change will permit the retail sale of mifepristone, the first of two drugs used in a medication or chemical abortion. The drug could previously only be dispensed only by some mail-order pharmacies, doctors, or clinics. The new FDA rules will still require a prescription, but will permit a wider range of pharmacies to sell the drugs. Dr. Marie Hilliard, cochair of the Catholic Medical Association’s ethics committee, and Dr. Lester Ruppersberger, former CMA president, told OSV News in a statement the new rule will “put the health of women, and their true informed consent, at risk.”

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – After a report dubbed 2022 “the year of the botched execution,” Catholic activists renewed their calls for an end to the practice. Despite declining public support for the practice, and a campaign promise from President Joe Biden, a Catholic Democrat, to repeal the federal death penalty, a bill to do so gained little traction last Congress, when Democrats still controlled both chambers. The Catholic church opposes the death penalty as morally “inadmissible” in the modern era – a teaching Pope Francis changed the Catechism of the Catholic Church in 2018 and expounded on the change in the 2020 encyclical “Fratelli tutti.” The Catholic church is committed to death penalty abolition worldwide.

EL PASO, Texas (OSV News) – In this first trip to the border since he took office, Biden, who is Catholic, sought to “assess border enforcement operations” and talk to those helping to manage “the historic number of migrants fleeing political oppression and gang violence in Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua and Cuba,” according to the White House. Biden’s visit – which lasted a few hours – came amid criticism over how he is handling the humanitarian crisis at the southern border. During his nearly four-hour visit to El Paso, Biden did not meet with migrants or deliver public remarks. Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso shared his concerns, as did other migrant advocates, with the president and his aides. At a news briefing, Sister Norma Pimentel of the Missionaries of Jesus, who heads Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley in the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas, said the president’s presence at the border

was significant. The sister stressed the need to come together as a community – including the city government, Border Patrol and faithbased communities –to safeguard people’s dignity while creating policies to face the issue of migration. After the short visit, Biden traveled to Mexico City, where he and the presidents of Mexico and Canada gathered for a Jan. 9-10 North American leaders’ summit.

VATICAN

ROME (OSV News) – In what looks like a continuation of pontifical legacy, Pope Benedict XVI was buried in the crypt where his Polish predecessor, St. John Paul II, was first buried. St. John XXIII also was buried there prior to his beatification. The place of burial is unique for many that knew the fond relationship of St. John Paul and Cardinal Ratzinger. The two popes had a unique intellectual friendship throughout John Paul’s papacy. And even if their characters seemed a world away, Cardinal Ratzinger was similar to St. John Paul II in many aspects as pontiff. The Holy See Press Office predicted the crypt where Pope Benedict was laid to rest will be ready for the faithful to visit after Jan. 8.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The disappearance 40 years ago of Emanuela Orlandi has haunted her family, fueled conspiracy theories and provided grist for a recent Netflix series. Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, said Jan. 9 that Alessandro Diddi, Vatican City’s chief prosecutor, was opening a new file on the case, although he provided no details about the direction the investigation was expected to take. The Italian news agency ANSA said Diddi’s decision was in response to requests by Pietro Orlandi, Emanuela’s brother. Vatican investigators will begin by “analyzing the acts and documents related to prior investigations,” of which there have been many, ANSA said. Pietro Orlandi told the television RaiNews24 that he had received copies of WhatsApp messages exchanged in 2014 by “two persons very close to Pope Francis that talk about documents” related to the case that never have been published. He said he was certain someone in the Vatican knew more about what happened to his sister. Pietro and Emanuela are the children of a Vatican employee and grew up in an apartment inside the Vatican. Emanuela disappeared in Rome June 22, 1983, when she was 15.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The way individual Catholics and their parishes care for the sick offers a precise measure of just how much they either are part of or are fighting the “throwaway culture” that ignores or discards anyone seen as flawed or weak, Pope Francis said in his message for the World Day of the Sick. The care of those who are ill shows “whether we are truly companions on the journey or merely individuals on the same path, looking after our own interests and leaving others to ‘make do,’” the pope said in the message, which was released by the Vatican Jan. 10. The Catholic Church celebrates the world day Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. “Experiences of

bewilderment, sickness and weakness are part of the human journey,” the 86-year-old pope wrote. But, he said, the Bible makes clear that “far from excluding us from God’s people,” those situations of vulnerability “bring us to the center of the Lord’s attention, for he is our Father and does not want to lose even one of his children along the way.” Those who profess belief in God, he said, should do likewise, placing the sick at the center of their attention.

WORLD

SÃO PAULO (OSV News) – The National Conference of Brazilian Bishops is said to be “perplexed by the serious and violent occurrences” that erupted Jan. 8 in Brasilia, the nation’s capital. Thousands of protesters invaded the country’s Congress, Supreme Court building and the presidential palace, enraged about newly sworn-in president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The protesters are supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was defeated by Lula, as the new president is popularly known. They demand the removal of the new president, stating that the October elections were illegitimate and are asking Brazil’s military to take over. Bishops’ conference officials called for the immediate cessation of “criminal attacks on the democratic rule of law.” “These attacks must be immediately contained and their organizers and participants held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Citizens and democracy must be protected,” said the message in the conference’s social media accounts. Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer of São Paulo also condemned the events stating that what happened in Brasília “was unacceptable.”

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – Catholic immigration advocates are hailing the extension of Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, to war-torn Yemen, where more than 23 million face what the United Nations has called “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.” The decision, announced Jan. 3 and set to begin March 4, will safeguard protections for TPS program participants through Sept. 3, 2024. With Yemen deemed by the United Nations as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, the extension “will provide real relief for many,” said Anna Gallagher, executive director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., or CLINIC. “This decision duly recognizes the needs of Yemenis in the U.S. who cannot return home.”

TIONKUY, Burkino Faso (OSV News) – Father Jacques Yaro Zerbo, 67, Malian-born Catholic priest, was laid to rest Jan. 5 at the Cemetery of Pastoral Agents in Tionkuy, 150 miles west of Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. The priest was killed Jan. 2 by unidentified armed men in what his bishop, Bishop Prosper Bonaventure Ky, who heads the Diocese of Dédougou, called “cold-blood murder.” Father Zerbo was on his way to Tona to accomplish a mission for his bishop when he was intercepted by unidentified armed men in the village of Soro in Gassan township found in the northwestern region of Boucle du Mouhon – one of Burkina Faso’s 13 administrative regions and a flashpoint of jihadist extremism. After killing the priest, the killers escaped with his car, leaving his lifeless body by the roadside. Bishop Ky expressed “profound sorrow” at the killing of the priest and hoped he would find peace in the Lord. The killing added to a long list of persecution of Christians and other civilians and underscored the continued spread of terrorism in Burkina Faso and across the Sahel region.

The Association of Priests of the Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi provide a small pension to our retired priests. As you consider your estate plans, please remember these faithful servants by making a donation or leaving a bequest to the Association of Priests. Our parish priests dedicate their lives to caring for us, their flocks. Let us now care for them in their retirement. Donations can be made payable to the Association of Priests and can be mailed to: Diocese of Jackson, Attn: Cathy Pendleton, P.O. Box 2248, Jackson, MS 39225-2248

Children dressed as the Three Kings carry offertory gifts as Pope Francis celebrates Mass on the feast of Mary, Mother of God, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 1, 2023. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Encounters

FROM THE ARCHIVES

By Mary WoodWard

Pope Benedict XVI ...

JACKSON – This issue of Mississippi Catholic is filled with materials about Pope Benedict’s life of service to the church. “From the Archives” would like to share some memories of the pontiff emeritus from Bishop Joseph N. Latino of happy memory.

Every so many years (it used to be strictly five) bishops from each bishops’ conference make a visit to the Vatican and meet with various dicasteries and the Holy Father. This is called an ad limina, which means “to the threshold.” In December of 2004, Bishop Latino made his first ad limina visit as a bishop to Rome and Vatican City. This visit was with the bishops of Region V of the U.S. Region V includes Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

St. John Paul II was the current pope, and we have many photos from that meeting. What we do not have photos of is the visit the Region V bishops made to the Congregation (now called Dicastery) for the Doctrine of the Faith, whose prefect at that time was Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger.

Bishop Latino relayed that prior to that meeting he had always thought of Cardinal Ratzinger as a stern, somber man, but after the meeting his experience of the man changed that thinking. While some of the other prefects of other dicasteries were somewhat dismissive of the bishops’ questions, Cardinal Ratzinger was extremely gracious, patient, and respectful in answering each question posed to him.

The Cardinal took multi-layered questions and with ease and clarity answered them point by point in a way that built fraternity and dialogue, Bishop remarked. And he did all this in a soft-spoken gentile manner that endeared him to those present. A few months after that visit, St. John Paul succumbed to his human frailty in April of 2005 and the soft-spoken Cardinal became Pope Benedict XVI.

In 2006, the Vatican announced it was the 500th anniversary of the Vatican Museum because in 1506 the

famous Laocoön group sculpture was excavated in Rome and placed on display in the Vatican. I always marvel at the way Rome can create a need for a pilgrimage – as if a reason was ever needed to go to Rome.

Therefore, the Diocese of Jackson put together a pilgrimage for December 2006 and Bishop Latino was the leader. We included a Wednesday Papal General Audience as part of the tour. At these audiences, bishops are ushered down to the front, on to the stage, and into chairs to the right of where the Holy Father will sit and teach the faithful gathered.

I remember Bishop Latino was the first bishop to arrive that day and after a short wrestling match with the usher, was escorted down the main aisle to his chair on the stage. For a long time, he was the only bishop on the stage and our group would call out to him to keep him from feeling alone.

Finally, another bishop arrived but unfortunately did not speak English and Bishop Latino did not speak Japanese; but soon the chairs filled, Pope Benedict arrived, and awkward pleasantries and hand gestures departed.

At the end of the audience, each bishop was able to greet the Holy Father and, in the photos, both men have such looks of joy on their faces – two kind shepherds fraternally linked. Bishop Latino always enjoyed sharing the story of this encounter with Pope Benedict.

In 2013, when Pope Benedict announced his retirement, Bishop Latino issued the following statement. I think it reflects Bishop’s respect for the kind soul that was Benedict XVI.

“On behalf of the faithful of the Diocese of Jackson I offer heartfelt prayers for Pope Benedict XVI who has made the decision to resign from the papacy on Feb. 28. Through much prayer and reflection, our Holy Father has made a decision that he feels is in the best interest of our church. The papacy is a very demanding role and position in our church. It takes great wisdom to reach a decision such

as this and we admire him for acting prudently on behalf of our church and for his own sake.

“Pope Benedict has led our church since 2005. During this time, he has worked for greater understanding among faith traditions, and spoken out on behalf of truth and justice tempered with mercy. He continued to engage us in a dialogue on these truths and the dangers of moral relativism. He was committed to defending the dignity of the human person as was reflected in his writings and preaching.

“We offer him our fervent prayers for fruitful retirement years, and we thank him for his life of service to our church and indeed the world. We also offer our prayers for the College of Cardinals who guided by the Holy Spirit will soon convene to elect a successor to continue to guide and lead our church in its mission of bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the world.”

R.I.P.

(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist

for the Diocese of Jackson.)

VATICAN – Bishop Joseph Latino warmly greets Pope Benedict XVI in December 2006. (Photos courtesy of archives)

VATICAN – Bishop Joseph Latino attended a Papal General Audience with Pope Benedict XVI in December 2006. (Photos courtesy of archives)

As ‘Catechism in a Year’ podcast launches, listeners seek clarity amid chaos

BY MARIA WIERIN

(OSV News) – “Oh ya baby!” read Jane Hernandez’s Facebook post, adorned with a heart-eyed, smiley face emoji. The Nov. 22 message was paired with an image from a package tracker, showing an item as being just four days away.

The anticipated purchase: a new copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church – and just in time for “The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)” podcast’s 2023 debut.

Hernandez, a lifelong Catholic who lives in central Nebraska’s Sandhills, is among more than 112,000 members of an o cial Facebook group for “The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz).”

“I’m hoping that it shows me the way to be a better Catholic, to be a better person, better able to follow God’s word,” Hernandez, 60, said of the podcast.

The Jan. 1 launch of “The Catechism in a Year” podcast has generated notable excitement – especially among listeners of “The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)” podcast, which jumped to the No. 1 spot on Apple podcasts overall within 48 hours of its 2021 New Year’s Day launch.

“The Catechism in a Year” followed suit, topping Apple podcasts’ all categories chart Jan. 1.

Even before its launch, “The Catechism in a Year” hit No. 1 on Apple’s “Religion and Spirituality” chart, with “The Bible in a Year” at No. 2, as of Dec. 27. Both are products of Ascension, a Catholic publisher based in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Part of the appeal of both podcasts is the host, Father Mike Schmitz, a priest of the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota, who had a robust social media presence prior to the podcast, and the podcast’s occasional commentary from Je Cavins, a Scripture scholar and former host of EWTN’s “Life on the Rock,” now living in a Minneapolis suburb.

Father Schmitz told OSV News he initially pitched the idea of a podcast exploring the Bible and the catechism simultaneously, but Ascension leaders “wisely” advised him to focus on one at a time.

“After reading through the whole Bible, I think people want to connect the dots,” he said. “They now understand the story of salvation in Scripture, they’re seeing the world through the ‘lens of Scripture.’ But how does that connect to the seven sacraments, to Catholic traditions, to the 2,000 years of history in our Catholic Church? I think people are curious and spiritually hungry and want to see how we got from the Acts of the Apostles to where the church is today.”

Cavins suspects there’s something more to the widespread interest in “The Catechism in a Year” beyond the success of “The Bible in a Year.” He credits the Holy Spirit, but he also thinks anticipation is sparked, in

part, by the national and international turmoil of recent years, from U.S. politics to the pandemic, and people’s hunger for real truth.

“People are confused. They are hungry, they are scared, and we are o ering them a sure foundation,” said Cavins, who developed the popular “The Great Adventure Bible Timeline,” the organizational basis for “The Bible in a Year” podcast.

– Searching for answers –

Other Catholic catechetical leaders agree that cultural confusion and division are driving Catholics’ desire to better understand the faith.

“I think people have seen a lot of chaos and a lot of things that just ar-

en’t right, and that they have this desire to know the truth, and to understand why we do what we do,” said Kelly Wahlquist, executive director of the Archbishop Flynn Catechetical Institute, which Cavins helped to found in 2008 at The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.

This year, the Catechetical Institute’s two-year foundational course “Pillars” is at its highest enrollment yet: 697 students between its first-year and second-year classes.

Polarization not only within broader society but also in the church has prompted people to wonder what the church actually teaches, said Donna Grimes, assistant director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church. In recent years, Catholic thought leaders have shared conflicting information about the church’s stance on controversial issues, including same-sex attraction, the liturgy and women’s role in the church – some of the same issues that received attention on diocesan and national levels in preparation for the worldwide Synod on Synodality.

“We have a duty and an obligation to really share the faith, to accompany people as they are exploring and growing in the faith and to continue to encourage that growth. And it just can’t be done without a focus on adult faith formation,” said Grimes, a longtime cat-

Father Mike Schmitz, a priest of the Diocese of Duluth, Minn., and a popular speaker and author, is seen in this 2022 promotion for Ascension’s “The Catechism in a Year” podcast, launching Jan. 1, 2023. The priest will host the podcast, reading the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church over the course of 365 daily podcast episodes. (CNS file/OSV News photo, courtesy Ascension)

‘... an era where people are going to understand their faith better ...’

chism in Q&A format.

– Catechism and Bible connections –

echist and author of “All God’s People: E ective Catechesis in a Diverse Church” published in 2017 by Loyola Press in Chicago.

Grimes said anticipation for “The Catechism in a Year” podcast is not the only indicator that many Catholics want to better understand their faith, including Catholics from diverse ethnic communities, who may come from parishes without resources for paid faith formation sta , she said. She pointed to the success of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans and the Sankofa Institute for African American Pastoral Leadership in San Antonio, Texas.

Other initiatives underway include the OSV project Real+True, which includes videos and other content “to unlock the beauty and wisdom of the Catechism” and help people discover Jesus.

“The Catechism is not a textbook, a collection of ideas, or a set of rules. It is the faithful echo of a God who wishes to reveal himself to us and desires us to respond,” its website states.

– Catechism’s history –

Religious instruction in the Catholic Church has long included “catechisms,” or written summaries of core Catholic beliefs.

According to the USCCB’s website, a catechism is a book that “contains the fundamental Christian truths formulated in a way that facilitates their understanding,” and can be either “major” or “minor.”

“A major catechism is a resource or a point of reference for the development of minor catechisms,” it states, pointing to the Catechism of the Catholic Church as an example of a major catechism, and the U.S. bishops’ 1885 Baltimore Catechism as an example of a minor catechism.

In 1992, Pope St. John Paul II issued the Catechism of the Catholic Church for universal use, with an English edition published in the United States in 1994. The project was overseen by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and later became Pope Benedict XVI. The e ort has been among his celebrated contributions in the wake of his Dec. 31 death.

It was updated in 1997, and then revised in 2018 by Pope Francis.

In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI issued the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a synthesis of the cate-

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is organized in four parts based on the Apostles’ Creed, the sacraments, the Ten Commandments, and Christian prayer.

Jane Hernandez, author of the Facebook post celebrating her enroute catechism, became interested in “The Catechism in a Year” podcast after following “The Bible in a Year” in 2021. As with the Bible, she had tried several times to read the catechism – and even tried to listen to it on Audible – but it didn’t “stick,” she said.

“After ‘Bible in a Year,’ I was able to really hear God’s Word, and I want to follow him the best way that I can,” said Hernandez, who works as a project manager for a medical software development company. “I think the catechism is part of that. It’s giving you ... the structure to follow him –what should you do in order to be a good Catholic? That’s what I’m looking for.”

Like Cavins and others, Hernandez thinks people are eager to sift through confusion about church teaching and how they should live. “People are just thirsty. They’re hungry for this information, so that’s what I think is driving a lot of (interest),” she said.

Cavins acknowledged that “The Catechism in a Year” may not attract as many listeners as “The Bible in a Year,” which again topped Apple podcast’s charts at the beginning of 2022 and hovered at No. 25 in the United States at the end of the year. However, “CIY” listeners familiar with Scripture – including “BIY” devotees – will be rewarded by the connections they see between the Bible and the catechism, he said.

The Bible tells the story of salvation history, and the catechism shows a person how to join that story, he said. Cavins said approaching the catechism through that lens elevates it beyond the reference-book status it currently enjoys in many Catholics’ homes.

“You can present the message of the catechism two ways: One, it’s information and data about Catholicism. ... It’s not going to be successful, and no one’s going to be that interested in it. And unfortunately, that’s sort of where it’s stuck right now,” he said. “The second is, it accompanies the (salvation history) story, and you’re in the story. And this is what’s going to help you live that story in a practical way.”

– Faith must be shared –

Petroc Willey and William Keimig, leaders of the Catechetical Institute at Franciscan University of Steubenville, which partners with 111 dioceses and has 1,000 new people a month connecting to their o erings, said that initiatives like “The Catechism in a Year” tap into “immense amounts of hidden strength in the church” and people’s “zeal ... to be fed,” but that for faith formation to truly take root, it must be shared with others.

Even the best content can not replace the role of relationships in conveying the faith, said Keimig, the institute’s assistant director.

“However good the topics are ... a desire to access it does not become consistent or sustained in an adult’s life unless it is accompanied by some structure or relationship,” he added.

Willey, the institute’s director and a professor of catechetics, suggested that the podcast’s listeners “make a decision to share one thing that struck them, either because of its truth, its beauty, its ‘hitting home,’ and share that with one other person every week.” That could be done with a friend or in a small group, he said.

In recent decades, Cavins has observed a rise in popularity for apologetics and Scripture study, and he thinks the church may be ripe for the catechism to have its own moment. Diocesan and parish faith formation leaders can leverage that, but the key, he said, is approaching the catechism as “an activated disciple who’s on mission with Christ” and who needs a guide, rooted in Scripture, to how to live as a Christian.

“I think we’re going to see an era where people are going to understand their faith better than they ever have in any other generation in American history,” Cavins said. “They’re going to understand their faith and ... the proof will be in the pudding when people start sharing Christ with others.”

Pastoral Assignment

Upon the recommendation of the Very Rev. Michael Somers, SVD, Provincial of the Southern Province St. Augustine, Rev. Mario Rasonabe, SVD, is appointed Administrator of Holy Family Parish in Jackson e ective Jan. 1, 2023.

Through the kindness of his Heralds of the Good News Provincial and the acceptance of Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, Rev. Augustine Palimattam Poulose, pastor of St. Joseph and St. Patrick Parishes in Meridian has been incardinated into the Diocese of Jackson.

(Maria Wiering is senior writer for OSV News.)

Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz Diocese of Jackson

Mary Woodward, Chancellor Diocese of Jackson

Announcement

Light beyond betrayal

REFLECTIONS ON LIFE

By sister alies therese

Betrayal is a horrible experience. If you have not been betrayed, you are most fortunate; many, if not most of us have been.

The children massacred in Uvalde, the people killed in El Paso for being Hispanic or Buffalo for being Black, or Dachau for being Jewish, have certainly been betrayed. We have betrayed one another through poverty (food insecurity, unfair wages, poor health care), abortion, war, mass shootings and the death penalty, and, of course, abuse and poor eldercare. And perhaps the worst betrayal of all is convenient, rigid or complacent Christianity, Catholicism.

These keep us from friendship with God; expressed as a deepening groan or a desire to serve self. Can I set betrayal aside and learn to put others first? Will I ever be friends with God again? Where has the light of Epiphany gone? The Wise Ones chose the Light by betraying King Herod.

We can experience overpowering and challenging choices when on the road to recovery and we see that in AA or Al-anon, and various sorts of other helping communities. Depending upon how one is addicted or challenged can make choices toward recovery even more difficult. In his book “The Betrayal Bond” (1997), Dr. Patrick Carnes tells this little story: “Tribal peoples in Africa put out slotted cages filled with fresh fruit. The cages are anchored securely to

the ground. Monkeys discover the cages, reach in, and grab the fruit. Of course, they cannot retrieve the fruit because as long as the hand holds the fruit, it will not fit through the bars of the cage, the monkeys are trapped. They could let go of the fruit and escape, but they refused to let go ... trauma bonds are similar....” (page 210)

We know from AA that even when one has been betrayed by family or others, institutions, and certainly booze/drugs recovery is essential to living in the light. We also know that Bill W. (co-founder of AA) received advice from Dr. Carl Jung to tell stories to be set free of strangulation by fear and intimidation. These stories might reveal how betrayal has featured in life and made friendships difficult. Perhaps the stories might show how one has become a betrayer.

So, what to do now? What have we refused to let go of in order to put betrayal in the past? Are we stuck in a trauma bond? Is the light ever to be seen again?

What is the way back to friendship? In order to restore our friendship God took on a human nature to teach us how to forgive. Betrayal features in Jesus’ life more than just the Garden. Each time followers rejected what He taught; the message of God was betrayed. When we don’t stop the tongues of gossip or stand for something we believe in, we betray not only others but our inner life. Certainly, we are betrayed when we continue any big lie...that green is yellow, yellow is green, perpetuating the lie and making our ability to follow the light more difficult.

Arthur Simon, in his book “How Much Is Enough?” (2003) relates this:

“A six-year-old boy, taken to an ER following an

accident was given a glass of milk. ‘How deep shall I drink?’ he asked. He came from a very poor family in which something as precious as milk had to be shared with six brothers and sisters, drinking too deeply cheated others.” (page 132) Of course, his choice is to share or to betray his siblings. What will he do? What might I do?

George Eliot sometime in 1850 said: “What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?”

“Forgiveness,” says Christina Baldwin, “is the act of admitting we are like other people.” We mess up, we are selfish, and we might betray ourselves when forgiveness is not on the table. Servant of God, Dorothy Day (and Peter Maurin) remind us of a basic Catholic Worker tenant: make it easy for people to be good. There is no betrayal in that. No, it is the light.

Jesus showed us the way and as we move into this new year, we might have pause to remember that – on the night He was betrayed, He left us Himself in the Eucharist to be always with us.

In 1785, Anne Letitia Barbauld noted: “Nobody ought to be too old to improve; I should be sorry if I was, and I flatter myself I have already improved considerably by my travels....” I should very much like to improve ... You?

BLESSINGS.

(Sister alies therese is a canonically vowed hermit with days formed around prayer and writing.)

Surrendering ordinary times

ON ORDINARY TIMES

By lucia a silecchia

As 2022 came to an end, so too the earthly life of Pope Benedict XVI drew to its close. “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.”

In the days and weeks to come, much will be said about his legacy as Pope and his impact as a leading theologian of his era. I will be reflecting on that myself. As a lawyer and not a theologian, I have studied Pope Benedict’s writings on the social issues of our time to see what they may mean for pressing questions of law and public policy. I have found in them – particularly in his trio of encyclicals – a deep well from which many will continue to draw deep insights on the moral roots of modern maladies.

Personally, however, Pope Benedict’s passing has given me insights on something else – a complement to lessons learned from his predecessor almost eighteen years ago. Both St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI taught me, and the world, something profound about how to face the end of life.

St. John Paul II is the first pope I truly remember. A relatively young man when he became pope, he captivated the world with his strength, energy, peripatetic journeys to the ends of the earth, and his role on the world stage through some of the most pivotal events of the late twentieth century.

The early images of St. John Paul II showed a vigorous man on ski slopes, alighting airplanes, and with agility, kissing the ground as he entered new countries for the first time.

Yet, as he grew older, St. John Paul II showed us all, in a very public way, what it is like to suffer through illness. So often, those who are ill, frail and approaching death are hidden away. They can too often be separated from friends and family who no longer visit because it is difficult to see loved ones change. Many want to remember those in declining health “as they really were” – without realizing that when we are weak and suffering we are still, truly, who we “really” are.

I remember the very last images released of Pope St. John Paul II. They showed a man weakened by illness and bereft of the robust energy that had marked the earlier years of his papacy. Yet, in that he showed the world the great dignity of those who suffer on the way to eternal life. It is unlikely most of us

will ever approach death in such a public way. However, suffering and infirmity is part of our common humanity.

From St. John Paul II, I learned a great deal about the acceptance of suffering, the importance of keeping those who suffer at the center of our lives and not at the margin, and the dignity of those who are facing their final illnesses and the physical deprivations that accompany that journey.

From Pope Benedict XVI, I learned another lesson – the importance of prayer as preparation for passage from this life. When he shocked the world with his resignation nearly a decade ago, Pope Benedict XVI turned from a very public life of action to a secluded life of prayer and contemplation. His prayer was a way to serve the church through a very powerful way vastly different from the way he had served the church through so many decades of his life.

More recently, however, public statements and reports to the press have made it clear that Pope Benedict XVI was also deep in prayer in preparation for the end of his own life when he – like all of us – would meet his God.

In that, I learned a second valuable lesson. When I look ahead, I make plans for how I will live if I am blessed with the gift of years. I think about my physical health, financial security, and what my last wishes might be for myself and my family. These things still do not cross my mind very often, but I understand the practical wisdom in attending to them with care. From Pope Benedict, I have learned that it is not merely the practical and physical planning that need attention. Rather, time spent in prayer is the often neglected and best preparation for a happy death.

It is unlikely that most of us – unless called to a contemplative vocation – will willingly make such a dramatic surrender of the active life to devote the final decade of our earthly life to prayer. Yet, if it is in prayer that we better come to know and love God, then there can be no better preparation for eternity than growing to know and love the One with whom we hope to spend that eternity. From Pope Benedict XVI I saw that lesson lived.

These two Popes – collaborators in life and in prayer – will be remembered for what they did, wrote, said and decided during their lives. But for their fellow pilgrims, the very different lessons they taught about life’s end were their final gifts and blessings.

Thank you both for the ways you surrendered your ordinary times.

(Lucia A. Silecchia is a Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Faculty Research at the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law. “On Ordinary Times” is a biweekly column reflecting on the ways to find the sacred in the simple. Email her at silecchia@cua.edu.)

Faith, basis of success for St. Joseph Greenville athlete, McCloyen

me.” Over the past decade, he has learned how to improve at his sport.

This past summer, McCloyen won the men’s shot put for his first-ever Junior Olympic title at the USATF National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, California.

“It was the best competition I ever had and going against a college commit made it even more fun,” wrote McCloyen.

Coming from a small town in the south traveling to California and competing in the Junior Olympics is a lot to talk about and be proud of for McCloyen and his family. This experience is the type of accomplishment that most young athletes dream of having. For McCloyen, it became a reality.

On Wednesday, Nov. 9, in a gym full of his family and friends, McCloyen accepted a full scholarship to Mississippi State University. In true his style, he threw everyone off a little bit at first by picking up a University of Alabama hat but quickly swapped that one out for a different shade of red and a cowbell in hand. The gymnasium erupted in cheer as his classmates, family and community were delighted that McCloyen was staying close to home.

“I chose Mississippi State because when I visited there it just felt like family. I know I can be around people that will help me grow. My goal is to make it to the Olympics,” McCloyen stated. Of course, he thanked his parents, Royal and Maury McCloyen, for helping him every step of the way.

In the last few months, McCloyen has added another championship ring to his collection for football. In November, the Fighting Irish won the MAIS 4A State Championship in football, and McCloyen was an integral part of the team. He earned his third championship ring in football with this victory, and he also has earned additional championship rings for basketball and track.

McCloyen has a bright future ahead of him, both academically and athletically. “The staff at St. Joe, cannot wait to see him succeed at MSU. We know he will have tons of Irish support following him,” said principal, Craig Mandolini.

When McCloyen was asked what his fondest memories at St. Joseph Catholic School will be, he replied, “When I leave here, I will remember all of my coaches, my teammates, and especially my teachers that helped me get through my high school years. Their love and support of me throughout school did not go unnoticed.”

By Nikki ThompsoN

GREENVILLE – Roury McCloyen, a St. Joseph Catholic School Greenville senior, is one of the nation’s best shot put and discus throwers.

McCloyen established his faith early in life as he was influenced by his father, who was a pastor. He is beyond grateful for the impact the Catholic faith has had on his life. From helping his community through acts of service to assisting at weekly Mass, McCloyen is the epitome of what it means to be not only a Christian athlete but a record-breaking Christian athlete.

In April 2022, McCloyen’s discus throw broke the old MAIS record. McCloyen has been throwing both the shot put and the discus since he was nine years old.

When we asked why he started this particular sport, he responded, “When I was 9 years old, my coach put a shot put in my hand, and it just felt like it was meant for

Mandolini says there is something to say about having a young man like McCloyen being a product of Catholic education. With that, Mandolini likes to think about Hebrews 11:1 that says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

“Faith is not something we talk about or write about in concept. Our faith is in every action we take and every in word we speak. Roury has grown up not only in an environment at home where he can actively practice his faith but also at school where it is nourished and grows exponentially. Without our faith, we are nothing, and because of Roury’s faith, he’s an awe-inspiring Christian athlete,” said Mandolini.

“Here at St. Joe, we can’t wait to see where this road leads Roury in the future, but until then, we will enjoy watching him in his final months as an Irish!”

Catholic high school prays for critically injured Bills safety and alumnus

By GiNa ChrisTiaN

(OSV NEWS)

– The Central Catholic High School community in Pittsburgh is joining in prayer for NFL player Damar Hamlin, a 2016 school graduate, who was critically injured during a Jan. 2 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals. Hamlin, a safety for the Bills, collapsed after tackling Bengals receiver Tee Higgins during a routine play. According to a statement by the Buffalo Bills, the 24-year-old safety suffered a cardiac arrest following the hit.

Medics worked for nearly 10 minutes to restore his heartbeat as Bills team and staff members knelt in a tight prayer circle around Hamlin. Hamlin was then transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition. Players, staff and commentators were visibly shaken by the incident, and the game – the last Monday Night Football match of the regular season – was suspended.

The NFL has posted an image of Hamlin’s team number with the words “Pray for Damar” across its social media accounts.

The Hamlin family released a statement online Jan. 3 asking supporters to “please keep Damar in your prayers,” noting they were “deeply moved by the prayers, kind words and donations from fans around the country.”

In a Jan. 3 statement sent to OSV News, Central

Catholic called Hamlin a “highly respected young man” who “has been an integral part of our Catholic Lasallian Community and regularly returns to Central to speak with participants of our football campus.”

A photo provided by the school to OSV News showed Hamlin in his high school football uniform holding a poster that read, “Recruited by Jesus.”

Central Catholic president Christian Brother Mike Andrejko asked in the statement that “the Lord be with (Hamlin) and hold him in the palm of his hand.”

The school’s recently retired head football coach Terry Totten described Hamlin in the statement as “a great athlete and a great Christian gentleman who is a man for others,” one who is “an essential part of the community at Central Catholic.”

Totten also pointed to Hamlin’s “unparalleled” work in the Pittsburgh community through the athlete’s charitable foundation, The Chasing M’s Foundation Community Toy Drive, which he started just before his selection in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

On its Facebook page, Central Catholic posted a message stating its community “is praying for the well-being and swift recovery” of Hamlin, adding: “May the Lord be with him and his family during this most difficult time.”

This past summer, Roury McCloyen, representing St. Joseph Catholic School Greenville, won the men’s shot put for his first-ever Junior Olympic title at the USATF National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, California. (Photo by USATF)

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin warms up before a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Nov. 24, 2022. Hamlin, an alum of Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, was hospitalized in critical condition after suffering cardiac arrest following a collision in a game between the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2. He remained in critical condition with signs of improvement on Jan. 4. (OSV NEWS photo/Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports via Reuters)

Advent programs at our Catholic Schools

VICKSBURG – Tenth graders and second graders from Vicksburg Catholic School gathered for a photo op after the second grade Saints Celebration program. The Sophomores assisted the second graders in learning about their assigned saints to prepare for the program. (Photo by Lindsey Bradley)

GREENVILLE – Youth play their version of “Dirty Santa,” with another winning ticket being pulled from the pool of tickets at Sacred Heart parishes annual Christmas raffle and party. (Photo by Maurice Mosley)

OXFORD – Christmas Eve Mass at St. John was a success thanks to Gemma Yates, Ian Yates, Jacob Zerangue, Maddie Thornton and John Whelan. (Photo by Tim Walsh)

Serving the Lord with gladness

TUPELO – During arts and crafts with Katya Cruz, students constructed "joy" ornaments, individual "joy" banners and created a group "joy" poster, pictured. (Photo courtesy Rhonda Hanby)

LELAND – Children of St. James parish celebrated Christmas Eve Mass. (Photo by Peyton Palasini)

COLUMBUS – Father Jeffrey Waldrep gives a blessing during Mass on Thursday, January 5. (Photo by Logan Waggoner)

Pope Benedict XVI – Coat of Arms

BY MSGR. ANDREA CORDERO LANZA DI MONTEZEMOLO

VATICAN – The shield chosen by Pope Benedict XVI is very simple: it is in the shape of a chalice.

In each of the upper corners there is a "chape" in gold. The "chape" [cape] is a symbol of religion. It indicates an idealism inspired by monastic or, more specifically, Benedictine spirituality.

The principal field of the coat of arms is the central one which is red. At the point of honor of the shield is a large gold shell that has a triple symbolism.

Its first meaning is theological. It is intended to recall a legend attributed to St. Augustine. Meeting a child on the beach who was trying to scoop up the sea into a hole in the sand, Augustine asked him what he was doing. The child explained his vain attempt and Augustine took it to refer to his own futile endeavour to encompass the infinity of God within the confines of the limited human mind.

The scallop shell, moreover, has been used for centuries to distinguish pilgrims. Benedict XVI wanted to keep this symbolism alive, treading in the footsteps of John Paul II. The design of large shells that decorated the chasuble he wore at the solemn liturgy for the beginning of his Pontificate, Sunday, April 24, was most evident.

Pope Benedict XVI chose the motto "Cooperatores Veritatis" (Cooperators of the Truth) for his coat of arms. The design of the shield takes inspiration from the monastic and Benedictine traditions of spirituality. Read the full description of his Coat of Arms on the Vatican's website: https://bit.ly/ PopeBenedictCoatofArms.

The scallop is also an emblem that features in the coat of arms of the ancient Monastery of Schotten near Regensburg (Ratisbon) in Bavaria, to which Joseph Ratzinger felt spiritually closely bound.

In the corner is a Moor's head, the ancient emblem of the Diocese of Freising, founded in the eighth century, which became a Metropolitan Archdiocese with the name of München und Freising in 1818, subsequent to the Concordat between Pius VII and King Maximilian Joseph of Bavaria (June 5, 1817).

A brown bear is portrayed in the other corner of the shield, with a pack-saddle on its back. An ancient tradition tells that the first Bishop of Freising, St. Corbinian, set out for Rome on horseback. While riding through a forest he was attacked by a bear that tore his horse to pieces. Corbinian managed to tame the bear and make it carry his baggage. This explains why the bear is shown carrying a pack.

The shield carries the symbols connected to the person who displays it, to his ideals, traditions, programmes of life and the principles that inspire and guide him. The various symbols of rank, dignity and jurisdiction of the individual appear instead around the shield.

It has been a venerable tradition for the Supreme Ponti to surround his shield with crossed keys, one gold and the other silver, in the form of a St. Andrew's cross: these have been variously interpreted as symbols of spiritual and temporal power.

Matthew's Gospel recounts that Christ said to Peter: "I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you declare bound on earth shall be bound in heaven; whatever you declare loosed on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Mt 16:19). The keys are therefore the typical symbol of the power that Christ gave to St. Peter and his Successors.

The Papal mitre shown in his arms, is silver and bears three bands of gold (the three powers: Orders, Jurisdiction and Magisterium), joined at the centre to show their unity in the same person.

There is also a completely new symbol in the arms of Pope Benedict XVI: the "pallium." It is not part of the tradition, at least in recent years, for the Supreme Ponti s to include it in their arms. It stands for the Pope's responsibility as Pastor of the flock entrusted to him by Christ.

In general, it is customary to place a ribbon or cartouche below the shield, bearing a motto or a heraldic device. It expresses in a few words an ideal or a programme of life.

In his Episcopal arms, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger had chosen the motto "Cooperatores Veritatis." This remains his aspiration or personal programme but does not appear in his Papal arms, in accordance with the tradition common to the Supreme Ponti s' arms in recent centuries.

Pope St. John Paul II would often quote his motto, "Totus Tuus," although it did not feature in his Papal arms. The absence of a motto in the arms implies openness to all ideals that may derive from faith, hope and charity.