JANUARY 28, 2022
mississippicatholic.com
Over 60 years of teaching, heart of service of Sister Margaret Sue Broker BY LAURA GRISHAM
SOUTHAVEN – If you have attended, sent your children to, or simply visited Sacred Heart School, you know Sister Margaret Sue. Sister Margaret Sue Broker, OSF, is, as they say, the stuff of legend. She quietly goes about her work each day with the purpose of making the school — and each child that passes through its doors — great. Sister has been doing this for more than six decades. Upon entering School Sisters of St. Francis, the once shy and quiet Sister Margaret Sue wanted to work in an orphanage and cook. Instead, her first year on mission was teaching the third and fourth grade at Our Lady of Victory School in Chicago. The next year she taught at St. Mary’s, a small school in Pine Bluff, Wisconsin. But just as her second year at the little rural school was to begin, her road to teaching took a turn south. “The night before I was supposed to go back to Pine Bluff, I was called in and told to tear up my obedience slip for that year. I would, instead, be going to Mississippi,” said Broker. Sister Margaret Sue arrived at Sa- SOUTHAVEN –Sister Margaret Sue Broker is pictured in her early years teaching at cred Heart School in 1961. At that Sacred Heart School. She began her 61st year of teaching this school year. (Photo time, every elementary teacher was courtesy of Laura Grisham)
responsible for 45 students and two grades, a far cry from the intimate class settings of today. Class size is not the only thing that is different at the school. Sister Margaret Sue has seen many changes through her years at Sacred Heart. Tuition at the beginning of her tenure, for instance, was only five dollars per month, per family. “During my early years we had children who lived in homes that had no running water and heat was provided using old oil drums,” Sister recalled. “And many of our parents back in the day had third grade or less of education. That has definitely changed.” Over the years Sister has taught some class or another in every grade. She has taught first through fourth grades full time, sixth-grade religion and English, and library for the lower grades. She has been curriculum director and even the principal during her time at the school. Today, Sister Margaret Sue teaches Pre-K through second-grade religion classes, but she is quick to tell you her favorite. “By far, first grade has been my love and that is what I have taught most of my life. That is where you see those – Continued on page 6 –
Synod process continues with listening sessions across diocese BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING AND LAURA GRISHAM
JACKSON – After months of planning, printing material and a bit of prayer, parishes across the diocese are now beginning to host synod listening sessions, as a part of the 2021-2023 Synod of Bishops, titled “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission.” Each parish in the diocese is tasked with hosting a listening session, and other entities such as schools and youth programs, are encouraged to offer sessions, as well. During Advent, the diocese director of faith formation and synod lead coordinator, Fran Lavelle and the synod core steam invited groups, including clergy, deacons and LEMs, to go through the listening session process to aid them in planning their own local synodal listening sessions. “By all accounts, it was a success,” said Lavelle. Kicking off the parish listening sessions was Christ the King Southaven, that held a listening session for parishioners on Thursday, Jan. 23, with Deacon Ted Schreck as coordinator. In attendance at the listening session was Elizabeth Clark, who commented that the session was great and “the process was well aligned to get answers that are
needed in order for us to grow as a church.” One thing that really stood out to Clark in the session, and that was the strong desire for community, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. She noted that people are more aware of the isolation of individuals, particularly those who live alone. “We are all feeling that isolation and have the desire to come together – to know and share our faith and be Catholic Christians,” said Clark.
Jeff Wallace equally enjoyed the gathering. “It was uplifting to be able to have some input on possible new directions in the church – You felt like you are helping to make a difference, a change in things to come.” Wallace likened the process as a “spiritual neighborhood watch.” He said that it is “a broad gathering of our church community in which everyone was able to participate and share topics of concern and suggest ways to address them.” – Continued on page 6 –
INSIDE THIS WEEK
Pope's Corner 5 Pope says mistakes and sins do not frighten God
Catholic School Week Special insert celebrating our Catholic Schools
From the archives 10 Special meaning in Catholic Service Appeal image
JANUARY 28, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
PARISH, FAMILY AND SCHOOL EVENTS
GREENVILLE St. Joseph, Spring Fling 2022, $10,000 Cash Drawdown Mardi Gras, Saturday, Feb. 26 at The Gin at Dunleith in Leland. Drawdown begins at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 and may be purchased at church or school office. Details: church office (662) 335-5251. FLOWOOD St. Paul, Black & White Ball/Annual Drawdown, Saturday, Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m. at the Family Life Center. Tickets: $125 and raffle tickets $1. Details: Pat Scanlon (601) 953-6370. JACKSON St. Richard, Annual Super Bowl Sunday Pulled Pork Dinner. Tickets $10 each and funds raised support St. Richard Boy Scout Troop 30. Dinners available for pick-up on Feb. 6. Tickets are available for purchase in the church and school offices. Details: church office (601) 366-2335. St. Richard, Bereavement Support, Thursday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in Chichester Room. Speaker: Pat Walden, retired St. Dominic director of pastoral care. Topic: “Guilt in Grief – How to Deal with it.” All are welcome. Details: Suzie Cranston (601) 573-3347 or Nancy McGhee at (601) 942-2078 or ncmcghee@bellsouth.net. St. Richard School, Krewe de Cardinal, Friday, Feb. 25. This festive evening features a brass band, silent and live auctions, cash drawing, cocktails and cuisine. Tickets: $50/per person or $100/per couple, in advance. Details: development@strichardschool.org.
FEATURED PHOTO
LELAND St. James Feast of St. Blaise/Blessing of the Throats. On Feb. 3, at 12:15 p.m. for parishioners of St. James, Immaculate Conception Hollandale and Our Mother of Mercy Anguilla. Details: church office (662) 686-7352. MADISON St. Joseph School, Jeans, Jazz & Bruin Blues $10,000 Drawdown, Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Country Club of Jackson. Details: www.stjoedrawdown. com. St. Francis, Discovering Christ begins Tuesday, Feb. 1. Talk about big questions: What is the meaning of life? Why am I here? Join us one night a week for seven weeks. Details: www.stfrancismadison.org/dc-register-1. OLIVE BRANCH Queen of Peace, Spaghetti dinner after Mass on Sunday, Jan. 30. Cost: $8/plate; $25/family; $2 smoked sausage ($1 half); $10 quart gravy; $5 quart slaw. Details: church office (662) 895-5007. PEARL St. Jude, Super Bowl Chicken Plates. Knights are selling chicken plates for $12 for pick up between 1-2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 13. Tickets sold through Sunday, Feb. 6. Details: church office (601) 939-3181. TUPELO St. James, Adult Trivia Night, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. at Kingfisher Lodge. Food and drinks served. RSVP to Mary Frances Strange at https://linktr.ee/stjamestupelo Details: church office (662) 842-4881.
SAVE THE DATE
ocese at two locations this Lent. Father Aaron Williams will offer a three day mission at St. Mary’s Basilica Natchez from March 8-10 and at Immaculate Heart of Mary Greenwood from March 27-29. All sessions will begin at 6 p.m. JACKSON St. Peter Cathedral the Apostle, Bishop Chanche Awards ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. TRIPS WITH FATHER DAVID O’CONNOR Father O’Connor will be hosting trips to Italy (May 28 – June 6), England and Wales (June 23 – July 3) and Ireland (Sept 7-15). Details: For Italy trip visit caragrouptravel.com/italy-with-father-oconnor-2022/. For England and Wales trip visit caragrouptravel.com/england-and-wales-withfather-oconnor/. For Ireland trip visit caragrouptravel. com/tour-of-ireland-with-father-o-connor-2022/.
COVID NOTE
As the Omicron variant continues, the Diocese of Jackson STRONGLY ENCOURAGES the wearing of masks to Mass and all parish gatherings. Social distancing of 3 feet is recommended. We appreciate all of your efforts to keep each other safe. Each parish may adapt protocols and make decisions according to the local reality of their individual parish communities.
YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST A parish mission on the Eucharist and the Mass is available in the di-
... Door Restoration JACKSON – The doors at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle must be refinished every two to three years due to their exposure to the elements. Keeping the Cathedral in beautiful condition to inspire worship of God is a labor of love that never ends. The Cathedral is grateful for the generosity of parishioners and other donors. Pictured are members of the Wood Door Restoration company, owned by Clint Ertle of Terry, installing the newly refinished doors earlier this month. (Photo by Father Matthew Simmons)
The Diocese of Jackson has launched a third-party reporting system that will enable all diocesan employees, volunteers and parishioners to anonymously (or named if preferred) make reports. Examples of this activity include fraud, misconduct, safety violations, harassment or substance abuse occurring at a Catholic parish, Catholic school or at the diocesan level. The system is operated by Lighthouse Services. Based in Deerfield, Illinois, Lighthouse Services maintains ethics, safety and fraud hotlines for over 4,100 organizations between the U.S. and abroad.
To make a report visit www.lighthouse-services.com/jacksondiocese or call 888-830-0004 (English) or 800-216-1288 (Spanish). The Association of Priests of the Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi provide a small pension to our retired priests. As you consider your estate plans, please remember these faithful servants by making a donation or leaving a bequest to the Association of Priests. Our parish priests dedicate their lives to caring for us, their flocks. Let us now care for them in their retirement. Donations can be made payable to the Association of Priests and can be mailed to:
Diocese of Jackson, Attn: Cathy Pendleton, P.O. Box 2248, Jackson, MS 39225-2248
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MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JANUARY 28, 2022
Aperuit Illis and Sunday of the Word of God By BishoP JosEPh R. KoPaCZ, d.d.
On Sept. 30, 2019, on the feast of St. Jerome, Pope Francis promulgated his Apostolic Letter, Aperuit Illis designating the third Sunday in January as Sunday of the Word of God. This blessed designation, a praiseworthy compliment to Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord, will over time, serve to integrate and enliven the Sacred Scriptures into the liturgical life of the church, and the daily life of Catholics. St. Jerome dedicated his life to the translation of the entire bible into Latin from the Hebrew of the Old Testament and the Greek of the New Testament. Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter yearns for us to “to appreciate the inexhaustible riches contained in the constant dialogue with and among the Word of God, the risen Lord, and his people.” The Bible is a living word, fashioned by the Holy Spirit over two thousand years, and proclaimed and preached upon, studied and taught over the next two thousand years in what we as Catholics accept as tradition. It is the living Word of God, the heart and soul of the church’s life and ministry, that continues to form the Lord’s body, the church. “The heavens and the earth will pass away, but my Word will never pass away.” (Luke 21:33)
The sacred scriptures that the Catholic Church throughout the world proclaimed last weekend wonderfully portrayed the dialogue that is ever active between the risen Lord and his body, through the living Word of God. In Sunday’s Gospel, in the synagogue in Nazareth, the Lord rolled up the scroll from the prophet Isaiah after announcing liberation, freedom, sight to the blind, and a year of grace and favor proclaiming: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21) Why? Because Jesus is the Good News who comes with salvation for all who hear his voice and become his disciples. All Scripture is inspired by God (2Tim 3:16) and intended to lead us to Jesus Christ, but without a doubt, the most important words in all of the Bible are the ipsissima verba of Jesus, his very own words. His inaugural address in the synagogue in Nazareth, where he was a member all of his life, is among some of his most inspiring and hopeful. In the first reading last weekend from the Book of Nehemiah, Ezra, the priest and scribe, spoke to the Israelites who gathered to hear the Word of God after years in exile. “For this day is holy to Our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) We can take these encouraging words to heart each time we gather in faith. Aperuit Illis is the title of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter that inaugurated “Sunday of the Word of God. Literally, it means “he opened for them” and it is taken from
the resurrection appearance on the road to Emmaus. This year, as we strive to deepen our love for the Lord in the Year of the Eucharist, let us turn to the story of Emmaus when the risen Lord walked with two of his forlorn disciples, burning his words into their hearts, opening their minds to understand the scriptures that referred to Him, and then their eyes to recognize Him in the breaking of the bread. Finally, the two disciples dashed from the place they were staying to announce the Good News. This scripture passage is the paradigm for the Mass when we are fed from the table of the Word of God and the table of the Eucharist, and then at the conclusion of our worship, we are sent to announce the Gospel with our lives. Regarding the Word of God in other settings apart from Mass, we believe that God is always inviting us to grow in our faith and in our love for the scriptures. In the Book of Revelation, we have the beloved passage that has become a centerpiece for God’s initiative. “Behold, I am standing at the door knocking. If one of you hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter and we will dine together.” (Revelations 3:20) Pope Francis encourages us, “if we hear his voice and open the doors of our minds and hearts, then he will enter our lives and remain with us.” May we become at home with the bible in whatever way is possible in our daily lives. In season and out of season, in good times and in bad, may the joy of the Lord be our strength. With our Blessed Mother and all the saints, may we hear the Word of God and put it into practice. May the proclamation of God’s Word on every weekend enlighten our minds and hearts to know that the Lord is always near.
Aperuit Illis y Domingo de la Palabra de Dios PoR oBisPo JosEPh R. KoPaCZ, d.d.
En la fiesta de San Jerónimo, el 30 de septiembre de 2019, el Papa Francisco promulgó su Carta Apostólica Aperuit Illis, designando el tercer domingo de enero como Domingo de la Palabra de Dios. Esta bendita designación, un digno cumplido del Corpus Christi, la Solemnidad del Cuerpo y la Sangre del Señor, servirá con el tiempo para integrar y vivificar las Sagradas Escrituras en la vida litúrgica de la iglesia y en la vida diaria de los católicos. San Jerónimo dedicó su vida a la traducción de toda la Biblia al latín: el Antiguo Testamento desde el idioma Hebreo y el Nuevo Testamento desde el Griego. El Papa Francisco, en su Carta Apostólica anhela que “apreciemos las riquezas inagotables contenidas en el diálogo constante con y entre la Palabra de Dios, el Señor resucitado y su pueblo.” La Biblia es una palabra viva, formada por el Espíritu Santo durante dos mil años Volume 68 Number 4 (ISSN 1529-1693)
y proclamada, predicada, estudiada y enseñada durante los próximos dos mil años en lo que nosotros, como católicos, aceptamos como una tradición. Es la Palabra viva de Dios, el corazón y el alma de la vida y el ministerio de la iglesia, la que continúa formando el cuerpo del Señor, la iglesia. “Los cielos y la tierra pasarán, pero Mi Palabra nunca pasará.” Lucas 21:33 Las Sagradas Escrituras que la Iglesia Católica en todo el mundo proclamó el fin de semana pasado retrataron maravillosamente el diálogo siempre activo entre el Señor resucitado y su cuerpo, a través de la Palabra viva de Dios. En el Evangelio del domingo, en la sinagoga de Nazaret, el Señor enrolla el pergamino del profeta Isaías después de anunciar la liberación, la libertad, la vista a los ciegos y un año de gracia y favor proclamando “Hoy mismo se ha cumplido la Escritura que ustedes acaban de oír.” Lucas 4:21 ¿Por qué? Porque Jesús es la Buena Noticia que viene con la salvación para todos los que escuchan su voz y se hacen sus discípulos. – Continúa en la pág. 7 –
BISHOP’S SCHEDULE P.O. Box 2130 Jackson, MS 39225-2130 Phone: 601-969-3581 E-mail: editor@jacksondiocese.org Publisher ........................................................................................... Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz Communications Director ...................................................................... Joanna Puddister King Production Manager ...................................................................................................Tereza Ma Contributors ......................................................................................................... Berta Mexidor
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC is an official publication of the Diocese of Jackson, 601-969-1880, 237 E. Amite St., Jackson, MS 39201. Published twice per month January - April and September December; one per month June, July and August. Subscription rate: $20 a year in Mississippi, $21 out-of-state. Periodical postage at Jackson, MS 39201 and additional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mississippi Catholic, P.O. Box 2130, Jackson, MS 39225-2130. Website: www.mississippicatholic.com www.jacksondiocese.org
Sunday, Feb. 13, 3 p.m. – World Marriage Day Mass, Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson Monday, Feb. 14, 5:30 p.m. – Confirmation Mass, St. John, Oxford Saturday, Feb. 19, 11 a.m. – Bishop Chanche Awards, Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson Sunday, Feb. 20, 10:30 a.m. – Mass and Youth Bishop Chanche Awards at DCYC, Vicksburg Convention Center Friday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m. – St. Richard Krewe de Cardinal, The South, Jackson All events are subject to change. Check with parishes and schools for further details.
JANUARY 28, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
4 VOCATIONS CALLED BY NAME Editor’s note: Father Nick Adam was on retreat at press time. He will return in our next edition. Enjoy this summary of upcoming Vocations events.
Longtime diocese staple, Fabvienen Taylor bids farewell
Father Nick hosted a Vocations Summit at St. Francis Madison on Tuesday, Jan. 11 to gather together discerners and vocation supporters to network and learn more about what the Vocations department will be offering this year. A replay of the event can be viewed on the Diocese Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/JacksonDiFather Nick Adam ocese/videos/968407680439994/ Vocations Calendar Below is the preliminary calendar Father Nick shared at the Vocations Summit to help discerners and volunteers plan for events this year. Please let him know if you have men/women who would be interested and he will add them to his contact lists so they are in the loop: February/March 2022 – Young Women’s Nun Run to Hanceville/Nashville/Alton, Illinois April 8-10, 2022 – Young Men’s Seminary Come and See – St. Joseph Seminary College, Covington, Louisiana June 3-5, 2022 Chosen Men’s and Women’s Discernment Weekend (College Age and Over) – St. Joseph Abbey and Seminary College, Covington, Louisiana Summer 2022 – Quo Vadis Summer Discernment Days (Young Men Ages 15-25) -– Our Lady of Hope, Chatawa, Mississippi Fall 2022 - Third annual Homegrown Harvest Festival and Fundraiser November 18-20, 2022 Quo Vadis Fall Discernment Days (with the Diocese of Baton Rouge, for Young Men Ages 15-25) – Camp Abbey, Covington, Louisiana Save the Date Deacon Andrew Bowden’s Priestly Ordination will be on Saturday, May 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson. Carlisle Beggerly’s ordination to the Diaconate (transitional) will be on Saturday, June 4 at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception West Point, Carlisle’s home parish.
Deacon Andrew Bowden If you are interested in learning more about religious orders or vocations to the priesthood and religious life, visit www.jacksonpriests.com or email nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org.
JACKSON – After service to the chancery office and diocese faithfully for 34 years, 25 as a photo-journalist with Mississippi Today/Mississippi Catholic, Fabvienen Taylor retired on Dec. 31. Taylor also worked for three years in the Office of Faith Formation and another six in the Tribunal Office with Father Jeffrey Waldrep. On Thursday, Jan. 13, chancery staff gathered to share memories and celebrate Taylor and her many years of service to the Diocese of Jackson. Pictured is Taylor enjoying the last touch of her old camera, which she used to take thousands of picture around the diocese. Mississippi Catholic and the chancery staff are incredibly grateful for her service to the people of God in our diocese. (Photo by Rhonda Bowden)
Spirituality 5
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JANUARY 28, 2022
What we do in private IN EXILE By Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI
No one is an island; indeed, no one is ever really alone. If you are a person of faith or even just someone with a highly attuned intuitive sense, you will know that there is no such thing as a truly private act, for good or bad. Everything we do, no matter how private, affects others. We aren’t isolated monads whose private thoughts and acts have no effect on anyone else. We know this, and not just from our faith. We know it intuitively by what we sense in our lives. How do we sense what lies hidden in the privacy of other people’s lives? Conversely, how does what happens in the privacy of our own lives affect others? We don’t have a metaphysics, a phenomenology, or a science through which we can tease this out explicitly. We just know it is true. What we do in the private recesses of our hearts and minds is in some ways sensed by others. Every religion worthy of the name teaches this, namely that we are all in some real, mystical, symbiotic communion with each other where ultimately nothing is truly private. This belief is shared by basically all the great world religions – Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Taoism, and American and African Native religions. No religion allows for a private sin that does not affect the whole community. This explains some of Jesus’ teachings. Jesus teaches that it’s not only our outward actions that help or hurt others; it’s also our innermost thoughts. For him, not only may we not do harm to someone we hate, we may not even think hateful thoughts about him in our private thoughts. Likewise, it not enough to discipline ourselves sexually so as to not commit adultery, we have to even discipline the erotic thoughts we have about others. Why? What’s the harm in private thoughts? It is more than the danger that if we think certain bad thoughts about others, we will eventually act them out (true though this may be). What is at issue is something deeper, something contained explicitly in the Christian notion of the Body of Christ. As Christians, we believe that we are all members of one living organism, the Body of Christ, and that our union with each there is more than metaphorical. It is real, as real as the physicality of a living body. We are not a corporation, but a living body, a living organism, where all parts affect all other parts. Hence, just as in a live body, healthy enzymes help bring health to the whole body, and infected and cancerous cells threaten the health of the whole body, so too inside the Body of Christ. What we do in private is still inside the body. Consequently, when we do virtuous things, even in private, like a healthy enzyme, we help strengthen the immune system within the whole body. Conversely, when we are unfaithful, when we are selfish, when we sin, no matter that this is only done in private, like an infected or cancerous Wholesale and home cell, we are helping break down the imfreezer service mune system in the Beef – Pork – Sausage body. Both healthy 109 - A Camellia Dr. enzymes and harmNatchez ful cancer cells work 601-445-8743 in secret, below the
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surface. This has important implications for our private lives. Simply put, nothing we think or do in private does not have an effect on others. Our private thoughts and actions, like healthy enzymes or infected cells, affect the health of the body, either strengthening or weakening its immune system. When we are faithful, we help bring health to the body; when we are unfaithful, we are an infected cell challenging the immune system within the body. Whether we are faithful or unfaithful in private affects others, and this is not something that is abstract or mystical. For example, a spouse knows when his or her partner is unfaithful, irrespective of whether or not the affair is exposed. Moreover, the spouse knows this not just because there may be subtle betrayals of the infidelity in the other’s body language and behavior. No, she knows this at a gut level, inchoately, mystically, because in some dark inexplicable way she senses the betrayal
as a strain on the health and integrity of their marriage. This may sound more metaphorical than real, but I invite you to check it out in life. We feel infidelity. We know some things consciously and others unconsciously. We know certain things through observation and others intuitively. We know through our heads, our hearts, and our guts, and through all three of these faculties, sometimes (because inside of a body all parts affect each other) we know something because we sense it as either a tension or a comfort inside our soul. There are no private acts. Our private acts, like our public ones, are either bringing health or disease to the community. I leave the last words to the poets: If you are here faithfully, you bring great blessing. (Parker Palmer) If you are here unfaithfully, you bring great harm. (Rumi) (Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser is a theologian, teacher and award-winning author. He can be contacted through his website www.ronrolheiser.com.)
The Pope’s Corner
People’s mistakes and sins do not frighten God, pope says By Carol Glatz
Tenderness is “the experience of feeling loved and ROME (CNS) – God is not frightened by people’s welcomed precisely in our poverty and misery, and thus transformed by God’s love,” the pope said. sins, mistakes or failures, Pope Francis said. “The Lord does not take away all our weaknesses, What God is afraid of is “the closure of our hearts – this, yes, this makes him suffer – he is frightened by our but helps us to walk on with our weaknesses, taking us lack of faith in his love,” the pope said Jan. 19 during his by the hand” and walking by people’s side, he said. “The experience of tenderness consists in seeing weekly general audience. Everybody must “square accounts” with what they God’s power pass through precisely that which makes have done, but “settling the accounts with God is a us most fragile; on the condition, however, that we are beautiful thing because we start talking and he embrac- converted from the gaze of the Evil One who ‘makes us see and condemn our frailty,’ while the Holy Spirit es us” with tenderness, the pope said. ‘brings it to light with Pope Francis contender love,’” the pope tinued his series of ausaid, quoting from his dience talks about St. apostolic letter on St. Joseph, reflecting on his Joseph, “Patris corde.” tenderness. If the devil ever Very little detail is speaks the truth to peofound in the Gospels ple, it is because he is about St. Joseph’s fathertwisting it “to tell us a ly approach, but “we can lie” and to “condemn be sure that his being a us,” the pope said. “In‘just’ man also translatstead, the Lord tells us ed into the education he the truth and reaches gave to Jesus,” the pope out his hand to save us. said. We know that God’s Jesus understood truth does not conGod’s tenderness and demn, but instead wellove, experiencing it first through St. Joseph, Pope Francis meets a group of nuns during his general comes, embraces, sushe said. “The things of audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican Jan. 19, tains and forgives us.” The world needs this God always come to us 2022. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) “revolution of tenderthrough the mediation ness” and, without it, “we risk remaining imprisoned in of human experiences.” “There is great tenderness in the experience of a justice that does not allow us to rise easily and that God’s love, and it is beautiful to think that the first per- confuses redemption with punishment,” he added. With this in mind, the pope highlighted what people son to transmit this reality to Jesus was Joseph himself,” in prison need most. he said. “It is right that those who have done wrong should In fact, Jesus always used the word “father” to speak of God and his love, he said. The most memorable ac- pay for their mistake, but it is equally right that those count of God’s mercy is Jesus’ parable of the prodigal who have done wrong should be able to redeem themson, who expected punishment for his sins, but instead selves from their mistake. There cannot be sentences without a window of hope,” he said, which, in past “he finds himself wrapped in his father’s embrace.” “Tenderness is something greater than the logic of speeches, he has explained would be sentences of life the world. It is an unexpected way of doing justice,” in prison or the death penalty. “Let us think of our brothers and sisters in prison, Pope Francis said. “That is why we must never forget that God is not and think of God’s tenderness for them, and let us pray frightened by our sins,” he said, because God “is greater for them, so they might find in that window of hope a than our sins: he is the father, he is love, he is tender.” way out toward a better life.”
JANUARY 28, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
6 DIOCESE
'... I fell in love with the people ...' marvelous 'aha' moments when the rose buds open wide into marvels to behold.” Broker is also Sacred Heart School’s official green thumb. The school’s courtyard and vegetable garden are a delight to students, faculty and visitors alike ... and at the center of it all is Sister Margaret Sue. Her love of all things green is no secret. She lovingly tends to the gardens and takes great pleasure in sharing her ecological knowledge with the children. Looking down memory lane, Sister Margaret Sue has many things she holds dear. Cooking with her first graders in the convent kitchen ranks near the top, as do the “hootenannies” in the gymnasium and the all-school musicals. Wrangling 90 or so first and second graders together for art classes might seem a little daunting, but for Broker and Mrs. Stanford, her fellow teacher at the time, it was just another occasion that is looked back upon fondly. Generations of students also look upon Sister Margaret Sue fondly as well. It is easy to see why she is held in such high regard. Teaching and caring for students is not only second nature to her, but also a deeper calling, a prayer lived each day. In a reflection written for an issue of Dehonian Spirituality a few years ago, she shared the following: “When I console, encourage, or bring a child to an 'aha' moment, I nurture the spirit. When I get and give a hug; when I sit with a child and study flashcards; when I guide – Continued from page 1 –
'... Speak to the church ...' The best part of the session to Leonard Temple, district marshal for the local Knights of Columbus chapter, was “the ability to send a note on what you feel the Catholic Church needs to address or change.” As listening sessions are held across the diocese, the hope is that thousands filled with the Holy Spirit will take part and allow their voices to be heard. All sessions are to be completed by March 4, according to Lavelle. “We will continue to monitor the Covid cases and adjust if necessary.” After materials from each listening session are collected, the feedback will be consolidated into a 10-page report by late April for submission to Rome. From there synodal reports from around the world will be compiled into a larger report. In the opening Mass for the Synod in October, Bishop Joseph Kopacz stated that the “summary will be made available for the diocese as a very important body of material for our discernment in light of our mission and our ministries.” In 2023, after the worldwide synodal process, Pope Francis will speak to the church and to the world the essence of what the Holy Spirit has spoken to the church. For more information on a listening session near you, please check with local parishes for dates and times. – Continued from page 1 –
SOUTHAVEN – Elizabeth Clark joins in a discussion during the synod listening session at her home parish. She commented that the session process was well aligned to get answers that are needed in order for us to grow as a church. (Photo courtesy of Laura Grisham)
the hand in forming a letter; when I write out my lesson plans; when I dictate words or numbers; or when I do the thousands of acts of teaching, I am dealing with the physical or corporal. If I do it well, in a compassionate, joyful, loving, merciful way, I nurture the spirit. The act of teaching is an amazing corporal and spiritual work of mercy.” Several times during her first 20 years at Sacred Heart, Broker was reassigned to Honduras, but each time the order was changed to stay in Walls. Eventually, the School Sisters of St. Francis were given the choice of whether to stay or transfer. It is pretty obvious what her choice was. “No, I never figured I would be here more than six years ... I fell in love with the people, the school, the area, the children, and here I am in my 61st year. It has been a short time as far as feelings go. I have never been bored, or wondered about how long it has been. It has just been love at first sight ... and ever SOUTHAVEN – Sister Margaret after!” To the many children she has taught over Sue Broker is pictured at a recent those 61 years, she says, “To all my former Christmas event at the school. She students, my wish is that they be happy; that began her 61st year of teaching they remember the fun learning times and this year. (Photo courtesy of Laura not the hard ones, nor the fussing; that they Grisham) always keep their hands a little dirty in God's good earth and that they model the joy of learning.”
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JANUARY 28, 2022
dIOCESE 7
El Salvador welcomes four new martyrs, symbols of Vatican II church By Rhina Guidos
Catholic Church’s role into the context of the country’s civil conflict in the 1970s and 1980s, which ended with peace accords in 1992. The martyrs beatified were part of more than 75,000 civilians killed. “Those of us who have lived this experience intensely, those who have experienced firsthand the drama of institutionalized violence, of the violence of the armed conflict and of daily violence, fill this square and its surroundings,” the cardinal said during the homily for the beatifications. “Of the four martyrs of El Salvador who have just been beatified, we can say what John (in the Gospel) affirms ... that ‘they come from the great tribulation’ and ‘that they have washed their clothes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb.’” The war and the period before it, El Salvador’s “great tribulation,” brought with it hatred, revenge, pain, destruction, terror, death, slander and stigmatization against defenseless people, he said, and the blesseds, like the poor, bore the brunt of its calamities. Blessed Spessotto was shot point-blank as he prayed inside his church June 14, 1980. A bullet hole from the attack remains inside the church. Blessed Grande’s car was ambushed on the way to a novena. His assassins left his body and that of his companions, a teenager and an elderly man, riddled with so many bullets that parishioners had to carry them in blankets to keep their corpses from falling apart. “In Latin America, martyrdom is related to the experience of the Gospel and Toda la Escritura está inspirada por Dios – Viene de la pág. 3 – the doctrine of the church (2Tim 3:16) y tiene la intención de llevarnos a above all after the Second Jesucristo, pero sin duda, las palabras más importantes de toda la Biblia son la Vatican Council,” and its ipsissima verba de Jesús, sus propias palabras. adaptation to the realities Su discurso inaugural en la sinagoga de Nazaret, donde fue miembro toda su the church in the region vida, se encuentra entre algunos de los más inspiradores y esperanzadores. En la was facing, Cardinal Rosa primera lectura del Libro de Nehemías el fin de semana pasado, Esdras, el sacChavez said. erdote y escriba, habló a los israelitas que se reunieron para escuchar la Palabra The poverty and injusde Dios después de años en el exilio. “...hoy es un día dedicado a nuestro Señor., tices suffered by Blesseds No estén tristes, porque la alegría del Señor es nuestro refugio.” (Nehemías 8:10) Lemus and Solórzano – Nosotros podemos tomar en serio estas palabras de aliento cada vez que nos but also their devotion to reunimos en fe. remain with a pastor whose Aperuit Illis es el título de la Carta Apostólica del Papa Francisco que inauguró life was in danger – repreel “Domingo de la Palabra de Dios.” Aperuit Illis, literalmente significa “les abrió” sented “a window to peer y está tomado de la aparición de la resurrección en el camino a Emaús. into the reality” of what the Este año, mientras nos esforzamos por profundizar nuestro amor por el Señor Book of Revelations calls “a en el Año de la Eucaristía, volvamos a la historia de Emaús cuando el Señor regreat multitude that no one sucitado caminó con dos de sus discípulos afligidos, grabando sus palabras en sus could number,” a nod to all corazones, abriendo sus mentes, para entender las escrituras que se referían a Él Salvadoran lay Catholics y luego sus ojos para reconocerlo en la fracción del pan. who died and disappeared Finalmente, los dos discípulos salieron corriendo del lugar donde se encontrain the war, Cardinal Rosa ban para anunciar la Buena Nueva. Este pasaje de las Escrituras es el paradigma de la Misa, cuando somos alimentados en la mesa de la Palabra de Dios y la mesa de la Eucaristía, y, luego, al concluir nuestro culto, somos enviados a anunciar el Evangelio con nuestras vidas. En cuanto a la Palabra de Dios en otros escenarios además de la Misa, creemos que Dios siempre nos está invitando a crecer en nuestra fe y en nuestro amor por las Escrituras. En el Libro de Apocalipsis, tenemos el amado pasaje que se ha convertido en la pieza central de la iniciativa de Dios. “Mira, yo estoy llamando a la puerta; si alguien oye mi voz y abre la puerta, entraré en su casa y cenaremos juntos.” Apocalipsis 3:20 El Papa Francisco nos anima, “si escuchamos su voz y abrimos las puertas de nuestras mentes y corazones, entonces él entrará en nuestras vidas y permanecerá con nosotros.” Que nos sintamos cómodos con la Biblia en cualquier forma posible en nuestra vida diaria. En estación y fuera de estación, en las buenas y en las malas, que el gozo del Señor sea nuestra fortaleza. Con nuestra Santísima Madre y todos los santos, que escuchemos la Palabra de Dios y la pongamos en práctica. Que la proclamación de la Palabra de Dios, cada fin de semana, ilumine nuestras mentes y corazones para saber que el Señor siempre está cerca.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (CNS) – Unlike the spotless image of many holy men and women, a depiction of one of the new martyrs of the Catholic Church looks anything but polished. The boy is hunched a little. His cuffed pants are slightly too big for his small body. His shirt, improperly unbuttoned, hangs just a bit longer on one side than the other. Bullet casings are at the bare feet of the unpolished martyr. That’s the image his parish in El Paisnal, El Salvador, presented to the world, with the message that the most simple and poor, like Nelson Rutilio Lemus, a teenage boy, are worthy of the grace of martyrdom. Lemus was assassinated in his rural hometown next to his pastor, Jesuit Father Rutilio Grande, and sacristan Manuel Solórzano, March 12, 1977. The three, along with Franciscan Father Cosme Spessotto, were beatified Jan. 22 in an outdoor evening ceremony attended by their families – some from the U.S. and Blessed Spessotto’s native Italy – at Salvador del Mundo Plaza in San Salvador. Beatification is one of the final steps toward sainthood. Salvadoran Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez, who presided at the ceremony, placed the martyrs’ and the
‘... A que el gozo del Señor sea nuestra fortaleza ...’
This undated photo shows Nelson Rutilio Lemus, left, who was shot and killed along with his pastor, Jesuit Father Rutilio Grande, and sacristan Manuel Solórzano, March 12, 1977, on the way to a novena. All three and Franciscan Father Cosme Spessotto were beatified in San Salvador, El Salvador, Jan. 22, 2022. (CNS photo/courtesy Archdiocese of San Salvador) Chavez said. To the criminals who took the martyrs’ lives, “we want to say to them ... that we love them” and ask God that they repent and have a change of heart, the cardinal said, “because the church is not capable of hate. The only enemies (the church) has are those who declare themselves so.” At the Vatican Jan. 23, Pope Francis, in comments following Sunday’s customary Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, mentioned the blesseds. “They stood by the poor, bearing witness to the Gospel, truth and justice, even to the shedding of their blood,” he said. “May their heroic example arouse in everyone the desire to be courageous agents of fraternity and peace. Let us applaud the new blesseds!”
JANUARY 28, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
8 Columns
Mental health awareness GUEST COLUMN
BY BY REBA J. MCMELLON, M.S., LPC
Mental health awareness has almost become a buzz phrase. You hear it in in the Olympics, certainly in response to the pandemic, and “Hipsters” are all into it. Being aware of one’s mental health is one thing. Doing something about it is another. Have you ever been told, “Maybe you should go talk to somebody?” It’s a suggestion that can set you back on your heels. I was told this during a conversation and my first thought was, “I am talking to somebody, I’m talking to YOU.” Having someone suggest you could benefit from counseling can be off-putting. However, counseling is a valuable service and most people would do well by giving it a shot. But where do you begin? How do you find a good counselor or psychologist? It’s not an easy subject to approach. The following are a few indications that professional counseling is warranted: • If the problem has been bothersome for years and no matter whom you talk to it keeps coming back. • If you suffer silently and feel embarrassed by emotional symptoms that are uncomfortable to discuss with people you know. • You have a problem that is seriously interfering with your quality of life.
Research has repeatedly shown the number one factor that predicts positive outcome in counseling is the connection between counselor and client. You will know within the first three visits if the counseling relationship is working for you. Do not let guilt or vulnerability be a factor in maintaining a therapeutic relationship that is uncomfortable. Don’t fall into the “it must be me” trap. If you like your physician, ask if they could provide a referral. Your minister or clergy should also have a list of counselors they would recommend. An even better way to find a counselor is to ask a friend who has been to counseling for a referral. Referrals can come from anyone you trust with good sense. A second way to find a counselor to talk to is through your health insurance. Ask what providers they cover and about their credentials. Ask the counselor a few questions. For instance, ask about his or her office hours. Ask about licensure, credentials and experience. What university did they attend? Tell them just a little something about your issue, and then ask what their approach to counseling is. Sometimes counselor’s will only answer these question in the first session, but be sure to ask them. If you are steeped in a certain religion that is important to you, tell them this ahead of time and ask if this would pose any problem. The things you should listen for are: • Openness to answering your questions. This does
Synod animates five causes of life KNEADING FAITH BY FRAN LAVELLE
We greet another new year in the shadow of the pandemic. The surge in Omicron cases is the latest setback to our return to a ministry of presence. While it may feel like we are never going to get out from under the endless battle against this virus, we have come a long way since the early days of COVID. The years of 2020 and 2021 have given all of us tremendous opportunities for growth, as well as shining moments of hope. This past fall, I read the book Leading Causes of Life: Five Fundamentals to Change the Way You Live Your Life by Gary Gunderson and Larry M. Pray. The premise of the book is that we study the leading causes of death, but we do not give a similar treatment to the causes of life. The five causes of life identified by the authors are connection, the breath of air on which our very lives depend; coherence, the idea that life makes sense; agency, the human capacity “to do;” blessing, as a form of gratitude and a conscious effort to pay it forward; and, hope, which is tied to that which we are most connected to. As one reflects on these five causes it does not take long to recognize how the pandemic has impacted our ability to be connected, find coherence, apply agency, experience blessing and find our hope. This book was written in 2009, long before we could even conceive of a pandemic. The leading five causes of life held immense value then. They are even more important today. It is not enough to know them; we must live them. When you see or feel a cause of life is escaping you it is a call for action. Increasing connection, developing coherence, identifying agency, experiencing blessing and naming our hope is within us. One of the take-aways from our time sheltering in place was recognizing the importance of productive, intentional, lifegiving service, not mere busyness. I was challenged to look at where I see the causes of life in my ministry and my daily living. Gratefully, I discovered that the causes of my life are alive and well-forgive the pun. Chief among the activities that are lifegiving is my current role in working with the Synod on Synodality for the diocese. The Synod is animating all five causes of life. I had the opportunity to visit Christ the King parish in Southaven for their first of several sessions. It was a gift to watch the process unfold. I witnessed the signs of life blossoming before me. The room was a buzz with friendly conversation and connection. I witnessed coherence as members of the parish were prayerful in discerning the Holy Spirit’s call.
not mean going into detail about your presenting problem, just openness to answering your questions and concerns. • Does it feel like you can connect with this person? If they give you the “willies” on the phone, they are likely to give you the “willies” in person. • Does it sound like they would welcome you as a client? Haughty or distant are not good signs. Prices vary due to the level of education but not necessarily due to the quality of service. Again, your health insurance may be a help in in this area. The most important point is that some people are truly wonderful matches and others have the credentials and training but lack the style or personality you need. Consider going outside your immediate geographical range, if necessary. Try not to be derailed by the “stigma” of seeking professional counseling. Emotional healing and behavior change can lead to a healthier spiritual and physical life. The healthiest people I know are the ones who have sense enough to want help, to seek it out and stick with it. (Reba J. McMellon is a freelance writer, columnist and consultant. She lives in Jackson and can be reached at rebaj@bellsouth.net.)
In their responses to the process, I heard their call for agency in naming the positive changes they can affect. Blessing was abundant in their response to the needs of the larger community for those who are struggling economically, physically or spiritually. I left the session with a great deal of hope that we have been changed for the better because we took the time to stop and listen, pray and share, and dream. At the synod session break, I was approached by a young boy, about nine years of age. He politely asked me if he could get me anything to drink. I requested a cup of black coffee, which he delivered with great enthusiasm. We exchanged a few more words and he went back to his table. Over the next few days, I could not stop thinking about the hospitality this thoughtful child showed to me, the joy in which he served, or the way he conducted himself. He seemed far too self-possessed for a boy his age-or was he? I am certain I will recall him as we continue to discern our path forward as church. He reminded me of what is truly at stake. This young boy is not the future of the church, he is, as Pope Francis would say, the church of the now. Finding a way back to one another after two years of separation, political division and unspeakable loss is not an easy task. The promise in our future is not that it will be void of difficulty. The promise in our future is that we do not walk alone in the journey. God promised when two or three are gathered in his name he is with us. With that hope let us animate the causes of life in our communities. It is our great diversity that makes us One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. (Fran Lavelle is the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Jackson.)
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DIOCESE 9
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JANUARY 28, 2022
Catholic Service Appeal image holds special meaning
FROM THE ARCHIVES By Mary Woodward
JACKSON – The image chosen for this year’s Catholic Service Appeal has special meaning from an archives perspective. The chalice and Roman Missal belonged to Bishop William R. Houck and Bishop Joseph N. Latino respectively. Bishops’ chalices, rings, pectoral crosses and other episcopal accoutrement belong to what is called the patrimony of the diocese and are kept as part of the diocesan archives collection as spiritual gifts to the church. Bishop Houck’s chalice was made by the Gilles Beaugrand Goldsmiths Company in Montreal, Canada in 1951 for his ordination on May 19 of that year. It is a simple, elegant, styled chalice with a hammered finish. The inscription on the bottom of the chalice has his name and date of ordination. The central knob has images of Abraham preparing to sacrifice Isaac and then replacing him with the lamb on an altar. Another image is Jesus offering the Last Supper juxtaposed to an image of the breast of the Lamb of God pierced and pouring blood into the chalice. It is beautiful when held in the hand and examined closely. Having worked with Bishop Houck closely, I can see why he would have chosen this style and imagery. He was viewed as larger than life by many, but ultimately, he was a priest and churchman who placed his heart on the altar during the Liturgy so that it could be swept up into the heart of God in the Sacred Mysteries. Bishop Latino’s chapel missal lies open on the cathedral altar next to the chalice in the CSA image, which is how it always lay on his altar in his chapel at his residence in Jackson. He kept his beloved chalice and paten on his home altar as well. Fashioned in cross-hatched white enamel. Bishop Latino’s chalice was created by the famous Swiss chalice maker, Meinrad Burch in 1963. It was consecrated
Bishop Joseph Latino’s chalice and paten were created by the famous Swiss goldsmith, Meinrad Burch-Korrodi in 1963. The chalice and paten were given to Bishop Latino by his cousins, Joseph and Josephine Ricobono. The paten contains Josephine’s diamond from her wedding ring. Today, the chalice and paten are a part of the patrimony of the diocese. (Photos from archives)
The 2022 Catholic Service Appeal featured image contains items that have special meaning to the Diocese of Jackson. The hammered chalice belonged to Bishop William Houck and the open missal belonged to Bishop Joseph Latino. Both are now pieces of the diocesan archives collection. The theme of the 2022 CSA is “Hope Rising.” To donate and learn more about the ministries supported visit csa.jacksondiocese.org. (CSA photo by Rebecca Harris) by Archbishop John P. Cody in New Orleans a few days before Cody ordained then Joseph Latino a priest for the archdiocese. Bishop Latino’s cousins Joseph and Josephine Riccobono gave him the chalice along with the paten, which contains Josephine’s diamond from her wedding ring. In the early 1960’s, Burch was sought after for his unique chalice work. Bishop Latino shared with me the story of the diamond placement in the paten. Burch initially told the young Latino that he did not put “headlights” on chalices, referring to the desire to have the diamond on the actual chalice. This left the young ordinand crest fallen. A few days later, Burch sent word that he would however be happy to include the stone underneath the paten and all was well in the Latino household again. Once again, the style of the chalice and its origin fit the man. Bishop Latino loved his Sicilian, New Orleans family and all that went with that, but he loved the Lord more than anything and cherished every opportunity he had to celebrate the Sacred Mysteries on the altar
of the Lord. It is fitting that the last Mass he celebrated on earth was on the 58th anniversary of his ordination – elevating his chalice and paten as he poured his heart into God’s heart. This year our diocese is intensely “reflecting, remembering and renewing” our love of the Holy Eucharist as we make our way slowly through this pandemic. The elements used in the CSA image and this year’s CSA theme of “Hope Rising” offer a beautiful image of the lives of our most recently deceased bishops and how dedicated they were to participate in the Sacred Mysteries as priests of God. Each time I see the image I remember their dedication and unending love for the Eucharist and being able to offer it to God’s people. I offer a prayer for them both and soak in the many memories of assisting at Mass with them. This year as you consider your CSA pledge take a moment to reflect on, remember and renew your love of the Holy Eucharist as the source and summit of your faith and our faith. It is our foretaste of Heaven. (Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson)
JANUARY 28, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
10 BRIEFS
NATION
WASHINGTON (CNS) – Prominent leaders of the religious freedom movement introduced an organization they say will work to defend religious liberty and support political candidates at all levels of government who back the free practice of religion. Charging that religious practice is increasingly threatened by legal maneuvering and public actions that seek to limit the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious rights, speakers during an online launch of the organization Jan. 18 called on Americans to join the effort. Tom Farr, president of the Religious Freedom Institute, said the new organization will be known as the National Committee for Religious Freedom. It is being established as a separate nonprofit organization under the institute. “If religious freedom is diminished and damaged in America, our beloved country will be grievously harmed, but so too will the rest of the world,” Farr said during the launch event. “Our nation has built a system of religious freedom that, while never perfect, is unparalleled in the history of mankind. It stands as a guiding light for a world sorely in need of religious freedom.” The committee’s early efforts will focus on forming chapters in all 50 states. Supporters are asked to sign a pledge committing to protect religious freedom. The pledge is on the committee website at www.thencrf.org.
VATICAN
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In the wake of a massive underwater volcanic eruption in Tonga, subsequent tsunamis and now contamination from volcanic ash and saltwater, Pope Francis has appealed for prayers for the people of the region. “My thoughts go to the people of the islands of Tonga, struck in recent days by the eruption of the underwater volcano, which caused enormous material damage. I am spiritually close to all the people suffering, imploring God for the relief of their suffering,” the pope said at the end of his general audience talk in the Vatican’s Paul VI audience hall Jan. 19. “I invite everyone to join me in praying for these brothers and sisters,” he said. The massive eruption Jan. 15 triggered a series of tsunamis that inundated coastal communities, destroying homes, contaminating water supplies and
cutting off power and communications. Mounds of ash, which continued to fall from the volcano days after the blast, were also contaminating water sources and hampering efforts to bring in outside aid and rescue teams. However, there are concerns that bringing in aid from outside the region and distributing relief might spread the virus that causes COVID-19: Tonga recorded its first case in October. At least three people have been reported dead in the Tonga region and two in Peru from tsunamis triggered by the eruption.
WORLD
MUNICH, Germany (CNS) – A law firm’s report on how abuse cases were handled in the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising incriminated retired Pope Benedict XVI, with lawyers accusing him of misconduct in four cases during his tenure as Munich archbishop. Lawyer Martin Pusch of the law firm Westpfahl Spilker Wastl said the retired pope had denied wrongdoing in all cases, reported the German Catholic news agency KNA. Pusch expressed doubt about Pope Benedict’s claim of ignorance in some cases, saying this was, at times, “hardly reconcilable” with the files. At the Vatican, Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, said, “The Holy See believes it has an obligation to give serious attention to the document” on cases of abuse in the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, but it has not yet had a chance to study it. “In the coming days, following its publication, the Holy See will review it and will be able to properly examine its details. Reiterating its sense of shame and remorse for the abuse of minors committed by clerics, the Holy See assures its closeness to all victims and confirms the path taken to protect the youngest, ensuring safe environments for them,” Bruni said. Retired Pope Benedict headed the Munich Archdiocese from 1977 to 1982, before being called to the Vatican to head the doctrinal congregation. DUBLIN (CNS) – The Irish government has added a new public holiday to the national calendar to honor the country’s female patron, St. Brigid of Kildare. The fifth-century abbess – who is one of the country’s three patron saints along with St. Patrick and St. Columba – founded several monasteries of nuns. Her Feb. 1 feast day will become the new holiday; many Irish people mark that date as the traditional first day of spring. Bish-
Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful from the balcony of his summer residence on the day of his resignation in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, in this Feb. 28, 2013, file photo. A German law firm’s report on how abuse cases were handled in the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising incriminated retired Pope Benedict, with lawyers accusing him of misconduct in four cases during his tenure as Munich archbishop. The pope denied wrongdoing in all cases, according to the firm. (CNS photo/ Tony Gentile, Reuters) op Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin, where St. Brigid founded her largest monastic settlement, had backed calls for the female saint to be honored on the civil calendar. The new holiday, on which all public offices will close, will be in addition to St. Patrick’s Day, which falls on March 17 and is also a public holiday. This year, St. Patrick’s Day will have an extra holiday March 18 as a special “thank you” to front-line health care workers for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Charities Migration Corner: Form I-751 By Matthew Young
Many people do not know of an immigration application known as Form I-751. This form is required for a certain category of permanent residents known, somewhat paradoxically, as “conditional permanent residents” to remove conditions on their status and receive a normal green card that is valid for ten years. The conditional green card is given to people who have received their permanent resident status on the basis of a marriage that is less than two years old. The card is valid for two years. The purpose of Form I-751 is to further confirm that the marriage is legitimate. It is not an absolute requirement that the immigrant remain married to their spouse in order to file Form I-751; there is a provision for applicants who have divorced their spouses since becoming permanent residents, as well as a provision for spouses who have been the victim of domestic abuse. There is also a provision for applicants whose spouse has died. However, in all cases evidence must be provided that the marriage was entered into in good faith. It is very important that Form I-751 be distinguished from Form I-90. Form I-90 is the form used by non-conditional permanent residents to renew their green cards every ten years. A conditional green card cannot be renewed with Form I-90, and such an application will be denied. Form I-751 can only be filed during a specific window of time: the 90-day period prior to the expiration of the conditional green card. Applications filed more than 90 days prior to the expiration will be rejected and returned to the applicant. Applications filed after the conditional green card has expired are likely to be denied, unless the applicant can show that the failure to file during the 90-day window was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond their control. For information about legal services relating to immigration, call the Migrant Support Center at Catholic Charities of Jackson at 601-948-2635. (Matthew Young is an attorney for the Migrant Support Center of Catholic Charities, Inc. Diocese of Jackson)
YOUTH 11
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JANUARY 28, 2022
Sports column: Rivals come together in tragedy By Ernest Bowker The Vicksburg Post
VICKSBURG – Rivalries in sports are a strange and complex thing. No matter what side you’re on, they’re often touted on the surface as Good vs. Evil, the Cool Kids vs. the Jerks, Us vs. Them, and so on. There are teams that you love to hate for a variety of reasons, but there can also be a lot of mutual respect for the skills and talents of each. Sometimes, it boils down to a family feud. We might want to punch you on game day, but we’ll hug it out and go eat somewhere afterward. You can pick on each other, but when the tough times hit you’ve got each other’s back.
The latter description certainly applies to St. Aloysius and Cathedral. The two Catholic schools along the Mississippi River have endured a nearly century-old rivalry that once led a coach from one side to famously – and, I assume, only half-jokingly – describe the other bunch as “the scum of the earth.” Because both schools are governed by the Diocese of Jackson, however, they are kin. That same century of sports hatred has bred plenty of friendships and a bond that runs much deeper than the final score. That bond was on display Tuesday, when Cathedral’s basketball teams journeyed up Highway 61 from Natchez to play St. Al. Between the girls’ and boys’ games, members of all four varsity teams gathered at halfcourt to pray and share their grief. On Jan. 11, St. Al alums Caroline Simrall Hood and Chandler Roesch were involved in a car wreck. Simrall was killed and Roesch seriously injured. Both graduated from St. Al
VICKSBURG – St. Aloysius and Cathedral basketball players gather at halfcourt for a prayer service between games of their girls-boys doubleheader on Tuesday, Jan. 18. (Photo by Ernest Bowker/The Vicksburg Post)
Cardinal basketball at New Jerusalem
JACKSON – St. Richard fourth grader, Christopher King evaluated the court as the third and fourth grade Cardinals faced the New Jerusalem Lions on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at the New Jerusalem School gym. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King)
in 2018. Three days later, Cathedral student Jordan Herrington was killed in another car wreck in Louisiana. Herrington, a 15-year-old sophomore, was a member of the football team. During the prayer service Father Rusty Vincent said a few words, and some of the players exchanged hugs. Everyone in the gym surely passed along a few prayers of their own for the families and friends of Simrall, Roesch and Herrington. The service was brief, and the sound of bouncing basketballs and warmup music soon replaced the grieving silence. The gravity of the moment should be lasting however. When it comes right down to it, sports are a fun diversion for us all. No matter the result when the final buzzer sounds, life and time march on and bigger things await. I doubt Simrall and Herrington knew each other, separated as they were by time, distance and a hundred other facts of life. But for one moment Tuesday they brought a gym full of people together to remind us all that in even the biggest rivalries we can take a moment here and there to share our humanity, our passion and our grief. (Ernest Bowker is the sports editor of The Vicksburg Post. He can be reached at ernest.bowker@vicksburgpost. com. Re-printed with permission.)
12 Nation
JANUARY 28, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
Pro-life marchers' energy, enthusiasm is 'palpable,' says march official
People walk up Constitution Avenue headed toward the U.S. Supreme Court while participating in the 49th annual March for Life in Washington Jan. 21, 2022. (CNS photo/Jim Bourg, Reuters)
By Kurt Jensen
WASHINGTON (CNS) – One aspect of the annual March for Life that never changes is the loud cheering when the lead group, carrying the banner, arrives in front of the Supreme Court. That tradition was sustained Jan. 21 as groups from Christendom College in Front Royal, Virginia, and Immanuel Lutheran School in Alexandria Virginia, joined by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, arrived from the pre-march rally held in subfreezing temperatures on the National Mall. The march up Constitution Avenue to the court had taken them slightly more than two hours. The crowd, not quite the more than 100,000 who attended in 2020, nonetheless appeared robust, and easily was within the estimate march organizers always give as being in the tens of thousands. And that was just fine with Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund. "Every year is unique," she told Catholic News Service before the rally began. "But the energy and enthusiasm of the marchers is palpable."
Mancini wouldn't speculate on the future of the national march if, later this year, the U.S. Supreme Court effectively overturns the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision by upholding the Mississippi abortion law in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. But there's one plan in place if that occurs. Overturning Roe would return all abortion restrictions to the states. So Mancini said the plan is to have statewide marches established in all 50 states over the next seven years. There are currently a handful of state marches, an effort that began six years ago. Jeff Hunt, director of the Centennial Institute, a think tank attached to Colorado Christian University, said he thought legalized abortion was a nonstarter with the young people who have dominated March for Life for many years. "Many of them grew up with their brother's or sister's sonogram taped to the refrigerator door," he said. "I think that's shaping the idea that a child is not a bunch of cells you can kill." Marianne Hofer, coordinator of the student pilgrimage from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, said, "We're extremely excited. We're very honored to be here at a time when Roe could be overturned."
The university sent 230 students. Hofer estimated that about half were at their first March for Life. The march was briefly delayed after it got underway when members of Patriot Front, known as a white nationalist hate group, attempted to march alongside. But they were quickly dispersed. "March for Life promotes the beauty, dignity and worth of every human life by working to end the violence of abortion. We condemn any organization that seeks to exclude a person or group of people based on the color of their skin or any other characteristic," Mancini told CNS later in reaction to Patriot Front's effort to join the march. "Such exclusion runs counter to our mission which recognizes that all human lives are equal from the moment of conception: equality begins in the womb," she said. In a statement issued ahead of the march, Bishop Burbidge said the March for Life "is a powerful witness to essential truths that unite us: All of life is sacred and, thus, the life of the unborn child must be protected from the horror of abortion and life at every stage must be revered, cherished and treasured." "We march peacefully each year in our nation's capital to give witness to these truths to a nation in which many in public office and others throughout our communities continue to reject them. Yet we will never despair nor tire of proclaiming the Gospel of Life, with firm belief in the power of God to transform hearts," he added. He echoed what Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori said in his homily at a Jan. 21 vigil Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: that the church stands ready through its many pastoral ministries "to assist parents who choose life and need support and care."