MS Catholic 4 30 2021

APRIL 30, 2021

mississippicatholic.com

Working together to protect God's children Editor's note: In 1981, April was declared Child Abuse Awareness month, then in 1983 April was declared National Child Abuse Prevention month and in 1989 the color blue was declared the Child Abuse Awareness ribbon color. So, Mississippi Catholic is "going blue" to raise public awareness of child abuse and to promote prevention efforts.

BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING

JACKSON – The Diocese of Jackson recognizes April as Child Abuse Awareness Month to spread awareness of the importance of protecting children. Child abuse is an unthinkable crime, yet it happens to hundreds of thousands of our children every year. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) states on their website “The Catholic Church is absolutely committed to the safety of children. Together we can make a Promise to Protect, and a Pledge to Heal.” The same is true for the Diocese of Jackson. Since, 1986 the diocese has had a policy to respond to credible allegations of sexual abuse, long before the USCCB released the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in 2002. The early document was less detailed than today’s version but delineated the commitment of the diocese on responding to abuse, removing offenders, assisting victims and promoting a safe environment. The policy was revised in 1994 when an Independent Review Board of lay Catholics was established. The review board is a consultative body that assesses the credibility of all allegations of sexual abuse against minors and advises the bishop accordingly. This board remains an essential resource for Bishop Joseph Kopacz, as it was for Bishop William Houck and Bishop Joseph Latino. The current board includes one pastor, two physicians, two lawyers and one professional businessperson, one of which also serves on the National Review Board of the USCCB on the protection of children and young people. The diocese, as well as Catholic Charities, requires that all employees and volunteers working with children and young people undergo a criminal background screening and participate in a safe environment training session with a training facilitator, including clergy. Nationally, over 2.65 million background checks were conducted on those working within the Catholic church in 2019. Many of the trainings mentioned above are now virtual explained, safe environment

coordinator, Vickie Carollo. “With COVID restrictions, virtual trainings have worked well,” said Carollo. “To accomodate adults who work during the day, virtual trainings can be scheduled in the evenings. Training sessions are facilitated through the local parish or school.” The diocese also provides ongoing training in a monthly safe environment bulletin format through VIRTUS, a program and service of The National Catholic Risk Retention Group. All cler-

Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal signals the bishops' pledge to resolve the crisis of sexual abuse of children. More information on the USCCB committe for the Protection of Children and Young People can be found at www. usccb.org/committees/protection-children-young-people. (Photo from archives) – Continued on page 6 –

Slain Guatemalan migrant leaves behind legacy of faith in two countries BY ANN RODGERS ANGELUS NEWS

CARTHAGE – For nearly a quarter century, Edgar Lopez was a pillar of St. Anne Church in Carthage, Mississippi. The devoted husband and father of three spent four years studying pastoral ministry to better lead prayer groups, youth ministry, and social outreach. He gave generously from his wages as a mechanic at a local poultry plant. On Jan. 22, his charred remains were found with those of 18 others in and around a bullet-blasted truck in the Mexican-American border town of Camargo in Tamaulipas. Lopez, 49, an undocumented worker who had been deported to Guatemala after a notorious 2019 immigration raid on Mississippi poultry plants, had tried to return to his wife, children, and grandchildren in Carthage. “People are in shock. They can’t believe that something like this could have happened,” said Father Odel Medina, a priest of the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, and pastor of St. Anne. Most of the dead had relatives among Carthage’s burgeoning population of indigenous Mayan workers from Guatemala. Poultry jobs were arduous, dirty, and dangerous, but paid more for an hour of labor than the Guatemalans would make in two days in their villages. Most of the massacred migrants were from the desperately poor town of Comitancillo, seeking jobs in Carthage that Americans had long refused, Father Medina

said. He called it a bitter irony that, seven months after the government deported hundreds of undocumented poultry plant employees, they were declared “essential workers” during COVID-19. “If they didn’t work, you would not have food on anyone’s table,” Father Medina said. Lopez grew up in the village of Chicajala, where death from malnutrition is common. He had no shoes for school and was bullied by other students and teachers alike. His response, Father Medina said, was to say, “I’d like to be a teacher and change

the way they teach children.” He left for Guatemala City in his teens, entering the United States in his mid-20s. He was deported a year later, but soon returned to his wife and baby in Carthage. They bought a modest house in which they raised three children, now ages 11 to 21. He organized the first Spanish Masses at St. Anne. In addition to being a lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and youth minister, Lopez was the head of the St. Anne “directiva,” a pastoral advisory board that looked after the needs of the Latino community. He spent four years studying for certification in Hispan– Continued on page 16 –

INSIDE THIS WEEK

Diaconate Application process for program begins soon.

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Happy 75th 11 St. Dominic Health Services celebrates 75 years.

Youth 14 Photos of youth activity around the diocese.

APRIL 30, 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

Calendar of events SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

GRAND COTEAU, La. Our Lady of the Oaks, Ladies Annual Retreat, Dec. 2-5 for ladies of the Natchez area. Would you like to grow closer to God? Do you need some time away to listen to Him, to grow, to rest? Experience the natural beauty of oak trees and the beautiful setting of nature. You are invited to join us to rest in the care of the Lord in silence, solitude, deep prayer and reflection. $50 deposit due as soon as possible to hold room as they fill up quickly. Details: Please contact Kot Morris at (601) 334-8339. NEW ORLEANS Our Lady of the Cenacle Retreat Center, Women’s Retreat, “Blessed are the Peacemakers,” April 30 – May 2. Preventing and Resolving Conflicts from our Christian Faith Perspective Jesus preached and lived love, forgiveness, peace and unity. In this retreat we will be offered a deeper understanding of and commitment to Christian peacemaking as well as practical and effective human relationship skills to prevent and resolve conflicts. Presenter: Father Doug Doussan, who is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and is serving as Chaplain of the Archdiocesan Retreat Center. He has given countless training workshops locally and nationally in inclusive parish organization, lay leadership formation, and consensus decision making. The retreat center’s capacity is limited due to COVID-19 and they are currently accepting registration on a first come first serve basis. A non-refundable deposit is required. Details: to register, contact the retreat office at (504) 2679604 or www.neworleansretreats.org/retreats. MOBILE, Ala. Spring Hill College, Summer Institute of Christian Spiritualty is offering courses that are appropriate with our current world situation. Those interested do not have to be enrolled in their Theology programs to take courses either for credit, audit, or easy listening. They offer both in person and virtual courses, as well as on-campus housing. One of the courses is “Black and Catholic, Faithful and Free” on Sister Thea Bowman and M. Shawn Copeland, on June 14-17, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (also available online). Emily Reimer-Barry, Ph.D. is the guest lecturer. It will explore the Black Catholic experience in America, with the goal of recognizing the impact

FEATURED PHOTO

of bias, and fostering genuine-if-imperfect-solidarity in the ongoing struggle for racial justice. Details: Visit the online catalogue at: https://springhill.catalog.instructure. com/browse/sics.

PARISH, FAMILY AND SCHOOL EVENTS

CLARKSDALE Catholic Community of St. Elizabeth, Intercessory Prayer Group meets in the meeting room on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. All are invited to come and pray and praise God. You can write prayer requests and place in the prayer boxes at church. Details: church office (662) 624-4301. NATCHEZ Cathedral School, Save the Date, 27th Annual Crawfish Countdown, Friday, May 7 from 6-10 p.m. Join them for crawfish, jambalaya, cold beverages, and a chance to win $5,000! Live music from the band Parish County Line. Details: school office (602) 4421988. JACKSON Catholic Charities Run Foster Run, 5K Run, Walk. Event kicks off with a children’s 1 mile fun run at 5:30 pm, followed by a 5K sunset run/walk at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 6. It will take place at the Township at Colony Park, Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland. All race participants receive a t-shirt, swag bag, and a free drink ticket (age 21 or over). There will be music, libations and fun. This is a dog-friendly race. All proceeds will benefit the foster care programs of Catholic Charities. Details: Michael Thomas at michael.thomas@ccjackson.org or (601) 331-1152. St. Richard, Bereavement Support Group, Thursday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. in Foley Hall. This group is for those who are hurting from the loss of a loved one or for those who are trying to comfort and understand the grief of a family member or friend, no matter how long ago the loss. All are invited. Details: Nancy McGhee at (601) 942-2078 or ncmcghee@bellsouth.net.

office (601) 833-1799 MADISON St. Anthony School is currently enrolling new students for the 2021-22 school year. St. Anthony serves children in Pre-K3 to 6th grade. Several classes are nearing capacity, so please make plans to visit us today. Details: For more information or to schedule a tour, please call (601) 607-7054 or go to www.stanthonyeagles.org. St. Francis of Assisi, Senior Recognition Mass for all high school seniors on Sunday, May 16 at 5 p.m. Be sure to complete the senior profile sent through Flocknote. Details: church office (601) 856-5556. St. Joseph School, Now enrolling students for the 2021-22 school year, grades 7-12. Details: contact Tricia Harris, Advancement Director at (601) 898-4803, tharris@stjoebruins.com or www.stjoebruins.com. SOUTHAVEN Sacred Heart School, recognized by Today’s Catholic Teacher as one of three most innovative Catholic Identity Schools in the U.S., provides a small, close knit family atmosphere with students representing 25 different countries. They are now accepting applications for the 2021-22 school year. Details: (662) 3490900 or bmartin@shsm.org.

YOUTH BRIEFS

BROOKHAVEN St. Francis, Faith Formation meets Wednesday, May 5 from 6-7 p.m. with a meal beforehand at 5:30 p.m. We will continue to follow diocese guidelines. Face masks must be worn. Details: church

Parish ladies retreat ...

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JACKSON – On Saturday, March 6, the ladies of St. Therese Jackson’s Catholic Women’s Association held their 39th annual retreat in the parish hall. Instead of a weekend away, the retreat consisted of one day for a four-hour period. This year the retreat theme was “Born to Build Bridges,” led by Father Alexis Zuniga Velasquez, ST. (Photo by Phyllis Mokry)

Jackson Flowood R dgeland Pearl Cl nton V cksburg Tupelo Columbus Laurel Oxford Hatt esburg

let there be light

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC APRIL 30, 2021

Let us shepherd with His mind and heart BY BISHOP JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D.

Last weekend throughout the Catholic world marked Good Shepherd Sunday at the turning point in the Easter Season. The 23rd psalm is one of the beloved pieces in the psalter in praise of God’s shepherding of his people. Jesus embraced this image as the cornerstone to portray his mission in our world. In fact, the earliest surviving fresco of Jesus was discovered in the catacombs in the 2nd century depicting the Lord as the Good Shepherd. In last Sunday’s Gospel from John the Lord proclaimed: “I am the Good Shepherd. A Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired hand, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the Good Shepherd and I know mine and mine know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:11-15) As the Lord shepherds us, He commands that we shepherd with His mind and heart, washing one another’s feet (13, 1ff) and loving one another. (13:34) This standard, first and foremost, is intended for his disciples in all walks of life, but it can be a cornerstone for all who exercise authority, in the home, in society on every level,

and, of course, in the church. Within most groups of people we know there are good shepherds; there are hired hands, and there are wolves. This is true of the clergy, police officers, teachers, parents, healthcare workers, etc. Many genuinely care and lay down their lives for the sheep. Others are working for the paycheck or biding their time, and some are wolves. Consider the tragic events surrounding the death of George Floyd at the hands of Derrick Chauvin and other officers. They have degraded the badge and the reputation of many in law enforcement who are good shepherds. One reporter opined that there was a look of indifference on the face of former officer Chauvin, devoid of empathy or remorse. Pope Francis often rails against the pernicious virus of indifference. “Amid a culture of indifference which not infrequently turns ruthless, our style of life should be devout, filled with empathy and mercy.” All who lay down their lives to protect the citizenry from the criminal element who have no regard for life or decency, are owed a debt of gratitude. Those in law enforcement who are just collecting a check and biding time must see the urgency of becoming good shepherds. Those who are wolves must be removed. From the title of Pope Francis’ latest Apostolic Exhortation, Fraternity and Social Friendship, a conversion of mind and heart that breaks down the walls of racism, and indifference to the plight of people’s suffering is humankind’s best hope. There are parallels in the ranks of the clergy and in every profession. In the sexual abuse

Pastoreemos con su mente y corazón POR OBISPO JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D.

El pasado fin de semana marcó el Domingo del Buen Pastor, para todo el mundo católico, en el punto de inflexión de la temporada de Pascua. El salmo 23 es una de las piezas amadas del salterio en alabanza del pastoreo de Dios a su pueblo. Jesús abrazó esta imagen como piedra angular para reflejar su misión en nuestro mundo. De hecho, el fresco más antiguo de Jesús que se conserva se descubrió en las catacumbas en el siglo II y representa al Señor como el Buen Pastor. En el Evangelio de Juan del domingo pasado, el Señor proclamó: “Yo soy el buen pastor. El buen pastor da su vida por las ovejas; pero el que trabaja solamente por la paga, cuando ve venir al lobo deja las ovejas y huye, porque no es el pastor y porque las ovejas no son suyas. Y el lobo ataca a las ovejas y las dispersa en todas direcciones. Ese hombre huye porque lo único que le importa es la paga, y no las ovejas. Yo soy el buen pastor. Así como mi Padre me conoce a mí y yo conozco a mi Padre, así también yo conozco a mis ovejas y ellas me conocen a mí. Yo doy mi vida por las ovejas.” (Juan 10: 11-15) Volume 67 Number 10 (ISSN 1529-1693)

P.O. Box 2130 Jackson, MS 39225-2130 Phone: 601-969-3581 E-mail: editor@jacksondiocese.org Publisher ........................................................................................... Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz Communications Director ...................................................................... Joanna Puddister King Production Manager ...................................................................................................Tereza Ma Contributors ......................................................................................................... Berta Mexidor ............................................................................................................ Cindy Wood MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC 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

crisis in the church it became apparent that there were wolves among the many good shepherds. The good news is that this hidden corruption has been brought into the light of the Gospel and the demands of justice, and genuine conversion and change are transforming the church. The Good Shepherds continue to serve well. Those who may feel like hired hands working for a paycheck are called to stir into a flame the gift they received at ordination. All known wolves are removed. During this year of St. Joseph we recall the words of Pope Francis who describes the foster father of Jesus’ assent to the Angel Gabriel as a total gift of self in service to Mary, his betrothed, to the Christ child, and to God’s plan of salvation. This silent saint is an outstanding model of a good shepherd. The Christ child was the Good Shepherd who laid down his life as pure gift for the salvation of the world. In turn, we are God’s children now and the gift of self finds its source in our identity as God’s sons and daughters, members of his Son’s body and temples of the Holy Spirit. This is the cornerstone over and against pervasive violence, hatred and indifference. May the words of the 23rd psalm resonate in our minds and hearts: “The Lord is my Shepherd there is nothing I shall want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose ... He prepares a table before me; he anoints my head with oil, my cup overflows. Only goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall live dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” “El Señor es mi pastor;nada me falta. En verdes praderas me hace descansar, a las aguas tranquilas me conduce, me da nuevas fuerzas y me lleva por caminos rectos, haciendo honor a su nombre. Aunque pase por el más oscuro de los valles, no temeré peligro alguno, porque tú, Señor, estás conmigo; tu vara y tu bastón me inspiran confianza. Me has preparado un banquete ante los ojos de mis enemigos; has vertido perfume en mi cabeza, y has llenado mi copa a rebosar. Tu bondad y tu amor me acompañan a lo largo de mis días, y en tu casa, oh, Señor, por siempre viviré.”

A medida que el Señor nos pastorea, nos manda que pastoreemos con su mente y corazón, lavándonos los pies unos a otros (Juan 13, 1-20) y amándonos unos a otros. (Juan 13:34) Este estándar está destinado, ante todo, a sus discípulos, en todos los ámbitos de la vida, pero puede ser una piedra angular para todos los que ejercen una autoridad, en el hogar, en todos los niveles de la sociedad y, por supuesto, en la iglesia. Dentro de la mayoría de los grupos de personas, sabemos que hay buenos pastores; hay jornaleros y hay lobos. Esto es cierto para el clero, los oficiales de policía, los maestros, los padres, los trabajadores de la salud, etc. Muchos se ocupan genuinamente y dan su vida por las ovejas. Otros están trabajando por el cheque de pago o esperando un momento oportuno y algunos son lobos. – Continúa en la pág. 11 –

BISHOP’S SCHEDULE Wednesday, May 5, 6 p.m. – Confirmation Mass, St. Joseph, Starkville Thursday, May 6, 5:30 p.m. – Catholic Charities Run Foster Run 5k, The Township, Ridgeland Saturday, May 8, 9 a.m. – Birthright of Jackson’s Mom’s Day 5k, St. Richard parish, Jackson Friday, May 14, 10 a.m. – Ribbon cutting and dedication, Vicksburg Early Learning Center All events are subject to change. Please check with local parishes or schools for further details.

APRIL 30, 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

4 VOCATIONS CALLED BY NAME The following is an excerpt from Father Nick’s homily on Good Shepherd Sunday. April 25 was also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations in the church. You can listen to the whole homily by subscribing to The Discerning Catholic Podcast on iTunes or Spotify. If you are interested in learning more about discernment, log onto www.jacksonpriests.com for more information.

© 2019/www.nbccongress.org

Shepherds, in the words of Jesus, are not hired men, but they are called forth by the Chief Shepherd to lead the flock. Jesus calls forth shepherds, not hired men, to be His priests. He is the Good Shepherd because he lays down his life for his sheep, and he lays down his life for his sheep because his only concern is doing the will of God and not the will of men. The opinion of men slowly turns against Jesus throughout his public ministry, but his fidelity to the Truth remains steadfast. He refuses to allow fear of retribution or rejection stop him from being the leader that the Father asks him to be. And yes, this costs him his life. The Good Shepherd then, is good insofar as he does what he is called to do by God. As priests our Chief Shepherd is Jesus Christ. We follow his lead. Being a priest is not being hired to do a job. It is having your soul conformed to the heart of the Good Shepherd. The way that I think about life has completely changed. And while I fail over and over again to live up to the standard set by the Chief Shepherd, he mercifully calls me back into the fight each time I ask back in. When we were first understanding the gravity of the pandemic, one of my first priestly thoughts was, “how are we going to get into the hospitals?” Some of my other thoughts were, “I’m terrified of going into the hospitals,” “I’m terrified of the way this is going to change the way we celebrate Mass and attend Mass,” and “how long is this going to go on?” As a priest I had to figure out how to shepherd the sheep God had entrusted to me. And there were many heroic examples throughout the world and in my own circles. A few of my friends in a nearby dio-

cese were assigned by their bishop to be the COVID team. They figured out a safe way to anoint Catholics in the hospital, and so they were assigned to cover all the parishioners in the COVID ICUs throughout the diocese. They helped me to develop a strategy to anoint when I needed to go provide the sacrament during that time of fear and confusion. Celebrating Mass alone in front of a streaming iPhone was completely bizarre at first. And yet because I knew that this was the best way to shepherd those entrusted to me, I did it. I think it is amazing how quickly the church figured out technology because we had to. Many of our local priests have become extremely familiar with the technological landscape because this is what was being called forth out of them through their identification as the Good Shepherd. Good Shepherds do not fit in with the times but joyfully, bravely, and clearly guide their sheep. Church teachings are not always popular, in fact they are most often unpopular. But are better off now as a culture who has largely rejected God? Are we closer to truth? Are we closer to peace amongst ourselves? God calls forth shepherds after his own heart. Jesus was after the heart of the Father, his will and the Father’s will were in sync. This is how priests must operate. They must be rooted in prayer and relationship with their heavenly Father so that they can be Christ’s voice in the world. Sadly, this is not always the case, for myself included, but this is a wonderful call that can transform you in ways that you never thought possible. The church has a Good Shepherd: Jesus Christ. But Christ calls forth shepherds after His own heart to serve His flock and to bring more into the fold. Pray for your priests, that they remain faithful to this call and have the strength to minister through their identity as priests of Jesus Christ, and that they reject the lie that they are simply hired men who have a finite skill set. Pray that your priests seek only after the will of the Father, and not after worldly success, acclaim, or acceptance. And pray for more young men to come forward, because they have heard the urgent call for more shepherds and they want to save souls, and they too want to be Good Shepherds, who lay down their life for God’s people. – Father Nick Adam

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Spirituality 5

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC APRIL 30, 2021

Taking tension out of the community IN EXILE By Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI

Whatever energy we don’t transform, we will transmit. That’s a phrase I first heard from Richard Rohr and it names a central challenge for all mature adults. Here’s its Christian expression. Central to our understanding of how we are saved by Jesus is a truth expressed by the phrase: Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. How are we saved through Jesus’ suffering? Obviously, that’s a metaphor. Jesus is not a sheep, so we need to tease out the reality beneath the metaphor. What prompted the first generation of Christians to use the image of a suffering sheep to explain what Jesus did for us, and how does Jesus’ suffering take away our sins? Was there a debt for sin which only God’s own suffering could cancel? Was the forgiveness of our sins some kind of private, divine transaction between God and Jesus? These questions have no easy answer, but this much must be said: while some of this is mystery, none of it is magic. Admittedly, there’s mystery here, something that lies beyond what we can adequately explain by rational thought, but there’s no magic here. The deep truths that lie somewhat beyond our rational capacities do not negate our rationality; they only supersede it, analogous to the way that Einstein’s theory of relativity dwarfs grade school mathematics. Thus, allowing for some mystery, what can we tease out of the metaphor that presents Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world? Moreover, what’s the challenge for us? Here’s the historical background to this image. At the time of Jesus, within Judaism, there were a number of atonement (reconciliation) ritual practices around lambs. Some lambs were slaughtered in the temple as offering to God for our sins, and some others were employed as “scapegoat” lambs. The scapegoat lamb ritual worked this way. A community would gather with the intention of participating in a ritual to ease the tensions that existed among them because of their weaknesses and sin. They would symbolically invest their tensions, their sins, on to the lamb (which was to become their scapegoat) with two symbols: a crown of thorns pushed into the lamb’s head (making it feel their pain) and a purple drape over the lamb’s back (symbolizing its corporate responsibility to carry this for them all). They would then chase the lamb out of the temple and out of town, banishing it to die in the wilderness. The idea was that by investing the lamb with their pain and sin and banishing it forever from their community, their pain and sin were also taken away, banished to die with this lamb. It is easy to see how they could easily transfer this image to Jesus after his death. Looking at the love that Jesus showed in his suffering and death, the first generation of Christians made this identification. Jesus is our scapegoat, our lamb. We laid our pain and sin on him and drove him out of our community to die. Our sin left with him. Except, except, they did not understand this as some magical act where God forgave us because Jesus died. No. Their sins were not taken away because Jesus somehow appeased his Father. They were taken away because Jesus absorbed and transformed them, akin to the way a water purifier takes the dirt, toxins, and poisons out of the water by absorbing them. A water purifier works this way. It takes in water contaminated with dirt, impurities, and poisons, but it

holds those toxins inside itself and gives out only the purified water. So too with Jesus. He took in hatred, held it inside, transformed it, and gave back only love. He took in bitterness and gave back graciousness; curses and gave back blessing; jealousy and gave back affirmation; murder and gave back forgiveness. Indeed, he took in all the things that are the source of tension within a community (our sins), held them within and gave back only peace. Thus, he took away our sins, not through divine magic, but by absorbing them, by eating them, by being our scapegoat. Moreover, what Jesus did, as Kierkegaard so wonderfully says, is not something we should admire; it’s something we need to imitate. N.T. Wright, in his recent book Broken Signposts, sums up the challenge this way:

“Whether we understand it or not – whether we like it or not, which most of us don’t and won’t – what love has to do is not only to face misunderstanding, hostility, suspicion, plotting, and finally violence and murder, but somehow, through that whole horrid business, to draw the fire of ultimate evil onto itself and to exhaust its power. ... Because it is love that takes the worst that evil can do and, absorbing it, defeats it.” Whatever we don’t transform, we will transmit. There’s a profound truth here regarding how we need to help take tension out of our families, communities, churches, and societies. (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

Pope calls for monthlong global prayer marathon for end of pandemic By Cindy Wooden

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis has called for a global prayer marathon for the entire month of May, praying for the end to the pandemic. “The initiative will involve in a special way all shrines in the world” in promoting the initiative so that individuals, families and communities all take part in reciting the rosary, “to pray for the end of the pandemic,” said the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization in a press release April 21. “It is the heartfelt desire of the Holy Father that the month of May be dedicated to a prayer marathon dedicated to the theme, ‘from the entire church an unceasing prayer rises to God,’” it said.

The theme refers to the miraculous event recounted in the Acts of the Apostles (12:1-12) when all the church prayed for Peter, who was imprisoned until God sent an angel to free him, illustrating how the Christian community comes together to pray in the face of danger and how the Lord listens and performs an unexpected miracle. Each day in May, there will be a livestream from one of 30 chosen Marian shrines or sanctuaries to guide the prayer at 6 p.m. Rome time (11 a.m. CST) on all Vatican media platforms. The pope will open the monthlong prayer May 1 and conclude it May 31, the council said.

Pope Francis prays as he leads his general audience in the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican April 21, 2021. Continuing his series of talks on prayer, the pope reflected on the importance of speaking the words of prayers out loud rather than seeing prayer just as a mental exercise or form of meditation. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

APRIL 30, 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

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' ... All of us are part of the solution to prevent child abuse ...' – Continued from page 1 –

gy, religious, employees and volunteers having contact with children and young people are required to participate in ongoing training. The safe environment monthly bulletins provide adults the education and prevention information they need to keep our children safe. Bishop Kopacz says that the monthly bulletins are helpful in learning about the changing landscape of threats to children, especially due to our "mushrooming digital world." Bishop Kopacz brought the idea of using VIRTUS to the diocese in 2014 soon after being ordained and installed as the 11th bishop of Jackson. "The Diocese of Scranton, where I was a priest for 36 and a half years, incorporated the VIRTUS Safe Environment program soon after the Dallas Charter and norms were promulgated for the Catholic Church in the United States. At that time, I served as Vicar for Priests and pastor, and it was opportune for me to become a trainer in order to promote this excellent program throughout the diocese. It was evident to the leadership in the Diocese of Scranton, ordained and lay, that the VIRTUS package was excellent for fostering and maintaining safe environments in service to our children and young people, and their families," said Bishop Kopacz. The diocese also uses VIRTUS for safety training geared to children, that includes material that is developmentally appropriate for each age group and includes content and activities that reinforce the message. Some of the topics include what to do and how to react when someone’s touch is confusing, scary, or makes the child feel uncomfortable; learning about personal boundaries and giving the self-assurance needed to speak up; learning about who to tell when something or someone makes them feel uncomfortable or confused; and how to recognize grooming by an abuser. On June 16, the diocese will be holding a “train the trainer” workshop with VIRTUS executive director, Pat Neal. "With the upcoming workshop, we JACKSON – Safe environment coordinator, Vickie Carollo speaks outside the Cathelook forward to reviewing with facilitators the most notable updates within dral of St. Peter the Apostle on March 19, 2019, when the diocese released their list the latest 4.0 version of the Protecting God's Children program for an ease of those credibly accused of child sexual abuse. (Photo from archives) of transition in facilitating the material during awareness sessions," says Neal. "The most fundamental update throughout the 4.0 program is an overall focus to relay the essential concept of hope that all of us work for in our various positions – that hope is an element of child protection, that healing for survivors is possible, and that all of us are part of the solution to prevent child abuse. An always-present goal of the Protecting God's Children program is to provide every organization with the tools needed to prevent abuse, respond appropriately if it does occur, and, in this latest version, review boundaries and how to address inappropriate behavior before it can escalate." This latest version maintains the core message of teaching caring adults about the The Diocese of Jackson is committed to ensuring that no one being served context and prevalence of child sexual abuse, as well as equipping caring adults to by the church be (is) at risk of sexual abuse or exploitation by clergy, relifollow five research-based steps to protect the vulnerable in any environment. The gious or lay church personnel. The spiritual well-being of all the victims, steps have been revitalized with clearer messaging and easy to follow protocol for their families and others in the community is of particular concern to the any caring adults. The steps are: know the warning signs of adults; screen and select church. In accordance with our policy, all victims are offered counseling employees and volunteers; monitor all environments, including activities involving technology; be aware of children and youth; and communicate your concerns. and pastoral care. Now, seven years after bringing VIRTUS to the diocese, Bishop Kopacz said "We Anyone who has been a victim of abuse or exploitation by clergy, relican say unreservedly that our decision to transition to the VIRTUS program has been of great benefit to our diocese. It is the cornerstone for our commitment to gious or lay church personnel and has not yet reported it is encouraged maintain safe environments for our children and young people." to do so. Our victim assistance coordinator, Erika Rojas, a licensed social Additionally, the Protection of Children program at the diocese goes through an worker, is available to assist in making a report. Please contact her at 601onsite audit process every three years, of which the diocese has been in compliance 326-3760. with every year. Along with the program and audits, Carollo also travels to parishes and schools For more information about diocesan policies and procedures and to monitoring their programs and loves to share how powerful the program is at prolearn what the diocese is doing to create a safe environment for everyone, tecting God's children. "Child abuse is certainly a challenging topic to address but we keep in mind that providing education and safe environment education to our adults please visit the diocesan website at www.jacksondiocese.org and click on and children – if we can save one child from a horrific incident, we are certainly do“Protection of Children.” ing our job. It is a collaborative effort in our churches and in our schools in providing a safe environment for all of our children," says Carollo. To report an allegation of abuse or mishandling of allegations of sexual Before long, Carollo will cease her traveling and monitoring of the program as abuse by a bishop, please visit https://reportbishopabuse.org. she will retire in June after working with the diocese as the safe environment coordinator since 2003. When asked why, Carollo said, "It is just time. I am convinced that the Protection of Children program is in good hands. Everyone has strengthened my faith through their work to provide a safe environment for our children. We all play a part in the eradication of child sexual abuse."

Protection of

CHILDREN

+Joseph R. Kopacz D.D., Ph.D. Bishop of Jackson

(If you suspect abuse or are a victim of abuse, please call victim assistance coordinator, Erika Rojas, who is here to assist in making a report. Contact her at (601) 3263760. Additional information regarding how the Diocese of Jackson addresses child abuse may be found at https://jacksondiocese.org/offices/child-protection.)

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC APRIL 30, 2021

WORLD 7

Accountability, transparency, due process still needed, abuse experts say By Carol Glatz

ROME (CNS) – To help foster a wider discussion on work that still must be done to safeguard minors and vulnerable people in the Catholic Church, a canon law journal published a series of talks by experts regarding accountability, transparency and confidentiality in the handling of abuse allegations. The talks were part of a seminar in December 2019 sponsored by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors to address the topics as well as the seal of confession and the pontifical secret. The “Periodica” journal of the faculty of canon law at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University published the talks at the end of 2020. Among the suggestions for improvements, Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna, adjunct secretary of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said more could be done in supporting the rights of victims. Pope Francis’ “Vos estis lux mundi” provides for the first time “a universal law that states that the victim has a right to be advised of the outcome of the investigation” concerning crimes allegedly committed by Carmel Rafferty and Ian Liwther protest clergy sexual abuse outside St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney in this July 18, people in leadership, he wrote. But “I would suggest that we also use 2008, file photo. Safeguarding experts have published proposals in the “Periodica” faculty canon law journal of the this law by analogy for all other situations” Pontifical Gregorian University to help foster more analysis and wider discussion on work still needed to safeguard by giving the same right to victims of peo- minors and vulnerable people in the Catholic Church. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) ple who are not just leaders but are memamong the faithful about the bishops’ handling of complaints of misconduct.” bers of the clergy or of religious orders, he wrote. Jesuit Father Damián Astigueta, professor of canon law at the Gregorian University, Another suggestion, he said, is to appoint “a safeguarding officer or other suitable wrote that transparency does not mean universal or public access to sensitive or confiperson that keeps contact with the victim and informs the victim of the progress of the dential information, but it is sharing information with those who have a right to see it. procedures,” including the outcomes of investigations, trials or extrajudicial processes, Total and inappropriate public disclosure of certain information is often driven by a especially now that the “pontifical secret” has been removed. sense of guilt and a hope that “selling” a better image of the church will bring credibilArchbishop Scicluna said there should be a “procurator for the person aggrieved,” ity, he said. The focus should be on justice for the entire community of faithful, fidelity that is, a person designated to represent the victim in the church’s penal processes and to the Gospel value of truth and on professionalism rather than on what people think. share information with the victim. Authorities in charge of investigating and acting on accusations must seek the truth Father John P. Beal, professor of canon law at the Catholic University of America and follow the principles of real justice, which guarantees due process, the right of in Washington, D.C., said in his talk that past abuse scandals in the U.S. showed “how defense and presumption of innocence for the accused, he said. lack of transparency in church governance allowed these lapses in accountability to go Neville Owen, a retired supreme court judge from western Australia and a member unrecognized and unaddressed for decades.” of the Pontifical ComRestoring a sense of legitimacy to ecclesial governance will be ineffective, he wrote, mission for the ProThe Diocese of Jackson has launched “as long as the church’s accountability structures are judged inadequate by the faithful, tection of Minors, said a third-party reporting system that will and they will continue to be judged inadequate as long as they remain almost totally equality before the law lacking in transparency.” enable all diocesan employees, volunand the right to a fair The “almost total lack of transparency that enshrouds the canonical penal process” teers and parishioners to anonymously trial would be better and the administrative penal process, he said, makes it difficult to know if the accused (or named if preferred) make reports. Exguaranteed by providand victims have been dealt with fairly. ing the reasons for how amples of this activity include fraud, misThis absence of transparency “is often justified by concern for the reputations of a case was decided. conduct, safety violations, harassment or the accused and the victim. While there may be good reason to withhold from the Providing reasons public record the names of accusers and victims of sexual abuse, especially if they are substance abuse occurring at a Catholic for a decision is part still minors,” the name of those found guilty of abuse should be made public, he wrote. parish, Catholic school or at the diocesan of fairness, due process Clear and public procedures would also help restore the reputation of those who level. and justice, he said. It have been wrongly accused instead of letting rumors fill the vacuum when investigawould let the parties The system is operated by Lighthouse tions are not transparent or conclusive, he added. know why they have Services. Based in Deerfield, Illinois, Light“We in the United States have learned with much pain that efforts to ‘hush up’ won or lost; let them unpleasant ecclesiastical business will ultimately fail,” Father Beal wrote. house Services maintains ethics, safety see whether their arguThe pope’s removal of the “pontifical secret” in cases involving the sexual abuse of and fraud hotlines for over 4,100 organiments were understood minors by clerics allows bishops and other church authorities to provide “timely inforzations between the U.S. and abroad. and accepted; facilitate mation to victims and affected communities of the faithful about the status, progress accountability because and outcomes of cases, while maintaining due confidentiality about matters that might To make a report visit www.lighthouse-serdecisions could be scrujeopardize reputations or the progress of process,” he wrote. vices.com/jacksondiocese or call 888tinized; and help build Nevertheless, he wrote, more robust accountability for how diocesan bishops and a basis upon which sim830-0004 (English) or 800-216-1288 other church authorities handle abuse cases “is still almost exclusively vertical, toward ilar cases will be decid(Spanish). higher authorities, and not downward to the faithful.” ed in the future. Until accountability is complemented by “a serious commitment to transparency on the part of all involved, they will do little to dispel the pervasive anger and cynicism

APRIL 30, 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

8 DIOCESE

Permanent diaconate to begin application process By Deacon John McGregor

JACKSON – Do you think that God might be calling you to be a permanent deacon? Do you see yourself as an ordained minister in the church, called to the functions of Word, Sacrament, and Charity? As ministers of Word, deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach, and teach in the name of the church. As ministers of Sacrament, deacons baptize, lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriages, and conduct wake and funeral services. As ministers of Charity, deacons are leaders in identifying the needs of others, then marshaling the church's resources to meet those needs. Deacons are also dedicated to eliminating the injustices or inequities that cause such needs. But no matter what specific functions a deacon performs, they flow from his sacramental identity. In other words, it is not only WHAT a deacon does, but WHO a deacon is, that is important. Bishop Joseph Kopacz has given his permission to begin the application process for a new cohort of permanent deacons for the Diocese of Jackson. Applicants will only be accepted into the program if there is evidence that the community needs the service of the applicant and is willing to support the applicant through his formation period. The local pastor’s recommendation is also necessary because he will be working closely with the applicant before and after ordination. The applicant’s wife must also give her consent to his participation in the program and later to his ordination. The screening process includes the following elements: • The applicant must be at least 35 years of age at the time of ordination. Bishop Kopacz may waive the upper age limit at his discretion. • A letter of recommendation from the local pastor or LEM stating impressions about the applicant’s service in community and potential as a deacon is required. Ad-

ditionally, the pastor or LEM and Sacramental Minister must complete his/her part of the deacon’s application. • Psychological testing will be conducted by a licensed psychologist to help determine emotional health and stability of both the applicant and his wife. • A series of interviews with the applicant and his wife will be conducted once the completed application has been received at the Office of the Permanent Diaconate. A final interview with the applicant only will be conducted by the Deacon Advisory Board. The purpose of these interviews will be to Deacon John determine the attitudes of the applicant and his wife about the McGregor church, pastoral care, and program requirements. • After the interview has been completed, the Director of the Diaconate Program will forward to the diocesan bishop a recommendation to accept or reject the application of the applicant for admission to study for the diaconate. The diocesan bishop has the final authority as to who will be accepted. Applications must be completed and submitted to the Office of the Permanent Diaconate no later than July 31, 2021. If you are interested in learning more about the permanent diaconate, contact Deacon John McGregor at john.mcgregor@jacksondiocese.org. (Deacon John McGregor is the Director for the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Jackson.)

"I am the Good Shepherd" By Father Clement "Clem" Olukunle Oyafemi

JACKSON – There was a man named “Kokumo,” who lived for 99 years and died. He was not able to receive the “Last Sacrament” because the only priest serving his 4,500 member parish was in the hospital for a surgery at the time of his death. “Kokumo” gets to heaven and complains to God saying, “God, there are so many problems in the world; sickness, conflicts, catastrophes, and even in the church, there are so many believers with no priest to serve them. What are you doing about that?” God smiles and says to him, “My son, I did something.” What did you do?” the man says. God responds to him, “I created you!” April 25 was been desFather Clem Oyafemi ignated as “World Day of Prayer for the priesthood and religious life.” In many parts of the world today is also called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The Universal Church encourages us to “pray to the Lord of the “harvest” to send laborers into his harvest.” (cf Matthew 9:38) In today’s gospel passage Jesus presents to us a teaching about himself using the image of shepherd, “I am the good shepherd and I know mine, and mine know me” (John 10:14). The whole Gospel of St. John gives us a summary of the Paschal Mystery, which we celebrate at this holy season. It alludes to the suffering servant of God sacrificing his life for others (cf Isaiah 53:1-12). What is the significance of this message? What challenge does it give us today? The image of the shepherd manifests the various aspects of the person of Jesus. The role of a shepherd is multiple; the shepherd seeks out the lost sheep, cares tenderly the wounded sheep, protects the sheep at the cost of his/her own life and feeds them. What does that mean for us as a church? Jesus is the real, authentic, ideal, perfect, or Good Shepherd, and we are his flock, or sheep. He teaches, sanctifies, and governs us. He cares for us and guides us always. There is a hierarchy of “shepherds.” In the

family, parents are the shepherds; in the Church, priests; and in the diocese, the bishop: in the Universal Church, the pope is the shepherd. Every family is a “domestic church” and the parents have the duty to teach, sanctify, and govern their children. If parents, who are shepherds in the family, fail in their Christian duties, it will have an adverse effect on the entire church and society. Today’s gospel passage challenges us, especially parents, to see ourselves as shepherds for our families. We need to pay more attention, not only to the material, but more seriously to the spiritual and moral needs of our children. We as parents need to sacrifice whatever it takes to care for our children. In carrying out the task of shepherding/parenting, Jesus is the only ideal and model for us to follow. Shepherding is a calling (vocation) but not a job. It is a vocation, which demands nothing less than the sacrifice of one’s life for others. Today’s world however does not seem to celebrate a life of sacrifice. And that is why we have very few shepherds both in the domestic and the community churches. Hence, today’s liturgy enjoins us to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Let us all also pray for those who have already been called as shepherds on domestic and community levels that they may serve faithfully, following the example of Jesus who is the perfect, ideal and Good Shepherd. Today’s church needs shepherds just like Jesus, who lay down his life for his flock. Preaching on the pulpit alone would not do it. We need to start talking about vocation to the priesthood and religious life at dinner tables. We need to pray that God may choose from our families to answer this special calling. I have been to some parishes where people complain so much about not having enough attention from the priest. But this priest is only one person and has 3,500

or 4,000 members to shepherd! At times, the question is about shortage of priests. We need three priests in this parish, but the bishop only gave us one. My question is “What are you doing about it?” complaining, criticizing, etc.? That would not help the church at all. We need to pray for vocations, and also encourage our kids to consider giving their lives to God to serve as priests. There is no substitute for parents in the family. Similarly, there is no substitute for the priesthood in the church. Let us pray that parents may sacrifice whatever it takes to raise their children in a way that is pleasing to the living God. Let us also pray that the Lord may inspire young men and women of our time to answer the call to sacrifice their lives to serve the church as priests and religious. (Excerpt from the book Theological Reflections for Sundays and Solemnities of Liturgical Year B, 2011 by Father Clem-alias Clemente de Dios, Coordinator of the Intercultural Ministry of the Diocese since 2020. Father Clem has two master's degrees, one in theology and the other in religious education, and a BA in Philosophy. Sharing with Sister Thea a passion for the Lord and music, Father Clem founded the Rejoice Ministry of African Worship Songs -AFRAWOS- in 2002.)

MississippiCatholic.com

30 de abril de 2021

Migrante guatemalteco deja legado de fe en dos países Por ann rodGers – anGelus neWs

dre Medina en el boletín de la parroquia. California: Juanatano Cano Durante años la vida de lo inmigrantes ha Juanatano Cano, quien ministra entre los guaestado cargada de dura realidad. La comunidad temaltecos en la Arquidiócesis de Los Ángeles, de Carthage, desde el 2019, ha sufrido una serie nunca conoció a López, pero tuvo una infancia de eventos dramáticos, pero esta vez, nadie pudo paralela. Sus edades adultas divergen porque imaginar que la tragedia llegara a ser tan cruel. Cano, un consultor de desarrollo de liderazgo “La gente está en estado de shock. No pueden que está terminando su doctorado, recibió asilo creer que algo así haya sucedido,” dijo el padre y papeles de trabajo después de ingresar ilegalOdel Medina, sacerdote de los Siervos Misioneros mente a los Estados Unidos a fines de la década de la Santísima Trinidad y párroco de St. Anne. de 1980. Mississippi: Edgar López Cano atribuye sus primeras dificultades al Durante casi un cuarto de siglo, Edgar López prejuicio contra su herencia indígena. “El racisfue un pilar de la Iglesia de Santa Ana en Carmo en Guatemala es peor que en Estados Unidos. thage, Mississippi. El devoto esposo y padre de Llamar a alguien 'indio' es el peor insulto si quietres hijos pasó cuatro años estudiando el minisren humillar a alguien ”, dijo. terio pastoral para liderar mejor los grupos de Describió a los guatemaltecos indígenas como oración, el ministerio juvenil y el alcance social. Dio generosamente de su salario como mecánico CARTHAGE – Desde su llegada a la comunidad, Edgar (al centro descendientes de aquellos que sobrevivieron a la en una planta avícola local. con la cruz) estuvo involucrado en el crecimiento espiritual propio conquista española hace 500 años huyendo al El 22 de enero, sus restos carbonizados fueron y de toda la comunidad. (Foto de archivo, 2016, cortesía de la interior. Ningún gobierno ha intentado jamás integrarlos a la economía guatemalteca. encontrados con los de otras 18 personas dentro hermana María Elena Mendez, MGSpS) "No había dinero para la educación o la y alrededor de un camión baleado en la ciudad en Cartago "buscaban trabajos que los estadounidensatención médica para nosotros", dijo, "según el fronteriza mexicano-estadounidense de Camargo en Tamaulipas. López, de 49 años, un trabajador indocu- es habían rechazado durante mucho tiempo," dijo el gobierno, somos un obstáculo para la prosperidad de mentado que había sido deportado a Guatemala después padre Medina. Calificó de amarga ironía que, siete todo el país". La gente de la aldea de Cano sufría un retraso en el de una notoria redada de inmigración en 2019 en las meses después de que el gobierno deportara a cienplantas avícolas de Mississippi, había intentado regresar tos de empleados indocumentados de plantas avícolas, crecimiento física e intelectual debido a la desnutrición. fueran declarados “trabajadores esenciales” durante el "Dijeron que somos estúpidos, que no queremos aprencon su esposa, hijos y nietos en Carthage. La mayoría de los muertos tenían parientes entre la COVID-19. "Si no funcionaran, no tendrías comida en la der, que no queremos tener éxito", dijo. En 1981, se intensificó la prolongada guerra civil de creciente población de trabajadores indígenas mayas de mesa de nadie", dijo el padre Medina. López creció en el pueblo de Chicajala, donde la Guatemala. “Vi a los militares bombardear pequeños Guatemala en Carthage. Los trabajos avícolas eran arduos, sucios y peligrosos, pero pagaban más por una hora muerte por desnutrición es común. No tenía zapatos pueblos y pequeñas aldeas indias. Le dije a mi mamá: de trabajo de lo que los guatemaltecos ganarían en dos para ir a la escuela y otros estudiantes y maestros lo aco- 'Vámonos de aquí. Nos van a acabar ”, dijo Cano. saban por igual. Su respuesta, dijo el padre Medina, fue Ella no se iría. Así que en 1982, a los 13 años, se fue días en sus aldeas. La mayoría de los migrantes masacrados eran del decir: "Me gustaría ser maestro y cambiar la forma en solo a la ciudad. Allí hacía las tareas del hogar a cambio pueblo desesperadamente pobre de Comitancillo, que que enseñan a los niños". Se fue a la ciudad de Guatema- de alojamiento y comida, mientras asistía a la escuela la en su adolescencia, ingre- nocturna. Cuando su diploma de la escuela secundaria sando a los Estados Unidos a no le brindó oportunidades para avanzar, viajó en autolos 20 años. Fue deportado bús y tren a través de México, cruzando la frontera hacia un año después, pero pronto California. regresó con su esposa y su Por danny mCarthur daily “En ese momento no era tan malo como ahora”, dijo. bebé a Carthage. Compraron Se graduó de la universidad, enseñó matemáticas duJournal una casa modesta en la que rante 15 años, obtuvo su certificado de director y luego TUPELO – La Iglesia St. James, criaron a tres hijos, que aho- hizo un cambio de carrera hacia la formación de lideren Viernes Santo, honró el viaje de ra tienen entre 11 y 21 años. azgo. Es consultor del Subcomité de Asuntos Indígenas Cristo hacia la muerte en un Vía CruOrganizó las prime- Americanos de los Obispos Católicos de EE. UU. Y es cis. Decenas de espectadores asistras Misas en español en St. voluntario en la Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción, ieron al servicio donde los miembros Anne. Además de ser lector, la Iglesia de la Santa Cruz y la Iglesia La Placita en Los de la iglesia actuaron los 14 momenministro extraordinario de la Ángeles. tos claves. Sagrada Comunión y minisLos migrantes guatemaltecos de hoy traen los misEl padre César Sánchez presidió tro de la juventud, López fue mos sueños y necesidades que él, dijo. Culpa al gobierno el servicio. Mary Frances Strange y el director de la “directiva” de Guatemala por su sufrimiento. Victor Vázquez alternaron la lectura de St. Anne, una junta aseIncluso para los estándares estadounidenses, los cosde la reflexión en inglés y español resora pastoral que se ocupaba tos de la atención médica son altos en Guatemala, dijo. spectivamente, lo que relacionó cómo de las necesidades de la co- Al menos dos migrantes asesinados con López buscaban la historia de Cristo refleja la vida munidad latina. trabajo para pagar la atención médica de sus familiares: actual de muchos migrantes. Rodrigo Pasó cuatro años es- cirugía para un bebé con labio leporino y medicamentos Domínguez tocaba la guitarra y cantudiando para obtener la para una madre con diabetes. taba entre cada estación. certificación en el ministerio “Estas personas murieron porque querían ganar un El servicio animó a los asistentes hispano a través del South- poco de dinero para una cirugía que era tan básica. ¿Por a comprometerse a mostrar amor sin east Pastoral Institute en qué el gobierno guatemalteco ignora esto? ¿Por qué? importar los antecedentes y diferenMiami. Ya sea que estuviera ¿Por qué? Me enferma pensar en eso ”, dijo. José Luis Ortega, de la parroquia de cias raciales, culturales y nacionales. en un papel de liderazgo o St. James, escenifica como Jesús “Por eso la gente abandona su país. Son conscientes simplemente participando, de que es peligroso, pero asumen el riesgo, incluso sabilleva el peso de la cruz en la estación (Reproducido con permiso del Daily “siempre estuvo al servicio nueve. Journal - djournal.com) – Continúa en la pág. 2 – de los demás”, escribió el pa-

Estaciones de la Cruz

30 de abril de 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO

Edgar "... reconoció el llamado de Dios y vivió su vida bautismal con gran esperanza ..." – Viene de la pág. 1 – endo que podría ser mortal". Los contrabandistas, conocidos como "coyotes", están atrayendo a los clientes con reclamos de que la administración Biden ha abierto la frontera, dijo Cano. “Les están diciendo que vengan y Estados Unidos los aceptará y les dará un estatus legal”, dijo Cano. "Le están mintiendo a la gente". Iglesia Católica: Christopher Ljundquist La doctrina social católica llama a las naciones a regular sus fronteras de manera humana, reconociendo tanto la seguridad como el derecho humano a migrar en busca de alimentos, atención médica y seguridad, dijo Christopher Ljundquist, asesor para América Latina de la Oficina de Obispos Internacionales de EE. UU. Justicia y Paz. La Iglesia ve la inmigración como una fuente de desarrollo económico, no como un obstáculo, dijo. Sin embargo, desde aproximadamente 2010, el viaje

la migración, dijo, debe entender que "el viaje hacia el norte es peligroso, que hay asesinos en el camino que a menudo adoran literalmente a la muerte, y que los cárteles ven a los migrantes como una mercancía humana". Inmigracion: Drama y Muerte Las redadas de inmigración de agosto de 2019 que llevaron a la deportación de López fueron noticia nacional. De los casi 700 trabajadores detenidos, dos tercios permanecieron en los EE. UU. López fue deportado como un delincuente reincidente debido a su deportación anterior en la década de 1990. Pasó casi un año detenido, sobreviviendo al COVID-19 mientras atendía a los presos. “Nunca perdió la fe, incluso con esas terribles experiencias por las que había pasado”, dijo el padre Medina. “Cuando estaba en el centro de detención, me llamó y me pidió libros y rosarios para hacer un grupo de oración. Dijo que, incluso en esas circunstancias, siempre clamas a En foto de archivo de 2016, se puede ver a Edgar Lopez Dios ". (al fondo), después de recibir su certificado de manos del Mucha gente en Carthage intentó Obispo Joseph Latino (al frente), al completar un curso del ayudar a los detenidos. St. Anne's Ministerio Hispano – Southeast Pastoral Institute SEPI. organizó una clínica legal. El padre Medina acompañó a López a la corte. “Intentamos hacer todo lo posible por él, luchar por su libertad, decir que era una persona con carácter”, dijo. El juez federal llamó a López el tipo de hombre que le gustaría tener como vecino, pero dijo que la ley le ataba las manos. “Me duele el corazón ver lo que esta gran nación te está haciendo”, le dijo a López mientras ordenaba la deportación. En julio de 2020, López fue trasladado en avión a Guatemala. Mientras trabajaba Por su trabajo con la comunidad fue escogido para el lavado como voluntario en la parroquia que había de los pies en un jueves Santo construido a través de sus donaciones, añoraba a su familia. a través de México se ha vuelto mucho más mortífero “Traté de brindarle apoyo, oración y guía espiritual”, a medida que los cárteles se volvieron cada vez más dijo el padre Medina. Sin embargo, cuando el sacerdote salvajes. “Los migrantes en ruta a Estados Unidos son se fue de vacaciones a fines de diciembre, López no dijo presa perfecta de estos cárteles asesinos, que los obligan nada sobre su regreso. “Creo que quería que fuera una al contrabando, los secuestran, los extorsionan y, como sorpresa”, dijo el padre Medina. Edgar López y su esposa Sonia Cardona tuvieron hemos visto, los asesinan a sangre fría sin el menor esGuatemala. Mexico. Estados Unidos tres hijos en Estados Unidos. crúpulo”, dijo. Muchos cárteles promueven la devoción López contrató a un coyote local en quien confiaba, a una "horrible mujer parca" cuyo nombre significa dijo el padre Medina. El grupo partió el 12 de enero. a los aldeanos a buscar trabajo en otro país y la deport"Santa Muerte", dijo. Cualquiera que esté considerando Sus familias tuvieron noticias suyas por última vez el 21 ación de un hombre que había sido un querido vecino de enero. Al día siguiente, “el coyote llamó durante dos décadas. La migración no se detendrá, dijo a su familia en Guatemala y dijo que todos el padre Medina. Mientras estuvo allí, dos familias le pihabían sido asesinados”, dijo el padre Medi- dieron que bendijera a sus hijos para el viaje al norte. Eternas gracias por el servicio na. “El coyote tenía un hijo que estaba con Los hombres de la parroquia cargaron el pesado el grupo y también lo mataron”. Los investigadores mexicanos encon- ataúd sobre sus hombros para ser enterrados en la parrotraron cuerpos quemados irreconocibles quia de su pueblo en Chicajalaj, a una hora de caminata en un camión atravesado por 113 balas. La por un camino duro y montañoso. Le dijeron al padre identificación vino a través del ADN. Doce Medina que llevar el ataúd sobre sus hombros era una policías fueron arrestados por matarlos, aun- tradición para honrar a quienes habían hecho grandes que las autoridades no han identificado el contribuciones a la comunidad. “He sido testigo del entierro de un apóstol, un hommotivo. La especulación va desde una identidad errónea hasta un cartel que se niega a bre que reconoció el llamado de Dios y que vivió su vida permitir que otros muevan mercancías hu- bautismal con gran esperanza”, escribió el padre Medina a sus feligreses. “Ahora Edgar va a disfrutar de la presmanas en su territorio. Guatemala declaró tres días de duelo na- encia de Dios. Que el alma de Edgar y el alma de todos cional. El presidente de la nación se reunió sus compañeros reciban la misericordia de Dios, que descon los ataúdes cubiertos con banderas en el cansen en paz”. aeropuerto, en una ceremonia televisada en (Ann Rodgers es una periodista religiosa y escritora vivo en todo el país. El padre Medina asistió Edgar Lopez y Blanca Peralta (i-d) intercambiando opiniones en al funeral de las víctimas del Comitancillo, independiente desde hace mucho tiempo, cuyos premios los primeros días de su ministerio. (Fotos cortesía de la herma- realizado en una cancha de fútbol. Un sacer- incluyen el premio William A. Reed Lifetime Achievement dote local denunció la injusticia que obligó Award de Religion News Association.) na María Elena Mendez, MGSpS y el padre Odel Medina)

30 de abril de 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO

Agua, Espíritu y Sangre

Sus órdenes de marcha eran claras, pero envueltas en misterio. Vaya, predique un Bautismo de arrepentimiento para el perdón de los pecados y haga discípulos de todas las naciones. El Bautismo de Arrepentimiento para el perdón de los pecados es la Fuente en la Por Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D. que hemos sido lavados, nuestra alianza con Dios renovada el Domingo de Resurrec“Dios de eterna misericordia, que en el mismo momención. to de la fiesta pascual enciendes la fe del pueblo que has La alegría con la que san Agustín se dirigió a los recién bautizados en Pascua es hecho tuyo, aumenta, te rogamos, la gracia que has concefruto del Espíritu Santo y un don de la paz del Señor. “Les hablo a ustedes que acaban dido, para que todos capten y comprendan correctamente de renacer en el bautismo, mis hijitos en Cristo, ustedes que son la nueva descendencia en qué Fuente han sido lavados, por cual Espíritu han de la Iglesia, don del Padre, prueba de la fecundidad de la Madre renacido, por cuya Sangre Iglesia. Todos ustedes que están firmes en el Señor son una semilla han sido redimidos." santa, una nueva colonia de abejas, la flor misma de nuestro ministeEsta colecta de apertuEl Agua, el Espíritu y la Sangre rio y el fruto de nuestro trabajo, mi gozo y mi corona.” ra del segundo domingo son el cordón de tres hilos El Agua, el Espíritu y la Sangre son el cordón de tres hilos que de Pascua (o de la Divina que no se puede deshacer no se pueden deshacer fácilmente. La sangre, el tercer elemento, se Misericordia) es la oración fácilmente. esparció por todas partes durante la pasión del Señor y junto con profunda del sacerdote el agua fluyó del costado del salvador muerto en la cruz. En ese celebrante en nombre de momento de la divina misericordia, vemos las aguas fluidas del Bautodos los reunidos para que todos puedan captar y tismo y el Sacramento del Cuerpo y la Sangre del Señor. Por primera comprendan correctamente el misterio del plan de salvación de Dios como discípulos vez durante el tiempo pascual, el banquete eucarístico está ahora abierto a los recién bautizados en la muerte y la resurrección de Jesucristo. bautizados que pueden participar plenamente de los misterios del amor de Dios, fruto Éste es el Agua, la Sangre y el Espíritu de los que habla San Juan, elocuentemente de la plena iniciación. en su primera carta. Esta es la esperanza de la Pascua que compartió San Agustín en En la vida antes de la pandemia, leíamos sobre encuestas que revelaban que uno de sus Sermones de la Octava de Pascua. “Este es el día de la octava de tu nuevo muchos católicos ya no creen en la presencia real del Cuerpo y la Sangre del Señor nacimiento. … Cuando el Señor resucitó, se despojó de la mortalidad de la carne; su bajo la apariencia del pan y el vino. Este dogma central de nuestra fe ha sido un obstácuerpo resucitado seguía siendo el mismo cuerpo, pero ya no estaba sujeto a la muerte. culo para muchos desde el Discurso del Pan de Vida de nuestro Señor en el Evangelio Por su resurrección, El consagró el domingo como el día del Señor." de Juan. (Capítulo 6) Como católicos somos un pueblo de una tradición que se remonta a casi 2000 años Lo siguiente está tomado de las Conferencias Catequéticas de San Cirilo de Jeen la fuente de la Sagrada Escritura. Esto es evidente en el vínculo entre el Evangelio rusalén a los que están a punto de ser bautizados en el siglo IV. del Domingo de la Divina Misericordia y el Sacramento de la Confirmación ahora en “Ya que Cristo mismo ha declarado que el pan es su cuerpo, ¿quién puede tener más curso en toda la Diócesis de Jackson. El Señor crucificado y resucitado se apareció en dudas? Como él mismo ha dicho de manera bastante categórica, esta es mi sangre, ¿quién el aposento alto, con su don de paz y el soplo del Espíritu Santo, a los 11 discípulos, se atrevería a cuestionarlo y decir que no es su sangre? Por lo tanto, recibimos con total acurrucados por miedo. seguridad el pan y el vino como el cuerpo y la sangre de Cristo… No consideres entonces La Confirmación se confiere con la Invocación del Espíritu Santo sellada en el Salos elementos eucarísticos como pan y vino ordinarios. De hecho, son el cuerpo y la sangre grado Crisma, y el propio saludo del Señor, "la paz sea contigo". El Espíritu Santo está del Señor, como él mismo declaró. Lo que sea que te digan tus sentidos; sé fuerte en la fe ". trabajando incesantemente en quien hemos renacido como nuevas creaciones para Como pueblo de tradición, y por la gracia de Dios, debemos asirnos y comprenservir al plan divino de misericordia de Dios. Es un don y un misterio que reconcilia y damos correctamente la duración, el aliento, la altura y la profundidad de nuestra fe levanta a los que están bajo el yugo del pecado y la vergüenza. Pascual. “Como el Padre me envió a mí, así también yo os envío”, así instruye Jesús a sus hermanos adoptivos. Ellos, con razón, podrían haber preguntado ¿a dónde nos envías, Señor?

El Buen Pastor Por Padre Clement Olukunle Oyafemi

JACKSON – Había un hombre llamado "Kokumo", que vivió durante 99 años y murió. No pudo recibir el “Último Sacramento” porque el único sacerdote que trabajaba en su parroquia de 4500 miembros estaba en el hospital para una cirugía en el momento de su muerte. “Kokumo” llega al cielo y se queja a Dios diciendo: “Dios, hay tantos problemas en el mundo; enfermedades, conflictos, catástrofes, e incluso en la iglesia, hay tantos creyentes sin sacerdote que los sirva. ¿Qué estás haciendo al respecto? Dios sonríe y le dice: "Hijo mío, hice algo". ¿Qué hiciste?" dice el hombre. Dios le responde: "¡Yo te creé!" Este dia ha sido designado como "Día Mundial de Oración por el sacerdocio y la vida religiosa". En muchas partes del mundo al día también se le llama "Domingo del Buen Pastor". La Iglesia Universal nos anima a “rogar al Señor de la“ mies ”que envíe obreros a su mies” (cf. Mt 9, 38). En el pasaje del evangelio, Jesús nos presenta una enseñanza sobre sí mismo usando la imagen del pastor: “Yo soy el buen pastor y conozco al mío, y los míos me conocen a mí” (Jn 10:14). Todo el Evangelio de San Juan nos da un resumen del Misterio Pascual, que celebramos en este tiempo santo. Alude al siervo sufriente de Dios que sacrifica su vida por otros (cf. Isaías 53: 1-12). ¿Cuál es el significado de este mensaje? ¿Qué desafío nos presenta hoy? La imagen del pastor manifiesta los diversos aspectos de la persona de Jesús. El papel de un pastor es múltiple; el pastor busca a la oveja descarriada, cuida tiernamente

a la oveja herida, protege a la oveja a costa de su propia vida y la alimenta. ¿Qué significa eso para nosotros como Iglesia? Jesús es el verdadero, auténtico, ideal, perfecto o Buen Pastor, y nosotros somos su rebaño u oveja. Él nos enseña, santifica y gobierna. Él se preocupa por nosotros y nos guía siempre. Hay una jerarquía de “pastores”: en la familia, los padres son los pastores; en la Iglesia, sacerdotes; y en la diócesis, el obispo: en la Iglesia universal, el Papa es el pastor. Cada familia es una “iglesia doméstica” y los padres tienen el deber de enseñar, santificar y gobernar a sus hijos. Si los padres, que son pastores en la familia, fallan en sus deberes cristianos, tendrá un efecto adverso en toda la Iglesia y la sociedad. El pasaje del evangelio nos desafía, especialmente a los padres, a vernos a nosotros mismos como pastores de nuestras familias. Necesitamos prestar más atención, no solo a lo material, sino más seriamente a las necesidades espirituales y morales de nuestros hijos. Nosotros, como padres, debemos sacrificar lo que sea necesario para cuidar de nuestros hijos. Al llevar a cabo la tarea de pastorear / ser padres, Jesús es el único ideal y modelo a seguir. Pastorear es un llamado (vocación) pero no un trabajo. Es una vocación, que exige nada menos que el sacrificio de la vida por los demás. Sin embargo, el mundo de hoy no parece celebrar una vida de sacrificio. Y es por eso que tenemos muy pocos pastores tanto en la iglesia doméstica como en la comunitaria. Por lo tanto, la liturgia nos manda a orar por las vocaciones al sacerdocio y la vida religiosa. Oremos también todos por los que ya han sido llamados pastores a nivel doméstico y comunitario para que sirvan fielmente, siguiendo el ejemplo de Jesús, perfecto, ideal y Buen Pastor. La Iglesia de hoy necesita pastores como Jesús, que da

su vida por su rebaño. Predicar solo en el púlpito no lo haría. Tenemos que empezar a hablar sobre la vocación al sacerdocio y la vida religiosa en las cenas. Necesitamos orar para que Dios elija entre nuestras familias para responder a este llamado especial. He estado en algunas parroquias donde la gente se queja mucho por no tener suficiente atención por parte del sacerdote. ¡Pero este sacerdote es solo una persona y tiene 3500 o 4000 miembros para pastorear! A veces, la pregunta es sobre la escasez de sacerdotes. Necesitamos tres sacerdotes en esta parroquia, pero el obispo solo nos dio uno. Mi pregunta es "¿Qué estás haciendo al respecto?" quejándose, criticando, etc.? Eso no ayudaría a la Iglesia en absoluto. Necesitamos orar por las vocaciones y también animar a nuestros niños a que consideren entregar sus vidas a Dios para servir como sacerdotes. No hay sustituto para los padres en la familia. Del mismo modo, no hay sustituto para el sacerdocio en la Iglesia. Oremos para que los padres sacrifiquen lo que sea necesario para criar a sus hijos de una manera que agrade al Dios viviente. Oremos también para que el Señor inspire a los hombres y mujeres jóvenes de nuestro tiempo a responder al llamado de sacrificar sus vidas para servir a la Iglesia como sacerdotes y religiosos. (Fragmento del libro Reflexiones Teológicas para Domingos y Solemnidades de Año Litúrgico B, 2011 del padre Clem-alias Clemente de Dios, Coordinador del Ministerio Intercultural de la Diócesis desde 2020. Estas reflexiones llevan el mensaje pastoral del Padre Clem y pueden ser leidas atemporalmente. Padre Clem tiene dos maestrías -Teología y Educación Religiosa y licenciatura en Filosofía. Comparte con la hermana Thea la pasión por el Señor y la música, el P. Clem fundó el Rejoice Ministry of African Worship Songs -AFRAWOS- en 2002.)

30 de abril de 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO

DIOCESIS

TUPELO – El 7 y 8 de abril, la Oficina de Ministerio Intercultural (OIM) estuvo en la parroquia St. James en Tupelo para realizar un taller sobre Racismo. La OIM fue invitada por Mary Frances Strange, Directora de Pastoral Juvenil. En la noche del miércoles 7 de abril, la OIM llevó a cabo el taller sobre racismo, centrándose en la carta pastoral de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos, “Abrir de par en par nuestros corazones: un llamado duradero al amor.” El grupo de jóvenes participó activamente, especialmente durante las sesiones de grupos pequeños. El espíritu exuberante del grupo en Tupelo, que atrae a miembros de diferentes grupos étnicos, es notable. Dirigido por el Padre Clem Oyafemi, coordinador de OIM y Daisey Martinez, el taller fue el primero de su tipo desde que despegó la nueva OIM de la Diocesis de Jackson. El 8 de abril, la OIM se reunió con el P. Cesar Sanchez-Fermin, Pastor asociado en St. James, y Mary Frances para aprender más sobre la parroquia. OIM aprendió que bajo el liderazgo dinámico del P. Tim Murphy, Pastor de St. James, Tupelo, ésta parece ser un modelo de cómo debe sentirse una parroquia multicultural. OIM espera visitar otras parroquias en la Diócesis para "crear un espacio sagrado donde las personas puedan compartir sus historias y dialogar con un espíritu de amor y respeto mutuos," dijo el padre Clem.

NACION

WASHINGTON (CNS) – Una manifestación del 14 de abril frente a la sede del Servicio de Aduanas e Inmigración de los EE. UU. en Washington pidió que Estados Unidos otorgue la designación de Estatus de Protección Temporal a los ciudadanos de varios países, y que extienda la designación a aquellos a quienes se les había otorgado previamente. El TPS, creado hace 30 años, se otorga a ciudadanos elegibles que están en los Estados Unidos, generalmente debido a conflictos armados o desastres naturales en sus países de origen, y les permite vivir y trabajar en los Estados Unidos por tiempo limitado.

Joliette Pompee, una migrante de Haití, sostiene a su hijo de 8 meses, Arly, mientras espera el transporte fuera de la Coalición Humanitaria Fronteriza de Val Verde después de ser liberada de la Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de los Estados Unidos en Del Rio, Texas, el 21 de marzo de 2021. (Foto del SNC / Adrees Latif, Reuters) MIAMI (CNS) – La recesión económica relacionada con la pandemia, el cierre de empresas, el aumento del desempleo mundial y la reducción de los ingresos han contribuido a una mayor trata de personas, niños, mujeres, trabajadores domésticos y migrantes sin estatus legal. "Hay indicios de un aumento de la explotación sexual comercial de niños, el trabajo infantil, los matrimonios con niñas para aliviar las penurias de las familias, la servidumbre doméstica y la explotación sexual de mujeres y niños que viven en campamentos de desplazados internos (PDI), incluidos campamentos en Haití ", dijo la profesora Roza Pati, de la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad St. Thomas.

VATICANO

CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) – La política se puede regenerar reconociendo la importancia de la espiritualidad en la vida de las personas, dijo el Papa Francisco. "Por eso es fundamental que las comunidades de fe se reúnan y fraternicen para trabajar 'por y con el pueblo'" y por eso es urgente construir el futuro "desde abajo, desde una política con el pueblo, arraigada en el pueblo", dijo en un mensaje de video. a una conferencia internacional celebrada en línea el 15 de abril titulada "Una política arraigada en el pueblo", el tema de la conferencia se inspiró en el libro del Papa, "Let Us Dream."

MUNDO

CIUDAD DE MÉXICO (CNS) – El arzobispo Franco Coppola, embajador pa-

pal en México, viajó recientemente a un pueblo asediado por carteles de la droga en guerra para reiterar el compromiso de la iglesia de servir a las poblaciones que sufren violencia. El nuncio, también quiso concienciar sobre la situación en Aguililla, localidad del occidente del estado de Michoacán, donde los cárteles de la droga se han enfrentado entre sí y han bloqueado las carreteras, lo que ha dejado a los residentes sin poder viajar libremente y provocando escasez de todo, desde alimentos hasta combustible. La visita del nuncio a Aguililla brindó un breve respiro a la violencia que se apodera de la región, que está siendo disputada por organizaciones criminales rivales: United Cartels y el Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación. En Aguililla que se encontraron ocho cadáveres decapitados a principios de abril y un cartel utilizó un dron para lanzar explosivos sobre la policía. El nuncio dijo que compartió la noticia de las Una representación de San José sosteniendecapitaciones en las redes sociales do una escuadra de carpintero se ve en y que su cuenta fue suspendida temuna vidriera en la capilla de St. Joseph's poralmente. College en Patchogue, Nueva York, en MIAMI, (CNS) – En respuesta a esta foto de 2020. La fiesta de San José los recientes secuestros de clérigos Obrero es el 1 de mayo de 2021. (Foto del y religiosos en Haití y la creciente CNS / Gregory A. Shemitz) anarquía en la nación caribeña, las escuelas católicas, iglesias y otras entidades convocaron a una huelga nacional el 15 de abril. Irónicamente, la pandemia de COVID-19 no ha afectado directamente a las poblaciones de Haití como se temía, pero una secuela secundaria, el desempleo, es rampante particularmente entre los jóvenes, CIUDAD DE MÉXICO (CNS) – El nuncio apostólico en México, el arzobispo Franco Coppola, instó a los obispos del país a "mirar la realidad a los ojos" a medida que aumenta la población no católica del país y los mexicanos se identifican cada vez más como no religiosos. Coppola también dijo a la audiencia virtual que reconsideraran sus enfoques pastorales ya que menos personas participan en la vida parroquial y no se casan en la iglesia. "La disminución de la población católica en esta tierra de Guadalupe es extremadamente preocupante", dijo el arzobispo Coppola. El censo más reciente de México, en 2020, mostró que la población católica disminuyó. Los observadores ven el declive como parte de una tendencia de personas que se alejan de la iglesia en toda América Latina, donde las congregaciones evangélicas han ganado terreno.

TOME NOTA Vírgenes y Santos Día de la Santísima Cruz. Domingo, mayo 3 Virgen de los Desamparados. Nuestra Señora de Lujan, Patrona de Argentina. Sábado, mayo 8 Día de las Madres. Domingo, mayo 9 Solemnidad de la Ascensión del Señor. Jueves, mayo 13 Virgen de Fátima. Jueves, mayo 13 Nuestra Señora de la Evangelización. Patrona de Perú. Viernes, mayo 14 San Isidro Labrador. Sábado, mayo 15 Santa Rita de Casia, Patrona de los Imposibles. Sábado, mayo 22 Fiesta de Pentecostés. Domingo, mayo 23 Virgen Auxiliadora. Lunes, mayo 24 Jesucristo, sumo y eterno sacerdote. Jueves, mayo 27 Santísima Trinidad. Domingo, mayo 30 Visitación de la Santísima Virgen Maria. Lunes, mayo 31

BRIEFS 9

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC APRIL 30, 2021

NATION

WASHINGTON (CNS) – Following the Chauvin verdict, the chairmen of two U.S. bishops' committees prayed God "strengthens us to cleanse our land of the evil of racism, which also manifests in ways that are hardly ever spoken, ways that never reach the headlines." The May 25, 2020, death of George Floyd while in police custody and the surrounding events, including the threeweek trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer now found guilty for his death, revealed "so much pain and sadness." Floyd's death "highlighted and amplified the deep need to see the sacredness in all people, but especially those who have been historically oppressed. Whatever the stage of human life, it not only matters, it is sacred," said the chairmen's joint statement April 21. It was issued by Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, and Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. The events following Floyd's death – which included protests and riots across the Twin Cities, the nation and parts of the world – "also highlighted the urgent need for racial healing and reconciliation," the prelates said. "As we have seen so plainly this past year, social injustices still exist in our country, and the nation remains deeply divided on how to right those wrongs." WASHINGTON (CNS) – The chairman of the U.S. bishops' migration committee said April 19 he is disappointed that President Joe Biden announced he will not increase the 15,000 cap on the number of refugees who can be resettled in the United States for the current fiscal year. The historically low cap was put in place by the Trump administration last Sept. 30 for fiscal year 2021, which for the federal government began Oct. 1. "The number of refugees who will be welcomed this year is far short of what we can do as a country and is not an adequate response to the immense resettlement need," said Washington Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration. "We will work with the administration, state and local officials, and communities, and our colleagues to ensure that every one of the 15,000 refugees reaffirmed as this year's ceiling are resettled safely and as quickly as possible," he said, referring to the USCCB's Migration and Refugee Services, which among other U.S. nongovernmental organizations helps resettle refugees in this country. "We expect the administration to recalibrate and raise this ceiling, as it stated it would do," Bishop Dorsonville said. "We further encourage the administration to build back the program to more normal and just levels by getting to an admission goal of 125,000."

VATICAN

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church thanked Pope Francis for publicly voicing concern about the ongoing war in Eastern Ukraine and the increased presence of Russian troops on border. In an interview with Vatican News April 20, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych, major archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, said he wanted to express "profound gratitude for the Holy Father for his prayer and for his support to the suffering people of Ukraine. We are truly grateful to the Holy Father above all for his empathy and his prayer for Ukraine, for our people who are in such sorrow because once again, we are living in a moment of great fear," he said. After praying the "Regina Coeli" prayer April 18, the pope expressed his "deep concern" about violations of the cease-fire and about increased military activity in the region. "Please, I firmly hope that the increase of tensions may be avoided and, on the contrary, gestures may be made that are capable of promoting mutual trust and fostering reconciliation

and peace, so necessary and so desired," the pope said. VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The religious persecution exercised by China and North Korea, restrictions on religious freedom in dozens of countries and the continuing threat of violence at the hands of religious fundamentalists belonging to a variety of faiths all have worsened since 2018, said Aid to the Church in Need, a papal foundation and Catholic charity. The problems "have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. States have used the insecurity to increase control over their citizens, and nonstate actors have taken advantage of the confusion to recruit, expand and provoke wider humanitarian crises," said an analysis published with ACN's annual report, "Religious Freedom in the World." The report, released April 20, said outright persecution exists in "26 countries which are home to 3.9 billion people or just over half – 51% – of the world's population." In addition to China, North Korea and Saudi Arabia, the list includes a dozen African countries, such as Somalia, Libya, Nigeria, Congo and Mozambique, as well as Myanmar because of its treatment of the Rohingya, a Muslim minority in the predominantly Buddhist nation. While the charity found the overall situation worsening globally, it did find a glimmer of hope, saying that from 2018 to 2020 there had been "significant progress, especially in interreligious dialogue, as well as the increasingly important role of religious leaders in the mediation and resolution of hostilities and war."

WORLD

were found guilty of charges relating to pro-democracy demonstrations in the Chinese territory. Lai, 73, has donated millions of dollars to Catholic causes and has been the biggest financial backer of Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, retired archbishop of Hong Kong, ucanews. com reported. He made his fortune through mid-market fashion chain Giordano before putting his wealth into NextDigital and the city's leading anti-Beijing newspaper, Apple Daily. Lai's jailing comes as the Chinese Communist Party intensifies its crackdown on Hong Kong's rights and freedoms. In mid-April, Apple Daily published a handwritten letter by Lai, sent from prison, which read: "It is our responsibility as journalists to seek justice. As long as we are not blinded by unjust temptations, as long as we do not let evil get its way through us, we are fulfilling our responsibility." MEXICO CITY (CNS) – The apostolic nuncio to Mexico urged the country's bishops to "look reality in the eye" as the country's non-Catholic population increases and Mexicans increasingly identify as nonreligious. Speaking April 12 at the opening of the Mexican bishops' conference biannual gathering, Archbishop Franco Coppola also told the virtual audience to rethink their pastoral approaches as fewer people participate in parish life and don't get married in the church. "The decline in the Catholic population in this land of Guadalupe is extremely worrying," Archbishop Coppola said. "We're seeing now with ever more clarity just how much in recent decades the formation of the faith has not been able – as we thought or would have wanted – to permeate those who are baptized. We have to recognize that, if the Gospel and our Lord Jesus Christ will always continue to be attractive, it's evident our 'traditional' methods today don't work, nor can they work in any of the areas of evangelization." Mexico's most recent census, in 2020, showed the Catholic population declining by 5 percentage points to 77.7% of the population. Observers see the decline as part of a trend of people falling away from the church throughout Latin America, although in some northern and western states such as Zacatecas and Guanajuato, more than 90% of the population still professes Catholicism. That figure falls to just 54% in the largely Indigenous state of Chiapas, where evangelical congregations have gained ground.

DUBLIN (CNS) – The head of the Irish bishops' conference said the government's move to criminalize attendance at Mass as part of COVID-19 regulations was a "potential infringement of religious freedom and of constitutional rights. The precise provisions are unclear and at first reading appear to be draconian, going further than the restrictions we have been cooperating with throughout the pandemic to date," said Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh, Northern Ireland. "We shall be seeking legal counsel to advise on several questions concerning the extent of the statutory instrument." He also said the bishops were seeking "an immediate meeting" with the government "and we request the suspension of this harsh and unclear statutory instrument." Churches in the Irish Republic have been closed for public worship since Dec. 26, but the government has claimed that this was just a matter of regulation rather than law. However, on April 16, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly signed a new law – known as a statutory instrument – making it a criminal offense. "We consider the publication of this statutory instrument, together with associated penal provisions, to be provocative and formally enacting a potential infringement of religious freedom and of constitutional rights," Archbishop Martin said. HONG KONG (CNS) – Catholic media tycoon and philanthropist Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 12 months in jail after being found guilty of unauFather Gerard Quirke raises the chalice at Mass Rock overlooking Keem Bay thorized assembly. Ucanon Ireland's Achill Island April 4, 2021. Father Quirke, a priest of the Archdioews.com reported he was cese of Tuam, said celebrating Easter Mass there had a "particular resonance" among nine activists in given the current legal ban on Masses in Ireland. (CNS photo/Seán Molloy, court April 16 who earlier courtesy Irish Catholic)

10 DIOCESE

APRIL 30, 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

The archives vault, a 'national treasure'

FROM THE ARCHIVES By Mary Woodward

JACKSON – This week I thought I would share some photos of the diocesan archives vault. This space was built into the ground floor of the diocesan chancery building during its construction in 1947. Bishop R.O. Gerow moved the bishop’s office to Jackson from Natchez and brought most of the files with him. Our archives have documents dating back to the 1780s and has some books that date back farther than that. To be honest we have one of the most complete archives of Mississippi history in the state albeit a history through the unique lens of the development of the Catholic Church in the region. The collection is a national treasure. As a meticulous historian who knew the importance of maintaining proper records and information, Bishop Gerow, assisted by various chancellors along the way, built this comprehensive collection we have in the vault over a period of 42 years. He kept a detailed diary as did his predecessors of the daily events in the life of the church as he lived them. His diary is several thousand pages typed up neatly and bound in volumes. His last entry details his retirement in 1966. He also oversaw the indexing of his predecessors’ papers and correspondence along with all the official acts of the office of bishop and the diocesan church. These photos show the enormous amount of work he did and the work that continues today. The vault is stacked to the ceiling and records since 1966 are slowly being indexed for future research. There is a great need for space and the vision is to one day have a building for the diocesan archives that can serve as a research center and small museum for educational purposes. Right now, we manage the best we can with the allotted space for our treasure. And we hope one day to be able to better share that treasure in a more appropriate environment. Until then, I hope you will continue to appreciate the history we share in the space provided in this column. (Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson.)

GREENVILLE – Bishop Joseph Kopacz and confirmation candidates of Sacred Heart parish. (Photo courtesy Maurice Mosley)

Mississippi Catholic

will publish a Spring Sacraments edition in July. This means we need your First Comunion and Confirmation photos! Parishes, this is the only chance to submit posed group photos by email to: editor@jacksondiocese.com

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

JACKSON – Photos from inside the diocesan archives vault in the ground floor of the chancery building on Amite Street. (Photos courtesy of archives)

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC APRIL 30, 2021

dIOCESE 11

St. Dominic Hospital marks 75th anniversary with tree planting BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING

self. It is an honor really to be here in their names, but also be with the sisters JACKSON – On April 15, a small here, who are just a remarkable presence group gathered near the St. Dominic of our Catholic faith in many ways, esMedical Mall building, close to the northpecially healthcare,” said Bishop Joseph east corner of the parking garage to mark Kopacz. a significant moment in history – the At the simultaneously magnolia tree hospital’s 75th anniversary. As has been planting ceremony in Springfield, Sister done on previous milestone anniversaRebecca Ann Gemma, O.P., the prioress ries, St. Dominic’s planted a white oak, general of the Springfield Dominican Sisthe state tree of Illinois, on its campus in ters, said that the sisters were gathered honor of the founding Dominican Sisters with “deep gratitude in their hearts,” at of Springfield, Illinois. At the same time the planting of the 75th anniversary in Springfield and in Baton Rouge at the magnolia. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady con“For 75 years our sisters have co-crevent, magnolia trees were planted to sigated God’s mission in Jackson, Missisnify the shared mission and ministry with sippi. ... For all of you who have served St. Dominic Health Services. in God’s mission at St. Dominic’s, those “The significance of today is to recall that are here, those that are with our our roots, the dedication and the sacGod, and for those who will come in our rifices of those early sisters. [And] the future, we take this time of prayer with foundation that they laid for a successful deep gratitude for the abundance of God ministry,” said Sister Karina Dickey, O.P., who is with us.” vice president of mission integration. Healthcare is truly a vehicle for lifting St. Dominic Hospital traces its history people up for St. Dominic Health Serto 1946, when the Dominican Sisters of vices. Sister Karina said, “Healthcare is Springfield purchased the Jackson Infirmary in the center of the city of Jackson JACKSON – After blessing a white oak tree, planted in honor of St. Dominic the method, not the end of what we are on Amite Street. The infirmary was the Hospital’s 75th anniversary, Bishop Joseph Kopacz made sure the tree was well about. Because we are here to minister to the human spirit, not just the human foundation for a health system that today blessed with holy water. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King) body.” includes the acute care hospital, a continuing care community, and a full range of outpatient and community services. (St. Dominic Health Services is sponsored by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady, “Today creates a great length all the way back to Bishop Gerow when in the mid1940s ... [he] invited the sisters to come begin this ministry, which is just so very and is a part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. St. Dominic special. Here we are 75 years later and Catholic healthcare throughout the central Health Services, Inc. is the parent company for a large group of subsidiary organizations region of Mississippi is just blossoming. I’m in a way representing that line of bishops and programs dedicated to providing compassionate care and hope as a healing ministry. going back to Bishop Gerow, Bishop Brunini, Bishop Houck, Bishop Latino and my- These include St. Dominic Hospital, the Community Health Clinic, St. Dominic Medical Associates (physician network), New Directions for Over 55, MEA Clinics, The Club at St. Dominic’s, the School Nurse Program, St. Dominic Health Services Foundation, St. Catherine’s Village and Care-A-Van. St. Dominic Behavior Health Services will be celebrating their 50th anniversary on Friday, May 14. ) Considere los trági- do bien. Aquellos que se sientan como jornaleros y que – Viene de la pág. 3 – cos eventos que ro- trabajan por un cheque, son llamados a encender la lladearon la muerte de George Floyd a manos de Derrick ma del regalo que recibieron en el día de la ordenación. Chauvin y otros oficiales. Han degradado la insignia y la Todos los lobos conocidos son removidos. reputación de muchos que son buenos pastores en las Durante este año de San José, recordamos las palfuerzas del orden. Un periodista opinó que en el rostro abras del Papa Francisco que describen el consentimiendel ex oficial Chauvin había una expresión de indiferen- to del padre adoptivo de Jesús al ángel Gabriel como una cia, sin empatía ni remordimiento. El Papa Francisco a entrega total de sí mismo en servicio a María, su prometimenudo critica el pernicioso virus de la indiferencia. “En da, al niño Jesús y al plan de salvación de Dios. Este santo medio de una cultura de indiferencia que no pocas vec- silencioso es un modelo excepcional de buen pastor. El es se vuelve despiadada, nuestro estilo de vida debe ser niño Jesús fue el Buen Pastor que entregó su vida como devoto, lleno de empatía y misericordia.” Todos los que don puro por la salvación del mundo. A su vez, somos dan su vida para proteger a la ciudadanía del elemento hijos de Dios y ahora la ofrenda de uno mismo encuentra criminal, que no tiene en cuenta la vida o la decencia, su fuente en nuestra identidad como hijos e hijas de Dios, tienen una deuda de gratitud. Aquellos, en las fuerzas del miembros del cuerpo de su Hijo y templos del Espíritu orden, que solo están cobrando un cheque y esperando Santo. Esta es la piedra angular sobre y contra la violensu momento, deben ver la urgencia de convertirse en cia, el odio y la indiferencia generalizados. buenos pastores. Los que son lobos deben ser removidos. Que las palabras del salmo 23 resuenen en nuestras Desde el título de la última exhortación apostólica mentes y corazones: “El Señor es mi pastor; nada me del Papa Francisco, “Fraternidad y Amistad Social,” una falta. En verdes praderas me hace descansar, a las aguas conversión de corazón y mente, que derribe los mur- tranquilas me conduce, me da nuevas fuerzas y me lleos del racismo y la indiferencia ante el sufrimiento de va por caminos rectos, haciendo honor a su nombre. las personas, es la mejor esperanza para la humanidad. Aunque pase por el más oscuro de los valles, no temeré Hay paralelos en las filas del clero y en cada una de las peligro alguno, porque tú, Señor, estás conmigo; tu vara profesiones. En la crisis de abuso sexual en la iglesia, se y tu bastón me inspiran confianza. Me has preparado un hizo evidente que había lobos entre los muchos buenos banquete ante los ojos de mis enemigos; has vertido perpastores. La buena noticia es que esta corrupción oculta fume en mi cabeza, y has llenado mi copa a rebosar. Tu ha sido traída a la luz del Evangelio y las demandas de bondad y tu amor me acompañan a lo largo de mis días, justicia, la conversión y el cambio genuino están transfor- y en tu casa, oh, Señor, por siempre viviré.” mando la iglesia. Los Buenos Pastores continúan sirvien-

‘... El niño Jesús fue el Buen Pastor ...’

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APRIL 30, 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

12 Columns

Prevent child abuse through mental health awareness GUEST COLUMN

By Reba J. McMellon, M.S., LPC

People who abuse children are not aware or concerned with their own mental health or the mental health of others. That is why abuse of a child is considered a crime and not a mental health issue that can be treated with psychological services alone. Most people who abuse children grossly lack the insight it takes to gain anything from counseling. Child abuse includes body, mind and spirit. Verbal, sexual, spiritual, mental and physical abuse are sometimes in combination and sometimes separate. All abuse is harmful but sometimes the most harmful are the ones that leave no external mark one can point to in order to “prove” to oneself and others that significant harm has been done. This column will associate mental health awareness with the prevention of child abuse. What speaks to one person will not speak to another. Being willing to read this article is a sign of psychological healthiness on your part. • If a child or adult brings up the subject of abuse, don’t interrupt or change the subject. • Listening and believing goes a long way toward healing.

• Keep the dialogue regarding abuse open among family and friends. • Teach your children strong boundaries and healthy self-confidence. • Be a role model for strong boundaries and healthy self-confidence because you can’t teach what you don’t know. • Provide an atmosphere in your home where an abusive experience can be reported without overreaction or no reaction. Both are harmful. • Do not hesitate to report abuse to the right authorities. • Be brave enough to ask for details. • Use discernment regarding the adults your child or adolescent spends time with. • Use discernment regarding who you, as an adult, spend time with. • Watch out for blind trust-whether it’s the chief cook, bottle washer, preacher, teacher, coach, parent, priest, friend, male, female, etc. There is no one stereotype for abusers except they’re good at fooling people. • When discussing child abuse and mental health issues, don’t let the subject take a political bend. Politics will cloud the issue in a harmful way. • Abuse issues can and often do come up later in life. It is possible to suppress memories for years. Sup-

pressed memories is a way the body and mind let you know when it’s safe enough to remember. • False memory syndrome is a term that began with defense attorneys in the 1990’s. While it happens, it is rare. • Be vigilant about how you talk about abuse issues casually and in public. There is more than likely a survivor in ear shot. Thoughtless comments could push them back into the shadows of shame. • God is love. Abuse is not. Don’t walk it alone. Everyone needs a 5 a.m. friend or even at 5 p.m. Someone who listens, believes, encourages, doesn’t change the subject and can help guide you to seek healthy mental health counseling where uncovering leads to recovery allowing you to walk in the wholeness of Christ. We’re all in this together. “Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21) (Reba J. McMellon, M.S., LPC is a mental health professional and freelance writer with 35 years of experience. She is available for consultation and public speaking. Reba can be reached at rebej@bellsouth.net)

Gift of four friends wrapped in one KNEADING FAITH By Fran Lavelle

Several years ago, when I was still the campus minister at Mississippi State, I also had the privilege to serve as the diocesan director for the Office of Campus Ministry. In that role I was part of the Department of Formational Ministries. A change in leadership in the department came about when Sister Deborah Hughes retired, and Cathy Cook was named the Superintendent of Catholic Schools and the head of the department. When Jeanne Howard retired in 2014, I was approached by a few people and asked to consider the position. I remember meeting with Cathy at Lake Tiak O’Khata that July for an interview. It turned out to be more like a conversation between old friends although we had not known one another very long. It was then that I knew the Holy Spirit was calling me to work in the chancery. Her confidence in me was ultimately the reason I accepted the job. Her confidence in me is ultimately the reason I became the director of the Department of Faith Formation. Cathy announced earlier this Spring that she would be retiring at the end of April. She has served the church for 30 years in many roles within education and youth ministry. It is always bittersweet when colleagues of Cathy’s caliber announce their retirement. On the one hand I am so pleased that she will be able to pursue interests other than work. On the other hand, I will miss the day-to-day interactions. We both place a high premium on serving the young church. Sharing a background in youth ministry was the source of many robust conversations. I remember after I moved my personal effects into my office at the chancery, Cathy saw a candle that I had from a diocesan youth convention many years earlier when I served as youth minister for St. Joseph in Starkville. She asked me with some urgency to follow her to her office. There she showed me the candle she had from the same convention when she was the youth minister at St. Mary’s Basilica in Natchez. It was as if our fate was sealed at that Youth Convention those many years earlier though we do not remember meeting one another there. I was recently with one of Cathy’s former employees from the Office of Catholic Education. We talked about the many people that she empowered over the years in church lay leadership. There are no doubt countless former employees, students, educators, administrators, and other church leaders who have benefitted from her years of dedicated service. In her leadership role, she advocated for training and education for lay leaders. Over the past six plus years Cathy has helped me keep focused on the mission of Christ and not get bogged down in the mess. She taught me the value of discerning

what “hills to die on” and when it is prudent to stay the course. She knows the value of a good laugh, appreciates a good meal, and enjoys sports at all levels. Her love of sports knows no bounds as she recently cheered for my alma mater in the NCAA Basketball tournament. I am Cathy’s only connection to Ohio University, but she wouldn’t let that minor detail get in the way of watching them play and cheering when they knocked off Virginia, the defending tournament champions. Thinking about Cathy’s retirement reminded me of something I heard in a webinar sponsored by Ave Maria Press that I watched last Summer titled, “Strengthening Your Inner Life in Challenging Times: The Simple Care of a Hopeful Heart” presented by Dr. Robert J. Wicks. Dr. Wicks is Catholic and works as a clinical psychologist. He writes and speaks about the intersection of spirituality and psychology. In his presentation he mentions the four kinds of friends everyone should have: The Prophet ... who helps name what voices are guiding you in your life; the Cheerleader ... who is sympathetic and encouraging; the Harasser or Teaser ... because on the way to taking compassion seriously sometimes we take a detour and take ourselves too seriously; and, the Inspirational friend that calls us to be all that we can be without embarrassing us that we are where we are. Little did I know when we first met the impact she would have on my life and the role she would play as a prophet, cheerleader, teaser, and inspirational friend. This is not good-bye. I fully expect to continue to share good laughs, tasty meals, and a sporting event or two. I also expect I’ll continue to seek her advice. If you are lucky to have the four types of friendships Dr. Wicks identifies you are very fortunate. When they come wrapped up in one bundle of energy, joy, and laughter you are especially blessed. There’s an old Irish proverb that reminds me of Cathy: “A good friend is like a four-leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have.” (Fran Lavelle is the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Jackson.)

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC APRIL 30, 2021

VATICAN 13

PLEASE, GIVE GENEROUSLY! MAY 15 & 16, 2021

APRIL 30, 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

14 youth

Atrium exploration

JACKSON – St. Richard Pre-K5 students, Peyton Smith and Henry Hospodor explore items during their Atrium class. (Photo by Chelsea Hamilton)

Planting seeds

COLUMBUS – Annunciation kindergarten students, Addison Moser and Joanna Bragg, plant tomato seeds. (Photo by Katie Fenstermacher)

In service to others

COLUMBUS – Pastor Brandt Dick of St. James Episcopal Church helps Clayton Hensley and Davin Anderson load up supplies that were donated by St. Joseph Greenville students for St. James' childrens program. (Photo by Nikki Thompson)

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC APRIL 30, 2021

Science is fun

YOUTH 15 Spring duckling

SOUTHAVEN – Second grade teacher, Monica Winans, moves the first hatched duckling from the incubator to its temporary home. (Photo by Sister Margaret Sue Broker)

COLUMBUS – Annunciation first grade teacher, Shaine Donoho oversees a "sink or swim" science experiment, where students determine which rocks will sink or float. (Photo by Katie Fenstermacher)

B-I-N-G-O

GREENVILLE – Ronnie Evans volunteered his time at Magnolia Gardens nursing home for a round of BINGO on Wednesday, April 21. (Photo by Nikki Thompson)

16 DIOCESE

APRIL 30, 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

' ... Now Edgar goes to enjoy the presence of God ...' – Continued from page 1 –

Since about 2010, however, the journey through Mexico has become far more ic ministry through the Southeast Pastoral deadly as cartels became increasingly savInstitute in Miami. age. Whether he was in a leadership role or “Migrants en route to the United States simply participating, “he was always at the are perfect prey to these cartel killers, who service of others,” Father Medina wrote in force them into smuggling, kidnap them, the parish newsletter. extort them and, as we have seen, murder Juanatano Cano, who ministers among them in cold blood without the least scruGuatemalans in the Archdiocese of Los ple,” he said. Angeles, never met Lopez, but had a parMany cartels promote devotion to allel childhood. Their adulthoods diverge a “horrible female grim reaper” whose because Cano, a leadership development name, “Santisima Muerte,” means “Holy consultant who is finishing his doctorate, Death,” he said. received asylum and working papers after Anyone considering migration, he said, entering the U.S. illegally in the late 1980s. needs to understand that “the journey Cano pins their early hardships on prejnorth is dangerous, that there are killers udice against their indigenous heritage. en route who often literally worship death, “Racism in Guatemala is worse than and that [migrants] are seen by the cartels in the United States. To call someone ‘an as human merchandise.” Indian’ is the worst insult if they want to The August 2019 immigration raids CARTHAGE – In this undated photo at St. Anne, parishioner Edgar Lopez is humiliate someone,” he said. that led to Lopez’s deportation were naHe described indigenous Guatemalans pictured with the Crucifix. Lopez was deported after the ICE raids in 2019 tional news. Of nearly 700 workers deas descendants of those who survived the and was on his return trip to his family and home in Carthage in January 2021 tained, two-thirds remained in the U.S. LoSpanish conquest 500 years ago by flee- when he and 18 others were killed in Mexico. (Photo from archives/courtesy pez was deported as a repeat criminal due ing to the hinterlands. No government has of Sister María Elena Mendez, MGSpS) to his earlier deportation in the 1990s. ever tried to integrate them into the GuaHe spent nearly a year in detention, temalan economy. surviving COVID-19 while ministering to inmates. “There was no money for education or health care for us,” he said, “According to “He never lost his faith, even with those terrible experiences that he had passed the government, we are an obstacle to the prosperity of the whole country.” through,” Father Medina said. “When he was in the detention center, he called me and People in Cano’s village were stunted physically and intellectually from malnutri- asked for books and rosaries in order to make a prayer group. He said that, even in tion. “They said that we are stupid, that we don’t want to learn, that we don’t want to those circumstances, you always cry out to God.” succeed,” he said. Many people in Carthage tried to help the detainees. St. Anne’s hosted a legal clinic. In 1981, Guatemala’s long-running civil war escalated. “I saw the military bombing Father Medina accompanied Lopez to court. little towns and little Indian villages. I told my mom, ‘Let’s get out of here. They are “We tried to do our best for him, to fight for his freedom, to say that he was a pergoing to wipe us out,’ ” Cano said. son with character,” he said. She would not leave. So in 1982, at age 13, he left alone for the city. There he did The federal judge called Lopez the kind of man he would like to have as a neighbor, housework in exchange for room and board, while attending night school. When his but said that the law tied his hands. “It hurts my heart to see what this great nation is high school diploma brought no opportunities for advancement, he traveled by bus and doing to you,” he told Lopez as he ordered the deportation. train through Mexico, walking across the border into California. In July 2020 Lopez was flown to Guatemala. While volunteering in the parish he “At that time it was not as bad as it is now,” he said. had built through his donations, he longed for his family. He graduated from college, taught math for 15 years, earned his principal’s certif“I tried to give him support and prayer and spiritual guidance,” Father Medina said. icate, then made a career shift to leadership formation. He is a consultant to the U.S. When the priest left for vacation in late December, however, Lopez had said nothCatholic Bishops’ Subcommittee on Native American Affairs and volunteers at Immac- ing about returning. “I think he wanted it to be a surprise,” Father Medina said. ulate Conception Church, Holy Cross Church, and La Placita Church in LA. Lopez contracted with a local coyote who was trusted, Father Medina said. The Today’s Guatemalan migrants bring the same dreams and needs that he did, he group set out on Jan. 12. Their families last heard from them on Jan. 21. said. He blames the government of Guatemala for their suffering. The next day, “The coyote called his family in Guatemala and said that they had all Even by U.S. standards, health care costs are high in Guatemala, he said. At least been killed,” said Father Medina. “The coyote had a son who was with the group, and two migrants killed with Lopez were seeking jobs to pay he was killed as well.” for relatives’ medical care: surgery for a baby with a cleft Mexican investigators found bodies burned beyond recognition in a truck pierced lip and medication for a mother with diabetes. by 113 bullets. Identification came through DNA. Twelve police officers were arrested “These people died because they wanted to make for killing them, though authorities have identified no motive. Speculation ranges from a little money for surgery that was so basic. Why does mistaken identity to a cartel refusing to let others move human merchandise on its turf. the Guatemalan government ignore this? Why? Why? It Guatemala declared three days of national mourning. The nation’s president met makes me sick to think about it,” he said. the flag-draped coffins at the airport, in a ceremony televised live nationwide. “That is why people leave their country. They are Father Medina went to the funeral for the Comitancillo victims, held on a soccer aware that it is dangerous, but they take the risk, even field. A local priest denounced the injustice that forced villagers to seek work in anknowing it could be deadly.” other country and the deportation of a man who had been a beloved neighbor for two Smugglers, known as “coyotes,” are luring customers decades. with claims that the Biden administration has opened the Migration will not stop, Father Medina said. While he was there, two families asked border, Cano said. him to bless their sons for the journey north. “They are telling them to come and the United States Men from the parish carried the heavy coffin on their shoulders to be buried at will accept you and give you legal status,” Cano said. his village parish in Chicajalaj, an hour’s walk on a hard, hilly road. They told Father “They are lying to people.” Medina that bearing the coffin on their shoulders was a tradition to honor those who Catholic social teaching calls nations to regulate their had made great contributions to the community. borders in a humane manner, recognizing both security “I have witnessed the burial of an apostle, a man who recognized God’s call and and a human right to migrate in search of food, medical who lived his baptismal life with great hope,” Father Medina wrote to his parishioners. care, and safety, said Christopher Ljundquist, adviser for “Now Edgar goes to enjoy the presence of God. May the soul of Edgar and the soul Latin America in the U.S. Bishops’ Office of Internation- of all his companions by the mercy of God, rest in peace.” al Justice and Peace. The church views immigration as a source of, not an obstacle to, economic development, he (Reprinted with permission of Angelus News, the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Los said. Angeles.)