MAY 28, 2021
mississippicatholic.com
Deacon Bowden set his sights on the priesthood at a young age By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – From an early age, Andrew Bowden had a heart for service. On May 15, he continued that call as he was ordained a transitional deacon at his home parish of St. Jude in Pearl. He will serve as a deacon until ordination to the priesthood next year. “The first time that I remember him saying anything about wanting to be a priest, he was about kindergarten age,” said his mother, Rhonda Bowden, who coordinates liturgy and pastoral care at St. Jude. Deacon Bowden recalled attending a Mass around that age, celebrated by Bishop William Houck, that sparked his interest in religious life. “He had an incredibly powerful voice, and I was impressed by him. So impressed that the next time I saw my pastor, Father [Martin] Ruane, I announced to him that I wanted to be a bishop,” laughed Deacon Bowden. Father Ruane, who passed in 2015, was a great influence on young Bowden. His sense of humor, humble nature and his joy were attributes that Bowden wanted to emulate. “I don’t remember exactly how he responded to the four-year-old declaring that he wanted to be bishop, but he was able to replace that idea ... with the desire to become a priest,” said Deacon Bowden. Around the same time, Bowden also started talking about wanting to be an altar server. Although Father Ruane’s policy was that alter servers must be in the fourth grade, he graciously did an abbreviated training session just for Bowden in the third grade, shortly before he left St. Jude for a new assignment. “Altar serving then became a major part of my pre-discernment,” explained Deacon Bowden. “Through altar serving at St. Jude as I grew up, I began to love PEARL – Andrew Bowden makes the promises of the elect with Bishop Joseph Kopacz at his ordination to the transitional diaconate on Saturday, May 15. (PhoGod, the church and the priesthood in a much deeper way.” tos by Tereza Ma) – Continued on page 20 –
Bishop to lift dispensation from obligation to attend Mass, diocese issues modified directives By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – After careful study and consultation with the clergy, Bishop Joseph Kopacz will lift the general dispensation from the Sunday obligation to attend Mass, effective on the Solemnity of the Feast of Corpus Christi beginning with the vigil Mass on Saturday, June 5, 2021. In a letter released on May 20 by the diocese, Bishop Kopacz states, “The Sunday obligation will be restored on this great feast when we can satisfy our hunger for the Bread of Life, in Word and Sacrament with the reception of Holy Communion.” Bishop Kopacz also reminds the faithful in his letter to keep in mind that the church always dispenses those confronting serious health concerns. “Therefore, someone can validly make the decision to attend Mass during the week, if able, and to participate in the Mass on the Lord’s Day through live streaming,” In addition to lifting the general dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation, the diocese modified their protocols during the pandemic. The directives, which represents a combination of previously released protocols, detail how parishes can move forward towards more normal operations, taking a gradual phased approach, with a watchful eye on the developments and guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Mississippi State Department of Health. For Masses, social distancing will be at 3 feet and parishes may use every pew, deciding how to stagger seating to maintain social distancing. Also, masks are no longer required at Mass but encouraged for those who are not vaccinated and for chil-
dren and youth under the age of 16. However, priests and eucharistic ministers are required to wear masks when distributing Holy Communion. With the changes, some things remain the same. Holy Communion is still encouraged to be received in the hand and hand sanitizer should still be used by parishioners upon entrance to the church. The updated protocols also include directives on meetings, gatherings, as well as youth activities and Vacation Bible School. Pastors and their pastoral staff are responsible for the safe and prudent execution of the directives, recognizing that every parish has unique circumstances. The goal is to continue to provide a safe place for worship while maintaining a level of confidence for all the people of God. On May 13, the CDC eased the mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated
people allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and most indoor settings. The guidance still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters. Father Lincoln Dall, vicar general for the diocese, stated at the end of the directives, “We want to thank all of you for your efforts in keeping our parishioners safe during the pandemic. We acknowledge that all of us are very weary of dealing with the pandemic. … However, we acknowledge that this is still is not the time to let our guard down completely. We will continue to monitor the situation and will issue modified guidelines when the reality of the pandemic changes.” To view the letter from Bishop Kopacz lifting the dispensation and a full list of updated protocols, visit https://jacksondiocese.org/public-health-concerns/.
INSIDE THIS WEEK
Keeping busy in 2020 6 Msgr. Flannery stayed busy in 2020 writing new books
St. Dominic celebrates 8 St. Dominic Behavioral Health marks 50 years
Abortion case 18 Supreme court to hear Mississippi abortion case
MAY 28, 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
Calendar of events SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT NEW ORLEANS Our Lady of the Cenacle Retreat Center, Women’s Retreat, “Finding Peace in Uncertainty” on July 9-11. Know that by depending on God in trying times, you are putting your faith into action. When we get caught up in the trauma of our trials, God calls us to depend on His power to persevere. We wait in faith, prayer and grace. Presenter: Father Paul Hart, who is director of retreats at St. Joseph Abbey and director of the preaching ministry office of the Mid-America Province of the Capuchin Order. He conducts retreats, parish development programs, and religious education workshops. He also serves as chaplain at Brother Martin High School. 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) 267-9604 or www.neworleansretreats. org/retreats.
Country Club of Jackson. Live auction and live entertainment. Dress is cocktail attire. Cost: $85 per person or reserve table at $1,000 for eight people. Online auction and raffles begin on June 10 at www.bidpal.net/bb21. Details: Charities office at (601) 331-1152 or purchase tickets at www.bidpal.net/bb21. OLIVE BRANCH Queen of Peace, Blood Drive will be Sunday, June 20 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at the Father John Young Center. Walk-ins are welcome. Details: church office (662) 895-5007. JACKSON St. Richard, Fourth of July Family Picnic is back! Sunday, July 4 after 5 p.m. Mass. Details: church office (601) 366-2335.
YOUTH BRIEFS
CLARKSDALE St. Catholic Community of St. Elizabeth and Immaculate Conception, Cornhole Tournament, Wednesday, June 2 at 5 p.m. in front of McKenna Hall. All youth entering 7-12 grades are welcome to attend and invite their friends. Wingstop will be served. PARISH, FAMILY AND SCHOOL EVENTS Details: church office (662) 624-4301. GREENVILLE St. Joseph, Vacation Bible School, GREENVILLE St. Joseph, Society of St. Vincent de June 21-24, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the parish hall. Details: Paul volunteers are needed on Tuesdays or Wednesdays Contact Mary Ann Barker (662) 335-5251 for more infrom 8:30-10:30 a.m. Please come to 711 Washington formation or to sign up to help. Avenue if you can help. Details: church office (662) 335MADISON St. Joseph School, Annual Bruin Burn 5251. Color Run 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run, Saturday, July JACKSON – Catholic Charities, Bishop’s Ball, Friday, 24. All proceeds support the St. Joe Athletic Program June 18, 6:30 p.m. cocktails; 7:30 p.m. dinner at the for the benefit of all St. Joe Athletes. Details: Beth Vanderloo at (601) 906-9501 or bethbailey68@yahoo.com. MERIDIAN Catholic Community of Meridian, Youth Gathering, Sunday, June 13 at 4 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Youth sixth grade through seniors are welcomed. Details: for more information, please contact Angela Dove at the Parish Office (601) 436-6025 or by email Angela@catholicmeridian.org. Summer Parish Battle: How well do you know your Catholic Faith? Parish versus parish for a battle of the wits, Saturday, June 19 beginning with lunch/registration at 11 a.m. and ending with 5 p.m. Mass. All parish youth groups are invited to form teams to compete in trivia competitions and physical challenges and end the day with reconciliation, rosary and Mass. Teams can consist of youth (grades 6-12) and adults. Team with the most points at the end of the day wins trophy and bragging rights for a year! Registration is due by June 4 and there is no cost. Details: Angela Dove at angela@catholicmeridian.org or (601) 693-1321 or (601) 4366025. NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Regnum Dei – Finding God in All Things, June 14-18 (Week 1) and June 21-25 (Week 2). All parish youth groups (grades 9-12) are invited to their summer camp program. You can choose to attend one day, a few days or a whole week and join the youth for their summer service camp and lot of fun. Cost is $50 for the week or less depending on the number of days you plan to attend plus the hotel costs. There will COLUMBUS – Annunciation Catholic School’s first grade be hotel blocks for any groups wishing to teacher, Shaine Donoho, was chosen as Lowndes Counstay overnight. Registration is due by June 4. ty’s Elementary Teacher of the Year by the Columbus Details: Carrie Lambert at the church office Lowndes Chamber of Commerce. (Photo by Katie Fen(601) 445-5616 or stmaryyouth@cableone. stermacher) net.
PEARL St. Jude, Join Vacation Bible School – family style (for youth in kindergarten to sixth grade), Wednesday evenings June 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Bring your picnic blankets or lawn chairs. The theme is Summer Games, centering on the life of Daniel. VBS will be celebrating a different Olympic continent (and saint from that continent) each week as students learn to train, compete and reach the goal through the story of Daniel. Registration is required. Families must register for each day and it will end 24 hours before the event. Details: Register at https://signup.com/ group/444217444062 or call Stacy Wolf at 601-9393181. VICKSBURG (All parishes) Vacation Bible School “Camping in God’s Creation,” July 19-23 from 9-11:30 a.m. for kindergarten through sixth grades in the Vicksburg Catholic School gym and cafeteria. Details: Contact Lindsey Bradley at lindsey.bradley@vicksburgcatholic. org for more information. Newman Connect App Please encourage your Class of 2021 grads to sign-up with the Newman Connection through the new Newman Connect App. This is completely free and it helps connect our young people to the Catholic Campus Ministry programs at the colleges and universities they plan to attend in the fall. Details: http:// www.newmanministry.com for more information.
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MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC MAY 28, 2021
Language of love BY BISHOP JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D.
While the nations rage the church eloquently proclaims in Pentecost faith: Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s Kingdom. You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness. You will come in glory with salvation for your people. As we strive faithfully to fulfill the Great Commission of the Lord to make disciples of all the nations, we also embrace the enormous task of building the Kingdom of Heaven on earth wherever the Gospel is proclaimed, the signs of which are justice and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17) The Holy Land upon which Jesus and his first disciples crisscrossed announcing the Kingdom of God, tragically remains relentlessly tormented by hatred, violence and warfare. The truce that ended the latest round of malice is as fragile as a birds’ nest in the midst of hungry predators. Yet, as disciples of the Lord in a universal church, the Holy Spirit impels us to overcome complacency and indifference, cynicism and despair for the sake of the common good and the salvation of all. God’s dream for our world through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is both deeply personal and inexorably universal. In our uniqueness, the Lord calls each of us to
repent and be reconciled Lord’s supper, factions, and denial of the resurrection, to to God for our own salva- name a few, St. Paul remained steadfast in his belief that tion and for the good of the Holy Spirit could bring divine order out of chaos. all. This is a life lived in “There are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit; there communities of faith in a are varieties of service, but the same Lord; there are vaworld-wide church where uniqueness and diversity are rieties of workings, but it is the same God who inspires intended to create bonds of unity. We look at the divi- them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation sion in our church, nation and world and we wonder of the Spirit for the common good.” (1Cor12:4-7) if unity and diversity are forever What follows is a piece of going to be out of reach. the most heralded testimony When snared by this chaos, ever composed on love. St. Paul In our uniqueness, the Lord calls the Holy Spirit always redirects penned it, “the more excellent each of us to repent and be reconus back to Jesus and the power of way.” ciled to God for our own salvation the crucifixion, resurrection and “Love is patient and kind; and for the good of all. love is not jealous or boastful; ascension the divine outpouring it is not arrogant or rude. Love in the first place. In the reading does not insist on its own way; it from Paul’s letter to the Galatians (5:19ff) on Pentecost Sunday, after acknowledging the is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, darkness that dwells within each one of us, he illustrates but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, hopes all the fruits of the Holy Spirit and the fountain from which things, endures all things.” (13:4-6) The Holy Spirit gave the Corinthians a way out of their chaos, and a path they well up. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified forward for every Christian community for all time, one the flesh with its passions and desires. For if we live by generation to the next. Historians and biblical scholars can puzzle over the the Spirit, let us walk also by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one Holy Spirit’s coming and its meaning 2000 years ago. another.” (5:24-25) It’s a big – if – that determines how But for those of us engaged in Christian ministry and we walk. It will determine whether we can create unity outreach, there can be no doubt that the language being while cherishing diversity, or whether we will wallow in spoken then — and now — is the one any person can division, or worse, the violence, terror and war among understand. It is the language of the Gospel, the Good News. It is the language of love. Yes, this is why Pentecost nations. In the midst of enormous divisions among the ear- lives on. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful, and ly Christian community in Corinth, marred by lawsuits, sexual immorality, disregard for the poor, abuses at the enkindle in them the fire of thy love.
Leguaje del amor POR OBISPO JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D.
Mientras las naciones se encolerizan, la iglesia proclama elocuentemente en la fe del Pentecostés: Señor Jesús tu vienes a reunir a las naciones en la paz del Reino de Dios. Tu vendrás en palabra y sacramento para fortalecernos en santidad. Vendrás en gloria con salvación para tu pueblo. Mientras nos esforzamos fielmente por cumplir la Gran Comisión del Señor de hacer discípulos en todas las naciones, también aceptamos la enorme tarea de construir el Reino de los Cielos en la tierra dondequiera que se proclame el Evangelio, Romanos 14:17, cuyos signos son la justicia, la paz y el gozo en el Espíritu Santo. La Tierra Santa en la que Jesús y sus primeros discípulos se cruzaron para anunciar el Reino de Dios, sigue trágicamente
atormentada sin tregua por el odio, la violencia y el conflicto guerrerista. La tregua, que puso fin a la última ronda de malicia, es tan frágil como un nido de pájaros en medio de depredadores hambrientos. Sin embargo, como discípulos del Señor en una iglesia universal, el Espíritu Santo nos impulsa a superar la complacencia y la indiferencia, el cinismo y la desesperación por el beneficio común y la salvación de todos. “ Tener amor es saber soportar; El sueño de Dios para nuestro mundo, a través del es ser bondadoso; derramamiento del Espíritu Santo, es profundamente es no tener envidia, ni ser presumido, personal e inexorablemente universal. En nuestra ni orgulloso, ni grosero, ni egoísta; condición de seres únicos, el Señor llama a cada uno de es no enojarse ni guardar rencor; nosotros a arrepentirnos y reconciliarnos con Dios por es no alegrarse de las injusticias, nuestra propia salvación y por el bien de todos. Esta es sino de la verdad. una vida en comunidades de fe, de una iglesia mundial, Tener amor es sufrirlo todo, creerlo todo, donde la singularidad y la diversidad están destinadas esperarlo todo, soportarlo todo.” a crear lazos de unidad. Cuando vemos la división en Co 13: 4-7. nuestra iglesia, nación y mundo nos preguntamos si la unidad y la diversidad estarán siempre fuera de nuestro alcance. Cuando estamos atrapados por este caos, el Espíritu Santo siempre nos redirige de Volume 67 Number 12 regreso a Jesús, derramamiento máximo divino, por el poder de la crucifixión, resur(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
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BISHOP’S SCHEDULE Saturday, June 12, 5 p.m. – Feast Day Celebration, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Greenwood Monday, June 14, 10 a.m. – Dedication and Blessing of New Emergency Department, St. Dominic Hospital, Jackson Friday, June 18, 6:30 p.m. – Bishop’s Ball, Country Club of Jackson Wednesday, June 23, 6 p.m. – Confirmation Mass, St. Michael, Forest All events are subject to change. Check with local parishes for further details.
MAY 28, 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
4 VOCATIONS CALLED BY NAME It takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a village to raise priests and religious for our parishes, schools and ministries. I spent some time in Little Rock, Arkansas in early May to discover why the heck they have so many seminarians. They have about 30 seminarians and about 25 of them are from Arkansas. They also have nine men and women who are studying for religious life. This is Little Rock, not New Orleans. This is a diocese that is 5% Catholic and very rural. And they have 30 seminarians and nine men and women studying for religious life! I studied their vocations poster, and it reveals a diverse cast of characters representing many corners of their very large diocese. There are some wonderful missionaries who have come to study for the diocese, but the vast majority come from within. I left my visit extremely fired up: we can do this! The thing that impressed me most PEARL – St. Jude hosted about Little Rock’s program is the culture the diaconate ordination that has been built over years of collaboof Andrew Bowden on ration between the Vocation Department, May 15, 2021. Pictured the Bishop’s Office and the Chancery, are all seminarians for parish leadership, and the people of God. the Diocese of Jackson. Everything in that department is geared Pictured left to right: toward serving the people of God in ArGrayson Foley, Tristan kansas. There is a clear message that God Stovall, Bishop Joseph could be calling you to serve, and we are Kopacz, Carlisle Beggoing to support you in that call. It takes a gerly, Deacon Andrew village, and we are that village. Bowden, Ryan Stoer, This sort of support is certainly present in William Foggo and Facommunities in our diocese. It took a village ther Nick Adam. (Photo for Andrew Bowden to be ordained as Deaby Tereza Ma) con Andrew Bowden on May 15. It took a village for Tristan Stovall to be supported through the RCIA process in Philadelphia and finally to see him off to seminary formation. It took the villages of St. Paul Flowood, St. Richard and St. Joseph Schools and St. Joseph Starkville to inspire Will Foggo to enter the seminary this past year. But we can create a bigger, more cohesive village, and that’s what I learned in Little Rock. This summer I hope our village gets a little bigger as I host our first ever Quo Vadis? Young Men’s Retreat. This fall I hope it gets even bigger with our second annual Homegrown Harvest Seminarian Gala. And I also understand that this village will not be built overnight, and I am not building it alone. If you have ideas or just want to get involved in supporting our seminarians and young men and women who are discerning, please let me know. You can always email me at nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org. There are great things happening in the church, and there are great things happening in our diocese. Please continue to pray for vocations, and live in great hope, because the Lord will respond to these prayers, and we need to support one another as we look to build up our culture of vocations. – Father Nick Adam
Seminarian poster for the Diocese of Little Rock. (Photo by Malea Hargett, editor of Arkansas Catholic)
Spirituality 5
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC MAY 28, 2021
Rich kids growing up without money – or understanding IN EXILE By Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI
citizens of developed countries, wealthy and educated. Both were gifted with great genetic DNA, and both had the good fortune of not ever having been assaulted, abused, felled by cancer, or in a debilitating car accident. ... These advantages are not a matter of character. Indeed, willpower and capacity for wise decisions are often by-products of fortunate lives.” (Emphasis, mine) Success isn’t predicated only on personal character, hard work and dedication. Neither is failure necessarily the result of weakness, laziness, and lack of effort. We aren’t all born equal, set equally into the same starting blocks, have equally gifted or abusive childhoods, are allotted equally the same opportunities for education and growth, and then are parceled out equally the same measure of accidents, illness and tragedy in life. However, it’s because we naively believe that fortune is allotted equally to all that we glibly (and cruelly) divide people into winners and losers, judge harshly those
we deem losers, blame them for their misfortunes, and congratulate ourselves on what we have achieved, as if all the credit for our success can be attributed to our own virtue. Conversely, we see those who are poor as having only themselves to blame. Why can’t they pull themselves up by their bootstraps? We did! But ... some of us have genes that predispose us to become fat, some of us are rich kids who grow up without money, and willpower and capacity for wise decisions are often the products of a fortunate life rather than a matter of character. Recognizing that can make us less cruel in our judgments and far less smug in our own successes.
Gloria Steinem once confessed that, while never having been overweight, she has always been concerned about her weight because the genes she inherited from her parents predisposed her in that direction. So, she says, I think of myself as a fat woman who is slim at the moment. Her comment helped me to understand something I misunderstood years before in a classroom. Early on in my seminary studies, taking a course on the sociology of poverty, I was struggling to (Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser is a theologian, teacher accept our professor’s explanation and award-winning author. He can be contacted through as to why poverty isn’t always the his website www.ronrolheiser.com.) consequence of personal failure, but is often the product of unchosen circumstances, accidents and misfortune. Many of us in the class weren’t buying it, and this was our logic. Most of us had come from very The Pope’s Corner humble economic backgrounds and believed that we Bruni, confirmed that Pope Francis had pulled ourselves up by our own bootstraps. Why spoke over the telephone May 17 with couldn’t everyone else do the same? Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip ErdoSo we protested: we grew up poor. We didn’t have gan. any money. We didn’t get free school lunches. We While the Vatican did not comhad to work to pay for our clothes and books. Our ment on the content of the conversaparents never took any handouts. Nobody helped By Cindy Wooden them – they took care of themselves. So have we, VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The injury and death of so tion, the Turkish communications department said the their kids. We resent those who are getting things many innocent people, especially children, caused by two leaders discussed the ongoing attacks. According to a written statement reported by Andalfor nothing. Nothing came to us free! We’ve earned escalating violence between Israel and the Gaza Strip what we have. is “terrible and unacceptable,” putting the area at risk ou Agency, Erdogan said Israel’s attacks were an atrocOur professor answered by telling us that this is of sinking into “a spiral of death and destruction,” Pope ity and that the latest violations were putting regional security in danger. precisely why we needed a course on the sociology Francis said. Pope Francis’ appeal May 16 came as Israel escaof poverty. He wasn’t buying the notion that we had The pope launched an appeal for calm and asked grown up poor and had earned things by our own leaders of both sides “to put a stop to the roar of weap- lated its assault on Gaza and it also faced growing civil hard work. Then, this surprising phrase: “None of ons and to follow the paths of peace, even with the help unrest in its mixed Jewish-Arab cities. Jewish mobs had destroyed Arab property, and Arab you were poor as kids; you were rich kids who grew of the international community,” he said May 16 after up without money; and where you are today isn’t just reciting the “Regina Coeli” prayer with hundreds of peo- mobs attacked Jewish businesses and burned synagogues, with attempted lynchings on both sides over the the result of your own hard work, it’s also the result ple in St. Peter’s Square. of a lot of good fortune.” “Many people have been injured and many innocent past week. The violence between Israel and Hamas was at its It took me years (and Gloria Steinem’s comment) people have died. Among them are even children, and to understand he was right. I was a rich kid who grew this is terrible and unacceptable. Their death is a sign worst since the 2014 Gaza War with Israeli airstrikes up in a family without money. Moreover, so much of that one does not want to build the future, but wants to and hundreds of rockets launched from the Gaza Strip killing at least 145 Palestinians and 10 Israelis, accordwhat I naively believed that I’d earned by my own destroy it,” he said. hard work was in fact very much the product of good The growing hatred and violence in different cities ing to Reuters May 16. Efforts by the international comfortune. in Israel “is a serious wound to fraternity and to peace- munity were underway to broker a cease-fire. I doubt our society understands that. A number ful coexistence among citizens, of popular clichés have us believe that one’s backwhich will be difficult to heal if ground should never be an excuse for not being a we do not open immediately to success in this world, that success is open equally to dialogue,” the pope said, asking, everyone. We’ve all inhaled the clichés. Any poor “Where will hatred and venkid can grow up to be President of this country! Any geance lead? Do we really think poor kid can go to Harvard! Anybody industrious can we can build peace by destroymake a success of his or her life! There’s no excuse ing the other?” for any healthy person not having a job! The pope appealed for calm, Is this true? Partially, yes; kids from poor economa cease-fire and constant prayers ic backgrounds have become president, thousands of so that “Israelis and Palestinians poor kids have found entrance into the best univermay find the path of dialogue sities, countless kids who grew up poor have been and forgiveness, to be patient highly successful in life, and people who are motivatbuilders of peace and justice, ed and not lazy generally do make a success of their opening up, step by step, to a lives. However, that’s far from the whole story. common hope, to a coexistence What really makes for the separation of rich and among brothers and sisters.” poor in our world? Is everyone really on equal footHe then led those gathered ing? Is it really virtue that makes for success and lack in the square in praying the Hail of it that makes for failure? Mary for the victims, the chilPalestinian Suzy Eshkuntana, 6, is treated by a medic at a hospital In a best-selling book, Elderhood, Louise Aronson, dren and for peace. makes this comment about her mother and Queen Meanwhile, the head of the after being pulled from the rubble of a building during Israeli airstrikes Elizabeth, both who aged wonderfully and graceVatican’s press office, Matteo in Gaza City May 16, 2021. (CNS photo/Mohammed Salem, Reuters) fully: “They both were born into privilege: white,
Pope appeals for peace in Holy Land, says death of children ‘unacceptable’
MAY 28, 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
6 DIOCESE
Monsignor pens new books, vowing to keep busy in 2020 By Joe Lee
MADISON – Already the author of four books, including Saltillo Mission, his tribute to the humanitarian efforts of his friend and mentor, the late Father Patrick Quinn, Msgr. Michael Flannery vowed to do something productive while quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.
Instead of simply working on his next manuscript, he completed and published a whopping four new titles through Covenant Books, a Christian publishing house based in South Carolina. All four titles weave fiction with history and matters of faith and spirituality, an approach that plays to Msgr. Flannery’s strengths as a storyteller. “When I taught religion,” he said, “I felt the best way to do it was to tell stories and bring them to life for the kids. But these books aren’t just for children; they’re for parents and grandparents, too.” Here’s a look at each: The Chalice of Limerick explores a dark, dangerous period in the history of the Irish people and uses a chalice belonging to Bishop Turlough O’Brien and cared for (after Bishop O’Brien was hanged) by Father James Kelly to represent the lengths the Irish people would go to defend their Catholic faith from persecution, as well as the resilience they showed in surviving the Irish Potato Famine. A story of hope, bravery and loyalty, the book’s message underscores the true value of our beloved Catholic symbols, such as the chalice. The Holy Grail is allegedly the cup Jesus used the night of The Last Supper. Many books have been written about where the Holy Grail might be, and a major Hollywood film a generation ago, "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," included the search for the cup as a significant part of the plot. In a previous book, Padre’s Christian Stories, Msgr. Flannery penned an inspirational story about the Holy Grail, and in One View of the Holy Grail, he takes a new and creative approach to what might have happened to the mythical cup. In The Emerald, young Adolfo Rodriquez finds a rare and valuable stone in his native San Pedro, Coahuila, Mexico. As Adolfo learns, the emerald is rare and valuable because of the powers and opportunities it affords him — such as being the first from the village of San Pedro to attend college, where he earns a master’s degree in engineering. Adolfo goes on to do great things, including bringing a wind turbine back to the village, which greatly improves the lives of the people there. A first-person work of fiction, In Search of My Twin is seen through the eyes of William Musgrove. After he and his twin brother, Joseph, survive a deadly car crash that takes the lives of their parents when the boys are only two days old, they become wards of the state and are separated. William is especially intrigued to learn, as he grows up, that he actually has a twin brother, and his generation-long search to find Joseph takes him on a path that mirrors the close relationship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
(All four new releases by Msgr. Flannery are available in paperback and digital MADISON – Pictured are books by Msgr. Michael Flannery. He stayed productive formats through Amazon, Barnes and Noble and www.covenantbooks.com. Signed copies are also available for purchase at St. Francis of Assisi in Madison, located at while quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. 4000 W. Tidewater Lane, (601) 856-5556)
Obispo, en directivas modificadas, levantará dispensa de obligación de asistir a Misa Por Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – Después de un estudio cuidadoso y una consulta con el clero, el obispo Joseph Kopacz levantará la dispensa general de la obligación dominical de asistir a la misa, a partir de la fiesta de Corpus Christi, de la Misa de vigilia el sábado 5 de junio de 2021. En una carta publicada por la diócesis, el 20 de mayo, el obispo Kopacz declara: "La obligación dominical será restaurada en esta gran fiesta cuando podamos satisfacer nuestra hambre por el Pan de Vida, en la Palabra y Sacramento con la recepción de la Sagrada Comunión." El obispo Kopacz recuerda a los fieles en su carta que tengan también en cuenta que la iglesia siempre dispensa a aquellos que enfrentan problemas de salud graves. "Por lo tanto, alguien puede tomar válidamente la decisión de asistir a Misa, si puede, durante la semana y participar en la Misa el día del Señor a través de la transmisión en vivo." Además de levantar la dispensa general de la obligación de la Misa dominical, la diócesis modificó sus protocolos durante la pandemia. Las directivas, que representan una combinación de protocolos publicados anteriormente, detallan cómo las parroquias pueden avanzar hacia operaciones más normales, adoptando un
enfoque gradual, con una mirada atenta a los desarrollos y la orientación del Centro para el Control de Enfermedades (CDC) y el Departamento de Salud del Estado de Mississippi. El distanciamiento social será de 3 pies para las Misas y las parroquias pueden usar cada banco para decidir cómo escalonar los asientos para mantener el distanciamiento social. Además, las máscaras ya no se requieren en la Misa, pero se recomiendan para aquellos que no están vacunados y para niños y jóvenes menores de 16 años. Sin embargo, los sacerdotes y ministros eucarísticos deben usar máscaras al distribuir la Sagrada Comunión. Con los cambios, algunas cosas seguirán igual. Todavía se anima a recibir la Sagrada Comunión en la mano y los feligreses deben usar desinfectante de manos al entrar a la iglesia. Los protocolos actualizados también incluyen directivas sobre reuniones, encuentros, así como actividades para jóvenes y la Escuela Bíblica de Vacaciones. Los párrocos y su personal pastoral son responsables de la ejecución segura y prudente de las directivas, reconociendo que cada parroquia tiene circunstancias únicas. El objetivo es continuar proporcionando un lugar
seguro, para la adoración mientras se mantiene un nivel de confianza en todo el pueblo de Dios. El 13 de mayo, el CDC modificó la guía para el uso de máscaras para las personas completamente vacunadas, lo que les permitió dejar de usar máscaras al aire libre en multitudes y en la mayoría de los entornos interiores. La guía todavía exige el uso de máscaras en entornos interiores abarrotados como autobuses, aviones, hospitales, prisiones y refugios para personas sin hogar. El padre Lincoln Dall, vicario general de la diócesis, declaró al final de las directrices: “Queremos agradecerles a todos por sus esfuerzos para mantener seguros a nuestros feligreses durante la pandemia. Reconocemos que todos estamos muy cansados de lidiar con la pandemia. ... Sin embargo, reconocemos que todavía no es el momento de bajar la guardia por completo. Continuaremos monitoreando la situación y emitiremos lineamientos modificados cuando la realidad de la pandemia cambie.” Para ver la carta del obispo Kopacz levantando la dispensa y para una lista completa de los protocolos actualizados, visite https://jacksondiocese.org/public-health-concerns/
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC MAY 28, 2021
DIOCESE 7
New Orleans Archbishop committed to ending segregation, remembered by Bishop Emeritus common destiny, namely, to serve God in this world and find eternal By Mary Woodward happiness with Him in the world to JACKSON – This week I am highlighting a neighbor come. to the south of us – Archbishop Joseph F. Rummel, who “Racial segregation is morally was Archbishop of New Orleans from 1935 to his death wrong and sinful because it is a in November 1964. His tenure runs almost parallel to denial of the unity and universaliour own Bishop R.O. Gerow (1924-66). ty of the Redemption. The Eternal In talking with our Bishop Emeritus, Joseph Latino, Son of God, Christ Jesus our Lord, who grew up and went to seminary during the Rummel came into the world to redeem and years, Bishop Latino shared some insight into the life of save all men, to die for all men on the archbishop saying he was very much committed to the cross, to make the life of grace ending segregation even in the face of strong push back available through the Church and from Catholic community and business leaders. An inter- the Sacraments for all men, to emesting timeline develops beginning in 1949. brace all men in His Mystical Body It seems in 1949, Archbishop Rummel canceled on earth and in the life of glory in an outdoor liturgy when city officials would not allow heaven. Racial segregation would African American Catholics to participate. In 1950 he draw the color line across the inhad “White” and “Colored” signs removed from church- spiring plan of the Redemption and es. Rummel mandated an end to the practice of making thus sin against the divine proviAfrican American Catholics receive Communion last in dence. the love and the mercy that 1953. These measures met with resistance from laity conceived and carried out the wonand clergy. derful Mystery. To ground his efforts solidly in Catholic theology, “Racial segregation is morally Rummel issued a letter to be read in all parishes Feb. wrong and sinful because it is ba11, 1956. Now Rummel was famous for his long letters sically a violation of the dictates to be read to parishioners at Sunday Masses, but this of justice and the mandate of love, one rocked the entire archdiocese. The letter was laying which in obedience to God’s will groundwork to integrate the archdiocesan school system. must regulate the relations between In the letter Rummel gives three main points quoted all men. To deny to members of a below courtesy of the Archdiocese of New Orleans Ar- certain race, just because they are chives. members of that race, certain rights “Racial segregation is morally wrong and sinful ‘be- and opportunities, civic or econom- Pictured is Archbishop Joseph F. Rummel, who served as Archbishop cause it is a denial of the unity and solidarity of the hu- ic, educational or religious, rec- of New Orleans from 1935 until his death in November 1964. Archman race as conceived by God in the creation of man reational or social, imposes upon bishop Rummel met much resistance when he began taking steps to in Adam and Eve. Male and female He created them them definite hardships and hu- end segregation in his archdiocese in 1949. (Photo courtesy of Bishop and breathed into them the spirit of life and commanded miliations, frustrations and imped- Joseph Latino) them to increase and multiply and fill the earth. Through- iments to progress which condemn the name of the Divine Prince of Peace…” out the pages of the Old Testament and the New there is them to perpetual degradation Despite warnings of possible excommunication, loconstant recurrence of this truth, that all mankind has in which is only a step removed from slavery. Such indignical Catholic political, business and community leaders Adam and Eve one common father and mother and one ties are grievous violations of formed opposition groups to combat Rummel’s move to Christian justice and charpush for integrated Catholic schools in 1957. They even ity, which cannot be justiappealed to the Vatican but were rebuffed by the Holy fied in this modem age of See. Rummel was even the recipient of a burning cross enlightenment and loudly on the front lawn of the archbishop’s residence. proclaimed democracy.” Ultimately, three leaders were excommunicated, but Rummel concludes the the opposition continued and delayed the integration letter aware of opposition plans of Rummel. One reason for delaying was the recogby calling for calm and nition that white Catholics would leave Catholic schools prayer: “May we likewise if integrated and go to the public schools which were not unite in prayer that the yet integrated. So, archdiocesan leaders advised Rumdecision, when made, will mel to wait to integrate Catholic schools until the public be accepted in the spirit schools integrated in 1960. of Christian charity and In listening to Bishop Latino talk about his memories justice and in that unity of of all the events, he lamented the fact Archbishop Rummind, heart and will, which mel suffered greatly from the intolerance and disrespect, must always characterize but admired Rummel’s steadfastness in his mission in the family of God. This is the face of that suffering. Latino even remarked that the a problem which should church missed an opportunity to make a bold statement be worked out not in an to the world by bestowing Rummel with the red hat of atmosphere of wrangling or a Cardinal – honoring a man with principles like rails of contention or discord or hasteel from which he did not waiver. tred but in a spirit of concilIn future articles, we will explore the integration of iation and with a desire to Catholic schools in our diocese which has a similar path achieve peace through justhough I am not aware of any excommunications. We tice and charity. Prayer and also will throw in some more insights from our Emeritus. calmness of spirit are much Bishop Emeritus Joseph Latino recently sat down with Chancellor Mary needed in all our hearts, Woodward and shared his memories of Archbishop Joseph Rummel. (Photo and for these we plead in (Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the from archives) Diocese of Jackson)
FROM THE ARCHIVES
8 DIOCESE
MAY 28, 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
St. Dominic Behavioral Health celebrates 50 years with celebration, live art BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING
to someone,” said Moore. The celebration also included a commisJACKSON – To celebrate five decades, doctors, staff and program partners gathered sioned live artistry by Kerry Jackson. While to celebrate St. Dominic Behavioral Health on panelists spoke, Jackson completed a painting their campus on Friday, May 14. The present that will hang in the Behavioral Health lobby. facility located on St. Dominic’s north campus Jackson travels the world communicating the was built in 2013 and currently has three pa- Gospel using visual arts and traveled to his tient care units with a total of 77 bed adults, hometown of Jackson from Marietta, Georgia senior and in-patient and outpatient programs, to be a part of the celebration. Beginning with name tags with mental including outreach efforts for the community. At the event, Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth, health disorders and symptoms, Jackson becurrent foundation associate executive direc- gan painting various colorful shapes. It took a tor, shared remarks about the past, explaining while, but the picture began to come togeththat the program had its beginnings in 1971 er, and the crowd realized Jesus was there for with a psychiatric unit on the sixth floor of the comfort and support. In his blessing for the celebration, Bishop main hospital on the south campus. In 1992, the psychiatric unit was moved to the north Joseph Kopacz gave thanks to God. “Loving God, we give thanks for this joyful celebration campus when St. Dominic acquired the land. Also on hand at the event, was Dr. Kathy of the 50th anniversary of the St. Dominic’s BeCrocket, executive director of Hinds Behavioral havioral Health Center, that has been a haven Health Services, who talked about the organi- of safety, healing and hope for many who have zations shared history with St. Dominic Behav- passed through these doors. We thank you for ioral Health. Hinds Behavioral began in 1971 generations of dedicated staff, who have acas the Jackson Mental Health Center and was companied those in the need of the services of attached to St. Dominic’s until 2004 when the mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing.” name changed to Hinds Behavioral explained, Crocket. “I am proud to say that we continue to have a great partnership with St. Dominic’s Hospital,” said Crocket. “We look forward to continuing that partnership for many years to come.” Mental health hits home for Dr. Jared Taylor, a staff psychiatrist at the center. He explained that millions of people have been helped through mental health services. “When I think about 50 years of Behavioral Health Services, I think about the millions of people who have been positively impacted by mental health. And when I say millions of people, I am not only talking about patients, but I am also talking about family members and friends.” Taylor grew up in Jackson with a father, who suffered from schizophrenia. “Unfortunately, he did not get the help that he needed and so part of my goal as a psychiatrist is to help as many people as possible, so the same type of instance doesn’t occur again,” said Taylor. He also talked about the increased rates of depression and anxJACKSON – Artist, Kerry Jackson works on a piece iety that the COVID-19 pandemic of art in honor of St. Dominic Behavioral Health's has brought on across the world; 50th anniversary. The piece will hang in the center's and that mental health is needed lobby. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King) now more than ever. Senior director, Bonnie Moore (St. Dominic’s Behavioral Health Services talked about some of the “wins” in her tenure at Behavioral Health, that included working strives to provide quality and compassionate with the FBI to help a lost and confused wom- treatment to individuals and their families sufferan find her family. “We have a great team that ing from mental illness. Their goal is to help each is always thinking outside the box,” said Moore. individual and their family achieve the best pos“Not everyday brings us uplifting experienc- sible outcome. Assessment and referral specialists es but here at St. Dominic’s Behavioral Health, are available 24 hours/7 days a week at 1-800everyday does offer a chance to show kindness 632-5907.)
www.bidpal.net/bb21 https://catholiccharitiesjackson.org
28 de mayo de 2021
MississippiCatholic.com
Y fueron llenos del Espíritu Santo Por PaDre CleMeNt olUKUNle oYaFeMi
JACKSON – En Pentecostés celebramos el cumpleaños de la Iglesia Católica. En otras palabras, celebramos la inauguración de la Iglesia Universal. Cuando Jesús resucitó de entre los muertos, el primer regalo que le dio a la iglesia fue el Espíritu Santo. Les dice: “Reciban el Espíritu Santo. A quienes ustedes perdonen los pecados, les quedarán perdonados,” Jn 20: 22-23. Antes de su ascensión, Jesús hace una promesa a sus discípulos. Él les dice: “pero cuando el Espíritu Santo venga sobre ustedes, recibirán poder y saldrán a dar testimonio de mí, en Jerusalén, en toda la región de Judea y de Samaria, y hasta en las partes más lejanas de la tierra.” Hch 1: 8 El día de Pentecostés, el Espíritu Santo descendió sobre los apóstoles y, como lo atestigua la Biblia, “Eran hombres (y mujeres) devotos incluso en Jerusalén de todas las naciones de la tierra ... y cada uno estaba desconcertado al escuchar a estos hombres (los apóstoles) hablar su lenguaje propio." Hch 2: 6 Ellos preguntaron: ¿Cómo es que los oímos hablar en nuestras propias lenguas? Hch 2: 8. ¿Cuál es la implicación de este mensaje? ¿Cómo nos afecta hoy? Lo que sucedió el día de Pentecostés fue un milagro. El milagro fue que Dios habló a personas de diferentes nacionalidades en sus propias lenguas nativas a través de los Apóstoles que Una escena de Pentecostés está representada en una vidriera en eran hombres sin educación. la Iglesia de Santa Teresa de Lisieux en Montauk, Nueva York. El Fue al revés de la división que se vivió en la Pentecostés es el 23 de mayo de 2021. (Foto del CNS / Gregory A. Torre de Babel en Génesis 11: 1-9 Shemitz, Long Island Catholic)
¡Alabado sea el Señor! La raza humana está nuevamente unida después de muchos siglos de división y confusión. A través del Espíritu Santo, el mundo dividido, marcado por malentendidos, conflictos y confusión, ahora está unido. Hoy en día hay un serio intento por parte de algunas escuelas de pensamiento de enseñar al mundo entero el mismo lenguaje verbal para unirlos. Sin embargo, eso parece ser una broma costosa. Lo que necesitamos hoy es "inculturación". Eso es para permitir que el mensaje del evangelio nazca en todas las culturas. Hoy tenemos el desafío de derribar las barreras de la división y el sectarismo. Tenemos el desafío de llevar el Evangelio a todas las razas y culturas y ayudarlos a comprender las maravillas de Dios en sus propios idiomas nativos. Tenemos el desafío de ayudar a las personas a conectarse con Dios en sus propias condiciones históricas concretas. No necesitamos aprender ningún idioma extranjero para comunicarnos con Dios, nuestro Padre amoroso. Si la Iglesia se define como "el pueblo de Dios", entonces, el lenguaje de la Iglesia debe ser el lenguaje del pueblo de Dios en todas partes del mundo. Lo que realmente necesitamos en la Iglesia de hoy es el lenguaje del amor. No es verbal y no requiere intérprete. Cuando estemos llenos del Espíritu Santo, seremos capaces de hablar el lenguaje no verbal del amor, que no puede ser enseñado por ninguna técnica humana. Cuando estemos llenos del Espíritu Santo, podremos entendernos unos a otros en la famil– Continúa en la pág. 2 –
Desde pequeño, Diácono Andrew, fijó sus ojos en ser sacerdote Por JoaNNa PUDDister KiNG
JACKSON – Desde temprana edad, Andrew Bowden tuvo un corazón para el servicio. El 15 de mayo, continuó ese llamado cuando fue ordenado diácono de transición en su parroquia de St. Jude en Pearl. Servirá como diácono hasta la ordenación al sacerdocio el próximo año. “La primera vez que lo recuerdo diciendo algo sobre querer ser sacerdote, estaba en edad de jardín de infantes”, dijo su madre, Rhonda Bowden, quien coordina la liturgia y la atención pastoral en St. Jude. El diácono Bowden recordó haber asistido a una misa alrededor de esa edad, celebrada por el obispo William Houck, que despertó su interés por la vida religiosa. “Tenía una voz increíblemente poderosa y me impresionó. Tan impresionado que la próxima vez que vi a mi pastor, el padre [Martin] Ruane, le anuncié que quería ser obispo, ”se rió el diácono Bowden. El padre Ruane, fallecido en 2015, fue una gran influencia para el joven Bowden. Su sentido del humor, su naturaleza humilde y su alegría eran atributos que Bowden quería emular. "No recuerdo exactamente cómo respondió cuando el niño de cuatro años declaró que quería ser obispo, pero pudo reemplazar esa idea ... con el deseo de convertirse en sacerdote", dijo el diácono
Bowden. Casi al mismo tiempo, Bowden también comenzó a hablar de querer ser monaguillo. Aunque la política del padre Ruane era que los servidores alternos debían estar en cuarto grado, amablemente hizo una sesión de capacitación abreviada solo para Bowden en tercer grado, poco antes de dejar St. Jude para una nueva asignación. Bowden también participó activamente en el grupo de jóvenes de St. Jude y disfrutó compartiendo su fe y enseñando a los monaguillos más jóvenes. Su madre, Rhonda, no podía recordar ninguna otra vocación o trayectoria profesional que Bowden mencionara, aparte de los cuatro años diciendo que quería ser un sacerdote arquitecto que construyera iglesias y trabajara en la iglesia, imaginando como solo un niño puede hacerlo, para construir también túneles subterráneos a su casa para que pudiera almorzar con ella todos los días. Al final de la escuela secundaria, el diácono Bowden sintió fuertemente que estaba siendo llamado al sacerdocio. Sus padres apoyaron enormemente su deseo y después de graduarse de Brandon High School en la primavera de 2014, completó su solicitud para el seminario justo cuando el obispo Joseph Kopacz llegó a la diócesis. “Recomendamos encarecidamente a Andrew que tu-
PEARL – St Jude. Durante la ordenación de su hijo al Diaconado (i-d) Rhonda Bowden, quien coordina la liturgia y la atención pastoral en St. Jude, recibe la comunión de manos de su hijo Andrew, en mayo 15. (Foto de Tereza Ma)
'...En St. Jude, mientras crecía, comencé a amar a Dios...'
28 de mayo de 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO
'...! Espíritu Santo, renueva nuestras fuerzas!...' – Viene de la pág. 1 – ia, en la iglesia y en la sociedad. Llena del Espíritu Santo, la Iglesia tendrá el valor de realizar la Misión universal que Jesús le ha confiado. Ella será consolada, dirigida y fortalecida especialmente en momentos difíciles. En la confirmación, cada uno de nosotros recibió el don del Espíritu Santo. Eso significa que nos dé el valor para ser testigos de la Fe en todo momento, incluso frente a la muerte. Que el Espíritu Santo, que vino el día de Pentecostés, venga sobre todos y cada uno de nosotros y renueve la faz de toda la tierra.
PEARL – Durante ordenación al Diaconado, Andrew Bowden, se postra en el piso, en gesto de rendir su vida a Dios. (Foto de Tereza Ma) viera un 'plan de respaldo' en caso de que el nuevo obispo no estuviera ansioso por enviar a un joven de 18 años a seminario universitario. Pero, se mantuvo firme en que la voluntad de Dios prevalecería y que Dios le abriría un camino. Y Dios lo hizo”, dijo la madre de Bowden. Bowden pasó cuatro años en St. Joseph Seminary College en Covington, Louisiana y se trasladó al Seminario de Notre Dame, donde acaba de completar su tercer año antes de ser ordenado diácono de transición el 15 de mayo. “Durante la pasantía del diaconado tratamos de ubicar a nuestros hombres en parroquias que les darán una amplia gama de experiencias”, dijo el padre Nick Adam, director de vocaciones, quien conoció a Bowden en la escuela secundaria, mientras estaba en el seminario. “Esta será la primera vez que un seminarista bautiza a un bebé, presencia una boda o preside un funeral, y queremos asegurarnos de que tengan muchas oportunidades para sumergirse en la vida parroquial y caminar con las familias de esta manera”. A los que están en el diaconado de transición también se les intenta colocar en una parroquia con una escuela para que puedan ser parte del día a día de los niños y tener defectos. Un gran lugar para eso es la Basílica de Santa María y la Escuela Catedral en Natchez, y Bowden espera con ansias su servicio a la comunidad. “Durante el seminario, extrañé mucho la expresión local de la iglesia que es la Diócesis de Jackson. Tengo muchas ganas de pasar los próximos meses en Natchez con el padre [Scott] Thomas y el padre [Mark] Shoffner. ... Será muy bueno conocer a la gente allí y aprender cómo puedo servirles mejor”, dijo el Diácono Bowden. La madre de Bowden lloró “lágrimas de felicidad” durante la ordenación diaconal, “Ver a mi hijo tan feliz y saber que estaba respondiendo al llamado de Dios, hizo que mi corazón cantara de alegría,” dijo Rhonda. “El servicio del altar se convirtió en una parte importante de mi pre-discernimiento”, explicó el diácono Bowden. “A través del servicio en el altar en St. Jude mientras crecía, comencé a amar a Dios, la iglesia y el sacerdocio de una manera mucho más profunda.” – Viene de la pág. 1 –
Un médico israelí trata a un hombre que resultó herido después de que un cohete lanzado desde la Franja de Gaza aterrizara cerca de casas en Moshav Zohar, Israel, el 13 de mayo de 2021 (Foto del CNS / Amir Cohen, Reuters)
¡Ven, Espíritu Santo, ven! … Sana nuestras heridas, renueva nuestras fuerzas; Sobre nuestra sequedad derrama tu rocío; lava las manchas de la culpa Dobla los corazones y la voluntad obstinados; Derrite lo congelado, calienta el frío Guía los pasos que se desvían ... dales alegrías que nunca terminan
(Fragmento del libro Reflexiones Teológicas para Domingos y Solemnidades de Año Litúrgico B, 2011 del padre Clem-alias Clemente de Dios, CoAmén. ordinador del Ministerio Intercultural de la Dióce(De la secuencia de la misa del domingo de Pentecostés) sis 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.)
A medida que aumenta la violencia israelí-palestina, líderes cristianos expresan preocupación Por Catholic News Service
JERUSALÉN (CNS) – Los líderes cristianos en Tierra Santa expresaron su profunda preocupación por la creciente violencia israelí-palestina, ya que las dos partes se enfrentaron en Jerusalén e Israel lanzó ataques aéreos en Gaza, en respuesta a los ataques con cohetes. "Los violentos acontecimientos que asolan la Palestina ocupada, no son más que el resultado inevitable de la presión y la opresión practicadas por las potencias ocupantes de la tierra de Palestina durante más de siete décadas," dijo un comunicado del 11 de mayo. del Consejo de Iglesias de Oriente Medio. Estos acontecimientos relacionados, ya sea en la mezquita de Al-Aqsa o en Sheikh Jarrah, violan la santidad del pueblo de Jerusalén y de Jerusalén como la Ciudad de la Paz". Sheikh Jarrah es un barrio de Jerusalén donde decenas de palestinos están bajo amenaza de desalojo de los colonos judíos. La última ronda de confrontación comenzó a principios del 10 de mayo, cuando los israelíes se preparaban para celebrar el Día de Jerusalén, conmemorando lo que Israel ve como la reunificación de Jerusalén de 1967 y los palestinos ven como el comienzo de la ocupación israelí. La policía dice que se vieron obligados a responder cuando los palestinos atacaron un puesto poli-
cial, arrojando piedras, fuegos artificiales y otros objetos a la policía desde el complejo de la Mezquita Al-Aqsa, un lugar sagrado musulmán. El sitio también es considerado sagrado por los judíos, quienes lo llaman el Monte del Templo en honor a los dos templos bíblicos judíos que se encontraban allí. Más tarde ese mismo día, militantes palestinos en Gaza lanzaron cientos de cohetes contra Israel, matando a dos personas e hiriendo al menos a 10. En respuesta, Israel lanzó ataques aéreos contra Gaza, envió tropas a la frontera y convocó a reservistas militares. El Ministerio de Salud de Gaza dijo el 11 de mayo que al menos 26 palestinos, entre ellos una mujer y nueve niños, habían muerto en los ataques. El Consejo de Iglesias de Oriente Medio al instar a los líderes internacionales a hacer cumplir los derechos de las personas, el consejo dijo: "La violencia solo genera violencia y el odio solo conduce a más odio, la discriminación racial solo hace la revolución, y el extremismo solo genera extremismo, y la privación solo engendra levantamiento, y la única manera de salir de esto." El Status Quo es un acuerdo del siglo XIX que regula la jurisdicción y el acceso a sitios cristianos clave en Jerusalén para las comunidades católica, ortodoxa y otras comunidades cristianas. La declaración del Patriarcado Latino, que es similar a una arquidiócesis, dijo: "Esta es una ciudad sagrada para las tres religiones monoteístas ytambién una ciudad donde el pueblo palestino, cristianos y musulmanes tienen el mismo derecho a construir un futuro basado en la libertad, la igualdad y la paz," decía.
28 de mayo de 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO
!Ven, Espíritu Santo! Por Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
A menudo, el Papa Francisco ha descrito los trastornos sociales y ambientales en todo el mundo como un cambio de era, no simplemente como una era de cambio. En el centro de su sueño impulsado por el Espíritu Santo contenido en sus libros más recientes, Fratelli Tutti (Carta encíclica sobre la Fraternidad y Amistad Social), el libro Let Us Dream the Path to a New Future, (Soñemos Juntos, El Camino a un Futuro Mejor), está la esperanza de que el mundo no solo ensalce la libertad y la igualdad como los valores últimos, sino que evolucione para formar el triángulo perfecto con la inclusión de la fraternidad. La fiesta de Pentecostés, momento culminante de la temporada de Pascua, es cuando celebramos el poder transformador del Espíritu Santo que puede renovar la faz de la tierra y el paisaje de nuestras mentes y nuestros corazones. Este es el drama divino que tendrá culminación con la segunda venida del Señor Jesús. La iglesia primitiva experimentó rápidamente un cambio de época, un segundo evento de Pentecostés, en la casa de Cornelio, según los Hechos de los Apóstoles, primera lectura del domingo pasado. (Hechos 10: 25-48) La mayoría de los católicos pueden identificarse con el primer Pentecostés y el nacimiento de la iglesia cuando el Espíritu Santo, con un fuerte viento y lenguas de fuego, lanzó la proclamación del Evangelio con los 120 discípulos reunidos en oración, incluidos los 12 apóstoles y la Santísima Madre. Pedro, el primero entre iguales de los apóstoles, se puso de pie en medio de la emergente comunidad de creyentes para dirigirse a los judíos devotos reunidos de todas las naciones que estaban en Jerusalén para celebrar la fiesta judía de las Semanas, los primeros frutos de la cosecha. Después de la predicación histórica de Pedro del Kerygma en el contexto de las escrituras hebreas de la historia de la salvación, 3000 fueron bautizados ese día, todos ellos judíos. (Hechos 2:41) La gran comisión del Señor Jesús a los 11 apóstoles antes de ascender al cielo de hacer discípulos de todas las naciones, bautizándolos en el nombre del Padre, Hijo y el Espíritu Santo (Mateo 28:16-20), era su cosmovisión de un mensaje de salvación destinado exclusivamente a los hijos e hijas de Abraham esparcidos en la diáspora. El segundo momento de Pentecostés que marcó el comienzo del cambio de era no ocur-
rió en el centro religioso, económico y cultural de los judíos en Jerusalén, sino en la sala de estar de un pagano. Pedro, nuevamente en el centro del drama divino, en una visión repetitiva fue empujado y aguijoneado por el Espíritu Santo a matar y consumir alimentos inmundos. (Hechos 10:10-16), pero Pedro encontró esto repulsivo y se negó a consentir. Al despertar, llegaron tres extraños y lo dirigieron a la casa de Cornelio, un centurión, donde él y su familia estaban ansiosos por ofrecer hospitalidad al líder preeminente de los discípulos del Señor crucificado y resucitado. Lo dramático de este encuentro es que Pedro sufrió una conversión radical porque reunirse y mezclarse con los gentiles era la fuente de su repulsión, simbolizada por la comida. Comenzó su discurso sin darse cuenta de que el segundo aguacero de Pentecostés era inminente. En medio de su predicación sobre la historia del Señor crucificado y resucitado, el Espíritu Santo, pasó por encima de Pedro y cayó sobre los gentiles con el fuego del amor de Dios. Este encuentro, aunque fuera de lo común, fue al menos tan dramático como el primero. Pedro y los judíos piadosos de Jerusalén se sorprendieron de que el Espíritu Santo pudiera haber sido derramado sobre los gentiles, los incircuncisos, los paganos y los impuros. (Hechos 10:46) Este momento revolucionario le reveló a Pedro y al liderazgo de la iglesia, todos judíos en ese momento, que el derramamiento de sangre y agua sobre la Cruz y del Espíritu Santo era verdaderamente un don universal. El gozo se desbordó para muchos de los creyentes, pero esta revelación causó una división considerable en la iglesia primitiva. El Concilio de Jerusalén (Hechos 15) resolvió oficialmente la cuestión del alcance de la Ley Mosaica que incumbiría a los gentiles convertidos, pero la batalla en las trincheras de la vida de la iglesia se prolongó durante generaciones por la necesidad de la circuncisión de los gentiles, la señal del pacto que se remontaba a Abraham. El primer y segundo momento de Pentecostés, según se registra en los Hechos de los Apóstoles, muestra claramente que el Espíritu Santo, entonces y ahora, se derrama sobre toda la iglesia, especialmente cuando se reúne en oración. A veces, las acciones liberadoras de Dios pueden tomar a todos por sorpresa. El Papa Francisco llama a estos eventos un desbordamiento de la gracia de Dios y el fundamento de lo que el Papa ve como la necesidad de una sinodalidad activa en la Iglesia. Estos foros de oración, diálogo y discernimiento, donde se reúne la comunidad de creyentes, ordenados y laicos, son tan imprescindibles para la Iglesia en el tercer milenio como en el primero. Dan testimonio de la libertad que conocemos en Jesucristo, la igualdad de dignidad que poseen todas las personas hechas a imagen y semejanza de Dios, y la fraternidad inherente a la Gran Comisión de hacer discípulos de todas las naciones. En efecto, !Ven Espíritu Santo, en nuestro tiempo, e infunde a la iglesia el aliento de Dios!, quien siempre es antiguo y siempre es nuevo.
Monseñor Flannery – Padre Miguelito – brinda sabiduria en libros Por Joe Lee
JACKSON – Monseñor Michael Flannery ya es autor de cuatro libros más, donde se incluye La Misión de Saltillo (Saltillo Mission), su tributo a los esfuerzos humanitarios de su amigo y mentor, el difunto Padre Patrick Quinn. Monseñor Flannery, Padre Miguelito, como es conocido por algunos en la comunidad Hispana Flannery, prometió hacer algo productivo mientras estaba en cuarentena durante la pandemia de coronavirus de 2020. En lugar de simplemente trabajar en su próximo manuscrito, completó y publicó la friolera de cuatro nuevos títulos a través de Covenant Books, una editorial cristiana con sede en Carolina del Sur. Los cuatro libros tejen ficción con historia y asuntos de fe y espiritualidad, un enfoque con el que juega Mons. Flannery y una de sus fortalezas como narrador. “Cuando enseñé religión a los niños”, dijo Mons. Flannery, “sentí que la mejor manera de hacerlo era darles vida contándolas como historias. Pero estos libros no son solo para niños; también son para padres y abuelos”. Aquí hay un vistazo a cada uno de estos libros: El Cáliz de Limerick Este libro explora un período oscuro y peligroso en la historia del pueblo irlandés y utiliza un cáliz perteneciente al obispo Turlough O'Brien y cuidado por el padre James Kelly, después que el obispo O'Brien fuera ahorcado, para representar cuan largo los irlandeses iban a defender su fe católica de la persecución, así como la resistencia que demostraron al sobrevivir lo que se conoce como La Gran Hambruna Irlandesa de la Patata (papa). Este es una historia de esperanza, valentía y lealtad; el
mensaje del libro subraya el verdadero valor de nuestros amados símbolos católicos, como es el cáliz. Una vista del Santo Grial El Santo Grial es supuestamente la copa que Jesús usó la noche de la Última Cena. Se han escrito muchos libros sobre dónde podría estar el Santo Grial, y una gran película de Hollywood de hace una generación, Indiana Jones y la última cruzada, incluyó la búsqueda de la copa como una parte importante de la trama. En un libro anterior, Historias de un Padre Cristiano (Padre's Christian Stories), Mons. Flannery escribió una historia inspiradora sobre el Santo Grial, y en éste Una Vista al Santo Grial (One View of the Holy Grail), adopta un enfoque nuevo y creativo de lo que podría haberle sucedido a la mítica copa. La Esmeralda En el libro La Esmeralda, el joven Adolfo Rodríguez encuentra una piedra rara y valiosa en su natal San Pedro, Coahuila, México. Como aprende Adolfo, la esmeralda es rara y valiosa debido a los poderes y oportunidades que le brinda, como ser el primero de la aldea de San Pedro en asistir a la universidad, donde obtiene una maestría en ingeniería. Adolfo continúa haciendo grandes cosas, incluido el traer una turbina eólica de regreso al pueblo, lo que mejora enormemente la vida de las personas allí. En busca de mi Gemelo Una obra de ficción en primera persona, En busca de mi Gemelo (In Search of my Twin) se ve a través de los ojos de William Musgrove. Después de que él y su hermano gemelo, Joseph, sobreviven a un accidente automovilístico mortal que cobra la vida de sus padres cuando los niños tienen solo dos días de edad, se convierten
en pupilos del estado y son separados. William está especialmente intrigado al saber, a medida que crece, que en realidad tiene un hermano gemelo, y su larga búsqueda, de una generación, para encontrar a José lo lleva por un camino que refleja la estrecha relación entre el Padre, el Hijo y el Espíritu Santo. (Los cuatro nuevos lanzamientos de Mons. Flannery están disponibles en formato de bolsillo y digital, sólo en Inglés, a través de Amazon, Barnes and Noble y www. covenantbooks.com. Las copias firmadas también están disponibles para su compra en St. Francis of Assisi en Madison, llame al (601) 856-5556.)
28 de mayo de 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO
Premio Obispo Chanche a tres jóvenes Latinos Por JoaNNa PUDDister KiNG
JACKSON – Cuando el obispo John Joseph Chanche llegó a la recién formada Diócesis de Natchez en mayo de 1841, no había iglesias católicas, solo un par de sacerdotes misioneros, y su rebaño estaba muy lejos. Aceptó el desafío y sentó las bases de la Diócesis de Jackson. La diócesis honra su legado y agradece a quienes continúan construyendo sobre su base con el premio Obispo Chanche por su servicio. Este año, el obispo Joseph Kopacz y la Oficina del Ministerio de la Juventud otorgaron el premio Obispo Chanche a 11 jóvenes: Carolina Acosta – St. James, Tupelo; Anna Elise Crout – St. Joseph, Gluckstadt; Emma Rose Dickerson – St. Alphonsus, McComb; Maria Garcia – St. Therese, Kosciusko; Kirstie Graves – St. Joseph, Meridian; Anna Marie Lamanilao – St. Michael, Vicksburg; Nate Leary – St. John the Evangelist, Oxford; Alida Pérez – St. Joseph, Starkville; Katheryn Prater – St. Francis, Madison; Christopher Tonos – St. Joseph, Greenville y Chase Walter – St. Jude, Pearl Debido a COVID, los premios se entregaron individualmente en las parroquias. Tres de los receptores son jóvenes Hispanos. A continuación está una breve descripcion de ellos, provenientes de los formularios de nominación del Premio Obispo Chanche, ofrececiendo un vistazo de los jóvenes que sirven a la iglesia en la actualidad. CAROLINA ACOSTA – ST. JAMES, TUPELO Carácter: Humilde, comprometido y trabajador Actividades: monaguillo, lector, líder de la confraternidad cristiana en la escuela Escuela: Tupelo High School, senior Acosta fue nominada por Mary Frances Strange, di-
rectora de pastoral juvenil, quien dijo que Acosta vive su fe católica siendo valiente. “Es una de esas personas difíciles de describir, porque hay pocas como ella. El año pasado ofrecí la oportunidad a los Juniors recién confirmados de ayudar como líderes en su último año. Tenía ocho que estaban interesados. Ella era una de ellas,” dijo Strange. Acosta ayuda a dirigir un grupo pequeño en la parroquia y asiste a todos los proyectos de servicio. Este año, incluso ayudó a Strange con el retiro de Confirmación. "Me quedé tan impresionado con ella, fue la ayuda más eficiente y productiva que he tenido como ministro de jóvenes". MARIA GUADALUPE GARCIA – ST THERESE, KOSCIUSKO Carácter: Dedicado, leal, confiable Actividades: monaguillo, lector bilingüe, líder del rosario, presidente de CYO, club Beta, club de español, club de lectura, miembro de Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) y voluntario en Shepard's Touch Clinic Escuela: Middle School Kosciusko, último año García fue nominado por el Padre Odel Medina, ST, párroco de Santa Teresa Kosciusko. “María se merece el premio Bishop Chanche para jóvenes porque está dedicada a ayudar a cerrar la brecha lingüística entre nuestros miembros de la congregación que hablan español e inglés. Es leal a sus deberes y confiable en todo lo que se le pide. Ella es un modelo para
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su familia, iglesia y comunidad,” dijo el Padre Medina. García está disponible para traducir verbalmente o por escrito del inglés al español o viceversa. Tiene un corazón de siervo. El Padre Medina también dijo que García ha animado y enseñado a los niños más pequeños de la parroquia cómo servir y participar en la Misa. “Ella ha enseñado a varios otros niños de la iglesia cómo servir como monaguillo, rezar el Rosario y participar en las Estaciones de la Cruz. Su perspectiva positiva de la vida es contagiosa y los demás quieren estar cerca de ella y agradarla,” dijo Medina.
ALIDA PEREZ – ST. JOSEPH, STARKVILLE Carácter: Fiel, líder y piadosa Actividades: grupo de jóvenes, monaguillo, coro de la iglesia, coro de la escuela, voluntario de la despensa de alimentos Escuela: Starkville High School, senior Pérez fue nominada por el diácono Jeff Artigues en St. Joseph Starkville, quien dice que vive su fe católica a través de su participación activa en el grupo de jóvenes de la parroquia. "Ella está involucrada ... porque quiere fortalecer su vínKOSCIUSKO – El obispo Kopacz en- culo con Dios y sus comtrega el premio "Obispo Chanche" a pañeros católicos," dijo el María Guadalupe García, en mayo 8. diácono Artigues. (foto cortesía de Yolanda Vásquez)
TOME NOTA Vírgenes y Santos Dia del Corpus Christi. Jueves, jun. 3 Fiesta del Inmaculado Corazón de María. Sábado, jun. 12 Festividad del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús. Lunes, jun. 14 Dia de los Padres. Domingo, jun. 20 Natividad de San Juan Bautista. Miércoles, jun. 24 Señora del Perpetuo Socorro. Domingo, jun. 27 Solemnidad de San Pedro y San Pablo. Martes, jun. 29
Requisitos para calificar para DACA Jóvenes que entraron antes de junio 15 de 2007 Haber nacido después del 15 junio 1981. Tener menos de 16 cuando entró a Estados Unidos Tener más de 15 años el día que aplica Tener menos de 31 años el 15 de junio del 2012. Necesitan una identificación con foto. Evidencias de residir en Estados Unidos: Diploma High School o su equivalencia, registro en escuela o fuerzas armadas. Tener buena conducta moral, no felonía, DUI, violencia doméstica o haber sido condenado por un crimen grave.
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC MAY 28, 2021
NATION
WASHINGTON (CNS) – South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has signed into law a bill requiring deathrow inmates to choose between the electric chair or the firing squad for their executions if lethal injection drugs are not available. The measure, signed by the Republican governor May 14, was touted as a move to restart capital punishment in the state after a 10-year pause due to a lack of lethal injection drugs. Days before it was signed into law, a Catholic death penalty opponent called the measure a "setback for South Carolina" and a move that "stands in stark contrast to powerful efforts elsewhere to abolish the death penalty." "The decade without executions in South Carolina should be seen as a mark of progress toward a culture of life, not a reason to backslide into immoral and gruesome means of killing," said Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of Catholic Mobilizing Network. The electric chair and firing squad "should have no place on the state's list of means to address harm or bring about so-called justice. ... There is no reason why the state should be executing people at all," she told Catholic News Service in a May 10 email.
VATICAN
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Nations of the world must work together to solve the key global crises of migration and climate change, which are questions of justice that can no longer be ignored, Pope Francis told diplomats. "In the development of a global consensus capable of responding to these ethical challenges facing our human family, your work as diplomats is of paramount importance," he said. The pope's comments came May 21 in a speech to new ambassadors to the Vatican from Singapore, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Algeria, Sri Lanka, Barbados, Sweden, Finland and Nepal. Speaking to the group of diplomats, the pope recognized the difficulties involved in traveling during the ongoing pandemic and thanked them for being able to attend the meeting in person. The COVID-19 pandemic has made people more aware of how interdependent everyone is and of "our need to be attentive to the poor and the vulnerable in our midst," the pope said. VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The annual diocesan celebration of World Youth Day is an important event that emphasizes the role young people play in the Catholic Church, the Vatican said. In a document published by the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life May 18, the Vatican issued a set of pastoral guidelines for local WYD celebrations "to ensure that younger generations feel that they are at the center of the church's attention and pastoral concern. The celebration of these youth days at a local level is therefore extremely useful in keeping the church mindful of the importance of walking with young people and of welcoming them and listening to them with patience while proclaiming the word of God to them with affection and power," it stated. The document was signed by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, dicastery prefect, and Schonstatt Father Alexandre Awi Mello, dicastery secretary. Divided into six chapters, it said local celebrations offer young people "a personal experience of a 'festival of faith,'" which is especially important for those who cannot attend the international event "because of studies, work or financial difficulties." World Youth Day is celebrated annually on a local level and every two or three years with an international gathering with the pope. In November, Pope Francis moved the local celebrations of World Youth Day from Palm Sunday to the feast of Christ the King.
WORLD
MUMBAI, India (CNS) – The High Court in Mum-
BRIEFS 13 bai order prison authorities to take an ailing 84-year-old Jesuit to the hospital, as it heard his appeal to receive bail on medical grounds, Indian media reported. The High Court said Jesuit Father Stan Swamy must be taken to JJ hospital at noon May 20. Media reports said the court ordered the hospital to have him examined by a neurologist, orthopedic physician, general practitioner and ear, nose and throat specialist. The court ordered the hospital to report back to the judges May 21. Father Swamy suffers from Parkinson's disease, hearing loss and lumbar spon- A Moroccan boy cries as he swims using bottles as a float, near the fence bedylosis. Jesuits and family tween the Spanish-Moroccan border, after thousands of migrants swam across members believe he might the border, in Ceuta, Spain, May 19, 2021. In a statement released May 18, also have COVID-19. "Fa- the Spanish bishops' conference expressed concern that migrants were being ther Swamy had a severe exploited after a sudden of influx of refugees into the Spanish territories of cold, fever, body pain and Ceuta and Melilla increased tensions between Spain and Morocco. (CNS photo/ diarrhea and could not Jon Nazca, Reuters) even attend a call from services" that took place during the convention. He said his legal team. This indicates that he was suffering from the issue of shared Communion was "extremely complex COVID-19," his elder brother, Irudaya Swamy, 90, told and emotionally charged." This made it all the more ima virtual news conference May 15. "We are not sure if he portant to move forward carefully, he said. is getting proper medical attention. His health condition ROME (CNS) – The Spanish bishops' conference is getting worse." The priest has been in Mumbai's Talo- expressed concern that migrants were being used to exja Central Jail since Oct. 9, a day after he was arrested ert political pressure after a sudden influx of migrants in Ranchi, capital of Jharkhand state in eastern India. in the Spanish territories of Ceuta and Melilla increased The activist, who works for the rights of tribal people in tensions between Spain and Morocco. In a statement reJharkhand, was accused of conspiring with the outlawed leased May 18, Auxiliary Bishop José Cobo of Madrid, Maoist rebels to overthrow the federal government and head of the conference's migration department, and Doorganize violence. minican Father Xabier Gómez, the department's direcFRANKFURT, Germany (CNS) – Germany's Third tor, warned of the exploitation of migrants following a Ecumenical Convention concluded in Frankfurt May 16 diplomatic row between the two countries. "Appealing to with an open-air church service on the bank of the River the supreme value of life and human dignity, remember Main. With the city's skyline of office towers providing that the despair and impoverishment of many families the backdrop, some 400 people attended the service, and minors cannot and must not be used by any state to including German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. exploit the legitimate aspirations of these people for poBut Bishop Gerhard Feige of Magdeburg, head of the litical purposes," the statement read. Spanish authorities Catholic bishops' commission on ecumenical relations, were caught off guard May 17 when an estimated 8,000 told the website katholisch.de that he could not see that migrants – including more than 1,500 unaccompanied the convention gave a particular boost to ecumenism. minors – entered Ceuta, a Spanish enclave bordering In terms of language and visually, the meeting "largely Morocco. An estimated 86 migrants entered Melilla, took place in an internal church bubble" and was thus another Spanish territory located on the North African unlikely to have reached nonbelievers or people who coast. According to BBC News, Spanish Prime Minister were distanced from the churches, the German Catho- Pedro Sanchez deployed military forces to the territories lic news agency KNA said May 17, reporting on his re- to tighten the border controls and deport migrants back marks. "Nevertheless, I am impressed that the meeting to Morocco. could take place at all at this difficult time and apparently did reach a large number of people." The convention, or kirchentag, wrapped up three days of events in which approximately 160,000 people, mostly via video conferencing, participated in discussions, Bible readings, worship services and other events exploring theological and social issues. Protestants and Catholics called for the church to work for justice in society and the church. Bishop Feige was critical of the "ecumenically sensitive
14 WORLD
MAY 28, 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
Polish pilgrims mark anniversary of attempt to assassinate St. John Paul BY CINDY WOODEN
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – An elderly man stood alone in St. Peter's Square May 13, using his wooden rosary beads to pray by a simple plaque marking the place where St. John Paul II was shot exactly 40 years earlier. The man soon was joined by members of "Polska w Sercu" (Polish at Heart), a group of Polish Catholics who have lived for years in Rome but have not forgotten their homeland or their beloved pope. Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, who served for more than three decades as personal secretary to the late pope, arrived to process with the group to the plaque where someone already had placed two red roses. They added a bouquet of gerbera daisies – red and white – the colors of the Polish flag. Cardinal Dziwisz had begun marking the anniversary of the May 13, 1981, assassination attempt by concelebrating Mass with Cardinal Konrad Krajewski and dozens of Polish priests at the tomb of St. John Paul in St. Peter's Basilica. Remembering how Mehmet Ali Agca shot and "almost mortally wounded" St. John Paul, "I still can feel his body slip as if paralyzed and fall into my arms," Cardinal Dziwisz said in his homily. "I see his blood dripping onto his white pontifical cassock, staining my hands and clothes. I also hear a continual, fainter and fainter, repetition of the invocation, 'O Mary, O my Mother!'" "How difficult it is to forget the bang of the would-be assassin's gunshots, which in a single moment could have put an end to this extraordinary pontificate," the cardinal said, thanking the medical personnel who saved his life and the people all over the world who prayed for his recovery. "Today, 40 years after that event, and 16 years" after his death, "I think with fear of what it would have been like if we had lost him in St. Peter's Square back then," he said. "How poor and different the world and our homeland, Poland, would have been without his witness of faith and doctrine, without his indications and his warnings in the face of the dangers and turmoil that can threaten us in today's world." Noting the day's feast of Our Lady of Fatima and St. John Paul's conviction that she saved his life, Cardinal Dziwisz also turned to Our Lady of Fatima with "a trusting prayer for the world fighting against the coronavirus pandemic," for a greater commitment to keeping the Ten Commandments and following the beatitudes "and, finally, for fidelity to the teachings and mission left to us by St. John Paul II the Great."
Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, the former secretary of St. John Paul II, looks at the spot of the May 13, 1981, assassination attempt against the Polish pope, after placing flowers in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican May 13, 2021. Cardinal Dziwisz and a small group of Catholics gathered in the square to mark the 40th anniversary of the shooting. In 1981 then-Msgr. Dziwisz cradled the pope after the shooting. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
The Diocese of Jackson has launched a third-party reporting system that will enable all diocesan employees, volunteers and parishioners to anonymously (or named if preferred) make reports. Examples of this activity include fraud, misconduct, safety violations, harassment or substance abuse occurring at a Catholic parish, Catholic school or at the diocesan level. The system is operated by Lighthouse Services. Based in Deerfield, Illinois, Lighthouse Services maintains ethics, safety and fraud hotlines for over 4,100 organizations between the U.S. and abroad. To make a report visit www.lighthouse-services.com/jacksondiocese or call 888-8300004 (English) or 800-216-1288 (Spanish). The Association of Priests of the Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi provide a small pension to our retired priests. As you consider your estate plans, please remember these faithful servants by making a donation or leaving a bequest to the Association of Priests. Our parish priests dedicate their lives to caring for us, their flocks. Let us now care for them in their retirement. Donations can be made payable to the Association of Priests and can be mailed to: Diocese of Jackson, Attn: Cathy Pendleton, P.O. Box 2248, Jackson, MS 39225-2248
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC MAY 28, 2021
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High court to hear major abortion case from Mississippi in its next term WASHINGTON (CNS) – The U.S. Supreme Court said in a May 17 order that it pro-life caucus, tweeted May 17 that he was encouraged the court decided to hear it. will hear oral arguments during its next term on a 2018 Mississippi abortion law ban“There is no constitutional right to abortion, yet for nearly 50 years since Roe v. ning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Wade was wrongly decided, more than 62 million children have been the tragic vicThe case is Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The court’s term opens tims of abortion. It is long past time for the Supreme Court to right this wrong,” he said. in October and a decision is expected by June 2022. O. Carter Snead, law school professor at the University of Notre Dame, said the Just after then-Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed the law March 19, 2018, a feder- court agreeing to take this case “signals the possibility that it may finally end its failed al judge blocked it temporarily from taking effect after the state’s only abortion clinic and constitutionally unjustified experiment as the nation’s ad hoc abortion regulatory filed suit, saying it is unconstitutional. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit body of last resort.” upheld the block on the law. He said the court’s “tortured reading of the Constitution has undermined the rule of In commending Bryant for his signature, the state’s Catholic bishops, Bishop Joseph law, broken our electoral politics and resulted in a staggering number of lives lost. It is R. Kopacz of Jackson and Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III of Biloxi, said: “(We) wish to time once and for all for the Supreme Court to return to its role as faithful interpreter reaffirm the sacredness of human life from conception until natural death. With Pope of the Constitution and to repair the damage it caused years ago.” St. John Paul II, we recognize abortion as ‘a most serious wound inflicted on society and its culture by the very people who ought to be society’s promoters and defenders.’” In 2020, the Jackson and Biloxi dioceses filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s petition to the Supreme Court asking it to review the 5th Circuit’s ruling prohibiting the state from enforcing the law. The high court should clarify current law on abortion “in light of a state’s interests in protecting the sanctity of life,” the dioceses’ brief said. A number of states have passed laws restricting abortion that have been challenged in court by supporters of legal abortion. Pro-life advocates have been hoping one or more of those laws would be taken up by the Supreme Court as a way to challenge 1973’s Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. The Mississippi case will be the first abortion case the court will consider since the Oct. 26, 2020, confirmation of now-Justice Amy Coney Barrett, President Donald Trump’s third pick for the court. His first two picks, Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch, were on the court when it took up its first major abortion decision since they were confirmed. The case was a Louisiana law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at local hospitals. The court struck it down as unconstitutional in a 5-4 ruling. Chief Justice John Roberts joined Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ruth Bader Ginsburg in knocking down the law. Kavanaugh and Gorsuch joined Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas in upholding the law. (Image courtesy of BigStock photo) The upcoming Mississippi case – it has been on the Supreme Court’s docket as a potential case since last fall – will examine the question of viability, specifically if a fetus can survive on its own at 15 weeks. Pro-life advocates were pleased with the court’s decision to take this case. “We applaud the U.S. Supreme Court for examining – Viene de la pág. 3 – the Mississippi law,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, who stressed that so much more is rección y ascensión. En la lectura de la carta de Pablo en Gálatas 5:19ss en el domingo de Pentecostés, después known now about viability with advanced technology. de reconocer la oscuridad que habita dentro de cada uno de nosotros, se ilustran los frutos del Espíritu Santo Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Acy la fuente de la que brotan. tion League based in Chicago, said many activists see “Y los que son de Cristo Jesús, ya han crucificado la naturaleza del hombre pecador junto con sus pasiones this as “an opportunity for the high court to overturn Roe y malos deseos. Si ahora vivimos por el Espíritu, dejemos también que el Espíritu nos guíe.“ Ga 5: 24-25 Es v. Wade” or at the very least to “bring abortion policy in muy importante si vivimos por el Espíritu, pues eso determina cómo caminamos; determinará si podemos crear the United States in line with rest of the world, where unidad mientras apreciamos la diversidad, o si nos revolcaremos en la división o, peor aún, en la violencia, el abortion is strictly limited after 12-15 weeks.” terror y la guerra entre las naciones. Similarly, Jeanne Mancini, president of March for En medio de enormes divisiones entre la comunidad cristiana primitiva en Corinto, empañada por juicios, Life, said the United States “is one of only seven couninmoralidad sexual, desprecio por los pobres, abusos en la Cena del Señor, facciones y negación de la resurrectries – including China and North Korea – that allows ción por nombrar algunos, San Pablo se mantuvo firme en su creencia de que el Espíritu Santo podía sacar el abortions through all nine months of pregnancy.” orden divino del caos. “Hay en la iglesia diferentes dones, pero el que los concede es un mismo Espíritu. Hay “An overwhelming majority of Americans agree diferentes maneras de servir, pero todas por encargo de un mismo Señor. Y hay diferentes manifestaciones de that this goes way too far,” she said. “In fact 70% think poder, pero es un mismo Dios, que, con su poder, lo hace todo en todos. Dios da a cada uno alguna prueba de abortion should be limited to – at most – the first three la presencia del Espíritu, para provecho de todos.” 1Co12: 4-7 months of pregnancy.” Lo que sigue es una parte del testimonio más anunciado compuesto sobre el amor y que San Pablo escribió In a May 17 statement she added: “States should be de “la manera más excelente.” allowed to craft laws that are in line with both public “Tener amor es saber soportar; es ser bondadoso; es no tener envidia, ni ser presumido, ni orgulloso, ni opinion on this issue as well as basic human compassion, grosero, ni egoísta; es no enojarse ni guardar rencor; es no alegrarse de las injusticias, sino de la verdad. Tener instead of the extreme policy that Roe imposed.” amor es sufrirlo todo, creerlo todo, esperarlo todo, soportarlo todo.” Co 13: 4-7 El Espíritu Santo les dio a los Thomas Olp, vice president and senior counsel for corintios una salida de su caos y un camino a seguir para cada comunidad cristiana de todos los tiempos, de the Thomas More Society, a nonprofit national public inuna generación a la siguiente. terest law firm, said his firm, on behalf of Illinois Right to Los historiadores y los eruditos bíblicos pueden desconcertar la venida del Espíritu Santo y su significado Life, has “argued against the now long-outdated science hace 2000 años. Pero para aquellos de nosotros que estamos comprometidos con el ministerio cristiano y behind Roe v. Wade and urged the court to uphold the la divulgación, no puede haber duda de que el idioma que se hablaba entonces y ahora, es el que cualquier subsequent 14th Amendment rights due the preborn.” persona puede entender. Es el lenguaje del Evangelio, la Buena Nueva. Es el lenguaje del amor. Sí, es por eso Activists were not the only ones to respond in favor por lo que Pentecostés sigue vivo. of the court taking the case. Ven Espíritu Santo, llena los corazones de tus fieles y enciende en ellos el fuego de tu amor. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., chair of the new Senate
‘... Es el lenguaje del Evangelio, la Buena Nueva ...’
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16 Columns
Pneuma: can you hear me now? FROM THE HERMITAGE By
sister alies therese
The ‘season of the Spirit’ is upon us and have we used the many opportunities to explore the ‘beauty?’ As we ‘turn green’ from the glory of Easter/Pentecost’s golds and reds we are called to practically live out what has been given. We discover in the Scriptures and from contemporary writers, the various ways this Pneuma has been heard and experienced. What sort of life might we live having received such ourselves? How do we set ourselves up to receive? How do we respond to the generosity and kindness of God? Carlo Carretto, (Selected Writings, 1994, Ellsberg, Ed. page 83) ... points us to our reality: “And then, what do rocks matter? What matters is Christ’s promise, what matters is the cement that binds the rocks into one: the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit alone can build the Church with stones as ill-hewn as we.” To admit I am ill-hewn is always an ‘ouch’ as I’m pretty sure God meant better for us! But the Spirit shows me a different picture and promises to transform. Pope Francis in the Joy of the Gospel (2013) speaks of: “Spirit-filled evangelizers, fearlessly open to the working of the Holy Spirit ... Jesus wants evangelizers who proclaim the good news not only with words but above all a life transfigured by God’s presence…” And then the Scriptures showed us: “A strong heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing the rocks before the Lord — but the Lord was not in the wind ... and after the fire there was a whispering sound.
When he heard this Elijah hid his face in his cloak.” (1Kings 9) “The tiny whisper is imperceptible and tells of the spirituality of God. It was fitting Elijah, whose mission it was to re-establish the covenant and restore the pure faith, would have returned to Horeb where the covenant was revealed to Moses and through him to Israel’s people.” (NAB, notes, page 336) Have we heard the driving wind or the small voice? God is generous, clearly a hope in us that we don’t miss our call, indeed, that we get the memo! “From up in the sky there came a noise like a strong, driving wind: the wind and the Holy Spirit are associated in John 3:8: ‘the wind blows where it will. You hear the sound it makes but you do not know where it comes from nor where it goes. So it is with everyone begotten of the Spirit.’” (NAB, notes, page 1172) I don’t know where I’m going half the time (perhaps not in an ‘ultimate sense’). Is this a blessing of aging? Anyway, this Spirit does not just call on us once ... or even twice. Frequently we can hear that whisper, or large boom, when we are at prayer, or trying to pray. Note: CCC 2623: On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit of the Promise was poured out on the disciples, gathered ‘together in one place. While awaiting the Spirit, ‘all these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer.’ The Spirit who teaches the church and recalls for her everything Jesus said was also to form her in a life of prayer.” CCC 2655: ...Prayer internalizes and assimilates the liturgy during and after celebration. Even when it is lived out ‘in secret’, prayer is always the prayer of the church; it is a communion with the Holy Trinity.’
Gifts of love in ordinary time ON ORDINARY TIMES By Lucia A. Silecchia
My college graduation was a rainy, soggy mess – and it was wonderful. It was a beautiful evening in June, and my graduation was the next morning. June weather in New York can be glorious. So, I just assumed graduation would be a sunny celebration outdoors on the campus quad with my classmates and a large enthusiastic crowd of our family and friends. But, as the night wore on, there was talk of rain. This was not a forecast for the gentle, sweet rain that refreshes, but the more foreboding, soaking rain that lashes out with wind and thunder. I love a good thunderstorm ... but not on my graduation day. There was a commencement rain plan that would require a difficult choice for me. On campus, we had an auditorium that could hold the graduates, but none of their guests. There was also a gymnasium that could accommodate guests to watch a live broadcast of the graduation. (Yes, this was in the ancient days before the internet could livestream the graduation to the most remote corners of the globe.) Unfortunately, each graduate would get only one ticket for a single guest to attend this broadcast. My siblings would be content to sit out this event. We were at a stage in my family’s history where every year one of us seemed to be graduating from somewhere! But, as the night wore on, it looked ever more likely that I could only ask one guest to watch my graduation. The burden of choosing between my Mom and my Dad weighed heavily on my mind. But then, one of my most cherished memories unfolded. My Dad took me aside and told me quietly that if I
could only have one guest, there was no question that it should be my Mom. He reminded me of all the ways she had supported me through college and how, after her many years as a teacher, education was so important to her. He knew my Mom would cherish the chance to see her daughter graduate college. Then, not long after, my Mom took me aside and told me quietly that if I could only have one guest, there was no question that it should be my Dad. She reminded me of how hard he had worked to provide for his children’s education and how he had been looking forward to the first of the college graduations his three children would celebrate. She knew my Dad would cherish the chance to see his daughter graduate college. Without question, each was absolutely certain that the other came first. When graduation day dawned, the skies were less threatening, and the forecasts became optimistic. It was announced, to my great relief, that we would have graduation outdoors with an unlimited number of guests after all. Problem solved! The ceremony started and, as if on cue, as soon as we had processed in and the opening remarks were made, the sky turned dark, rumbles of thunder began, and the clouds opened with torrential rains. We had the shortest commencement in the college’s history. When the truncated ceremony was over, I met my family on the soggy lawn. My drenched cardboard mortar board was rippled like corrugated paper. The black ink in the rayon graduation robe was bleeding onto my dress, and the graduation program was a wet rag in my hands. And, I could not have been happier. I was in the embrace of all the people I loved. All these years later, I have no recollection of the ceremony itself or of what was said, what was done, and who had spoken. I remember only two things. I remem-
So, the coming of God’s Spirit is really to form us illhewn ones for prayer, for that marvelous encounter with Jesus. If God, as Spirit, has gotten our attention, what next? W. H. Auden in Prayer, the Nature of in a Certain World, 1970, writes: “To pray is to pay attention to something or someone other than oneself. Whenever one so concentrates attention... that one completely forgets the ego and desires, one is praying. To forget my ego ... ah, that is where I am indeed illhewn! You? In Praying With Icons, Jim Forest, 1997, points out: “When the Most High came down and confused the tongues, God divided the nations. But when God distributed tongues of fire, God called everyone to unity. Therefore with one accord we glorify the all-Holy Spirit.” — Kontakion for Pentecost How is this Spirit wending her way through our pandemic ridden world? Are we not, indeed a people in darkness awaiting illumination? Are we not a people called to unity, burned together by this fire? This unity comes in prayer and action, and trust in an unseen God. Finally, in The Word in the Desert, Douglas Burton-Christie 1993, mentions Abba Cronius, who reminds the brothers/sisters that “vigilance, singlemindedness, and abandonment to God’s will gives birth to the Holy Spirit in one’s soul.” (page 207) We pray the Spirit will give us just these graces for that birth that we might together glorify God, ill-hewn as we are. Blessings. (Sister alies therese is a canonically vowed hermit with days formed around prayer and writing.)
ber being very, very wet. And I remember my parents’ quiet, selfless love for each other. If you are a 2021 graduate with limited tickets to your celebration, congratulations! Alas, I have absolutely no helpful advice for you on allocating those tickets. But, if you are a parent, and you have any opportunity to show your children that you love each other, do it. Of course, the long-planned grand gestures and the eagerly anticipated celebrations of milestone anniversaries and birthdays are memorable. But, to me, the two quiet conversations I had with my parents on the eve of my graduation meant the world. Both my Mom and my Dad had long worked and waited to see their children graduate. Yet, to each of them, giving the joy of that celebration to the other was what they preferred over keeping that gift for themselves. It was not an expensive, grand gesture in the balance. It was a ticket to sit on a creaky folding chair in an old gymnasium to watch what would likely be a fuzzy broadcast of a lengthy ceremony. That was all, and that was everything. After a quarter century of marriage, “He comes first,” and “She comes first” were their first responses and best instincts, and I was blessed to witness that firsthand. I noticed that love back then, and I cherish the memory of it now. When you do not think your children notice the simple ways their parents love each other, they do. When they look back, more than almost anything, they will cherish the generous, simple gifts of love that their parents exchange in ordinary times. Thanks, Mom and Dad, and praying that you are together again, today and for eternity. (Lucia A. Silecchia is a Professor of Law at the Catholic University of America. “On Ordinary Times” is a biweekly column reflecting on the ways to find the sacred in the simple. Email her at silecchia@cua.edu.)
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC MAY 28, 2021
They were filled with the Holy Spirit By Father Clement "Clem" Olukunle Oyafemi
JACKSON – On Pentecost we celebrate the birthday of the Catholic Church. In other words, we celebrate the inauguration of the Universal Church. When Jesus rose from the dead, the first gift he gave to the church was the Holy Spirit. He says to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them” (Jn 20:22-23). Before his ascension, Jesus makes a promise to his disciples. He says to them, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and as the Bible attests, “They were devout men (and women) even in Jerusalem from every nation on the earth ... and each one was bewildered to hear these men (the apostles) speaking his own language.” (Acts 2:6) They questioned: How does it happen that each of us hears them (the apostles) in his own native language? (Acts.2:8) What is the implication of this message? How does it affect us today? What happened on Pentecost was a miracle. The miracle was that God spoke to people of different nationalities in their own native tongues through the Apostles who were uneducated men. It was a reverse of the division that was experienced at the Tower of Babel (cf Gn 11:1-9). Father Clem Oyafemi Praise God!. The human race
is once again united after many centuries of division and confusion. Through the Holy Spirit the divided world, marked by misunderstanding, conflicts and confusion, is now united.
Come Holy Spirit come! … Heal our wounds, our strength renew; On our dryness pour your dew; wash the stains of guilt away Bend the stubborn hearts and will; melt the frozen, warm the chill Guide the steps that go astray… give them joys that never end Amen. (From the Sequence of Mass on Pentecost Sunday)
Today there is a serious attempt by some schools of thought to teach the whole world the same verbal language to unite them. That, however, seems to be an expensive joke. What we need today is “inculturation.” That is to allow the gospel message to be born in every culture. Today we are challenged to break down the barriers of division and sectarianism. We are challenged to bring the Gospel to every race and culture and help them understand the marvels of God in their own native languages. We are challenged to help people connect with God in
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their own concrete historical conditions. We do not need to learn any foreign language to communicate with God, our loving Father. If the church is defined as “the people of God,” then, the language of the church must be the language of God’s people in every part of the world. What we really need in today’s church is the language of love. It is non-verbal and does not require an interpreter. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will be able to speak the nonverbal language of love, which cannot be taught by any human technique. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will be able to understand each other in family, in the church, and in society. Filled with the Holy Spirit, the church will have the courage to carry out the universal Mission entrusted to her by Jesus. She will be comforted, directed, and strengthened especially at difficult times. At confirmation, each one of us received the gift of the Holy Spirit. That is meant give us the courage to always witness the Faith, even in the face of death. May the Holy Spirit, which came on Pentecost day, come upon each, and every one of us and renew the face of the entire earth. (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 Bowman a passion for the Lord and music, Father Clem founded the Rejoice Ministry of African Worship Songs –AFRAWOS– in 2002.)
Early learning center dedicated to ‘spirit of service’ By Mary Margaret Halford Edney
VICKSBURG – In 1860, the Sisters of Mercy made their way to Vicksburg, a place with no access to formal education at that time. Within a week, the sisters had opened the town’s very first school. On May 14, more than 160 years later, the legacy of those charitable women was honored at a building dedication for the town’s newest educational facility — the Sisters of Mercy Early Learning Center at Vicksburg Catholic School (VCS). “By dedicating this building today, we’re opening the door to share that spirit of service, beginning at the very earliest ages,” said Riley Nelson, former VCS advisory council president. “We pray that each child who enrolls here will grow up equipped with the values that were so important to the Sisters of Mercy — spirituality, community and putting others above yourself.” The ceremony began with an opening from the center’s director, Katie Emfinger, followed by an invocation from Bishop Joseph Kopacz. St. Aloysius High School student body president Natalie Burke welcomed the crowd, and advisory council president Marion Roberson introduced city leadership in attendance. “We cannot grow, and we will not grow without thinking toward the future,” City of Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs told the crowd gathered in front of the new building. “This Early Learning Center is fulfilling a need in our community for more quality childcare options. To those who donated to make this possible, you couldn’t have made a better investment than you did in this facility.” Mary Margaret Edney, a VCS advisory council member and chair of the school’s catholic identity committee, spoke about the Sisters of Mercy legacy, which will be honored and carried on through the Early Learning
Center. “When we talk about catholic identity at Vicksburg Catholic School, what we’re talking about is an environment where respect and kindness are just as important as reading and writing, where community service is taught alongside chemistry and geometry,” Edney said. “And as it turns out, those ideals have been a part of our story since the very beginning, when the Sisters of Mercy first got to Vicksburg more than 160 years ago.” And for Sherry Scott, the sisters’ lesson of charity was one that lasted a lifetime. Because of the impact they made on her while she was a student at St. Francis Xavier Academy, she felt compelled to make a generous donation to the project. “The Sisters of Mercy made a huge impression on me,” said Scott, the namesake of the center’s Sherry J. Scott Build- VICKSBURG – Mayor George Flaggs speaks to the crowd gathered ing. “When the opportunity came to do for the dedication of the SIsters of Mercy Early Learning Center something in their name, my husband, at Vicksburg Catholic Schools. The center will open its doors on Sam, graciously let me do it. They’ve Tuesday, June 1. (Photo by Lindsey Bradley) been a wonderful inspiration to a lot of and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart with our words people, but especially to my family and me.” “Early on, we decided to call this capital campaign and actions each day. It is our duty to make sure that ‘Continuing the Legacy,’” explained Kristi Smith, VCS we instill the same values they bestowed upon us in the development director and chair of the capital campaign generations that follow.” The 8,300-square-foot facility, which features 10 to construct the new facility. “But continuing the legacy classrooms, will open June 1 for infants to three-yearis so much more than just a name, it’s an honor and a olds. duty. It is our responsibility to honor the Sisters of Mercy
MAY 28, 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
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Field day fun
Running for education
(Above) SOUTHAVEN – Seventh and eighth grade students, armed with punch cards to tally their laps, begin their hour-long journey around the parking lot to raise money for Sacred Heart School for the fourth annual Race for Education Day. (Photo by Laura Grisham) MERIDIAN – Father Augustine Palimattam and Father Andrew Nguyen join in the field day balloon toss fun with fourth grader, Jackson Spitzkeit and third grader, Zy’Terrion Washington, as Coach Adrian Viger supervises. St. Patrick School held its first of three field days on Friday, May 7. Photo by Emily Thompson)
Crowning Mary Mass GREENVILLE – St. Joseph Catholic School celebrated their May Crowning Mass on Wednesday, May 5. Pictured are senior girls at their last Mass at the school before graduation. (Photo by Nikki Thompson)
(Right) NATCHEZ – Cathedral School PreK-3 student Landry Gaude’ crowns Mary during the PreK May Crowning ceremony on Monday, May 3, 2021. (Photo by Jody Upton)
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May crownings around the diocese (Left) JACKSON – St. Richard students Morgan Gates and Mae Rose Harkins work together to place a crown on Mary. (Photo by Lavonne Bruckner) (Right) MADISON – St. Anthony sixth grade students Crawford Kraft and Emily Loyacono crown Mary during the school's May Crowning Mass. (Photo by Kati Loyacono) (Below) SOUTHAVEN – Gabby Porter places a crown of flowers on Mary. Also pictured is Cecilia Marie Hensley, holding the pillow. (Photo by Laura Grisham)
JACKSON – Fifth grader, Charis Ngong places a large crown of flowers on Mary in the prayer corner at Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School. (Photo by Shae Goodman-Robinson)
20 DIOCESE
MAY 28, 2021 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
'... Knowing he was responding to God's call made my heart sing with joy...' formation. His parents were extremely supportive of his desire and after graduating from Brandon High School in the spring of 2014 he completed his application for the seminary just as Bishop Joseph Kopacz arrived in the diocese. “We strongly encouraged Andrew to have a ‘backup-plan’ in case the new bishop was not eager to send an 18-year-old to seminary college. [But], he was adamant that God’s will would prevail, and that God would make a way for him. And God did,” said Bowden’s mother. Bowden spent four years at St. Joseph Seminary College in Covington, Louisiana and moved on to Notre Dame Seminary, where he just completed his third year before being or- Newly ordained, Deacon Andrew Bowden serves the Euchadained a transitional deacon on rist to his sister, Laura, who is the youth minister at St. Jude. Rhonda Bowden, mother of newly ordained Deacon Andrew May 15. Not picutred is Bowden's father, Mark, who is studying for Bowden cried "happy tears" at the event. She says that her “During the diaconate in- the permanent diaconate. son's love of God and the church started early on in his childternship we try to place our men hood. I am greatly looking forward to spending the next few in parishes that will give them a months in Natchez with Father [Scott] Thomas and Fawide range of experiences,” said Father Nick – Continued from page 1 – Adam, director of vocations, who first met Bowden in ther [Mark] Shoffner. ... It will be so good to get to know Bowden was also actively engaged in St. Jude’s youth people there and learn how I can serve them best,” said high school, while he was in seminary school. group and enjoyed sharing his faith and teaching the “This will be the first time a seminarian baptizes a Deacon Bowden. younger altar servers. During his diaconate ordination, Bowden’s mother baby, witnesses a wedding or presides at a funeral, and His mother, Rhonda couldn’t recall any other poswe want to make sure they have plenty of opportunities cried ‘happy tears.’ “Seeing my son so happy and knowsible vocation or career path her son ever mentioned, to dive into parish life and walk with families in this way.” ing that he was responding to God’s call made my heart other than around four years old saying that he wanted Those in the transitional diaconate are also tried to sing with joy.” to be an architect priest who would build churches and be place at a parish with a school so they can be a work in the church, imagining as only a child can, to also part of the day-to-day life of the kids and faculty. A build underground tunnels to his house so that he could great place for that is at St. Mary Basilica and Catheeat lunch with her every day. dral School in Natchez, and Bowden is looking forward By the end of high school, Deacon Bowden strongly to his service to the community. felt he was being called to the priesthood. Father Jeffrey “During seminary, I have greatly missed the local Waldrep, who was pastor at St. Jude in Bowden's high expression of the church that is the Diocese of Jackson. school years inspired his interest in liturgy and was helpful to him as he entered the formal discernment process for priestly
Pictured left to right: Father Scott Thomas, Andrew Bowden and Deacon John McGregor share a few words before Bowden's ordination to the diaconate. Bowden will serve as deacon at St. Mary Basilica Natchez with Father Thomas beginning in June.
Father Rusty Vincent of St. Paul parish in Vicksburg prepares to vest newly ordained transitional deacon, Andrew Bowden.