JULY 15, 2022
mississippicatholic.com
Court overturns Roe – ongoing efforts to 'uphold sanctity of life' continue BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING
JACKSON – On the evening of July 6, the Jackson Women’s Health Organization closed its doors for the final time, making it the first time in 49 years that the state of Mississippi has no operating abortion clinic. This coming after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its nearly five decades old decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion. The Court’s opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization handed down on Friday, June 24 held that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion, with the authority to regulate abortion returned to the states. The Dobbs case centered around Mississippi legislation that was passed in 2018 called the Gestational Age Act, that sought to prohibit abortions after 15 weeks gestation. The Jackson abortion clinic and one of its doctors sued Mississippi officials in federal court, saying that the law was unconstitutional. The federal district court and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, both ruled in favor of the clinic, blocking JACKSON – Jackson Women's Health Organization – the last abortion facility in the state – closed permanently on July 7 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. enactment of the law. In May 2021, the U.S. Supreme Wade. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King)
Court decided it would take up Dobbs, marking the first time since Roe that it would take up a pre-viability ban. More than 140 amici curiae briefs were filed with the Supreme Court on the Dobbs case, the very first being from the Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi, stating that “the church has a vested interest in this matter – the dignity and sanctity of all human life.” While originally asking the Court to hear arguments on a viability question – whether all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional – Mississippi changed course and argued before the Supreme Court on Dec. 1, 2021 that Roe should be completely overturned and the authority to regulate abortions be returned to the states. With Associate Justice Samuel Alito writing for a 5-4 majority he states that “we hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. ... The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision.” – Continued on page 6 –
Beloved priest celebrates milestone, bids farewell for now BY MONICA WALTON
CANTON – The final chapter as a full-time pastor came to a close where the first chapter began. On June 20, 2022, on the occasion of his 50th Ordination Anniversary and retirement, Father Mike O’Brien came full circle, celebrating one of his last Masses as pastor in the very same parish where he had his first experience Father Mike O'Brien pic- as pastor of any church. He was only 35 years old tured in Feb. 1976. when he first moved to Sacred Heart in Canton in 1983. How fitting that this be the location of his final assignment in the Magnolia State. “I’ve had a wonderful life,” Father Mike reflected during his homily. “I love being a priest, and I’m very blessed to have these two worlds: Mississippi, I love ya’ll (he drawled)... and Ireland, I love my Ireland.” As he recaptured highlights of the many memories he lived during his childhood and priesthood, he noted that this
was the longest sermon he’d given in all his 50 years. But he made certain to proclaim this truth, “I always knew God was with me, especially in the hard times of our Starkville church burning, Hurricane Katrina and the ICE raids.” The beautiful, little church on Center Street was filled to the brim with the faithful from the many parishes and cities where Father Mike has served. Several who came to honor him had to watch the Mass on monitors in the Parish Center due to lack of seating, but they
didn’t mind. They were simply happy to be there to bid farewell to this priest who had touched their lives in such a special way. The evening was a beautiful blending of cultures — just as the church is meant to be — with the readings, songs, and food representing English, Spanish and, of course, Irish flair. Fifteen members of Father Mike’s family made the trip from Ireland to Mississippi for this incredibly special occasion. Four generations were represented with the youngest of the clan being present, – Continued on page 16 –
INSIDE THIS WEEK
Called by name Father Nick chronicles travels to Mexico
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Sacraments special insert Sacrament pictures from around the diocese
From the archives 14 Mary statue returns to Greenwood after vandalism
JULY 15, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
HOMEWOOD, Ala. Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference, July 29-30 in the Family Life Center at Our Lady of Sorrows Church at 1728 Oxmoor Road held by the Diocese of Birmingham. Conference theme is “Thy Will Be Done” and will feature Andi Oney, an international Catholic evangelist. Registration fee is $25 for individuals and $65 for a family of three or more. All are welcome! Details: Sally Smith at (205) 983-4150 or mustardsally14@gmail.com. CHATAWA Our Lady of Hope Retreat Center, Quo Vadis? Young Men’s Discernment Retreat, July 26-29. Age range for retreat is 15-25. Come pray, eat, have fun and build fraternity. To register visit: https://bit. ly/QuoVadis2022 Details: email Father Nick at nick. adam@jacksondiocese.org. CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth, “Life in the Spirit” retreat, Saturday, Aug. 27 at 9 a.m. and ends with closing Mass at 4 p.m. Details: church office (662) 624-4301. CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, Men’s weekly devotional group. Will start on Wednesday, Aug. 3 from 6-6:30 a.m. with coffee and donuts and a brief time for reflecting on scripture, faith and how it applies to our lives. Details: call Darrin at (662) 588-2596. MADISON St. Francis, Diocese Fall Faith Formation Day, Saturday, Aug. 20, 10 a.m to 3 p.m. for formation leaders and volunteers. Theme is “Behold, I make all things new.” Keynote presenter is Stephanie Clouatre Davis, with breakout session topics including Total Youth Ministry: the Lifeteen experience; Cultivating vocations; Tips and tricks on facilitating small groups; Fruits of the Synod and more! Registration deadline is Aug. 15. Cost is $10 per person. Details: register at https://bit.ly/FFDay2022 – email fran.lavelle@jacksondiocese.org with questions.
PEARL St. Jude, The Marian Servants of Jesus the Lamb of God invite all to join them for fellowship, healing prayer, charismatic praise and worship, teaching faith sharing and the Rosary on Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m. in the Mary room. Details: call (601) 278-0423 or email msofjlog@gmail.com.
PARISH, FAMILY AND SCHOOL EVENTS
historian and official cemetery guide. Tour concludes with Mass at St. Mary Yazoo City, a tour of downtown and lunch. Group will leave from St. Jude at 8 a.m. and travel in cars. Details: church office (601) 939-3181. St. Jude, Back to School Pancake Breakfast and Blessing of Backpacks on Sunday July 31. Breakfast served from 9:15-10:30 a.m. Backpack blessing at 10 a.m. Donations for breakfast accepted to benefit parish school of religion. Details: church office (601) 939-3181. SOUTHAVEN Christ the King, Knights of Columbus Spaghetti Dinner, Saturday, July 23 from 5-7 p.m. Sit down or take out in the PRE building. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
BATESVILLE St. Mary, Parish Rummage Sale, Friday, Aug. 5 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 6 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Parish Center. Details: church office (662) 563-2273. CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth, Save the Date: St. Elizabeth Feast Day on Sunday, Nov. 27 at 10:30 a.m. Mass. JOB OPENINGS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Catholic schools across the Details: church office (662) 624-4301. DIOCESE Catholic schools in Clarksdale, Columbus, diocese have a variety of positions open. Please visit Greenville, Holly Springs, Jackson, Madison, Meridian, https://schools.jacksondiocese.org/education-overview/ Natchez, Southaven and Vicksburg are now enrolling. employment/ for an opportunity near you. DIOCESE The Department of Faith Formation in Contact your local school for a tour today! Visit https:// bit.ly/catholicschoolssummerhours for contact informa- the Diocese of Jackson is looking for a full-time Coordinator of the Office of Young Adults and Campus Mintion. FLOWOOD St. Paul Early Learning Center Golf istry. The coordinator supervises and participates in the Tournament, Friday, Sept. 16 at Bay Pointe Golf Club. diocesan efforts for ministry to and with young adults, college students, youth and the various staff and volunDetails: contact stpaullearningcenter@gmail.com. GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, Save the date: German- teers who assist with these ministries from the parishes. fest 2022, Sunday, Sept. 25 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers Please send a cover letter and resume to fran.lavelle@ needed for kraut packing on Wednesday, July 20 at 4 jacksondiocese.org to apply. p.m. No experience needed. Will be working outside to dress accordingly. Details: church office (601) 856-2054. GREENVILLE St. Joseph, Catholic Inquiry Series begins Sept. 7 at 5:30 p.m. Do you want to learn about what Catholics believe? Are you searching for a church home? Were you baptized Catholic but rarely attend church? Want to learn about our 2000 year history? If you answered yes, this series is for you! Details: call (662) 335-5251 to register. HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Save the Date: Annual Bazaar, Saturday Sept. 10. Lots of help and items needed: prizes for kids games, silent auction items, vendors for craft booths, homemade goods for the Country Kitchen. Details: contact Julie Stefanik at julieastefanik@gmail.com or call the church office at (662) 4297851. NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Inaugural Choral Festival, July 29-31. Details: church office: (601) 445-5616. JACKSON Catholic Charities School Supply Giveaway, Friday, Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. COVID vaccines will be available. Giveaway located at Charities offices at 850 E. River Place, Jackson. Details: call (601 326-3703. PEARL St. Jude, Trip to Yazoo City to tour historic Glenwood cemetery for parishioners on Saturday, July 30. Visit the final resting place for the Witch APPLIANCE AUDIO VIDEO BEDDING FURNITURE SUPERSTORE of Yazoo city, Mississippi author PEARL – Father Andrew Bowden threw out the first pitch at the Willie Morris and Catholic priests Jackson Flowood R dgeland Pearl Cl nton 15th annual Catholic Night with the Knights of Columbus at the and nuns who served in Yazoo V cksburg Tupelo Mississippi Braves stadium on Thursday, June 16. (Photo by Columbus City. Tour led by Charlie Carlyle, Michael Barrett Photography)
FEATURED PHOTO
Take me out to the ball game ...
Laurel
Oxford
Hatt esburg
let there be light
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JULY 15, 2022
The will of God isn’t rocket science BY BISHOP JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D.
The parable of the Good Samaritan, last Sunday’s Gospel from the tenth chapter of St. Luke, arose from the question asked of Jesus, “who is my neighbor.” Pope Francis often refers to this biblical masterpiece (Luke 10:25-37) as the divine image of the church’s mission in this world. Across many lands and nations, the church does serve as a field hospital encountering and caring for those who are battered, bruised and beaten and left half dead on the side of the road. The corporal and spiritual works of mercy are testimony to the fidelity of the church’s ministries. Jesus concluded the parable with his own question. “Who was neighbor to the man who fell in with robbers?” The answer was obvious and echoes through time, “the one who treated him with compassion.” “Go and do likewise” are the final words of Jesus addressed to the doctor of the law and to us. The ultimate Good Samaritan, of course, is Jesus Christ who demonstrated the heart of service when he washed his disciples feet at the Last Supper. He concluded this astounding action with the mandate, “If I then your Lord and teacher have washed your feet, you ought
to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that as I have done, so you must do.” (John 13: 14-15). Our Lord’s actions, teachings, and parables ultimately point to the Cross and flow from it, where in the shedding of his blood he seeks to lift up all people who are assaulted by sin and remain half dead, or half alive on the margins of life. He is the divine physician and the church is his living body in this world, led by the Holy Spirit, to give freely of the gift of the Lord’s love that we have received.” (Matthew 10:8) Moses, the great teacher of the Old Law, spoke blatantly to the Israelites in the first scripture reading from last Sunday, a teaching in accord with the Good Samaritan narrative. “This command that I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you ... It’s not up in the sky that you should say who will go up to the sky to get it for us. Nor is it across the sea. No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you only have to carry it out.” (Deuteronomy 30:10-14) To apply a well-known and likely over-used modern rendering of Moses’ words, the will of God is not rocket science, fellas; rather it is patient, kind and persevering and secured in the Lord’s instructions “to love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34) As an aside, at this time one million miles from earth, after a six-month journey, the James Webb telescope is spreading its wings to probe into the depths of the
universe, past and present, in ways hitherto impossible to imagine. Women and men will take another giant step forward to unfold the mysteries of God’s creation, because this telescope, 25 years in the making, is 100 times more powerful than the Hubble telescope which ruled the roost since 1990, but only 340 miles above the earth’s surface. Telescopes are absolutely essential to explore the mysteries of the physical universe, and it’s exciting to anticipate the pending discoveries. But they have no worth when exploring the mind and heart of Christ. As Moses said, we don’t have to go up into the sky to discover the will of God for our lives. We know it; we only have to carry it out. On this weekend at our Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, we will celebrate Christ the Servant with the ordination of six men to the permanent diaconate who will serve in various parishes throughout our diocese. Specifically, the ministry of the deacon is a labor of loving service at the table of the Word of God, at the Altar of Sacrifice, and at the table of charity or compassion in daily life. The heart and soul of the diaconate is the call to make visible the love of Christ. We give thanks to God for the deacons, spouses and families who have sacrificed these past five years in preparation for this ministry that has its roots in the apostolic life of the early church. But let us keep in mind that – Continued on page 11 –
La voluntad de Dios no es ciencia espacial POR OBISPO JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D.
La parábola del Buen Samaritano, evangelio del domingo pasado del capítulo 10 de San Lucas, surge de la pregunta que se le hace a Jesús: “¿quién es mi prójimo?” El Papa Francisco a menudo se refiere a esta obra maestra bíblica (Lucas 10:25-37) como la imagen divina de la misión de la iglesia en este mundo. En muchos países y naciones, la iglesia sirve como un hospital de campaña que encuentra y atiende a aquellos que son maltratados, magullados, golpeados y dejados medio muertos al lado del camino. Las obras de misericordia corporales y espirituales son testimonio de la fidelidad de los ministerios de la iglesia. Jesús concluyó la parábola con su propia pregunta. “ ¿cuál de esos tres te parece que se hizo prójimo del hombre asaltado por los bandidos? La respuesta fue obvia y resuena a través del tiempo, “El que tuvo compasión de él”. “Pues ve y haz tú lo mismo.” son las últimas palabras de Jesús dirigidas al doctor de la ley y a nosotros. El último Buen Samaritano, por supuesto, es Jesucristo, quien demostró el corazón de servicio cuando lavó los pies de sus discípulos en la Última Cena. Concluyó esta Volume 68 Number 14 (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
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; once 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
asombrosa acción con el mandato: “Pues si yo, el Maestro y Señor, les he lavado a ustedes los pies, también ustedes deben lavarse los pies unos a otros. 15 Yo les he dado un ejemplo, para que ustedes hagan lo mismo que yo les he hecho.” (Juan 13:14-15) Las acciones, enseñanzas y parábolas de nuestro Señor apuntan en última instancia a la Cruz y fluyen de ella, donde en el derramamiento de su sangre busca levantar a todas las personas que son asaltadas por el pecado y quedan medio muertas, o medio vivas en los márgenes de la vida. Él es el médico divino y la iglesia es su cuerpo vivo en este mundo, guiada por el Espíritu Santo, para dar gratuitamente del don del amor del Señor que hemos recibido. “Sanen a los enfermos, resuciten a los muertos, limpien de su enfermedad a los leprosos y expulsen a los demonios. Ustedes recibieron gratis este poder; no cobren tampoco por emplearlo. “(Mateo 10:8) Moisés, el gran maestro de la Ley Antigua, habló descaradamente a los israelitas en la primera lectura de las Escrituras del domingo pasado, enseñando de acuerdo con la narración del Buen Samaritano. “Este mandamiento que hoy les doy no es demasiado difícil para ustedes, ni está fuera de su alcance. No está en el cielo, para que se diga: ‘¿Quién puede subir al cielo por nosotros, para que nos lo traiga y nos lo dé a conocer, y lo pongamos en práctica?’ Tampoco está del otro lado del mar, para que se diga: ‘¿Quién cruzará el mar por nosotros, para que nos lo traiga y nos lo dé a conocer? Al contrario, el mandamiento está muy cerca de ustedes; está en sus labios y en su pensamiento, para que puedan cumplirlo. (Deuteronomio 30:10-14) – Continúa en la pág. 11 –
BISHOP’S SCHEDULE Sunday, July 31, 5:30 p.m. – 100th Anniversary Celebration, St. Alphonsus, McComb Thursday, Aug. 4, 12 p.m – Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Awards Dinner honoring the Dominican Sisters of St. Dominic, Hilton, Jackson Saturday, Aug. 13, 6 p.m. – Parish Feast Day Celebration, Assumption, Natchez Sunday, Aug. 14, 8 a.m. – Mass of Solemnity of the Assumption, Assumption, Natchez All events are subject to change. Check with parishes and schools for further details.
JULY 15, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
4 VOCATIONS CALLED BY NAME
I spent Fourth of July weekend in Mexico. It was not the most stereotypical setting for celebrating our country’s Independence, but our party rivaled that of the best backyard barbecues. I was in Cuernavaca, a city that rests about an hour and a half’s drive southwest of Mexico City, at the Monastery of Our Lady of the Angels. At this monastery the monks along with lay professors have put together an immersion program for seminarians from the U.S. The program includes four hours of one-on-one intensive language study on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, then group discussion on Thursday for four hours, and cultural immersion discussion and activities on Friday. I first heard of the program thanks to Father Victor Ingalls, who is the vocation director for the Archdiocese of Mobile. Father Vic has been sending seminarians to this program for the last two summers, and he was going to check in on his guys and invited me to tag along. I was blown away by the program. It was wonderful to see the seminarians, one month into the challenge of being immersed in a new language and culture, stepping up to the plate and relying upon the Lord to help them persevere and grow. Since we were visiting on Fourth of July Weekend (or Cuatro de Julio en Español), the seminarians had planned a big barbecue for the staff of the program and their families. They cooked Father Nick Adam hamburguesas on the grill, and while we couldn’t find french fries and potato salad, we made some macaroni and cheese and had lots of chips and dip! It was a wonderful evening, and I came away very excited to have some of our seminarians enroll in this program in future years. Father Vic’s homily on the Fourth of July really hit home to me. He told the seminarians: “I’m sure there have been points this summer when you have felt like you were dying, when you felt like you couldn’t keep going, and yet this is where Jesus meets us. Whenever we offer ourselves freely to the Lord, he can do incredible things and help us to accomplish tasks that we did not think were possible.” I’m paraphrasing, but I could see that the homily hit home with the men who were studying in Cuernavaca, and it certainly hit home to me. My first weekend as rector of the Cathedral was July 8-9, and I was struck by the great diversity of the parish. There are generational Jacksonians who have been members at the Cathedral for decades, and there are young professionals just moving in. There is also a thriving Hispanic community at St. Peter, and it’s a community I know I need to encounter in a real way. Learning Spanish and learning how to listen in their language is one way to hasten and broaden this encounter. I am happy that we have found a space for our seminarians to learn a new language, but I’m even happier that it is a space where they can truly encounter and minister to the people that they find there. – Father Nick Adam If you are interested in learning more about religious orders or vocations to the priesthood and religious life, email nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org.
Spirituality 5
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JULY 15, 2022
Cheap grace IN EXILE By Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI
There’s a tension among Christians today between those who would extend God’s mercy everywhere, seemingly without any conditions, and those who are more reticent and discriminating in dispensing it. The tension comes out most clearly in our debates concerning who may receive the sacraments: Who should be allowed to receive the Eucharist? Who should be allowed to marry inside a church? Who should be allowed a Christian burial? When should a priest withhold absolution in confession? However, this tension is about a lot more than who should be allowed to receive certain sacraments. Ultimately, it’s about how we understand God’s grace and mercy. A clear example of this today is the growing opposition we see in some sectors to the person and approach of Pope Francis. To his critics, Francis is soft and compromising. To them, he is dispensing cheap grace, making God and His mercy as accessible as the nearest water tap. God’s embrace to all. No conditions asked. No prior repentance called for. No demand that there first be a change in the person’s life. Grace for all. No cost. What’s to be said about this? If we dispense God’s grace and mercy so indiscriminately doesn’t this strip Christianity of much of its salt and leaven? May we simply embrace and bless everyone without any moral conditions? Isn’t the Gospel meant to confront? Well, the very phrase cheap grace is an oxymoron. There’s no such a thing as cheap grace. All grace, by definition, is unmerited just as all grace, by definition, doesn’t ask for certain preconditions to be met in order for it to be offered and received. The very essence of grace is that it is a gift, free, undeserved. And, though by its very nature grace often does evoke a response of love and a change of heart, it does not of itself demand them. There’s no more powerful example of this than Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son and how it illustrates how grace meets waywardness. We know the story. The prodigal son abandons and rejects his father, takes his unearned inheritance, goes off to a foreign land (a place away from his father) and squanders the money in the pursuit of pleasure. When he has wasted everything, he decides to return to his father, not because he suddenly has a renewed love for him, but, selfish still, because he is hungry. And we know what happens. When he is still a long way from his father’s house, his father (no doubt longing for his return) runs out to meet him and, before his son even has an opportunity to apologize, embraces him unconditionally, takes him back into his house and prepares a special celebration for him. Talk about cheap grace! Notice to whom this parable was spoken. It was addressed to a group of sincere religious persons who were upset precisely because they felt that by embracing and eating with sinners (without first demanding some moral preconditions) Jesus was cheapening grace, making God’s love and mercy too accessible, hence less precious. Notice as well the reaction of many of Jesus’ contemporaries when they saw him dining with sinners. For example, when he dined with Zacchaeus, the tax collector, the Gospels tell us, “All who saw it began to grumble.” Interesting how that discontent persists. Why? Why this anxiety? What undergirds our
“grumbling?” Concern for true religion? Not really. The deeper root of this anxiety is not religious but grounded rather in our nature and in our wounds. Our resistance to naked gift, to raw gratuity, to unconditional love, undeserved grace, stems rather from something inside our instinctual DNA that is hardened by our wounds. A combination of nature and wound imprints in us the belief that any gift, not least love and forgiveness, needs to be merited. In this life, no free meal! In religion, no free grace! A conspiracy between our nature and our wounds keeps forever reminding us that we are unlovable, and that love must be merited; it cannot be free because we are unworthy. Overcoming that inner voice that is perpetually reminding us that we are unlovable is, I believe, the ultimate struggle (psychological and spiritual) in our lives. Moreover, don’t be fooled by protests to the contrary.
People who glibly radiate how lovable they are and make protests to that effect are mostly trying to keep that fear at bay. St. Paul wrote his Epistle to the Romans as his dying message. He devotes its first seven chapters to simply affirming over and over again that we cannot get our lives right. We are morally incapable. However, his repeated emphasis that we cannot get our lives right is really a setup for what he really wants to leave with us, namely, we don’t have to get our lives right. We are loved in spite of our sin, and we are given everything freely, gratuitously, irrespective of any merit on our part. Our uneasiness with unmerited grace is rooted more in a human insecurity than in any genuine religious concern. (Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser is a theologian, teacher and award-winning author. He can be contacted through his website www.ronrolheiser.com.)
The Pope’s Corner
Catholics need better understanding of the Mass, pope says
By Cindy Wooden
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The “sense of mystery” and awe Catholics should experience at Mass is not one prompted by Latin or by “creative” elements added to the celebration, but by an awareness of sacrifice of Christ and his real presence in the Eucharist, Pope Francis said. “Beauty, just like truth, always engenders wonder, and when these are referred to the mystery of God, they lead to adoration,” he wrote in an apostolic letter “on the liturgical formation of the people of God.” Titled “Desiderio Desideravi” (“I have earnestly desired”), the letter was released June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. The title comes from Luke 22:15 when, before the Last Supper, Jesus tells his disciples, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” In the letter, Pope Francis insisted that Catholics need to better understand the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council and its goal of promoting the “full, conscious, active and fruitful celebration” of the Mass. “With this letter I simply want to invite the whole church to rediscover, to safeguard and to live the truth and power of the Christian celebration,” the pope wrote. “I want the beauty of the Christian celebration and its necessary consequences for the life of the church not to be spoiled by a superficial and foreshortened understanding of its value or, worse yet, by its being exploited in service of some ideological vision, no matter what the hue.” While his letter offered what he called a “meditation” on the power and beauty of the Mass, Pope Francis also reiterated his conviction of the need to limit celebrations of the liturgy according to the rite in use before the Second Vatican Council. “We cannot go back to that ritual form which the council fathers, ‘cum Petro et sub Petro,’ (with and under Peter) felt the need to reform, approving, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and following their conscience as pastors, the principles from which was born the reform.” The liturgical books approved by “the holy pontiffs St. Paul VI and St. John Paul II,” he said, “have guaranteed the fidelity of the reform of the council.” Although the post-Vatican II Mass is celebrated in Latin and dozens of vernacular languages, he said, it is “one and the same prayer capable of expressing her (the church’s) unity.”
“As I have already written, I intend that this unity be reestablished in the whole church of the Roman rite,” he said, which is why in 2021 he promulgated “Traditionis Custodes” (Guardians of the Tradition), limiting celebrations of the Mass according to the rite used before the Second Vatican Council. The bulk of the pope’s new letter focused on helping Catholics learn to recognize and be astounded by the great gift of the Mass and the Eucharist and how it is not simply a weekly “staging” or “representation” of the Last Supper but truly allows people of all times and all places to encounter the crucified and risen Lord and to eat his body and drink his blood. And, the pope wrote, it is essential to recognize that the Mass does not belong to the priest or to any individual worshipper, but to Christ and his church. Pope Francis said “the non-acceptance of the liturgical reform” of Vatican II, as well as “a superficial understanding of it, distracts us from the obligation of finding responses to the question that I come back to repeating: How can we grow in our capacity to live in full the liturgical action? How do we continue to let ourselves be amazed at what happens in the celebration under our very eyes?” “We are in need of a serious and dynamic liturgical formation,” he said.
Pope Francis elevates the host as he celebrates Mass at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus, Dec. 3, 2021. On June 29, 2022, the pope issued issued an apostolic letter insisting Catholics need to better understand the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
JULY 15, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
6 DIOCESE
'... We must also focus on other ways to support women, children and families ...' – Continued from page 1 – Alito’s opinion closely mirrored a leaked initial draft majority opinion, shared on May 2 by Politico. Alito was joined by Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. Chief Justice John Roberts concurred with the majority but in a separate opinion wrote that he would have taken “a more measured course” by “rejecting the misguided viability line” by Roe and Casey, but not overturning Roe completely. The Supreme Court has six Catholics on the bench – Justices Alito, Kavanaugh, Thomas, Coney Barrett, Roberts and Sonja Sotomayor, with the latter joining Justices Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan in dissent of the majority. “One result of today’s decision is certain,” wrote the dissenting justices,” the curtailment of women’s rights, and of their status as free and equal citizens.” Of major concern of the dissenting justices was the discarding of the viability balance afforded by Roe and Casey. “Today, the Court discards that balance. It says that from the very moment of fertilization, a woman has no rights to speak of,” the justices wrote, mentioning that some state’s already passed “trigger” laws contingent on the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. Mississippi’s trigger law passed in 2007, only allowing abortion if the pregnant woman’s life is in danger or if the pregnancy is caused by a rape reported to law enforcement. Twelve other states also have trigger laws. On Monday, June 27, after Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch certified that Roe had been overturned, the clock began to tick on the trigger law which was set to take effect 10 days post determination on July 7. After the Dobbs decision was released, many statements were released in celebration and some in outrage. Bishops Joseph R. Kopacz and Louis F. Kihnemann released a joint statement commending the decision and recognizing much needs to be done to assist mothers and families. “The church will continue to accompany women and couples who are facing difficult or unexpected pregnancies and during the early years of parenthood, through initiatives such as Walking with Moms in Need,” stated the bishops in their June 24 statement. “Our respective dioceses will continue to collaborate with organizations such as Her Plan, Pro-Life Mississippi and many others to bring vital services to support moth-
JACKSON – Officers were present to keep the peace and direct traffic in and out of the Jackson Women's Health Organization on Saturday, July 2, days before the clinic closed. (Photo by Joanna King)
ers and the unborn." Catholic leader, Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann stated that Mississippi is a leader on protecting the unborn with a law in place that prohibits abortion. “I am pro-life,” stated Hosemann. “I am also pro-child. In addition to protecting the unborn, we must also focus on other ways to support women, children and families.” Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, who led efforts to overturn Roe, also released a statement after the decision stating, “Now, our work to empower women and promote life truly begins. The Court has let loose its hold on abortion policy making and given it back to the people.” The USCCB also released a statement by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities. “Today’s decision is also the fruit of prayers, sacrifices, and advocacy of countless ordinary Americans from every walk of life. Over these long years, millions of our fellow citizens have worked together peacefully to educate and persuade their neighbors about the injustice of abortion, to offer care and counseling to women, and to work for alternatives to abortion.” The environment outside of the Jackson Women’s Health Organization – also known as the “Pink House” due to the bright pink hue it was painted in January 2013 – was anything but peaceful in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision. Until the clinic closed for good on the Abortion demonstrators are seen near the Supreme Court in Washington evening of July 6, pro-life and June 24, 2022, as the court overruled the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion pro-choice voices clashed amid decision in its ruling in the Dobbs case on a Mississippi law banning most national and local news reporters from near and far. abortions after 15 weeks. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)
As an effort to keep providing services, the Jackson Women’s Health Organization requested a temporary restraining order to block the trigger law from taking effect but it was denied by chancery judge, Debbra K. Halford on Tuesday, July 5, reasoning that the state Supreme Court would reverse the 1998 Pro-Choice Mississippi v. Fordice ruling that relied on the Mississippi Constitution for a right to privacy. The abortion clinic filed a petition to the Mississippi Supreme Court allow it to reopen, citing Fordice where the court stated it did not “interpret our Constitution as recognizing an explicit right to an abortion, we believe that autonomous bodily integrity is protected under the right to privacy as stated in In re Brown.” On July 11, the court rejected the clinic's plea to stop the abortion ban. The court will wait for arguments from Attorney General Fitch to be submitted before ruling on the petition. Nationally, President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Friday, July 8, aiming to protect access to abortion in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe. The order attempts to protect access to medication abortion, access to contraception and to guarantee a patient’s right to emergency medical services. Speaking from the White House on July 8, President Biden urged women to “head to the ballot box” to “reclaim the right taken from them by the court.” He stated that “the fastest way to restore Roe is to pass a national law, codifying Roe.” In response, the USCCB released a statement from Archbishop Lori stating, “I implore the president to abandon this path that leads to death and destruction and to choose life. As always, the Catholic Church stands ready to work with this Administration and all elected officials to protect the right to life of every human being and to ensure that pregnant and parenting mothers are fully supported in the care of their children before and after birth.” Bishops Kopacz and Kihnemann remain “grateful for the Supreme Court’s decision but are also mindful that the battle to uphold the sanctity of life is an ongoing effort.” “Let us pray and continue to raise our voices both in our churches and in our communities in defense of human dignity and justice.”
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JULY 15, 2022
Nation 7
March for Life will continue until ‘abortion is unthinkable,’ says official ganization, and Gray’s mission accomplished, has led to speculation as to the future of the national march. Will it continue? Yes, said Jeanne Mancini, who became March for Life president in 2013, a year after Gray’s death. But there’s a new emphasis on growing statewide marches, an effort that began a few years ago. “We will still be having our federal legislative battles,” Mancini said on a June 29 webcast, “Life Beyond Roe,” sponsored by a consortium of pro-life Pro-life demonstrators are seen near the Supreme Court in Washington June 15, groups. But “I would say 2022. The court overruled the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision in its rulthe voices will have ing in the Dobbs case on a Mississippi law banning most abortions after 15 weeks more impact at the June 24. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn) state level” as state legislatures that have not By Kurt Jensen already enacted abortion bans begin to debate legislaWASHINGTON (CNS) – When the Supreme Court tion, she said. “So it’s like less is more.” ruled June 24 that there is no constitutional right to aborMarch for Life has held state marches in Connecticut, tion, the historic decision came a day before what would Virginia and California, with ones planned for Pennsylhave been the 98th birthday of Nellie Gray, founder of vania in September and Ohio in October. the March for Life. Next year, Mancini said the plans are to double the The march – which Gray, a Texas-born government number, and over the next six years, to have lawyer, founded in 1974 to mark the first anniversary marches in all 50 state capitals. of the court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion As for the Dobbs decision, “I can’t think of a nationwide – is a fixture of Catholic pro-life activism and better birthday gift for Nellie,” she added. In a bus pilgrimages to the nation’s capital. June 25 statement, Mancini promised, “We will So the ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Or-
continue to march until abortion is unthinkable.” In January 1974, the first March for Life was organized in Gray’s living room at her Capitol Hill home and drew about 10,000 participants. In a 2010 interview with Catholic News Service, Gray said the impetus came from the Knights of Columbus. “I didn’t even know who they were, but they explained their stance against abortion and needed a place to meet to discuss plans for a march.” Since Mancini took over, the march has grown from a relatively modest event that went from the West Front of the Capitol to the Supreme Court sidewalk to an immense rally on the National Mall with marchers from across the country, including members of Congress and the occasional show business celebrity. The 2020 event is considered to be the largest one in the march’s history. With President Donald Trump as the main rally speaker, it drew more than 100,000 participants. The smallest one came just a year later during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only an invited group of 80, joined by more than 100 others midway in their route, marched from the Museum of the Bible to the Supreme Court. It was the first outdoor event in Washington since the Jan. 6, 2021, violence at the Capitol; both the Capitol and Supreme Court were surrounded by high fences. Counterprotesters over the years have been few in number. This past January, the march was briefly delayed when members of Patriot Front, a neo-Nazi group, attempted to lead the march on Constitution Avenue. But they had announced their plans in advance on social media, so police who were expecting them quickly escorted them away to a nearby Metro subway station.
The Precious Blood of Jesus STEWARDSHIP PATHS By Julia Williams
JACKSON – I once read in a parish bulletin a reminder that we should not use irreverent phrases such as “we’re serving wine at Mass,” because after the consecration during Mass, the wine is no longer wine — it is the Precious Blood of Jesus! The Precious Blood of Jesus is Power! The power of the blood is enough to overcome everything coming against you. This is how you live a life of victory in Christ. It’s the life Jesus died to give you. The life of a Christian steward models the life of Jesus. It is challenging and even difficult in many respects; yet intense joy comes to those who take the risk to live as Christian stewards. Women and men who seek to live as stewards learn that “all things work for good for those who love God.” (Romans 8:28) The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus, spilled on the Cross for us. It is your opportunity to focus directly on this topic ... Read about it ... Pray about it ... Frequent the sacraments,
(including confession), so you can receive Him with a clean soul! Be Blessed, and Remember ... “Jesus is Lord!” Excerpts: catholic-link.org; and Stewardship, A Disciple’s Response, USCCB. (To subscribe to the monthly Stewardship PATHS newsletter, scan the QR code or email julia.williams@ jacksondiocese.org.)
Artwork: Saint Dominic Adoring the Crucifixion; Fra Angelico; c. 1437-1446; (Public Domain).
JULY 15, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
8 DIOCESE
Knights of Columbus contribute to new center to serve women with unplanned pregnancies
VIDALIA, La. – Pictured is the Miss-Lou Pregnancy Center on July 7, awaiting the installment of their permanent sign. On Wednesday, June 15, local members of the Knights of Columbus present a donation to an ultrasound machine at the soon-to-be Miss-Lou Pregnancy Center, located at 4951 U.S. 84 in Vidalia, Louisiana. The Center is set to fully open this month. (Photo courtesy of Miss-Lou Pregnancy Center)
BY SABRINA SIMMS THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT
NATCHEZ — The Knights of Columbus recently presented an approximately $20,000 donation to a new pregnancy center slated to open this month at 4951 U.S. 84 in Vidalia. The new Miss-Lou Pregnancy Center will be a satellite center of the non-profit Cenla Pregnancy Center, which has other locations in Alexandria and Marksville. The donation, made possible by the Knights of Columbus organization’s fundraising efforts with area churches, will be used to buy the center’s first ultrasound machine. Both Vidalia and Natchez members helped raise the funds and another $13,000 donation will be given by the national organization, said Steve Neilson, Faithful Navigator of the Natchez post. “It was great because we saw how two communities could help each other,” Neilson said. “A lot of people from Louisiana contributed and a lot of people from Mississippi contributed.” “That’s why it’s called Miss-Lou Pregnancy Center,” added Kevin Friloux, a Vidalia member of the Knights of Columbus. Neilson said the organization has plans to continue supporting the new center, which is much-needed for both communities. “We have the Caring Hearts Pregnancy Center in Natchez, which is very limited,” Neilson said. “There is no medical staff. It’s more or less just a resource and referral point.” The next closest pregnancy centers are an hour or two hours away. Claire Lemoine, executive director of Cenla Pregnancy Center, said their focus is providing confidential services to women who find themselves with an unplanned pregnancy in a judgment-free environment. There, they will have access to pregnancy tests, an initial ultrasound, post-abortion support, consultations with trained professionals, educational classes, baby items and referrals to other care facilities — all at no charge. “It’s a place where anyone in an unplanned pregnancy can go if they need support. If they’re considering abortion, if they’re considering parenting or whatever state of life they found themselves in with their pregnancy, they can come to us to talk about their options. We talk about life-affirming options for them. We do talk about abortions but we don’t refer them for abortions or provide abortions. We talk about what that decision may mean for their life if that is what they choose,” Lemoine said. She added the ultrasound machine that area churches and individuals helped
pay for with their donations would be used for most of their initial screenings for mothers who haven’t seen any other physicians yet. “We give them verification of pregnancy and have prenatal vitamins for them and we also do an ultrasound ... which serves to make sure that the pregnancy is in the uterus and verifies how far along they are in their pregnancy. It also helps to make that connection. ... They say the ultrasound is the window to the womb. It’s a good way to connect their mind and heart to this new reality.” Kimberly Butler will be the director of the Miss-Lou Pregnancy Center, which will initially be open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until it is fully staffed. The new center will also need volunteers to help receive clients, file records and teach classes, Lemoine said. Inside the facility will be a boutique-like area where participants of educational programs can spend vouchers on baby items such as car seats, baby bottles, clothing, formula and diapers. The pregnancy center is sustained entirely by donations and fundraising efforts, she said. The annual Gift of Life Fundraising Banquet, one of the largest fundraisers for the organization, takes place Sept. 13 at the Randolph Riverfront Center on 707 2nd Street in Alexandria, Louisiana, and features actor and evangelist Kirk Cameron as a keynote speaker. To find out more or make a donation, visit cenlapc.com. For more information on the Miss-Lou Pregnancy Center, or to volunteer, call (318) 314-3061. (Reprinted with permission of The Natchez Democrat)
Protection of
CHILDREN
The Diocese of Jackson is committed to ensuring that no one being served by the church be (is) at risk of sexual abuse or exploitation by clergy, religious or lay church personnel. The spiritual well-being of all the victims, their families and others in the community is of particular concern to the church. In accordance with our policy, all victims are offered counseling and pastoral care. Anyone who has been a victim of abuse or exploitation by clergy, religious or lay church personnel and has not yet reported it is encouraged to do so. Our victim assistance coordinator, Erika Rojas, a licensed social worker, is available to assist in making a report. Please contact her at (601) 326-3736. For more information about diocesan policies and procedures and to learn what the diocese is doing to create a safe environment for everyone, please visit the diocesan website at www.jacksondiocese.org and click on “Protection of Children.” To report an allegation of abuse or mishandling of allegations of sexual abuse by a bishop, please visit https://reportbishopabuse.org.
+Joseph R. Kopacz D.D., Ph.D. Bishop of Jackson
SPRING SACRAMENTS SPECIAL EDITION
2022
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JULY 15, 2022 MERIDIAN – (Left) St. Patrick, First Communion. First row (l-r): Patrick Pittman, Josephine Shuler and Chase Dinh. Second row (l-r): Rudy Agular, Father Augustine Palimattam Poulose, Marcos Marin-Martinez and Rocco Agular. (Photo by John Harwell) MADISON – (Below) St. Francis of Assisi, First Communion. Front row (l-r): Lily Pilgrim, Lennon Stephens, Aspen Taylor, Lucy Mai, Addison Santana, Katie Le, Nicole Contreras and Emily Rubio. Second Row (l-r): Emma Kate Davidson, Aiden Nguyen, Allie Walker, Beckett Welch, Colin Rayner, Sydney Beard, Cruz Warwick, Kiera Van Huss, Peter Mai, Margaret Marie Heitzmann, Bryce Butler and Sadie Powell. Third row (l-r): Mary Clyde Evans, Brooks Holder, Madison Todd, Yair Sanchez, Andrew Klar, Izzy Rowlett, Emma Coulter, Andrew Coulter, Benjamin Terrazus, Malcolm Brown, Will Dean, David Colbert and Greta Kate Ostrenga. Fourth row (l-r): Yohann Sanchez, Isaac Smith, George Spellings, C.J. Lee, Thomas Farthing, Allyn Rose Hartlein, Lorelei Shipley, John Paul Vanderloo, Emery Davis, Hunt Gatewood and Kenzley Kivlan with Msgr. Mike Flannery and Father Albeenready Vatti. (Photo by Paula Bennett)
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MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JULY 15, 2022 STARKVILLE – (Right) St. Joseph and Corpus Christi parishes, First Communion, May 10. First row (lr): Samantha Taboada, Will Garraway, Leah Fratesi, Dominic Artigues, Ali Coleman and Gemma McFadden. Second Row (l-r): Joseph MacDade, Barrett Steele, Celia Freeman and Isaiah Twietmeyer. Third row (l-r): Dcn. John McGinley, Father Jason Johnston and Dcn. Jeff Artigues. (Photo courtesy of Father Jason Johnston)
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YAZOO CITY – (Left) Meriella Kirby celebrated her First Communion at St. Mary parish on Sunday, May 29. (Photo by Babs McMaster)
FLOWOOD – St. Paul Parish, First Communion. Front row (l-r): Isabelle Gordy, Ella Lirette, Posey Jordan, Abigail Baldi, Lauryn Scafani and Brecken Wood. Middle row (l-r): John Bennett, Max Holley, Parker Nelson, Colden Boston, Walker Hamburg, Eli Kirby, Adam Zinke, Ethan Kirby and Ashton Morris. Top row (l-r): Taylor Rose Young, Rivers McAllister, Angelina Maggio, Katerine Westerfield, Evelyn Westerfield, Taylor Gilbert, Dania Eugine, Jenny Arellano and Rosalie Fede. (Photo by Jamie K. Morris photography)
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JULY 15, 2022
GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph parish, First Communion. Front row (l-r): Dylan Robertson, Cooper Moity, Camila Rojas, Rayf Kestenbaum and J.P. Hemleben. Second row (l-r): Henry Yoste, Thomas Hanlon, Emma Kate Biasini , Myrick Kestenbaum, Lily Lape and Sebastien Simon. Top row (l-r): SaraAnn Pittman, Mikayla Boyle, John Paul DeJong, Emily Cabrera, Andre Florez, Frances May and Ellie Flowerday. (Photo by Paula Bennett)
AMORY – (Above) On May 15, Raviv Joseph, Emanuel Leon, Andrea Leon and Isaac Arrexi celebrated their First Communion at St. Helen parish. (Photo by Jean Pinkley) CLINTON – (Right) On May 1, Anna Kate Yentzen and Owen Mazy celebrated their First Communion with Father Thomas McGing at Holy Savior parish. (Photo by Trish Ballard)
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MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JULY 15, 2022
5 CLEVELAND – Our Lady of Victories, First Communion, Sunday, May 1 with Father Kent Bowlds. Bottom row (l-r): Grace Aguzzi, Karen Lopez, Sophie Antici, Lily Todd Rickels, Mary Matt Giachelli and Alondra Dimas. Top row (l-r): Victor Aguzzi, Charles Hardesty, Tabb Worsham, Samuel Hardesty, Luke Williams, Anderson Kitching, Alan Rivas, Martin Aguilar and Isaac Morales. (Photo by Jenifer Jenkins)
FOREST – (Right) St. Michael, First Communion. Pictured (in no particular order): Nelson Marroquin Perez, Mateo Elesandro Marroquin-Matias, Sayda Maria Baltazar Tema, Marely Sinahy Parra-Davalos, Carlos Jaciel Davalos-Oliveros, Melisa Misherri Ramos Hernandez, Hillary Yaretzi Martinez, Mary Lucy Mendoza Lucas, Alexander Eduardo Rodriguez, Erik Jose Juan Felipe, Celso Vasquez Jimenez, Jordani Vasquez Jimenez, Keyla Jannette Lopez-Jimenez, Judith Yoselin Lopez-Marroquin, Adrian Velasquez Roblero, Ashly Britani Martinez-Perez, Alejandro Gomez Perez, Juana Gomez Perez and Johana Gomez Perez. (Photo courtesy of parish)
McCOMB – St. Alphonsus Parish, First Communion, Saturday, April 23. (Pictured back to front, l-r) Father Suresh Thirumalareddy, Kendra JACKSON – Holy Ghost Parish, First Communion. Pictured: Bella Rose Moses, Fa- Gonzalez, Reagan Williams, Arely Perez, Maria Pena, Isabella Jenkins, ther Nick Nguyen, SVD and Nyla Longino-Henderson. (Photo by Dorothy Ashley) Micah Fisackerly and Joseph Rozelle. (Photo by Teresa Allred)
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JULY 15, 2022
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MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, First Communion. Pictured (l-r): Charlotte Dues, Father Aaron Williams and Charlie Thrash. (Photo by John Harwell)
RIPLEY – St. Matthew, First Communion, Saturday, June 18. Front row (l-r): Selena Cardenas, Abril Ibarra, Judith Santos, Alexander Herrera, Luis Benavides and Erick Rodriguez. Back row (l-r): Sister Carol Ann Prenger, SSND, Father Jesuraj Xavier and Litsi Rodriguez. (Photo courtesy of parish)
NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, First Communion, Sunday, April 24 with Father Mark Shoffner. Front row (l-r): Jett Biglane, Charlie Anderson, Lola Gibson, Evelyn Morris, Ada Milliken, Travis Jex, Conor Hardy and Gryffin Long. Back row (l-r): Elizabeth Callon, Kenda Marie Goldman, Annie Edwards, Tristan Walton, Eva Lindsay, Grant Gibson, Sutton Loomis and Gerard Malloy. (Photo courtesy of parish)
FLOWOOD – Bishop Joseph Kopacz prepares to annoint Sky Gordon with chrism oil at his confirmation on May 12 at St. Paul Parish. (Photo by Monica Walton)
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JULY 15, 2022
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VICKSBURG – St. Michael, First Communion with Father Robert Dore. Front row (l-r): Juan Mendoza, Timmy Haggerty, Eric Gonzalez-Aquino, Adam Abogado, Everett Sadler, Greyson Mailhot, and Adriam Diaz-Mejias. Top row (l-r): Dayanna Gonzalez, Ximena Martinez, Madalyn Tate, Allie Weeks, Emma Mailhot, Annie Roberson and Keyla Rodriguez. (Photo by Mimi Mitchell)
NATCHEZ – Ashton Obinna celebrated his First Communion at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish. (Photo courtesy of parish)
JACKSON – Second graders, Addy Boteler and Rivers Hoffman were all smiles at the First Communion reception at St. Richard parish. (Photo courtesy of family) WEST POINT – (Left) Immaculate Conception, First Communion. Front row (l-r): Guadalupe Benitez, Jesús Benítez and Emma Garcia. Top row (l-r): Deacon Carlisle Beggerly, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Kitty Elliott (teacher) and Father Binh Nguyen. (Photo by Lynn Kyl)
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JULY 15, 2022
8 MERIDIAN – (Right) St. Patrick, First Communion. Front row (l-r): Allison Galvan, Valentina Espino, Zaid Perez, Yoselin Zurita and Mariela Mora-Cordova. Top row (l-r): Brayan Ruiz-Cambron, Father Aaron Williams and Marco Ruiz-Cambron. (Photo by John Harwell
HOUSTON – (Above) Amy Rei Davis and Martin Gonzalez celebrated their First Communion on Sunday, April 17 at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish with Father Binh Nguyen. (Photo by Danna Johnson)
CORINTH – (Left) St. James the Lesser, First Communion, Saturday, June 11. Pictured: Naomi Pérez, Elías Morales, Stephanie Torres, Jesús López, Miguel Tomas, Berenice Tomas, Sebastián Tomas, Sandra Tomas, Marlene Robles, Bryan González, Ma Diego, Ángel García, Michael Aguirre, Isaac Guzmán, Milagros Rosales and Juan Lozano. (Photo by Bernardo Sorcia)
BATESVILLE – St. Mary Parish, First Communion, Sunday, April 24. Front row (l-r): Carlos Guzman, Allison Moreno, Abbygail Tejeda, Viviana Tejeda, Carline Salas, Athziri Cruz, Bella Tejeda and Pedro Almanza. Second row (l-r): Aaron Diaz, Natalie Tejeda, Sophie Mothershead, Isela Banales, Jatziri Chavez, Julissa Varela, Claribella Hernandez Moreno, Emmett Davis and Efrain Tejeda Jr. (Photo courtesy of parish)
15 de julio de 2022
Mississippicatholic.com
“Sirviendo a los Católicos Hispanos de la Diócesis de Jackson desde 1997”
Padre Mike se jubila después de 50 años Por MÓNica WaLToN
JACKSON – El pasado 20 de junio, con motivo de su 50 aniversario de ordenación y jubilación, el padre Mike O'Brien cerró el círculo y celebró su última Misa como párroco en la misma parroquia donde comenzó Tenía solo 35 años cuando se mudó por primera vez a Sacred Heart en Canton en 1983. Qué apropiado que ésta sea la ubicación de su asignación final en Magnolia State. “He tenido una vida maravillosa”, reflexionó el padre Mike durante su homilía. “Me encanta ser sacerdote y estoy muy bendecido de tener estos dos mundos: Mississippi e Irlanda.” Mientras recapturó los aspectos más destacados de los muchos recuerdos que vivió durante su infancia y sacerdocio, señaló que este fue el sermón más largo que había dado en todos sus 50 años. Pero se aseguró de proclamar esta verdad: “Siempre supe que Dios estaba conmigo, especialmente en los tiempos difíciles, desde el incendio de nuestra iglesia en Starkville, el huracán Katrina y las redadas de ICE”. Pero, ¿cómo este irlandés, nacido en Roscommon y ordenado en Kilbegnet, terminó en Jackson, Mississippi? “Fue el Espíritu
Santo”, dice. “Sabía que quería una aventura. Mi primo iba a ser sacerdote en Mississippi. Sabía que era un río, pero él dijo: '¡También es un estado!' Entonces, le pregunté: '¿Hablan inglés allí?'. Él respondió: 'Bueno, algo así...'" La pequeña iglesia se llenó de risas, repleta de fieles de las muchas parroquias y ciudades donde – Continúa en la pág. 2 –
CANTON – La Misa de retiro del Padre Mike O'Brien fue celebrada el lunes 20 de junio, concelebrada por el Padre Gerry Hurley párroco de St. Paul Flowood y asistidos por el diácono John Mc Gregor, en la que estuvo acompañado por el obispo Joseph Kopacz, miembros de su familia provenientes de Irlanda y un centenar de parroquianos en celebración multicultural, quienes llegaron a dar muestras de gracias y despedida (Fotos de Berta Mexidor)
Obispos de Mississippi visitan Misión de San Miguel en Saltillo, México Por TerrY DicKsoN
SALTILLO – (i-d) Obispo Louis F. Kihneman de Biloxi, Padre David Martinez, pastor de la Misión de San Miguel y el obispo Joseph Kopacz de Jackson. (Foto de Terry Dickson/Diocesis de Biloxi)
SALTILLO, MÉXICO – El obispo Louis F. Kihneman de Biloxi y el obispo Joseph Kopacz de Jackson viajaron a la Misión de San Miguel del 6 al 10 de junio. Los dos obispos estuvieron por última vez a Saltillo en 2019 con la intención de regresar al año siguiente. Sin embargo, la pandemia de COVID-19 se los impidió. Junto a los obispos estaban Mons. Michael Thornton, quien sirvió en Saltillo de 1973 a 1977 y de 1997 a 2004; el Padre Adam Urbaniak, director de Vocaciones de la Diócesis de Biloxi y párroco de la Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de las Victorias en Pascagoula; el Padre Sergio Balderas, párroco de la Parroquia St. Elizabeth Seton en Ocean Springs y nativo de Saltillo; el Padre Lincoln Dall, Vicario General de la Diócesis de Jackson; el padre José Krafft; director de Formación Pastoral en el Seminario de Notre Dame en Nueva Orleans y el diácono Adam Frey. El diácono Frey, a quien el obispo Kihneman ordenó al diaconado de transición el 7 de mayo, pasará los próximos cuatro meses en San Miguel como parte de su pasantía diaconal. “La meta es que él aprenda tanto español como pueda, conozca a la gente, continúe enamorándose de la gente como lo ha hecho con la comunidad hispana en la Parroquia del Sagrado Corazón en Hattiesburg, aprenda la cultura y comparta la fe con la gente”, dijo el obispo Kihneman. El diácono Frey ayudó al obispo Kopacz, al obispo Kihneman y al obispo Hilario González García, de Saltillo, en las Misas, incluidas tres confirmaciones leyendo el Evangelio en español y sirviendo como diácono del altar. También ha oficiado varios bautizos. “Espero salir con una mejor apreciación de dónde proviene la gente de nuestra diócesis y conocer sus experiencias y sus luchas,”dijo el diácono Frey, . El 9 de junio los dos obispos de Mississippi celebraron la confirmación de 86 jóvenes. El Padre Urbaniak tiene la esperanza de que el diácono Frey pueda aclimatarse a la cultura mexicana, “Creo que será una bendición para él ver: conocer a la gente, ver el gozo de la gente, experimentar su hambre por Cristo y ver la belleza de la Iglesia, que es tan vívida aquí en Saltillo,” dijo el Padre Urbaniak. – Continúa en la pág. 2 –
15 de julio de 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO
... Padre Mike, Gracias por tu corazón ... CANTON – (izq) Miembros de la familia del Padre Mike vino desde Irlanda para acompañarlo de vuelta a casa. (der.) La familia extendida de sus parroquianos lo despidieron con los colores nacionales de Irlanda. (Fotos de Berta Mexidor) el Padre Mike ha servido. Varios de los que vinieron a honrarlo tuvieron que ver la Misa en monitores en el Centro Parroquial por falta de asientos, pero no les importó. Estaban felices de estar allí para despedir a este sacerdote que había tocado sus vidas de una manera tan especial. La velada fue una hermosa mezcla de culturas, tal como debe ser la iglesia, con lecturas, canciones y comida que representaban el estilo inglés, español y, por supuesto, irlandés. Quince miembros de la familia del padre Mike viajaron de Irlanda a Mississippi para esta ocasión tan especial. “El padre Mike ha sido un gran sacerdote de sacerdotes, así como un gran servidor para la gente”, dijo su amigo cercano, el padre Gerry Hurley, quien también es oriundo de Irlanda. “Los compañeros sacerdotes siempre pueden buscar a Mike en busca de aliento, dirección y asistencia. Es una rep– Viene de la pág. 1 –
resentación clásica de todas las cosas buenas de Irlanda y las esperanzas del seminario que lo envió”. El padre Mike O'Brien dedicó un agridulce “slán agat” (adiós) a su Amado Mississippi, ¡pero con la seguridad de que volverá! Echaremos mucho de menos a este sacerdote fiel y humilde con un corazón muy tierno y una sonrisa entrañable. ¡Vaya con nuestras oraciones sinceras, amor y bendiciones, Padre Mike! (Mónica Walton nació y se crio en Luisiana, ama su herencia cajún y sus LSU Tigers. Tiene una licenciatura en Periodismo/LSU. Ha trabajado en medios impresos, televisión & radio en Luisiana, Georgia y Mississippi. Mónica vive en Brandon desde 1993 y tiene cuatro hijos.)
"...ver la belleza de la Iglesia, que es tan vívida aquí en Saltillo ...'" – Viene de la pág. 1 – Una parte del trabajo del Padre Krafft como director de formación pastoral en el Seminario de Notre Dame es visitar a los seminaristas durante sus prácticas. “La pasantía del diácono Adam es única”, dijo el padre Krafft. “Hemos tenido otros seminaristas que han hecho ministerio en otro país, pero nada como esto donde es por varios meses.“La realidad del sur de los Estados Unidos es que la población hispana está creciendo y la mayoría
SALTILLO – La Misa de Confirmación en San Pedro, de 80 candidatos y con una iglesia llena, fue lo más destacado del viaje, según el obispo Kopacz. (Fotos de Terry Dickson, Diócesis de Biloxi)
de esa población es católica. Para que podamos servirles bien, tenemos que conocer no solo su idioma sino también su cultura. Esto le dará a Adam la oportunidad de profundizar en el aprendizaje de ambas cosas”. Según la Jerarquía Católica (www.catholic-hierarchy.org), a partir de 2020, la población total de Saltillo, México, era 1,437,122. De eso, 1,358,600 o el 94.5 por ciento eran católicos. En ese momento, había 193 sacerdotes, 150 diocesanos y 43 religiosos, lo que equivale a aproximadamente 7,039 católicos por sacerdote. Además, las estadísticas mostra- SALTILLO, MÉXICO – Esta fue la sexta visita del obispo Kopacz a Saltillo. ban que solo había un diácono Dijo que era bueno estar de regreso después que la pandemia detuviera los permanente sirviendo en la viajes durante los últimos dos años. El obispo Kopacz expresó su alegría Diócesis de Saltillo. de poder volver a Saltillo y restablecer esa conexión. El Padre Patrick Quinn, un eventos que organizaron para esta visita fueron extraorsacerdote nacido en Irlanda de lo que entonces era la Diócesis de Natchez-Jackson, dinarios. La confirmación en la última noche de la visita comenzó la misión en Perpetuo Socorro en 1969 y sirvió con más de 80 candidatos y una iglesia llena fue un allí hasta su muerte en 1997. Está enterrado en Perpetuo verdadero punto culminante”, dijo el obispo Kopacz Este fue el cuarto viaje del Padre Dall a Saltillo. Había Socorro. En 1998, la misión se trasladó a San Miguel. visitado tres veces anteriores con grupos de jóvenes. “ Los sacerdotes de San Miguel, el padre David Siempre me llama la atención, habiendo hecho trabajo Martínez y el padre Antonio Medel, atienden 17 ranchos misionero en Sudamérica y África, que la gente no tiene en las comunidades rurales y siete en las afueras de la mucho pero dedican mucho tiempo y esfuerzo para una ciudad. Los dos curas visitan mensualmente los ranchos cálida bienvenida. Siempre me conmueve eso”. rurales, pero algunos de ellos tenían Misa todos los domingos, antes del Covid. Ahora tienen Misa cada dos (Terry Dickson, es el director de comunicaciones de la domingos. El próximo año, los obispos esperan regresar a Saltil- Diócesis de Biloxi) lo para celebrar el 25 aniversario de San Miguel. “Los
15 de julio de 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO
Viaje a Misión de Saltillo trae alegre aventura Por Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
El regreso después de tres años a nuestra Misión de Saltillo, desde la visita anterior por el 50 aniversario del inicio de la obra misionera del Padre Patrick Quinn en 1969, fue una aventura alegre y de mucho ánimo. Muchos de ustedes saben de esta visita pastoral a través de las redes sociales de las Diócesis de Jackson y de Biloxi. Si una imagen vale más que mil palabras, entonces ya has disfrutado de múltiples representaciones del torbellino de cuatro días. Es asombroso considerar el alto volumen de actividad que ocurre en un marco de tiempo tan compacto. Puede ser agotador y estimulante sobre cada bache del camino. Permítanme hacer una digresión por un momento para atesorar la fuente del vínculo espiritual que continúa prosperando entre Mississippi y Saltillo, incluso en ausencia de viajes misioneros por tierra. En nuestro mundo católico, estamos en medio de la celebración del triángulo dorado de Solemnidades excepcionales que comienzan con el Domingo de Pentecostés y la culminación del tiempo de Pascua, la Solemnidad de la Santísima Trinidad y la Solemnidad del Cuerpo y la Sangre del Señor. El don del Espíritu Santo recibido en la fe y celebrado de manera única en Pentecostés abre un mundo de misterio con nuestro Dios que es amor, la Santísima Trinidad de personas que desbordó en amor en los dones de la creación y la salvación. La celebración del Corpus Christi continúa esta efusión de amor derramada en la Cruz, conmemorada y vivida cada vez que nos reunimos para la Misa, la Sagrada Eucaristía. Las tres fiestas juntas revelan la naturaleza del amor dentro de la Trinidad que se manifiesta en la
comunidad cristiana, la unidad, la comunión y la fraternidad en el Cuerpo de Cristo en todo el mundo unidos por una fe, un bautismo, un Dios que es Padre que es todo y sobre todos. Así, la alegría de la solidaridad y la unidad puede desbordarse con cada liturgia, cada fiesta, cada comida y cada conversación en todas partes de nuestro mundo.
Así, la alegría de la solidaridad y la unidad puede desbordarse con cada liturgia, cada fiesta, cada comida y cada conversación en todas partes de nuestro mundo. Desde esta fuente de fe, esperanza y amor, todos atesoramos la historia de estos últimos 53 años, la memoria del Padre Quinn y todos los que se han entregado, de aquí y allá, ya sea durante años o semanas. El Sacramento de la Confirmación con 80 Candidatos fue la liturgia culminante con el recién instalado ordinario Obispo Hilario Gonzales García, de la Diócesis de Saltillo. Fue alentador concelebrar con él alrededor del altar y pasar tiempo en la mesa después. Un año en su ministerio episcopal y ya ha experimentado las bendiciones de la relación que Jackson y Biloxi tienen con su diócesis. Él apoya totalmente lo que estamos haciendo y espera que nos acompañemos en el futuro. Todos esperamos que llegue el día en que los viajes misioneros por tierra puedan reanudarse, permitiendo que una nueva generación de católicos de Mississippi sean discípulos misioneros, evangelizando y siendo evangelizados por nuestros hermanos y hermanas mexicanos en el Señor. En medio de los muchos momentos llenos de gracia, comidas y ministerios de la Confirmación, del lunes al jueves por la noche hubo varios eventos emblemáticos. El martes celebramos el Sacramento de la Confirmación dos horas en Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Garambullo y luego regresamos a una liturgia especial
en San Miguel que honró a todos los padres presentes con una bendición especial mientras los mariachis tocaban y cantaban a todo pulmón y sin piedad. Luego, siguió una fiesta en honor a los jóvenes que recaudaron la mayor cantidad de dinero para sus comunidades parroquiales individuales. Diversos grupos de animadores, en su mayoría jóvenes, actuaron espléndidamente en canto, danza y gestualidad en una fiesta religiosa y cultural. ¡Qué Buena noche! El miércoles vio otro evento memorable desarrollarse ante nosotros con asombro. De camino a San Pedro para recibir el Sacramento de la Confirmación, nos reunimos en la Capilla de San José, que fue dedicada hace tres años en la última visita pastoral. Después de la oración y las bendiciones, los autos y camiones se organizaron en una procesión que se convirtió en una flotilla en el camino a San Pedro. Espero hayas visto algunas de las fotos y toda la experiencia fue tan alegre como parecía. Los frutos y dones del Espíritu Santo abundaron en la Confirmación que siguió. El jueves anterior a la Confirmación, el obispo Kihneman y yo, junto con otros peregrinos de Jackson y Biloxi visitamos la tumba del Padre Quinn en la Iglesia del Perpetuo Socorro. Durante el año pasado, las paredes traseras de la iglesia sobre su tumba se cubrieron con fotos que brindan un panorama de los eventos, las personas y los lugares de los años del padre Quinn. Está bien hecho y es muy conmovedor. Mientras permanecía allí admirado, me sentí muy agradecido de ser parte de esta increíble historia cuyos capítulos aún se están escribiendo y de representar a los fieles de nuestra diócesis que promueven la misión a través de la oración y la generosidad. El próximo año marcará el 25 aniversario de San Miguel, la parroquia fundamental de la misión desde la muerte del padre Quinn y las fechas están en el calendario para la celebración del aniversario de septiembre de 2023. ¡Manténganse al tanto!
Declaración de Obispos Joseph R. Kopacz y Louis F. Kihneman sobre fallo Roe v. Wade de Corte Suprema La Señora Justicia ha puesto su atención en el llanto del niño por nacer escondido en el refugio del vientre de su madre. Hoy la justicia no ha abandonado a ese niño por nacer y su capacidad de sentir dolor, pero aún queda trabajo por hacer. Junto con muchos en todo nuestro país, nos unimos en oración para que ahora los estados puedan proteger a las mujeres y a los niños de la injusticia del aborto. La Iglesia Católica ha tenido un interés personal en este asunto: la dignidad y santidad de toda vida humana. A través de sus agencias de caridad y los esfuerzos independientes de sus miembros, la Iglesia Católica apoya a todas las mujeres además del niño en el útero. La iglesia continuará acompañando a mujeres y parejas que enfrentan embarazos difíciles o inesperados durante los primeros años de la paternidad, a través de iniciativas como Walking with Moms in Need (Caminando con Madres Necesitadas). Con nuestros hermanos obispos, renovamos nuestro compromiso de preservar la dignidad y san-
tidad de toda vida humana al: • Garantizar que nuestras parroquias sean lugares de acogida para las mujeres que enfrentan embarazos difíciles • Reconocer las necesidades de las madres embarazadas • Ser testigos de amor y vida. • Aumentar nuestra defensa de leyes que garanticen el derecho a la vida del no nacido, la construcción del bien común y la promoción del desarrollo humano integral. De todas estas maneras y más, la Iglesia Católica es testigo de la santidad de la vida humana, desde la concepción hasta la muerte natural, y continúa trabajando para construir una cultura de vida en nuestra nación. Para obtener más información comuníquese con la coordinadora de la Oficina del Ministerio de la Familia en la Diócesis de Jackson, a Charlene.bearden@jacksondiLos manifestantes contra el aborto se ven cerca de la Corte Suprema en ocese.org. Washington el 24 de junio de 2022, cuando la institución suprema de justicia anuló la histórica decisión de Roe v. Wade, despues de su fallo en (La versión completa de la declaración está el caso Dobbs, sobre una ley de Mississippi que prohíbe la mayoría de los disponible en el sitio web de la diócesis) abortos después de 15 semanas. (Foto del CNS/Tyler Orsburn)
17 de julio de 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO
Primera Comunión, Inmaculado Corazón de María y Corpus Christy
VARDAMAN – (Arriba) En el Centro Comunitario local se celebró la Primera Comunión, el día primero de mayo, en Misa celebrada por el Padre Cesar Sanchez. En la foto, junto al Padre Cesar, aparecen Kayle Torres; Justin Torres; Joel Torres Jr.; Reyna Torres; Isabel Gonzalez; Alejandra Gonzalez; Daniel Torres; Adrian Torres; Alexis Villanueva; Ximena Guerrero; Fernando A. Murillo; Angel D. Murillo; Eric Yair Bejarano; Skilar Lain Gonzalez; Sophia Gonzalez; Andrea Saray Solis; Milagros Solis; Dylan Soto; Luis Yarel Torres y Antonio David Lima. (Foto cortesía de Danna Johnson, LEM) HOUSTON – (Arriba- der. ) Primera comunión, en Domingo de Pascua, abril 17, (l-r) Amy Rei Davis, Padre Binh y Martin Gonzalez. (Fotos por cortesía de Danna Johnson, LEM) CORINTH – (Izq.) La Comunidad de St James the Less celebró el Corpus Christy el 16 de junio con procesión, liderada por el Padre Mario Solórzano y la exposición de varios altares decorados por diferentes familias.
HOUSTON – La celebración del día del Inmaculado Corazón de María contó con el Padre Clem Oya, reflexionando con la comunidad Hispana y Anglo los días 24 y 25 de junio y finalizando con una Misa en honor la Patrona local con toda la comunidad unida.
TOME NOTA Vírgenes y Santos La
Transfiguración del Señor. Agosto 6 Santa Clara. Agosto 11 Solemnidad de la Asunción de la Virgen María. Agosto 15 Santa Rosa de Lima. Agosto 30
CORINTH – St. James the Less Corint, 16 niños recibieron su primera comunión en Misa celebrada por el Padre Mario Solórzano el 11 de junio. En foto aparecen Naomi Pérez; Elías Morales; Stephanie Torres; Jesús López; Miguel Tomas; Berenice Tomas; Sebastián Tomas; Sandra Tomas; Marlene Robles; Bryan González; María Diego; Angel García; Michael Aguirre; Isaac Guzmán; Milagros Rosales y Juan Lozano. (Fotos por Bernardo Sorcia)
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JACKSON – St. Richard, First Communion, Sunday, April 24. Top row (l-r): Cressida Kline, Ethan Orsborn, Gabriel Fair, Masters Neel, Annie Mae Harkins, Grady Hooker, Zoe Thomas, Gus Parsons, Elliot Montagnet, Oliver Skipper, Evelyn Sterling, Archer Marshall and Garrett Fridge. Middle row (l-r): Kody Spencer, Rachel Jones, Addie Boteler, Andrew Compretta, Reeves Buckley, Jackson LeBlanc, Leah Meyer, Asher Smith, Thomas Ueltschey, Louis Eaton, Rivers Hoffman, Robert Farr and Sydney Clayton. Bottom row (l-r): Mary Choufani, Evelyn Kalka, Channing Oyola, Drew Simmons, Kate Vandiver, Caroline Audiffred, Sophie Audiffred, Olivia Kenyon, Iverson Sims, Cecilia Penton and Thomas Park. (Photo by Ron Blaylock)
GREENVILLE – St. Joseph Parish, First Communion. First row (l-r): Kate Milam and Emerson Lipscomb. Second row (l-r): Gus Bradberry and Evelyn Mortimer. Third row (l-r): Kate Kaplan and Coleman Maranto with Father Andrew Nguyen. (Photo by Rayetta R. Serio)
MERIDIAN – St. Joseph, First Communion. Pictured (l-r): Keelie Holcomb, John Quedado and Katelyn Meachum with Father Augustine Palimattam Poulose. (Photo by John Harwell)
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VARDAMAN – Catholic Community, First Communion, Sunday, May 1. Pictured: Kayle Torres, Justin Torres, Joel Torres Jr., Reyna Torres, Isabel Gonzalez, Alejandra Gonzalez, Daniel Torres, Adrian Torres, Alexis Villanueva, Ximena Guerrero, Fernando A. Murillo, Angel D. Murillo, Eric Yair Bejarano, Skilar Lain Gonzalez, Sophia Gonzalez, Andrea Saray Solis, Milagros Solis, Dylan Soto, Luis Yarel Torres and Antonio David Lima. (Photo by Danna Johnson)
GREENWOOD – (Right) St. Francis parish, First Communion, Sunday, May 1. Front row (l-r): Pedro Ramírez, Roberto Pérez and Kassandra Rosales. Back row (l-r): Father Joachim Studwell, OFM, Yahir Flores, Salomón Esparza, Fernando Ramírez (with mask), Amaurie Rodríguez, Alexia Ramírez and Dina Potter (catechist). (Photo courtesy of parish)
PEARL – (Right) St. Jude, First Communion, Saturday, April 30. Front row (l-r): Joshua Chastain, Leonardo Arellano, Giancarlo Gonzalez, Alexander Alvarado, Alex Duran, Alexis Gutierrez and Jacobo DeOchoa. Back row (l-r): Matthew DeOchoa, Vaneza Muralles, Jackeline Guzman, Rebbecca Torres, Sholashy Rojas Perez, Ximena Carrillo, Briana Garcia and Luis Angel Guzman. (Photo courtesy of Rhonda Bowden)
VICKSBURG – Eva Evans and Donald Rader, Jr. celebrated their First Communion at St. Mary parish on Sunday, May 29. (Photo by Leonette Thomas)
FLOWOOD – St. Paul, Confirmation, Wednesday, May 4. Front row (l-r): Reanna Green, Katherine O’Brien, Sara McGahey, Madison Thornton, Jasmine Burton, Avery Temple and Kate Temple. Top row (l-r): Trey Welch, Hayden Skeen, Ingrid O’Brien, Father Gerry Hurley, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Gabriel Frederick, Bo McFadden and Dcn. Denzil Lobo. (Photo courtesy of parish)
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JULY 16, 2021
BATESVILLE – (Above) St. Mary Parish, Confirmation, Sunday, May 8. Pictured (l-r): Father Pradeep Thirumalareddy, Imelda Murillo, Sara Hansen, Brianna Becerra, Edward Garfias, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Masimo Aguilar, Ashley Salas, Yoana Gonzalez, Aileen Chavez, Randy Cox and Donna Smith. (Photo courtesy of parish)
NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Confirmation, Friday, May 6. Front row (l-r): China Okafor, Claire Plaisance, Helen Schwager, Maddie Verucchi, Graci Gamberi, Gracie Bradley, S.K. Cauthen, Emma Ledford, Bella Milligan and Alaina Hughes. Middle row (l-r): Jackson Hughes, Jackson Navarro, Nicholas Leigh, Searcy Branton, Albert Hughes, Jacob Moore, Jordan Henry and Chance Bertelsen. Back row (l-r): Father Anthony Okwum, Father Anthony Onyeocha, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Father Aaron Williams and Father Mark Shoffner. (Photo courtesy of parish)
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CLINTON – (Left) Holy Savior parish, Confirmation, Wednesday, April 20. First row (l-r): Dylan Olinger, Nathan Sanchez, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Abby Senger and Emillie McCombs. Second row (l-r): Madalyn Weisenberger, Sydney Hogan and Baylee Thornhill. Third row (l-r): Ryan Callegan, Mason Rogers, Cade Tripp, Father Thomas McGing, Silas Dillon, Caleb Jordan, Aiden Camillo. (Photo courtesy of parish) CLICLINTCLIONC
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PEARL – St. Jude, Confirmation, Wednesday, June 1. Front row (l-r): Madelyne Britt, Faith Britt, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Amber Powe, Perla Arrellano and Catherine Giles. Second row (l-r): Fiona McGregor, Cecilia Miceli, Calleigh Torregano, Isabel Roberts, Serenity Tran and Mary Hayes. Third row (l-r): Marcela Escamilla, Karen Romero, Draven Giles, John VanLandingham, William Poole, Christina Guzman, Joselyn Vasquez and Dcn. John McGregor. Top row (l-r): Bryan Gonzalez, Osiel Romero, Colvin Espino, Craig Millette, Sergio Vasquez and Father Lincoln Dall. (Photo courtesy of Rhonda Bowden)
PONTOTOC – St. Christopher, Confirmation, Saturday, April 23. Pictured: Jacobo Johnson, Mariana Garcia, Yadhira Martinez, Prisila Martinez, Daniel Lira, Ximena Lira, Alley Lira, Martin Torres, Crisna sparks, Denise Jara, Samuel Almeida, John Mendoza, Magdalena Segundo Torres, Eduardo Moreno, Angelica Torres, Brandon Mendoza and Luis Nava. (Photo by Danna Johnson)
PEARL – St. Jude hosted St. Francis of Assisi Greenwood for Confirmation. Pictured: Father Hilary Brzenzinski, Jocelyn Flores, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Teresa Martinez and Father Joachim Studwell. (Photo courtesy of parish) BROOKHAVEN – (Right) St. Francis Brookhaven and St. Martin Hazlehurst, Confirmation, Saturday, April 30. Top row (l-r): Salvador Sandoval Franco, Marion Baker, Natalie Womack, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Father Mano, Tyler Shann, Josh Townsend and Joshua Smith. Front row (l-r): Teofilo Sandoval Franco, Anahi Kelly Chercoles, Mainol Bladimir Pena Castro, Maria Carmen Garcia Santos, Carlos Eduardo Simon, Ana Cristina Quezada and Conrado Lopez Perez. (Photo courtesy of parish)
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GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph and Sacred Heart Canton, Confirmation, Sunday, May 1. Front row (l-r): Camryn Cassreino, Alyssa Sager, Ava Sylve, Alexandra Zevallos, Zoie Couch, Denise Garcia and Father Mike O’Brien. Second row (l-r): Deacon Denzil Lobo, Gia Picarella, Margaret Anne Henderson, Mary-Kate Sandifer, Madeline White, Mary Kathryn Sheehan and Ty Caldwell. Top row (l-r): Msgr. Mike Flannery, Madoc Robertson, Adron Andy, Gibson Parish, Joseph Wright, Benjamin Tiller, Ella Sager and Bishop Joseph Kopacz. (Photo by Paula Bennett)
FOREST – St. Michael Confirmation class poses for a photo with Deacon Denzil Lobo, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Father Augustine Palimattam Poulose and Father Adolfo Suarez. (Photo courtesy of Liz Edmondson)
WEST POINT – Immaculate Conception, Confirmation, Saturday, June 4. Front row (l-r): Corgan Elliott, Paola Garcia, Paulina Lemus, Jessica Garcia, Manuel Garcia, Hayes Henson, Elliott Shaw and Esteban Garcia. Second row (l-r): Deacon Carlisle Beggerly, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Father Binh Nguyen and John Smith (teacher). (Photo by Lynn Kyle)
McCOMB – St. Alphonsus, Confirmation, Thursday, April 21. Pictured back to front (l-r): Brian Long, Alfonso “Alexander” Tran, Luke Dickerson, Catherine “Adriana” Tran, Dana Pena, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Nicole Pena, Ashlee Vielee and Father Suresh Thirumalareddy. (Photo by Teresa Allred)
PEARL – St. Jude hosted Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle Jackson, confirmation candidate Genevieve Moore. She is pictured with Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Father Matthew Simmons. (Photo coutesy of parish)
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VICKSBURG – St. Michael Parish, Confirmation class. Front row (l-r): Blair Farrell, Karen Smith and Cynthia Wheeldon. Second row (l-r): Luke Larson, Linley Miles, Grace Windham, Christine Wallace, Hope Baker, Ally Doiron, Miller Theobald, Falyn Lusby and Katelyn Clark. Third row (three on left and three on right): Cris Martinez, David Wallace, Justin Glass, James Powell, Jack Wheeldon and Irasmye Rodriguez. Fourth row (l-r): Walker Lambiotte, Father Robert Dore, John David Liggett, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Mimi Mitchell (DRE), Ann Roberson (Catechist) and Manuel Lopez. (Photo courtesy of parish)
MADISON – St. Francis of Assisi, First Communion, Back row (l-r): Father Albeen Vatti, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Msgr. Elvin Sunds and Dcn. Denzil Lobo. Second row (l-r): John Patrick McElwain, III, Fabricio Neira, Sam Buck, Thomas Kraman, Nicholas Lafleur, Patricio Vidal, Logan Dare, Aiden Allen and James Turner. Front row (l-r): Ainsley D’Alfonso, Frances Richards, Margaret Colson, Alejandra Glass, Briana Maldonado, Allison George, Lauren Abadie, Jeanne Beebe and Marco Espino. (Photo courtesy Melissa Smalley)
GREENVILLE – St. Joseph, Confirmation, Friday, April 29. Front row (l-r): Ally Moss and Kayden Lum. Second row (l-r): Alicia Solorzano, Lori Ann Hughes and Amelia Vaught. Third row (l-r): Emma Kate Threet, Patrick Spencer and Cliff Perry. Top: Father Andrew Nguyen and Bishop Joseph Kopacz. (Photo by Mary Lynn Powers)
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OXFORD – (Right) The St. John Oxford Confirmation class is pictured with Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Father Joe Tonos on Monday, Feb. 14. (Photo courtesy of parish)
JACKSON – Three siblings were recently baptized at Holy Ghost parish. Pictured (l-r): Cattaleya Barney, Alexandria Barney and Tristan Barney. (Photo by Dorothy Ashley)
CANTON – Lynn Armour was baptized, confirmed and received her First Communion at Holy Child Jesus. Pictured is Father Guy Wilson, Lynn Armour (in green top) and sponsor Myrtle Otto (pink blouse). (Photo by Mary Anne Poeschl)
BATESVILLE – The St. Mary RCIA class is pictured on Holy Saturday, April 16. Pictured (l-r): Adam Smith, Matthew Pike, Andrea Pike, Trey Rishe, Ed Koen and Paul Carpenter.
JACKSON – Angela Claxton was Confirmed at Holy Ghost parish at Easter Vigil Mass by Father Nick Nguyen, SVD. (Photo by Dorothy Ashley)
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MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JULY 15, 2022
BRIEFS 9
mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole if convicted of the charges. He also said other charges were pending. The man was apprehended without incident on a busy highway in a nearby suburb after briefly fleeing officers. Highland Park police said witnesses reported seeing a man with a long gun indiscriminately firing dozens of rounds from a rooftop at parade spectators, sending marchers and viewers scurrying for cover. WASHINGTON (CNS) – In a 6-3 vote June 27, the Supreme Court ruled that a former high school football coach had the right to pray on the football field after games because his prayers were private speech and did not represent the public school’s endorsement of religion. “The Constitution and the best of our traditions counsel mutual respect and tolerance, not censorship and suppression, for religious and nonreligious views alike,” said the court’s majority opinA tricycle is seen near the scene of a mass shooting in the Chiion, written by Justice Neil Gorsuch. Justices cago suburb of Highland Park, Ill., July 4, 2022. (CNS photo/ Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and EleMax Herman, Reuters) na Kagan dissented. The court’s majority opinion also emphasized that “respect for religious expressions is indispensable to life in a free and WASHINGTON (CNS) – Sister Simone Campbell, a diverse Republic – whether those expressions take place longtime advocate for economic justice and health care in a sanctuary or on a field.” It said the case focused on policy, and late labor leader Richard Trumka received a government entity seeking to “punish an individual for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest engaging in a brief, quiet, personal religious observance civilian honor, in a White House ceremony. President doubly protected by the Free Exercise and Free Speech Joe Biden presented the award to 15 others as well July Clauses of the First Amendment” and that the “Consti7. “For so many people and for the nation, Sister Simone tution neither mandates nor tolerates that kind of disCampbell is a gift from God. For the past 50 years she crimination.” Joseph Kennedy, former assistant coach at has embodied the belief in our church that faith withBremerton High School, outside of Seattle, said his postout works is dead,” Biden said of the woman religious game prayers on the field cost him his job. The coach whose career has focused on advocating for poor and had been told by school district officials to stop these voiceless people. Sister Campbell, a California native and prayers on the 50-yard line, and he refused. When his a member of the Sisters of Social Service, stepped down contract was not renewed, he sued the school for violatas executive director of Network, a Catholic social justice lobbying organization, in March 2021 after serving for ing his First Amendment rights.
NATION
17 years. Biden particularly noted her role in passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, a complex law which expanded access to health care for millions of people. He also cited a series of annual “Nuns on the Bus” nationwide tours that Sister Campbell led touting health care as a right and that federal budgets were moral documents that must reflect the priorities of serving poor and marginalized people. “Compassionate and brave, humble and strong, today Sister Simone remains a beacon of light. She’s the embodiment of a covenant of trust, hope and progress of a nation,” Biden said. Trumka was president of the AFL-CIO from 2009 until his death in August 2021. The faith of Trumka, a Catholic born to a Polish father and an Italian mother, helped shape a lifelong career in the labor movement. CHICAGO (CNS) – Saying he watched “in horror” news reports in the aftermath of a mass shooting during a suburban Fourth of July parade, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago offered prayers for the victims. Authorities said seven people died – five on the parade route and two later in the hospital – and 30 others were injured when a gunman opened fired on people lining the parade route. “What should have been a peaceful celebration of our nation’s founding ended in unspeakable tragedy,” Cardinal Cupich said in a statement released hours after the tragedy by the archdiocese of Chicago. Pointing to the victims, who authorities said ranged in age from 8 to 85, Cardinal Cupich said, “Weapons designed to rapidly destroy human bodies have no place in civil society.” Law enforcement authorities charged Robert E. Crimo III, 21, of suburban Chicago with seven counts of murder after the shooting in Highland Park in Chicago’s affluent North Shore. Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said the suspect would receive a
VATICAN
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis said the goals he has achieved in more than nine years as pope were simply the fruit of the ideas discussed by the College of Cardinals prior to his election. In an interview with Argentine news agency Telam published July 1, the pope said that objectives, such as the reform of the Roman Curia, were “neither my invention nor a dream I had after a night of indigestion. I gathered everything that we, the cardinals, had said at the pre-conclave meetings, the things we believed the new pope should do. Then, we spoke of the things that needed to be changed, the issues that needed to be tackled,” he said. “I carried out the things that were asked back then. I do not think there was anything original of mine. I set in motion what we all had requested,” he added. The apostolic constitution reforming the Roman Curia, titled “Praedicate Evangelium” (“Preach the Gospel”) went into effect June 5. In the document, the pope said the purpose of the constitution was to “better harmonize the present exercise of the Curia’s service with the path of evangelization that the church, especially in this season, is living. VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Before celebrating the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis is asking Catholics around the world to
dedicate time in 2023 to studying the documents of the Second Vatican Council. Presenting the official logo for the Holy Year June 28, Archbishop Rino Fisichella also announced the pope’s plan for helping Catholics prepare for the celebration: focusing on the four constitutions issued by Vatican II in 2023; and focusing on prayer in 2024. The four Vatican II constitutions are: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (“Sacrosanctum Concilium”); Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (“Lumen Gentium”); Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (“Dei Verbum”); and Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (“Gaudium et Spes”). Archbishop Fisichella, whom the pope appointed to coordinate planning the Holy Year, said, “A series of user-friendly resources, written in appealing language, are being produced to arouse curiosity in those who have no memory” of the council, which was held 1962-65. Details about the 2024 year of prayer and spiritual preparation for the jubilee are still being worked out, the archbishop said. The Vatican already had announced that Pope Francis chose “Pilgrims of Hope” as the theme for the Holy Year.
WORLD
HONG KONG (CNS) – The Chinese Communist Party is seeking to expand its apparatus to monitor and curb religious activities in cyberspace through training and deploying hundreds of “auditors” across the country, triggering concerns from rights groups. Under the guidance of the Communist Party, the Ethnic and Religious Commission of Guangdong Province in southern China held a test for the first group of auditors for the state-run Internet Religious Information Services in early June, the China Christian Daily reported. The Internet Religious Information Services agency was formed in March after China’s State Administration for Religious Affairs announced the “Administrative Measures for Internet Religious Information Services” late last year. The measures have been formulated by several state agencies in line with existing legislation in China such as the “Cybersecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China,” “Administrative Measures for Internet Information Services,” and the revised “Regulations on Religious Affairs.”
10 NATION
By Dennis Sadowski
JULY 15, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
Even with successes, charter seen as a document that must adapt over time
WASHINGTON (CNS) – When Mike Hoffman decided to contact Archdiocese of Chicago officials in 2006 about how he was sexually abused by a priest for four years while a teenage altar server, he wasn’t sure how his story would be received. “I wrote one letter and got an immediate letter back and we set a date (to talk),” Hoffman, now 57, told Catholic News Service. “In telling my story, I was not met with confrontation or difficulty. Although I felt anxious, my anxiety was that they would question me and question my character.” “I was met with compassion, decency and professionalism,” he said. For that response, Hoffman credits the procedures set up by the archdiocese under the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.” The landmark document, adopted 20 years ago during a widely watched U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops assembly in Dallas, established minimum standards for dioceses and eparchies to follow in response to the clergy sexual abuse scandal that exploded in 2002. “My experience was modeled after and by and through and within the charter,” Hoffman said. Hoffman’s encounter with the archdiocese continues nearly 16 years after he revealed his story. He said that while he no longer undergoes therapy paid for by the archdiocese, he continues to receive support from its victim assistance ministry. He chairs the archdiocese’s Hope and Healing Committee, participates in special Masses for survivors, and works with parish-based “peace circles,” discussion groups open to anyone wanting to respond to abuse. “I still need connection with our local church,” he said, “and they’re doing that, I can faithfully say.” The archdiocese’s efforts to respond and educate about clerical sexual abuse have touched Hoffman’s family as well. As active members of their Chicago-area parish, he and his wife have undergone safe environment training. His now adult children received age-appropriate training throughout their time in Catholic schools. The charter – and the accompanying norms approved by the Vatican that govern its provisions under canon law – has been mandated for use by dioceses and eparchies throughout the U.S. It encompasses 17 articles that prescribe specific actions in response to abuse allegations. The document promotes healing and reconciliation with survivors abused as a minor; identifies procedures for responding to an abuse allegation; sets standards for ministerial behavior and appropriate boundaries; mandates transparency in communicating with the public; requires the permanent removal from ministry of any priest or deacon when an abuse allegation has been substantiated; and establishes of safe environment programs. The charter also launched the bishops’ Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People to coordinate the response to clerical sexual abuse. In addition, the bishops established the Secretariat for Child and Youth Protection and arranged for an annual audit to be conducted to measure diocesan and eparchial compliance with the charter. Journalist Jason Berry, whose investigative work into clerical abuse in Louisiana began in 1985 and continued for more than two decades, described the charter as an important step for the church. He credited those bishops who have “been sensitized to the plight of survivors” and took extraordinary action to meet “with people they would have not met with before” after the scandal widened.
Despite such positive outcomes, Berry noted that the For all the good accomplished under the charter, the charter failed to cover bishops, who under canon law NRB continued to urge that language be made more precome under the purview of the pope when it comes to scriptive and less ambiguous in some areas, Cesareo said. disciplinary measures for wrongdoing. The concern focused on how bishops could interpret It took Pope Francis’ 2019 “motu proprio” “Vos Es- some sections of the charter differently and have their tis Lux Mundi” – which established dioceses still be found in compliance procedures for reporting allegations with it. of sexual abuse and for holding acCesareo pointed to the need for countable bishops, eparchs and relidiocesan review boards to investigious superiors who protect abusers gate all allegations rather than just – to prompt steps toward broader those referred by a bishop and that accountability on sexual abuse. such boards be required to meet In March 2020, the Catholic regularly rather than only when a Bishops Abuse Reporting Service bishop forwarded an allegation. The began. It allows for confidential sexNRB also wanted to introduce speual misconduct allegations against cific language pertaining to boundU.S. bishops and eparchs to be made ary violations and clarity on safe through an online portal or via a environment training, he said. This is the logo for a series of CNS toll-free telephone number. “The NRB was pushing the idea stories on the 20th anniversary of The experience gained under the that the charter was a living docuthe “Charter for the Protection of charter over the past two decades ment and just like a living document Children and Young People.” (CNS has allowed church leaders to better it needs to evolve based on the exlogo) respond to abuse and the needs of perience of the church and based on survivors, said Deacon Bernie Nowhat the bishops were confronting jadera, executive director of the USCCB secretariat. because otherwise the charter was not going to address The church has moved forward in collaborating more new realities,” Cesareo told CNS. closely with survivors and their families and has integratAnother update of the charter has begun. The bished the expertise of “competent laypeople” in its response ops’ voted during their fall general assembly in Novemto sexual abuse, he said. ber to begin the process this year rather than wait until Deacon Nojadera described how under the charter, 2025. church ministers and employees have been empowered Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. of Kansas City-St. Joseph, with skills and resources. “If there is an allegation that Missouri, chairman of the Committee on the Protection comes forward,” he told CNS, “it is the ongoing, consis- of Children and Young People, told the assembly that tent and competent training that will allow us a church to several factors necessitated the new timeline. respond in a manner that is courageous, compassionate They include changes in the Code of Canon Law reand trauma-informed.” garding penal sanctions in the church that took effect in In the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the December; Pope Francis’ “motu proprio”; and the case of charter’s provisions are seen as “minimal requirements” former cardinal Theodore McCarrick. for any church entity to follow, said Susan Mulheron, Discussions began in May, Deacon Nojadera said. chancellor of canonical affairs. Mulheron, the St. Paul and Minneapolis archdiocesan “We’ve really gone beyond the charter,” Mulheron official, said that in talking with other diocesan chansaid, explaining that the archdiocesan review board also cellors and bishops, she has found they are taking the hears allegations of clergy misconduct beyond sexual charter’s provisions seriously, are committed to compliabuse. “There’s a lot of benefits that we’ve found to that ance during annual audits and want to do what’s best for practice.” abuse survivors. She added, “Our review board, they’re fantastic. She said the check-the-box mentality seems to arise They’re an essential tool for us in the archdiocese. They from frustrations in the audit process because of imprebring that diverse expertise. And it also helps us keep cise language in the charter, a point to which Cesareo, honest and accountable.” the past NRB chairman, agreed. Following the Dallas meeting, the bishops also intro“It’s not fair to say dioceses are simply checking the duced the lay-led National Review Board, which collabo- box in terms of a commitment to a safe environment for rates with them in their response to abuse. It continues to children. I can’t conceive of a diocese that doesn’t beprovide updates to the bishops on progress in addressing lieve in that and doesn’t take it seriously,” Mulheron said. abuse and recommendations for charter improvements. She called for the charter to “raise the bar” on how Francesco Cesareo, who is retiring June 30 as presi- dioceses commit to supporting and engaging their redent of Assumption University in Worcester, Massachu- view boards, based on her experience in St. Paul and setts, chaired the National Review Board from 2013 to Minneapolis. 2020. His tenure was the longest of the eight laypeople Hoffman, the abuse survivor from Chicago, invited who have held the post throughout its 20-year history. Catholics – leaders and people in the pews alike – to He helped craft the most recent update of the charter review the charter and examine what it means to the life in 2018, a process that took five years to complete be- of the church. cause of a lengthy legal and canonical review. “Major anniversaries are an important time to retell The changes tightened requirements for all individ- a story and to revisit and renew the commitment,” Hoffuals working with children while clarifying language in man said. several articles. “We literally do evolve as people and we do evolve as Cesareo credited the charter for setting standards church. So I’d like our priests and all other staff and all of for dioceses in their response to abuse allegations. NRB us to evolve together. ... Twenty years later, we’re not the members, he said, wanted to partner with the bishops to same people we were when this thing (the charter) was ensure that the response to allegations was effective and published,” he continued. consistent. “To keep evolving is where we should focus.”
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JULY 15, 2022
dIOCESE 11
Statement from Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz and Bishop Louis F. Kihneman on Supreme Court’s Ruling in Dobbs. v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Today, Lady Justice has turned her attention to the cry of the unborn child hidden in the refuge of his or her mother’s womb. Today, justice has not abandoned that unborn child and his or her capacity to feel pain, but there is still more work to be done. Together with many throughout our country, we join in prayer that states are now able to protect women and children from the injustice of abortion. The Catholic Church has had a vested interest in this matter – the dignity and sanctity of all human life. The church has a long history of service to those who are most vulnerable and remains the largest private provider of social services in the United States. Through its charity agencies, and the independent efforts of its members, the Catholic Church is supporting all women in addition to the child in the womb. The church will continue to accompany women and couples who are facing difficult or unexpected pregnancies and during the early years of parenthood, through initiatives such as Walking with Moms in Need. With our brother bishops, we renew our commitment to preserving the dignity and sanctity of all human life by: • Ensuring our Catholic parishes are places of welcome for women facing challenging pregnancies or who find it difficult to care for their children after birth, so that any mother needing assistance will receive life-affirming support and be connected to appropriate programs and resources where she can get help. • Helping fellow Catholics recognize the needs of pregnant and parenting moms in their communities, en-
abling parishioners to know these mothers, to listen to them and to help them obtain the necessities of life for their families. • Being witnesses of love and life by expanding and improving the extensive network of comprehensive care including pregnancy help centers, and Catholic health care and social service agencies. • Increasing our advocacy for laws that ensure the right to life for the unborn and that no mother or family lacks the basic resources needed to care for their children, regardless of race, age, immigration status or any other factor. • Continuing to support and advocate for public policies and programs directed toward building up the common good and fostering integral human development, with a special concern for the needs of low-income families and immigrants. In all of these ways and more, the Catholic Church witnesses to the sanctity of human life, from conception to natural death, and continues to work to build a culture of life in our nation. Our respective dioceses continue to collaborate with organizations such as Her Plan, Pro-Life Mississippi and many others to bring vital services to support mothers and the unborn. The community can immediately accompany women and couples who are facing difficult or unexpected pregnancies through the Walking with Moms in Need initiative in the Diocese of Jackson. For more information on how to get involved or offer support to women in need, please contact the Office of Family Ministry coordinator
‘... ahora damos gracias a los buenos samaritanos ...’
in the Diocese of Jackson at charlene.bearden@jacksondiocese.org. In the Diocese of Biloxi, contact Deacon Jim Gunkel, director of the Office of Family Ministry and Family Life at jgunkel@biloxidiocese.org or Margaret Miller, coordinator of Walking with Moms at mrmiller@ biloxidiocese.org. Additionally, there are Catholic Charities Community Outreach Centers located in the Diocese of Biloxi in Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Waveland and Pascagoula. These centers provide confidential pregnancy testing; Medicaid pregnancy confirmations; life-affirming options counseling; case management (including budgeting and goal setting); basic needs assistance; car seats and safe sleeping spaces for infants; diapers formula, clothing, blankets, socks, etc.; and representative payee services. The Diocese of Biloxi is also sharing the pro-life message through its Pro-Life Billboard initiative. The Diocese of Biloxi will also be resuming adoptions and foster parenting services in the near future, complementing existing programs in the Diocese of Jackson that have provided those services through Catholic Charities, Inc. for over a half century. Again, we are grateful for the Supreme Court’s decision but are also mindful that the battle to uphold the sanctity of life is an ongoing effort. Let us pray and continue to raise our voices both in our churches and in our communities in defense of human dignity and justice.
‘... we give thanks for the Good Samaritans ...’ – Continued from page 3 –
we are all called to fulfill our baptismal promises, the call to holiness, and the Lord’s mandatum to Para aplicar una interpretación moderna muy conocida y probablemente usaserve with his mind and heart because the risen da en exceso de las palabras de Moisés, la voluntad de Dios no es ciencia espacial, Lord is in our midst “as one who serves.” (Luke amigos; más bien es paciente, bondadosa y perseverante y segura en las instrucciones del Señor de “amarnos unos a 22:27) otros como yo los he amado”. (Juan 13:34) The ugliness of this world regularly gets the Aparte, en este momento a un millón de millas de la Tierra, después de un viaje de seis meses, el telescopio James headlines, and well before and during our Lord’s Webb está extendiendo sus alas para sondear las profundidades del universo, pasado y presente, en formas hasta ahotime, there were robbers and muggers around, ra imposibles de imaginar. Las mujeres y los hombres darán otro gran paso adelante para revelar los misterios de la but then and now we give thanks for the Good creación de Dios, porque este telescopio, que lleva 25 años fabricándose, es 100 veces más potente que el telescopio Samaritans of our lives who are vigilant in their Hubble, que gobernó desde 1990, pero a solo 340 millas sobre la superficie terrestre. care for others. May the Lord strengthen our reLos telescopios son absolutamente esenciales para explorar los misterios del universo físico y es emocionante anticsolve to be a light in the darkness at every turn ipar los descubrimientos pendientes. Pero no valen nada cuando exploran la mente y el corazón de Cristo. Como dijo in the road. Moisés, no tenemos que subir al cielo para descubrir la voluntad de Dios para nuestras vidas. Lo sabemos; solo tenemos que llevarlo a cabo. Este fin de semana en nuestra Catedral de San Pedro Apóstol, celebraremos The Diocese of Jackson has launched a third-party reporting system that a Cristo Siervo con la ordenación de seis hombres al diaconado permanente will enable all diocesan employees, volunteers and parishioners to anonyque servirán en varias parroquias de nuestra diócesis. Específicamente, el minmously (or named if preferred) make reports. Examples of this activity include isterio del diácono es una labor de servicio amoroso en la mesa de la Palabra fraud, misconduct, safety violations, harassment or substance abuse occurring de Dios, en el Altar del Sacrificio y en la mesa de la caridad o compasión en la at a Catholic parish, Catholic school or at the diocesan level. The system is vida diaria. El corazón y el alma del diaconado es el llamado a hacer visible el operated by Lighthouse Services. Based in Deerfield, Illinois, Lighthouse Seramor de Cristo. vices maintains ethics, safety and fraud hotlines for over 4,100 organizations Damos gracias a Dios por los diáconos, cónyuges y familias que se han between the U.S. and abroad. sacrificado estos últimos cinco años en preparación para este ministerio que tiene sus raíces en la vida apostólica de la iglesia primitiva. Pero tengamos en To make a report visit www.lighthouse-services.com/jacksondiocese cuenta que todos estamos llamados a cumplir nuestras promesas bautismales, or call 888-830-0004 (English) or 800-216-1288 (Spanish). el llamado a la santidad y el mandato del Señor de servir con la mente y el corazón porque el Señor resucitado está en medio de nosotros “como el que The Association of Priests of the Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi provide a sirve”. (Lucas 22:27) small pension to our retired priests. As you consider your estate plans, please La fealdad de este mundo ocupa regularmente los titulares, y mucho antes y remember these faithful servants by making a donation or leaving a bequest to durante el tiempo de nuestro Señor, había ladrones y asaltantes, pero entonces the Association of Priests. Our parish priests dedicate their lives to caring for y ahora damos gracias a los buenos samaritanos de nuestras vidas que están us, their flocks. Let us now care for them in their retirement. Donations can be atentos al cuidado de los demás. Que el Señor fortalezca nuestra determinación made payable to the Association of Priests and can be mailed to: Diocese of de ser una luz en la oscuridad en cada recodo del camino. Jackson, Attn: Cathy Pendleton, P.O. Box 2248, Jackson, MS 39225-2248 – Viene de la pág. 3 –
JULY 15, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
12 Columns
New days of ordinary time ON ORDINARY TIMES By Lucia A. Silecchia
June 24, 2022. In the life of a nation – as in the life of each person – days come to face past failings and take steps to correct them. That always begins with an honest admission of prior error. When the Supreme Court did just this in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, my first reaction was not, and could not be, unfettered joy. Of necessity, reversal of Roe v. Wade, brings to mind the over sixty million unique, irreplaceable lives lost in the United States alone since Roe was decided nearly half a century ago. Moreover, contrary to furious public discourse, Dobbs does not end abortion in America. Rather, it returns the question to individual states. It is incongruous to me that whether someone’s very life is legally protected is now a function of where his or her mother happens to be. When abortion supporters proclaim that fundamental rights should not depend on the state in which someone is located, I agree with them entirely – except, of course, that we differ on which fundamental right and whose fundamental right is at issue. I hope for the day, not yet here, when the law of our land offers a shield to protect the lives of those in the wombs of their mothers. Yet, I still found myself grateful on June 24. Although Dobbs does not provide a shield to protect innocent human life, after 49 years the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution can no longer be used as a sword to strike efforts to defend that life. For that, I am grateful. I am grateful as a lawyer pained to see the enormous power of law used to deny the humanity of my youngest sisters and brothers. I am grateful as a woman who knows well that the adult that I am has grown entirely uninterrupted from the vulnerable single cell I once was. I am grateful as an American who cheers any step – large or small – that sees the law of the republic that
I love become more protective of those least able to defend themselves. I am also grateful for the fortuitous date, June 24, on which we will remember this landmark. In important matters, I believe there are no coincidences. There is something about June 24 that speaks to the two ways in which we might best shape the post-Roe world with which we are now entrusted. Due to a quirk in the 2022 liturgical calendar, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus fell on June 24. The heart was made for love. As I watch the explosive reaction to Dobbs, see the crude, vulgar signs carried through city streets and sense the deep fear and profound anger that rages, I am reminded by this feast day that the first response to the times in which we find ourselves must be radical love. This love, in a post-Dobbs world, should be tangible. This is the time for renewing material, emotional and spiritual help to mothers in need; lending a hand to those caring for infants; supporting mothers in their workplaces, schools, universities and homes; adopting children with open arms and giving hearts; consoling mothers who grieve in the aftermath of abortions; reminding men of their obligations to their children and the women who carry them; caring for those in the midst of difficult pregnancies; comforting those facing frightening pre-natal diagnoses; and engaging abortion advocates with the peaceful confidence that comes only from a wellspring of deep-seated love. The pro-life advocates I greatly admire pursue the defense of life with great, gracious love. This love – which I have seen in action – belies angry accusations that those who are pro-life care only for children before they are delivered into the world. This love has deep roots planted not in the shallow soil of politics but the deep soil of loving hearts. The days and years ahead will need this great response of love. We now have a less fettered opportunity and sacred responsibility to find loving ways to welcome new life, cherish that life through all its stages, and support women who carry that life within them – often in difficult, lonely situations that demand great self-sacrifice.
Catching God at the ballfield FAITH AT HOME By Laura Kelly Fanucci (CNS)
As a mother of five boys, I have spent countless nights at baseball fields, but never have I glimpsed God in the dugout until tonight. Can I confess that I was bored by my own son’s game – bored only because his team was winning and he’d finished pitching, so my attention wandered for a moment, long enough to catch a shout I’d never heard from the sidelines on the next field. “I love you! I’m so proud of you! You’re doing it!” What shocked me was that such enthusiasm came not from a fellow parent in the bleachers, but a coach hanging on the backstop. “I love you!” he called again through the chain-link fence, this time to another player stepping up to the plate. “I see you! I’m here for you!” The dad sitting next to me heard it too. He turned around, startled by the strangeness. Youth sports is now the thorny terrain of adult tantrums and parental outbursts – not often pure outpourings of love or grace. But grace it was, ball cap slung backward, sunglasses shading the setting sun, thick arms hanging on the backstop, enthusiasm pouring on every 8-year-old like it was Game 7 of the World Series. Cynic that I am regarding youth sports, I figured the first inning cheers would fade from heat and exhaustion (if not defeat) as the game went on. Instead surged the opposite. In inning two, the coach hollered to a kid who got tagged out at second, “That was hard! But I’m proud of you. You did a hard thing!”
Usually, however, June 24 is the Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist. So, it will be in the years ahead when we mark the Dobbs anniversary. This suggests the second crucial part of a response to Dobbs. John the Baptist was a prophet, proclaiming both the need to turn away from wrong and the promise of something greater to come. He died for his courageous witness but was undeterred. As battles for life itself are waged now in statehouses across the land, at medical facilities, and across dining room tables, we need prophets who continue to speak with conviction about the dignity of human life at all stages and in every condition. We need prophets who confront attacks on life wherever they are found and have the courage to defend it. We need prophets who use their gifts to build a culture of life, advocate for just laws, and prevent innocent life from being discarded in a “throwaway culture.” We need prophets who challenge us to reform our adoption and foster care systems, improve pre- and post-natal physical and mental health care for mothers and their children, and encourage all that can be done to improve the safety of pregnancy and delivery. We need prophets who demand that women be treated with equal dignity and that those who violate or assault them be brought to justice. We need prophets who speak about the sacredness of sex, the obligations of men, and the dignity of those born with disabilities. We need prophets who remind us of all that a woman with a child can do and can be. We need prophets who proclaim the promise of something better than the violence of abortion. Dobbs is but one step forward. It was, undeniably, an important one, but a far from final one. A better future now lies in the hands of all who have the strength to be loving prophets in these new days of ordinary times. 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.
In inning three, he confirmed an ump’s tough call and shouted to his team’s opponent on first base, “That was a great hit! Way to go.” In inning four, he lined up his players by batting order on the bench and ran down the row, high-fiving each one, then reeled around and yelled, “No, that’s not done; I’m coming back!” and ran right back down the line of stretched-out hands, every kid erupting in laughter. “Now you need to be there for each other,” he cheered. “Be the team we need to be!” Here’s the best part: I couldn’t tell which player was his child. It must have been one of them; a father’s love had surely brought him there; this truth was clear as the bright blue sky on that warm summer night. But his child could have been any player on the team – or all of them at once, so wide and embracing was his enthusiasm. Often we picture God like an umpire: crouching down whenever we step up to the plate, waiting to call strikes and outs, watching for the least infraction. But ours is a God of justice and mercy. Not simply the judge with the rulebook and the last word, but also love incarnate, calling each of us by name, rejoicing in all we can be. The word “enthusiasm” means to be inhabited by God, the delightful indwelling when divine love and joy spark to life within us, electric with possibility. I saw enthusiasm personified on the ballfield tonight, and it was contagious. The dad next to me let out a low whistle of admiration. “Wish I’d had a coach like that when I was a kid.” The grandparents to my left nodded too. “We need more of that these days.” “Christ plays in ten thousand places,” wrote the Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins. He might never have meant the Little League dugout, but I caught a glimpse of God tonight on the sidelines and I will not soon forget such rare and unceasing joy. Fanucci is a writer, speaker and author of several books, including “Everyday Sacrament: The Messy Grace of Parenting.” Her work can be found at laurakellyfanucci.com.
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JULY 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW 13
“My Lord and my God” – A review of Untimely Christianity BOOK REVIEW By James Tomek, Ph.D
“Untimely Christianity: Hearing the Bible in a Secular Age” by Michael Edwards. Fortress Press (Minneapolis, 2022) 174 pp. $28.00. “My Lord and my God.” I was taught to say these words at my First Holy Communion Mass at the Consecration. When the priest raised the Host consecrating it as the Body of Christ, we were to respond silently “My Lord and My God”-- the words of our doubting Thomas when Jesus revealed to him the truth of his Resurrection. Biblical scholar and poet Sir Michael Edwards, in Untimely Christianity, translated by John Dunaway, professor of Comparative Literature, praises Thomas’s response as the greatest expression of Faith in Jesus Christ as God in Scripture. (11) Let’s explore this Faith, hopefully giving some insight in how to read the Bible with Jesus as our guide. Father Kent Bowlds, in Cleveland, is starting a Wednesday scripture study (call (662) 588-2956). I hope these thoughts will inspire us to join. Knowing Faith for Us Doubting Thomases: An Ars Poetica for Bible Reading It is “faith above all with all the rest being vague reassurance.” (40) Translator John Dunaway, himself, a specialist in French literature, tells us that this is an ironic play on words from a Paul Verlaine poem Art poétique. An ars poetica (Latin) is usually a “direction” on how to compose a work of art – a poem. Here, Verlaine prefers a music feel, letting the reader focus on an adventure of a major human experience. “All the rest is literature” – the curtain line – means all the rest, other than poetry, is just superficiality. Untimely Christianity is an ars poetica on reading and hearing the “Word of God,” redefining our Christianity by treating the Bible as the sacrament of Jesus. Rather than looking for dogma, we follow Jesus as a major poet or artist of God’s “Word” and how his lived incarnate life can be ours. For “knowing” Jesus, the verb connaître may fit better. Savoir is about knowing facts (I know that ...). Connaître is more an “acquainted with” or “feel” type of knowledge. Edwards puts “faith” into a connaître type of knowing – more with a feel than a proof – more associated with Verlaine’s music rather than a theologian’s prose essay. A synonym of this “faith” is the grace that God gives us. (31) Doubt is helpful. It is the oxygen needed to get to the way of truth. (40) Jesus helps us doubting Thomases. Poetry vs Prose – Knowing the Right Time Art, or poetry, is a tactic where we can bring Hope into our Faith by creating new spaces. (92-3) The new words that we bring into poetic representation can point us in the right social justice directions. With these “transfigural” visions, we must go back down the mountain to help. Dunaway translates Edwards’ title, Pour un christianisme intempestif: savoir entendre la Bible, to Untimely Christianity: Hearing the Bible in a Secular Age. “Untimely” here means that true Christianity is out of step with profit driven societies of Western Culture. Can “eternal,” meaning outside of time, be a substitute for “untimely”? We live in a prosaic linear time, getting things done Monday-Friday, but there is a more important poetic time where we stay on a vertical line pondering our existence. The Beatitudes sound vertical over the linear legalistic defined Commandments. A major chapter on joy has Shakespeare’s Tempest as a background. A tempest is a major windstorm that gives the characters time to think. (41-5) Tempest has “temps”
in it – meaning time and sadness. We need to hear weather. All these words with our hearts. (157) Why play on the title intempesdo I prefer Good Friday to tif. A tempestuous, timely, Easter? I should not, but it untimely time to temper is while listening to Isaiah’s our thoughts while listensuffering servant and the ing to the Bible, inspired Passion of Christ, followed by the Holy Spirit – the by pondering the Cross that windstorm Trinity advoI enter in Communion with cate. all my loved ones who have Transfiguring Jesus loved me when it was inconas Poet and Teacher of venient to do so. His Prayer Faith above the law (withWith the Transfiguraout good works) is an idea of tion, “eternity” changes the Devil – not St. Paul. (25) Jesus into himself. (9-10) We need to feel our way to Dunaway notes that this God. (157) Doing the law is a citation of a Mallarmé does not necessarily mean poem “The Tomb of Edgar knowing just the words. “You Poe,” where we hear that would not be seeking me if Poe’s works have stood you had not found me.” up against blasphemies (156) We are advised to hear (accusations that his inwith our hearts and to act as spiration was from drugs). one cannot! (165) – acting Time, “untimely” during as a responsible human for his life, has helped us see others and not self-seeking his poetic transfiguration. animals. God, through PasJesus, also, will be transcal, puts these words in a figured as my God. Jesus convert’s mouth. “You would is a poet teaching us how not be seeking me if you had to pray. Poetry requires This is the book cover of “Untimely Christianity: not found me.” (156) a more sustained attention Hearing the Bible in a Secular Age” by Michael Joyful Rehearsal of our between poet and reader. Edwards. The book is reviewed by Jim Tomek. Mission at Mass (69) Between the poet and (Photo courtesy of Fortress Press) The word “joy” jumps reader, we don’t really have across the Bible. It can mean one poet. There is another charis that can mean both speaking that Edwards describes as the voice of the Holy grace and thankfulness. There is a reflexive relation of Spirit. (69) A ghost writer? The “Our Father” transforms Jesus and all us faithful as Jesus gives us grace to be good everything from the Fall of Humankind to the end of while we thank Jesus for this gift. (52) The Eucharist, or evil. (70) Word will become flesh. There is no “I” in Je- Mass, is the more definitive place where we carry on this sus’s teaching here. We need to be impersonal – to leave thanking and then transfer our prayers to the real world. our egos, avoid temptation and help others. (73) Michael Edwards and John Dunaway’s concept of God Jesus: Translator of God’s Transcendence may be a little too “immanent” (near?) for me to relate Since translation is such a major component of Scrip- to. However, the exposition of Jesus as the Sacrament ture, we have to add it to the art of reading the Bible. The of God allows me to be very comfortable and repentant effective translator is also a writer, who, guided by love, at Mass. When asking for mercy and what to do, I pray helps us interpret meanings. Roland Barthes distinguish- these words, “My Lord and my God.” es between a readerly text, where one reads for information, and a writerly text (Bible included here) where (James Tomek is a retired language and literature prothe reader is active. (107) When reading or watching fessor at Delta State University who is currently a Lay Eca thought-provoking-film, I always take notes and add clesial Minister at Sacred Heart in Rosedale and also active my thoughts, which keeps me in the right disposition to in RCIA at Our Lady of Victories in Cleveland.) interpret honestly. Inspiration: Joy and the Transfiguration of Suffering Edwards remarks that inspiration, theoretically and timewise, can only come from the early Hebrew and Greek texts. How then can we discern if a passage is from the Holy Spirit? “Delectation” is a word suggested by our “two translators.” In experiencing the Paschal Mystery of Death and Resurrection, Joy has to be mingled with
14 DIOCESE
JULY 15, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
IHM Greenwood statue returns home for feast day
FROM THE ARCHIVES By Mary Woodward
JACKSON – Some of you may recall the sad story of Greenwood Immaculate Heart of Mary Church being vandalized back in late January. During that unfortunate incident, the 100-year-old statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was damaged severely. I chronicled this in an article about the statue’s journey to Jackson with me to be delivered to local artist and restorer, Eyd Kazery. Eyd and I both were hopeful he could use his artistry to replace the shattered face of the plaster-based image, but we both had a tinge of doubt as to the success of this endeavor. Parishioners had expressed that they would rather have this image back patched together than replace it with a new one. Making it clear to them this process would take a long time, I was surprised to receive a call from Eyd in late May asking me to come see his progress. When I arrived at his workshop in rural Hinds County, I could not believe my eyes. Eyd had completely restored the face that had been in pieces on the floor of the church when she was found. He also had repaired the deep stress cracks across the midsection of the bodice. It was no less than a miracle. Eyd relayed to me how he had worked until late at night off and on for the past several months; and in the past two weeks he had worked every night. He had become entranced by his quest and stirred by the Blessed Mother. Looking at his work, I could feel that same influence emanating from the image. As we stood there in the workshop in the summer heat, a heavenly warmth counteracted the sauna atmosphere in the workshop. We deliberated over the best way to return her to her Greenwood home. I contacted the parish mid-June and eventually we decided I would drive her back up to Greenwood to complete the circle of my journey with her. On Friday, June 24, the Feast of the Sacred Heart, I headed back down to the workshop with most every blanket and quilt from my house, plus several stadium cushions representing two SEC Universities, two travel neck pillows and one cat bed offered by my 22-year-old Bella the Miracle Katrina Cat. The cat bed served as a lovely cushion for the Blessed Mother’s detachable hands. Eyd and I carefully placed her on the pallet and secured her with the cushions of two college world series champions and a neck pillow beneath her restored head. After some parting photos with the restoring artist/miracle worker and his opus, the Blessed Mother and I set out for the Delta to complete our circle. The drive to Greenwood is not a difficult one, in fact it is rather enjoyable. It is one of the entryways to the Delta, one of my favorite places on earth. The soul of America seems to resonate from the soil there. As I pulled up to the back of IHM Church and opened the tailgate, out came Jerome Little and Sam Abraham, who had been inside preparing the pedestal for the statue’s return. Soon we were joined by Phil Ellis, who had happened to come by to check on church flower beds. They gently carried her up the ramp and into the church. The pedestal built by Justin Nicholson wasn’t quite finished, so there were many photo opportunities beside the statue as she stood happily on the floor back in the sanctuary. It was a joy to see their exuberance in having the beloved image home. After dropping her off, I headed a few blocks down to my oasis in the Delta and checked in for a quiet evening away from the thoughts of chancellor projects. At dinner, I paired a glass of Basil Hayden’s with a nice steak as a reward for finishing several weeks of intense coursework in records and information GREENWOOD – The Mary statue that was sev- management, plus several otherly damaged in January by a vandal is now re- er brain-taxing projects. As I mulled over the day, it stored and is back in her proper place at Immacsuddenly dawned on me that ulate Heart of Mary parish.
JACKSON – Eyd Kazery attends to the statue he so carefully restored before she made the return trip to Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Greenwood with Chancellor Mary Woodward. (Photos courtesy of archives) the beloved image had returned home just in time for her feast day the next morning. as the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary follows the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We Catholics call that a “Holy Spirit Moment.” Let us give special thanks for Eyd Kazery for his heart and fine talents; and thanks to Jerome, Justin, Sam and Phil for sharing in the moment – indeed a happy ending remedying a sad event in the life of our diocesan church. Good has overcome evil as it always will, sometimes it just takes a little time, but always involves a lot of kind folks. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us! (Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson.)
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JULY 15, 2022
YOUTH 15
Vacation Bible School
McCOMB – St. Alphonsus Vacation Bible School attendees and volunteers pose for a photo after their "Make Waves" program that took place from June 20 -24 . (Photo by Connie Harrington)
CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth students, Tucker Dooley and Brooks Cauthen enjoy VBS activities. (Photo by Mary Evelyn Stonestreet)
Having a "reel" good time
PEARL – Kathleen Edwards reads book of creation to children at St. Jude parish on the first day of VBS on June 8. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
Around the diocese
VICKSBURG – Sisters of Mercy “Little Flashes” had a REEL-LY awesome time “Fishing with Dad” to celebrate Fathers Day. First picture: Miyo Carpenter and her Dad, Seth Carpenter. On right, John Robert Brock and his Dad, Jonathan Brock. (Photo by Lindsey Bradley)
MAGEE – Parishioners at St. Stephen prepared an impressive spread for their farewell luncheon held onJune 26 for Sacramental minister Father Antony Chakkalakka. (Photo by Kirby J. Rivere)
PEARL – On Thursday, June 16, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus presented the colors at the 15th annual Catholic Night at the Mississippi Braves Trustmark Park. (Photo by Michael Barrett)
16 DIOCESE
JULY 15, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
'... Father Mike has been a ... great servant to the people ...'
CANTON – Father Mike O'Brien is pictured at a Mass of Thanksgiving for his 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on Monday, June 20. his great niece, Aoivhinn, only 2 1/2 years old. “We just couldn’t miss it,” said Paul Hickey, nephew of Father Mike. “Michael always came for us. He came back to Ireland for holiday, and for our special celebrations.” Local parishioners as well as members of Father Mike’s family took part in the Mass. The First Reading was proclaimed by the eldest in the family, Sister Margaret O’Brien, a Sister of Mercy and biological sister to Mike. Nieces Roisin O’Brien and Ciara Todd each read a prayer petition. Father Mike’s younger brother, Tom, who bears strikingly close resemblance, spoke on behalf of the family at his big brother’s ordination reception although he was only a teenager when Father Mike was ordained. Tom once again delivered a reflection for the family at the end of Father Mike’s 50th Anniversary Mass. “When Bishop Brunini visited our home, we were proud, but a bit apprehensive,” Tom said. “Afterall, our brother was going to a place he couldn’t even spell! But our fears and reservations disappeared quickly. Mom and Dad visited Mike in Mississippi first, then all us siblings made trips. We brought our kids, and our kids brought their kids.” Tom closed with these final thoughts on his older brother, “First and foremost, he is a decent man. We are very, very proud of him.” When speaking of how thrilled the family is that he is going home to begin his retirement, Tom added, “But, we take note that he hasn’t sold his car!” More than 40 priests from throughout the state of Mississippi were in attendance, along with Bishop Joseph Kopacz. They led a moving, prayerful, a capella singing of “Salve Regina” just before the whole place joined in the recessional hymn, “This Little Light of Mine,” in honor – Continued from page 1 –
of the light of Christ evident in Father Mike. It was a night filled with immense joy, a living testimony to the effect Father Mike has had on this community. “I was so humbled and inspired by the awesome celebration,” Father Mike said. “I enjoyed it and appreciated everything so much.” But how did this Irishman, born in Roscommon and ordained in Kilbegnet, wind up in Jackson, Mississippi? “It was the Holy Spirit,” he says. “I knew I wanted an adventure. I wanted to go away somewhere to be a priest, someplace like China or Sudan. My cousin was going to be a priest in Mississippi. I knew it was a river, but he said, ‘It’s also a state!’ So, I asked him, ‘Do they speak English there?’ He answered, ‘Well, sort of. ...’” The church filled with laughter, as happened many times while Father Mike recounted stories of growing up with seven siblings, his deep love of family clearly shown. His sister, Assumpta, said their Mom was worried about Mike going so far away because he was so young and didn’t even know not to wear white socks. “It was difficult in the beginning, but then as we heard about the wonderful local people, Mom knew he had a family here.” Assumpta recalled a few memories of her first visit to Mississippi. “We were thrilled with so many new things. I remember Mike had a waffle maker, and we had never seen one before!” Father Mike credited Father Sam Messina with naming the reality that priests have three families – their birth family, their parish family and their family of brother priests. That is why the decision to return to Ireland upon retirement was not an easy one to make. Father Mike left his family and home at the young age of 24 to serve and has lived in Mississippi for 50 years. Father Mike said he has had mixed emotions about leaving, going back and forth over where to spend his retirement years. He had finally decided to stay in Mississippi when his sister, Marie, called with a creative proposition. “Marie said, ‘Why not come (back to Ireland) for just one year?’ and I thought that was a good idea.” said Father Mike. Assumpta said their parents would be so thrilled that he is returning home to Ireland. “He will be a center for us all,” she said. That seems to be the effect he has on everyone in his midst. “Father Mike has been a great priests’ priest, as well as a great servant to the people,” said his close friend, Father Gerry Hurley, who also hails from Ireland. “Fellow priests could always look to Mike for encouragement, direction and assistance. He is a classic representation of all the good things of Ireland, and the hopes of the seminary that sent him.” Ten days after the joyous 50th Anniversary celebration in the packed house of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Father Mike O’Brien celebrated his final Mass there as pastor. He bid a bittersweet “slán agat” (goodbye) to his Beloved Mississippi, but with the assurance that he will be back! “I am open,” he said. “I’m not saying that I’m going to Ireland forever.” This faithful, humble priest with a most gentle heart and endearing smile will be greatly missed. Go with our sinRev. Jofin George, HGN appointcere prayers, love, and blessings, Father ed sacramental minister for St. Mike!
Pastoral Assignments
Jude Parish in Pearl, effective July 1, 2022.
Rev. Justin Joseph, HGN appointed parochial vicar of St. Patrick and St. Joseph Parishes in Meridian, effective July 1, 2022.
Sacred Heart parish was filled to the brim with the faithful from the many parishes and cities where Father Mike O'Brien served over his 50 years as a priest. (Photos by Berta Mexidor)
Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz Diocese of Jackson