Couples celebrate World Marriage Day

JACKSON – The Diocese of Jackson celebrated the anniversaries of married couples from around the diocese with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz on Sunday, Feb. 12 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. According to World Marriage Day history, the idea of celebrating marriage began in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1981, when couples encouraged the Mayor, the Governor and the Bishop to proclaim St. Valentine’s Day as "We Believe in Marriage Day." The event was so successful, the idea was presented to and was adopted by Worldwide Marriage Encounter's National Leadership.

By 1982, 43 Governors officially proclaimed the day, and celebrations spread to U.S. military bases in several foreign countries. In 1983, the name was changed to "World Marriage Day," designated to be celebrated each year in February. In 1993, St. Pope John Paul II imparted his Apostolic blessings on World Marriage Day. World Marriage Day celebrations continue to grow and spread to more countries and faith expressions every year.

To honor couples in 2023, the Office of Family Ministry on behalf of the Diocese of Jackson asked parishes to submit the names of couples celebrating their 60th, 50th, 25th or any significant anniversary. This year, 36 couples from throughout the diocese submitted their names in celebration of their anniversaries.

At the World Marriage Day celebration at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, couples received an anniversary certificate blessed and signed by Bishop Kopacz.

Please join us in celebrating the anniversaries of the following couples:

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PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS

COLUMBUS Annunciation, Blood Drive, Sunday, March 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Bank First parking lot. Sign-ups available soon.

GREENVILLE St. Joseph, 113th annual Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday March 5, 8 a.m to 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Parish Hall at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Lake Village, Arkansas. Cost: $15 adults/$10 children. Dinner includes noodles, red gravy, meatballs, italian salad, lemon dessert and bread. Details: limited reserved tables and individual dine-in tickets. For dine-in call (214) 533-0227 or (870) 489-2883.

HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Cocktails and Catholicism, Friday, March 10 at 7 p.m. in church gym. Join us for a presentation by Deacon Ted Schreck “Where do you find hope? Jean Valijean’s life changed in a moment.” Details: sign up at https://bit.ly/March2023CocktailsCatholicism.

JACKSON St. Richard, Men’s Prayer Breakfast with Bishop Kopacz, Monday, April 3 at 7 a.m. in Foley Hall following Mass at 6:30 a.m. Details: contact Anthony at (601) 573-8574 or eanthonythomas@gmail.com.

MADISON St. Joseph School, 17th annual Bruin Classic Golf Tournament, Monday, March 27. Register or sponsor a hole by visiting https://bit.ly/17thStJoeGolfTournament. Details: email danacaskey15@ gmail.com.

St. Joseph School, Egg My Yard Fundraiser, For Madison County residents only. Order your pre-filled eggs to be hidden in your yard the night before Easter. Book your spot today. Orders due by March 24. Cost: 30 eggs $30; 50 eggs $45; 70 eggs $60. Proceeds benefit St. Joe cheer programs. Order at https://bit.ly/StJoeEggMyYard2023. Details: email sjcheer@stjoebruins.com with questions.

MADISON St. Catherine’s Village, Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group, meets fourth Wednesday of each month from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Campbell

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Cove building. Lunch provided. All are welcome. Details: call to RSVP (601) 856-0123 or remail cynthia.armstrong@fmolhs.org.

MCCOMB St. Alphonsus, St. James Lenten Mission, Sunday, March 5 at 7 p.m. thorugh Wednesday, march 8 at 6:30 p.m. “Behold, I Make All Things New,” presented by Jim Murphy, a Catholic missionary and evangelist. Mission schedule: March 5 at 7 p.m.; March 6, 7 and 8 at 6:30 p.m. Reconciliation held on Wednesday, March 8. Supper will be served in Liguori Hall at 5:30 prior to the Mission Monday through Wednesday.

MERIDIAN Travel with Father Augustine to Italy and France, Sept. 9-19. Trip includes stops in Rome, Tuscany, Florence, Assisi, Venice, Italy and Lourdes, France. cost is $4,999 – airfare and all included. Details: contact (855) 842-8001 or register online at proximotravel.com.

MEMPHIS 40 Days for Life, Feb. 22 – April 2. Vigil location at Memphis Center for Reproductive Health, 1203 Poplar Ave. Details: Sarah at (901) 450-5433 or sarah@memphiscoalitionforlife.org.

PHILADELPHIA Holy Rosary, Lenten Mission (for Holy Rosary, St. Therese and St. Catherine) with Father Dennis Berry, ST, March 9-11. Thursday and Friday at 6:30 p.m. with Mass and Saturday at 5 p.m. followed by potluck supper in the parish hall. Details: church office (601) 656-2880.

RIDGELAND Catholic Charities, Sleep Safe Event, Friday, March 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Event for expectant women, couples, fathers and caregivers on awareness of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Free giveaways and resources with guest speaker. Event at 731 S. Pear Orchard Rd, Ste. 51, Ridgeland. Details: Register at https:// bit.ly/March17SleepSafeEvent or call (601) 3558634.

SOUTHAVEN Christ the King, Forgiveness Walk, Tuesday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Catholic Build Habitat House in Jackson...

FEBRUARY 24, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

Walk is a silent meditative prayer journey reflecting on our own need for forgiveness and need to forgive. Opportunity to stop at nine different stations each with its own theme to read a short scripture passage and reflect on questions. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.

Save The Date

COLUMBUS Annunciation School, Draw Down and Art Auction, Friday, April 14 at the Trotter Convention Center from 6:30-11 p.m. Adults only (21 and up). Event includes dinner and open bar.

JACKSON 17th Annual Sister Thea Bowman School Draw Down, Saturday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose building. Details: school office (601) 352-5441.

MADISON St. Francis, Rock Railway VBS express, June 19-22 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. All pre-K4 through fourth graders are invited.

MERIDIAN St. Patrick School, Countdown scheduled for April 21. Grandprize $5,000. Tickets on sale soon!

DIOCESE Join us in honoring 2023 Bishop Chanche service award winners. Adult awards presentation and Mass, Saturday, March 4 at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Jackson. Youth award presentation will be during the closing Mass at DCYC in Vicksburg on Sunday, March 5.

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 24, 2023