MS Catholic October 13, 2023

OCTOBER 13, 2023

mississippicatholic.com

Synod call to communion can help a fractured world, theologian says

BY CINDY WOODEN

diversity of the church.

Pope Francis had been expectVATICAN CITY (CNS) – The ed to attend the morning session, Catholic Church is called to be an but "unforeseen commitments" instrument of communion with arose, said Matteo Bruni, director God and unity among all people, of the Vatican press office. While but it requires grace and "learning not saying what those committo 'bear with' reality, gently, generments were, Bruni said Pope Franously, lovingly and courageously cis was not one of the four synod for the peace and salvation of the members who were absent that whole world," a theologian told the day because they were diagnosed assembly of the Synod of Bishops. with COVID. "Communion is the beauty of Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerdiversity in unity. In a modern ich, relator general of the synod, world that tends toward both hointroduced the module by telling mogenizing and fracturing, comparticipants that a key question munion is a language of beauty, a from the synod's preparatory proharmony of unity and plurality," cess – which included listening said Anna Rowlands, a professor sessions on the parish, diocesan, of Catholic social thought and national and continental levels – practice at Durham University in was, "How can we be more fully a England. sign and instrument of union with As synod participants began God and of the unity of all humanwork on the second section or ity?" module of the assembly's working God, who is Father, Son and document Oct. 9, their discussions Holy Spirit, is "the basis of all about promoting communion with communions," he said, and "this God and with others were precedGod, who is love, loves the whole ed by reflections offered by Rowof creation, every single creature lands and by Dominican Father Timothy Radcliffe, a theologian Participants pray in the Vatican's Paul VI Audience Hall at the beginning of a working and every human being in a speand former master of the Domin- session of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops Oct. 10, 2023. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez) cial way."

"All are invited to be part of ican order. the church," the cardinal said. "In While still seated at round tadeep communion with his father bles according to language, many of the 364 synod members were at different tables than the week before. The new through the Holy Spirit, Jesus extended this communion to all the sinners. Are we groupings were organized by the themes members indicated they wanted to work ready to do the same? Are we ready to do this with groups which might irritate us on; the topics including promoting unity through works of charity and justice; ec- because their way of being might seem to threaten our identity?" umenism; being more welcoming to people who feel excluded from the church, like – Continued on page 6 – members of the LGBTQ community; and valuing the cultural, linguistic and racial

Diocese enters second phase of “Pastoral Reimagining” process

BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING

JACKSON – The Diocese of Jackson began a yearlong pastoral reimaging process at Pentecost 2023 and will conclude on Pentecost 2024. This process was initiated as a result of the diocesan Synod on Synodality in 2021.

During the Synod process three priorities were articulated across the diocese which included all demographics (age, gender, race, etc.). They were a call for healing and unity; greater catechesis at all levels; and a deeper understanding of scripture.

“In evaluating how we developed these three themes across the diocese we discerned a pastoral plan for parishes and missions was in order,” says Fran Lavelle, director of faith formation for the diocese and member of the core team who are working on the pastoral reimagining process.

“The current reality in our post-Covid world provided additional motivation to look at where we are as a church and how we are called to serve our communities.”

The process is divided into five major phases. The first phase ran from Pentecost this year through early September, with each pastor or lay ecclesial minister (LEM) establishing a pastoral reimagining committee and having the committee view four ecclesiology vid-

eo sessions and answer a series of questions designed to guide conversation on who we are as a church, said Lavelle.

The four video sessions, led by Bishop Joseph Kopacz, focus on the four marks of the church – one, holy, Catholic and apostolic; and are available for anyone to view on the diocese website. (https://jacksondiocese. org/pastoral-reimagining) Father Nick Adam, rector of the Cathedral of St.

Peter the Apostle in Jackson, felt great about the parish meetings for the pastoral reimagining process with the guidance of the video series.

“A couple of high priority items came forth from the gatherings,” said Father Nick.

“We need a much bigger social media presence; we are very good at being welcoming, but our evangelization can be even stronger; and we need to develop a

– Continued on page 6 –

INSIDE THIS WEEK

Family mission 10 Keeton family answered 'yes to Lord's call' for missions

20th anniversary 12 Columbus St. Vincent de Paul celebrates 20 years

Saltillo Mission 16 Msgr. Flannery writes on recent travels to Saltillo

OCTOBER 13, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS

BROOKHAVEN – St. Francis, Life Chain for Respect Life Month, Saturday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. Participants will be located on Brookway Boulevard sidewalks east of Hwy 51 and will be provided appropriate Respect Life posters to exhibit. Details: church office (601) 833-1799.

FLOWOOD – Homegrown Harvest Fest, sponsored by office of vocations, Saturday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Paul parish. Proceeds support our seven diocesan seminarians. Evening includes dinner, silent auction and fellowship. Details: Tickets can be purchased at bit. ly/HGHarvest2023.

GREENVILLE St. Joseph School, Homecoming Tailgating, Friday, Oct. 20. Fee is $50. Tent setup at 5 p.m. Details: cmandolini@stjoeirish.org or John at (601) 415-1551.

HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Veterans Mass, Sunday, Nov. 12 after 9:30 a.m. Mass. Information needed

by Oct. 29 – rank, branch, veteran of war and photo in uniform. Details: church office (662) 429-7851.

JACKSON – Cathedral of St. Peter, Knights of Columbus “Coats for the Community” drive. Donate new or gently used coats before Mass on Oct. 28-29 and Nov. 4-5. Details: church office (601) 969-3125.

Catholic Charities, Purple Dress Run, Thursday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. at The District at Eastover. Grab your best purple dress and join us for a 5K run/walk to benefit Charities Shelter for Battered Families. Register at raceroster.com/78874. Details: Rachel Travis at (601) 326-3703.

St. Richard, Special Kids Golf tournament at Deerfield Country Club in Canton on Thursday, Oct. 19. Details: church office (601) 366-2335, saintrichard.com or Kristin at thedohertyteam@gmail.com.

St. Richard School, Cardinal Booster Club Dinner, Thursday, Nov. 9 with Coach Mike Bianco of Ole Miss. Cost $250 per ticket (admits two). Enjoy Mass at 5:15, then cocktail social, silent auction and “meet and greet” with Coach Bianco, catered dinner at 6:45 p.m. with address by Coach. Deadline for ticket purchase is Friday, Oct. 20. Details: Coach Nelson rnelson@saintrichardschool.org.

Theology of Tap, Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. at Martin’s Downtown. Guest speaker is Father Nick Adam. For adults, 21+. Details: email amelia.rizor@

FEATURED PHOTO

jacksondiocese.org.

MADISON – St. Joseph School, Bingo Games, Sunday, Oct. 22 in the cafeteria. Early bird games at 1:30 p.m.; regular games at 2 p.m. Must be age 25 to play but all ages welcome to attend. Details: school office (601) 898-4800.

MAGNOLIA – St. James, Garage Sale, Saturday Dec. 2, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (125 E Bay Street) Details: call (985) 665-0868.

MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, Candy Cane 5k Dash and Fun Run, Saturday, Dec. 2. Details: register at https:// bit.ly/CandyCane2023.

OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace, Men’s Club Fellowship Card Night, Friday, Oct. 20 from 6-10 p.m.

All parishioners and guests welcome. For $10 each, participant will receive dinner, a non-alcoholic beverage and 100 poker chips. Beverages available for donation. Sign up today! Details: Tracy at (901) 828-4848.

PEARL – St. Jude, Day-trip Pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 28. Tour the Shrine, Mass, Adoration and more. Cost est. $75. Details: email kmcgregor@stjudepearl.org or call (601) 939-3181.

Smokin’ fundraiser for Young Apostles group, holiday meat sale after each Mass through Nov. 5. Details: Lauren at roberts0677@bellsouth.net.

SHAW – St. Francis of Assisi, Spaghetti dinner, Tuesday, Oct. 17 from 5-7 p.m. Tickets $15.

Drive-thru only from parish hall. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Details: church office (662) 754-5561.

SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Pumpkin Patch through Oct. 30. Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 12-7 p.m. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.

Christ the King, Gala Dinner with World Youth Day Community, Saturday, Oct. 21 from 5:30-8 p.m. in the religious ed building. Delicious food, keynote speeches by youth leaders, live performances, inspiring stories of personal triumph, door prize religious articles from Fatima and Lisbon and more!

Cost: family ticket $50 (3 adults and 2 or more kids); Adult ticket for one $20. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.

TUPELO – St. James, Rummage Sale, Saturday, Nov. 4 from 7:30-11 a.m. in Shelton hall. Details:

Bobbie at (662) 372-1087.

VICKSBURG – Knights of Columbus 898, Holiday smoked meat sale. Butts, turkey and loins $50; Half Chicken 2 for $8; Turkey breast $35; and Half ham $40.

Order by Nov. 15 at https://kc898.square.site. Pick up Sunday, Nov. 19 from 12-4 p.m. at KC Hall, 310 Fisher Ferry Road. Details: Paul at (601) 529-1710.

Knights of Columbus 898, Food drive for Storehouse Community food pantry on Sat. Nov. 4 at the Corner Market.

WINONA – Sacred Heart, Communi-tea Festivi-tea event, Saturday, Nov. 11 from 12-3 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Cost: adults $15 and children (under 12) $12. Tickets available at Crossroads Jewelers or call Marlene at (662) 307-0831. Details: Barbara at (256) 506-5007.

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

CHOCTAW – The Choctaw Bible Translation program is having a week long program of Choctaw Bible Stories the week of Oct. 16-20 at 5 p.m. in the Pearl River CERF building. Choctaw singing, with bible stories in English and Choctaw! Mark your calendar and plan to enjoy this special program. Details: https://choctawbible.com.

GREENWOOD – Locus Benedictus, Healing Retreat with Maria Vadia on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no fee to attend. A love offering will

... Bishop’s Cup 2023 ...

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MADISON – Golf carts were “at the ready” for golfers to take-off for the Catholic Foundation’s 41st annual Bishop’s Cup fundraiser on Thursday, Sept. 14 at the Lake Caroline Golf Club in Madison. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King)

Jackson Flowood R dgeland Pearl Cl nton V cksburg Tupelo Columbus Laurel Oxford Hatt esburg – Continued on page 9 –

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC OCTOBER 13, 2023

let there be light

Image of Cross brings clearer focus, understanding of Synod process

BY BISHOP JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D.

The third phase of the Synod on Synodality began in Rome on Oct. 6 and will be in session for most of this month. In summary, recall that the Catholic Church throughout the world conducted an extensive array of processes beginning in late 2021 that invited the laity, consecrated and ordained to actively participate in the synodal journey of described as one of communion, participation and mission. That was the first phase on the local level of each (Arch)diocese.

During the second stage a committee of delegates in each continental region oversaw the development of the diocesan syntheses into the continental documents of which there are seven.

These represent the voices of the faithful from the United States/Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Oceana. The good fruit of the Holy Spirit from the first two stages in the worldwide undertaking now guides the delegates in Rome as a roadmap for discussion, dialogue and discernment. Drafted from the seven continental syntheses is the working document known as the Instrumentum Laboris. This is replete with the theology of Synodality and the process to be undertaken in stage three for three weeks this month in Rome.

It is only natural to inquire about the participants in Rome who are devoting three weeks of their lives to the third phase of the Synod process, and who will have an extraordinary voice at this time in church history.

In the spirit of transparency, the Vatican on Sept. 21

released the final list of names of those participating in the upcoming Synod assembly, including laypeople who will be full voting delegates at a Catholic Church synod for the first time. The delegates are made up of representatives selected by bishops’ conferences and Eastern Catholic Churches, leaders in the Roman Curia and 120 delegates personally selected by Pope Francis. (See https://bit.ly/SynodParticipantList2023) In total, 363 people from around the world will be able to vote in the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, according to statistics released by the Holy See Press Office on July 7. Among them, 54 of the voting delegates are women. In addition to the voting members, 75 other participants have been invited to the synod assembly to act as facilitators, experts or spiritual assistants. (Catholic News Service Release) The Instrumentum Laboris portrays all that the Holy Spirit has accomplished during the first two stages and reads as follows. The first phase enables us to understand the importance of taking the local church as a privileged point of reference, as the theological place where the baptized experience in practical terms “walking together.” First of all, we have experienced the joy expressed in the sincere and respectful encounter between brothers and sisters in the faith: to meet each other is to encounter the Lord who is in our midst. The continental stage has made it possible to identify and share the particular situations experienced by the church in different regions of the world. The daily hardships of poverty, violence, war and climate upheavals came into full view for many of our brothers and sisters throughout the world, especially in the Middle East and Africa.

As noted, the theme or vision for the Synod is “Communion Participation and Mission.” This understanding of the church is interwoven in the direction we have taken in our pastoral reimagining process of the church as One, Holy,

Happy Ordination Anniversary October 13

Father Justin Joseph

St. James Tupelo & St. Christopher Pontotoc

November 10

Deacon Mark White

Deacon Emeritus, Queen of Peace Olive Branch

Catholic and Apostolic. There is no doubt that one has to be patient with a process of listening and discerning within the word-wide church of well over a billion members.

At times there are more questions than answers, but as the Instrumentum Laboris states, a synodal church is open, welcoming and embraces all, and characteristic of a synodal church is the ability to manage tensions without being crushed. At the same time, a synodal church confronts honestly and fearlessly the call to a deeper understanding of the relationship between love and truth according to St. Paul’s invitation. “But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.” (Eph 4:15-16) To authentically include everyone, it is necessary to enter into the mystery of Christ allowing oneself to be formed and transformed by the way he lived the relationship between truth and love.

The image of the Cross comes to mind when seeking a clearer focus and a deeper understanding of the Synod process. The vertical beam of the Cross takes us into the vaults of heaven where God has revealed the plan of salvation in the Lord’s death and resurrection and where he transcends the whole of life’s transient nature. This is who we proclaim and teach. The horizontal beam of the Cross represents the daily life of the believer in every age, and the immanence of God in Jesus Christ who is with us until the end of time.

This is the realm of the Holy Spirit who works to bring about the Kingdom of God in the church and in the world. This is the hard work of the Synod which requires patience and trust as we build upon nearly 2,000 years of church history.

BISHOP’S SCHEDULE

November 19

Sunday, Oct. 15, 4 p.m. – Confirmation Mass, Christ the King, Southaven

Catholic Parishes of Northwest Mississippi & Sacred Heart Southern Missions

Monday, Oct. 16, 8:30 a.m. – School Mass, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Southaven

November 27

Monday, Oct. 16, 1 p.m. – School Mass, Holy Family Catholic School, Holly Springs

Father Jack Kurps, SCJ

Father Tim Murphy

St. James Tupelo & St. Christopher Pontotoc

Thank you for answering the call!

Volume 69 Number 18 (ISSN 1529-1693)

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 8:15 a.m. – School Mass, St. Anthony Catholic School, Madison Thursday, Oct. 19 – St. Richard Special Kids Golf Tournament, Deerfield Golf Club, Canton Thursday, Oct. 19, 6 p.m. – Catholic Charities Purple Dress Run, The District at Eastover, Jackson

P.O. Box 2130 Jackson, MS 39225-2130 Phone: 601-969-3581 E-mail: editor@jacksondiocese.org

Saturday, Oct. 21, 6 p.m. – 4th Annual Seminarian Homegrown Harvest Event, St. Paul, Flowood

Publisher ........................................................................................... Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 5 p.m. – Catholic Foundation Annual Board Meeting and Dinner, The Country Club of Jackson

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 digitally twice per month January – April and September – December; once per month June, July and August. Mississippi Catholic mails 14 editions per year – twice per month in December and January; and once per month February – November. For address changes, corrections or to join the email list for the digital edition, email: editor@jacksondiocese.org. 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

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 8:15 a.m. – School Mass, St. Richard Catholic School, Jackson Friday, Nov. 3, 6 p.m. – Talk at Cocktails & Catholicism, Holy Spirit, Hernando Wednesday, Nov. 8, 6:30 p.m. – Holy Hour, Our Lady of Victories, Cleveland All events are subject to change. Check with parishes and schools for further details.

OCTOBER 13, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

4 VOCATIONS CALLED BY NAME We continue to ask ‘the master of the harvest to bring forth laborers for his harvest.’ Since 2020, we have put forth a vision for a Homegrown Harvest, where men from this diocese step forward to study for the priesthood and become pastors in our parishes and schools. So many incredible missionaries have served us throughout the years, but we continue to need more men from our diocese to serve.

In October 2020, we hosted the first ever Homegrown Harvest Festival and Fundraiser for seminary education. Over Father Nick Adam the past three years this event has grown and we raised over $150,000 last year alone. The 4th Annual Homegrown Harvest will be held on Oct. 21 at St. Paul parish in Flowood. I will be celebrating the vigil mass that evening sat St. Paul’s and the seminarians will be altar serving and serving as lectors and eucharistic ministers. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m., and there will be a fantastic meal, a silent auction, a raffle and much more. Most importantly, the seminarians will be present and will get to thank each participant and supporter for helping them to discern God’s will.

It can be easy to forget to pray for vocations, and it is tempting to sometimes think that our prayers won’t make a difference, but Jesus says that we should ask the Lord for help! So please pray for vocations today and ask the Lord to help you keep an eye out for someone in your parish who you can give an encouraging word to. I probably would have stayed silent about my desire for the priesthood if someone had not encouraged me to think about being a priest – you never know how the Lord may work through you if you are courageous and speak up.

Please join us later this month and support our seminarians by buying tickets or sponsoring the event. But the greatest gift you can give the Department of Vocations is your prayers and your encouragement to young men in our parishes to think about priesthood! The best and brightest should think about priesthood just as they consider other great options in their life. Encourage the young men in your parishes to prioritize priesthood and consider the possibility that they may be called to the altar to serve.

– Father Nick Adam, vocation director Read about our current seminarians and their inspirational vocation stories at https://jacksondiocese.org/seminarians.

Tickets and sponsorships are still available for the Homegrown Harvest event! Visit https://bit.ly/HGHarvest2023 or email Father Nick Adam at nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org to support our seminarians.

u F t u g r n e i t Pr r o p

October 21, 2023 Time: 6:30 p.m.

St. Paul – Flowood, MS Scan QR Code or go online to register: bit.ly/HGHarvest2023

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It is not easy to be a priest, and it is difficult to step out and do something that is very different than the mainstream. Each of our seven seminarians has an inspiring story about how the Lord, and the people of God, encouraged them to think about the priesthood and how they finally decided to take the step of going to the seminary. But the

road is long, and these men need our prayers and support. Jesus tells his disciples: “the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few, so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” (Matthew 9:38)

Spirituality 5

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC OCTOBER 13, 2023

Surrendering to love IN EXILE

By Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI

Perhaps all of Jesus’ invitations to us can be summarized in one word – surrender. We need to surrender to love.

But why is that difficult? Shouldn’t it be the most natural thing in the world? Isn’t our deepest desire a longing to find love and surrender to it?

True, our deepest longing is to surrender to love, but we have some deep innate resistances to give ourselves over in surrender.

Here are a couple of examples: At the Last Supper in John’s Gospel when Jesus tries to wash Peter’s feet, he meets a stiff resistance from Peter – Never! I will never let you wash my feet!

What’s ironic here is that, perhaps more than anything else, Peter yearned precisely for that kind of intimacy with Jesus. Yet, when it’s offered, he resists.

Another example might be seen in the struggles of Henri Nouwen. Nouwen, one of the most gifted spiritual writers of our generation, enjoyed immense popularity. He published more than 50 books, was a much sought-after professor (tenured at both Harvard and Yale), received invitations daily to give talks and lectures around the world, and had many close friends.

And yet, inside all that popularity and adulation, surrounded by many friends who loved him, he was unable to let that love give him any real sense of being loved or of being lovable. Instead, through most of his life he labored inside a deep anxiety which had him believe that he wasn’t lovable. On occasion this even landed him in clinical depression. And so, through most of his adult life, surrounded by so much love, he was haunted by a sense that he wasn’t loved, nor worthy of being loved. Moreover, he was a deeply sensitive person who more than anything else wanted to surrender to love. What held him back?

In his own words, he was crippled by a deep wound he couldn’t quite name and whose grip he couldn’t shake. This was true for most of his adult life. Eventually, he was able to free himself from his deep wound and surrender to love. However, it took a traumatic “death” experience for that to happen.

Standing too close to the highway at a bus-stop one morning, he was struck by the mirror of a passing van which sent him flying. Rushed to a hospital, for some hours he hovered between life and death.

While in that state, he had a very deep experience of God’s love for him. He returned to full consciousness and normal life as a profoundly changed man. Now, after experiencing God’s love for him, he could finally also surrender to human love in a way he had been incapable of previous to his “death” experience. All his subsequent books are marked by this conversion in love.

Why do we fight love? Why don’t we surrender more easily? The reasons are unique to each of us.

Sometimes we are dealing with a deep wound that leaves us feeling unlovable. But sometimes our resistance has less to do with any wound than it has to do with how we are unconsciously fighting the very love we so painfully seek. Sometimes, Wholesale and home like Jacob in the Bifreezer service ble, we are unconsciously wrestling Beef – Pork – Sausage with God (who is 109 - A Camellia Dr. Love) and consequently unconsciously fighting love.

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In the Bible story where Jacob wrestles all night with a man, we see that in this struggle he has no idea that he is wrestling with God and with love. In his mind, he is wrestling with a foe he needs to conquer. Eventually, when the darkness of the night gives way to more light, he sees what he is wrestling with – and it is a surprise and shock to him. He realizes he is fighting love itself. With that realization, he gives up struggling and instead clings to the very force he had been previously fighting, with the plea: “I will not let you go, until you bless me!”

This is the final lesson we need to learn in love: We wrestle for love with every talent, cunning and strength inside us. Eventually, if we are fortunate, we have an awakening. Some light, often a crippling defeat, shows us the true face of what we have been wrestling with and we realize that it’s not something to be

conquered, but it’s the very love to which we have been longing to surrender.

For many of us, this will be the great awakening in our lives, a waking up to the fact that in all our ambitions and schemes to show the world how worthwhile and lovable we are, we are in unconscious ways fighting the very love to which we ultimately want to surrender. And, usually, as with Jacob in the biblical story, it will take the defeat of our own strength and a permanent limp before we realize what we are fighting against is really that to which we most want to surrender.

And this is surrender, not resignation, something we give ourselves over to rather than something that defeats us.

(Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser is a theologian, teacher and award-winning author. He can be contacted through his website www.ronrolheiser.com.)

The Pope’s Corner

Pope addresses fears around synod: ‘Not a political gathering’, pope says

By Justin McLellan

cardinals, joined him at the altar. The Vatican said VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Members of the assembly some 25,000 people were present in St. Peter’s Square.

Celebrating the Mass on the feast of St. Francis of the Synod of Bishops are not gathered in Rome to implement a “plan of reformation” but to walk to- of Assisi, a day when Pope Francis also published an gether as a church that discerns God’s will for the apostolic exhortation on the environment, he recalled present moment, Pope Francis said at the assembly’s the story that Jesus told the medieval saint to “repair my church.” opening Mass.

“The synod serves to remind us of this: our mothWith cardinals from across the world at his side, including 20 new cardinals from 16 nations created er the church is always in need of purification, of bejust four days prior, the pope urged people to avoid ing repaired, for we are a people made up of forgiven looking at the synod through the lens of “human sinners,” he said.

St. Francis lived in a time of “struggles and distrategies, political calculations or ideological batvisions between temporal and religious powers, tles.”

Asking “whether the synod will give this or that between the institutional church and heretical curpermission, open this or that door, this is not useful,” rents, between Christians and other believers,” Pope Francis said. But the saint “did not criticize or lash he said at the Mass Oct. 4 in St. Peter’s Square.

Instead, Pope Francis said the primary task of the out at anyone.” Rather, he took up the “weapons of synod is to “refocus our gaze on God, to be a church the Gospel: humility and unity, prayer and charity.”

“Let us do the same!” urged the pope, noting that that looks mercifully at humanity, a church that is united and fraternal – or at least tries to be united and the “most fruitful moments of the synod are the moments and prayer and the environment of prayer in fraternal.”

The pope acknowledged that some people have which the Lord acts in us.”

After the Mass, Pope Francis individually greetfears about the synod, but he asked them to remember that it is “not a political gathering, but a convo- ed the 20 new cardinals with him on stage, some of cation in the Spirit; not a polarized parliament, but a whom will remain in Rome to participate in the synod assembly while others were to return to their diocesplace of grace and communion.”

“The Holy Spirit often shatters our expectations to es. Cardinal Luis Pascual Dri, a 96-year-old Capuchin create something new that surpasses our predictions friar from Argentina, did not travel to Rome to receive his red hat because of his health. and negativity,” he said.

Through “synodal dialogue,” the pope said, “we can grow in unity and friendship with the Lord in order to look at today’s challenges with his gaze,” becoming a church “which does not impose burdens” and is “open to everyone, everyone, everyone.”

“The blessing and welcoming gaze of Jesus prevents us from falling into some dangerous temptations: of being a rigid church – a customs office – which arms itself against the world and looks backward; of being a lukewarm church which surrenders to the fashions of the world; of being a tired church, turned in on itself,” he said.

Lay members and ecumenical delegates to the assembly of the Synod of Bishops led the procession into St. Peter’s Square – still decorated with flowers from the consistory that created 21 new cardinals Sep. 30 – followed by priests, bishops and then cardinals. Synod members had participated in a retreat outside Rome Oct. 1-3, during which they reflected on ways to overcome differences of opinion and to listen to each other and to the Holy Spirit.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re was the main cel- Pope Francis gives his homily at the Mass opening ebrant at the altar for the Mass; Cardinals Mario the assembly of the Synod of Bishops in St. Peter’s Grech, synod secretary-general, and Robert Prevost, Square at the Vatican Oct. 4, 2023. (CNS photo/ prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the new Lola Gomez)

OCTOBER 13, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

6 DIOCESE

' ... A synodal church, one where people walk together ...' er person nor takes possession of them; a love that is neither abusive nor cold," he said.

But too often, Father Radcliffe said, "what isolates us all is being trapped in small desires, little satisfactions, such as beating our opponents or having status, grand titles."

"So many people feel excluded or marginalized in our church because we have slapped abstract labels on them: divorced and remarried, gay people, polygamous people, refugees, Africans, Jesuits," the Pope Francis prays in the Vatican's Paul VI Audience Hall at the beginning of a work- Dominican said to ing session of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops Oct. 6, 2023. (CNS photo/Lola laughter. "A friend said to me the other Gomez) day: 'I hate labels.

– Continued from page 1 – I hate people being put in boxes. I canFather Radcliffe reminded participants that the issue not abide these conservatives.'" of "formation," which is broader than training or eduRowlands told the synod members and participants cation, came up repeatedly in the synod's first week dis- that it is in the Eucharist that the different imensions cussions of how to promote a synodal church, one where of communion meet because "this is the place where the people walk together, listen to each other and all take communion of the faithful is made manifest (and) where responsibility for mission. we receive the gifts of God for God's people. The sacra"A synodal church will be one in which we are formed mental order teaches us, by feeding us, communion." for unpossessive love: a love that neither flees the oth-

Adsumus, Sancte Spiritus Prayer of Invocation to the Holy Spirit We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.

With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.

We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.

Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.

Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.

All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever.

Amen.

' ... We will reimagine the responsibilities of each parish and mission ...'

Statisticians of American Religious Bodies (ASARB) Decennial Religion Census.

“After analyzing the demographic data, youth group.” parishes will look for opportunities for Bishop Kopacz said that phase one, “set growth; evaluate ministries and evaluate the table in reminding ourselves what it challenges that can be addressed,” said means to be a church and what our identity Lavelle. as Catholics requires of us in the world. Our Beginning in 2024, the third phase of the desire was to create a common understandreimagining process will consist of guiding from which to grow a vision for the Dioed and facilitated sessions for deaneries to cese of Jackson.” work through challenges, both the growing During phase two, that runs through edges and diminishing areas of ministry loDec. 31, 2023, each parish will undertake a cally and within the deanery. parish assessment which will include the “The goal of phase three is to gain a recurrent situation at the local parish, the alistic perspective of the health and well-begrowing edges, the areas that are dimining of the deanery within the setting of the ishing, the opportunities for collaboration individual parishes; and to look at areas of with other parishes in the area and other redundancy and potential areas for sharing local realities. resources,” shared Lavelle.

“In phase two, we will reimagine the reThe fourth phase will include a period of sponsibilities of each parish and mission to discernment on reports from the six deanfoster a sense of unity, underscored by the eries in the diocese and a pastoral letter four marks of the church and grounded in from Bishop Kopacz, outlining the finding data,” said Bishop Kopacz. in each deanery and set forth parameters This phase also includes a detailed refor implementation of an overall diocesan port on diocesan demographics by the CenJACKSON – Pastoral reimagining process participants gathered in the vision. ter for Applied Research in the Apostolate “In order for a comprehensive vision to (CARA) of Georgetown University. The re- rectory of the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle to view the last video port summarizes the overall demography of phase 1 – apostolic. The diocese is currently entering phase two of be developed, each parish and mission is of the diocese, as well as a profile of the the pastoral reimagining process. It is expected to conclude at the end charged with engaging the parishioners to best understand the needs and opportuniCatholic population living in the confines of the year. (Photo by Father Nick Adam) ties in each location,” Lavelle says. of the diocese. The data sources include the The final phase concludes the pastoral Decennial Census, The American Communities Survey (ACS) and other data sources from the Census Bureau. It also relies reimagining process with a diocesan celebration at Pentecost 2024, the details of on the Pew Research Center’s Religious Landscape Survey, and the Association of which are still being worked out, said Lavelle.

– Continued from page 1 –

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC OCTOBER 13, 2023

DIOCESE 7

USCCB designates Dallas cathedral as The National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe

By Michael Gresham

DALLAS (OSV News) – The Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, located in the heart of downtown Dallas, has long been known as a landmark in the Diocese of Dallas for its enduring cultural and faith-filled significance, drawing pilgrims from across north Texas and beyond.

Now, the long beloved diocesan landmark is also a national shrine.

On behalf of the Diocese of Dallas, Bishop Edward J. Burns officially announced Oct. 3 that the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe has been granted the significant designation of a national shrine by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“The Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe has stood as a beacon of faith and history in Dallas for generations,” said Bishop Burns as he expressed his profound gratitude and enthusiasm for the milestone. “This elevation to national shrine status is a testament to our community and parishioners’ enduring devotion, the cultural richness the cathedral embodies, and its role as a place of solace and reflection for all.”

A special Mass is planned Dec. 12 to celebrate the national shrine status of the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe,

which will now be known as The National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

It’s a designation Father Jesús Belmontes called befitting of the cathedral’s impact on Catholics within the diocese, around the nation, and throughout Central and Latin America.

The cornerstone for the cathedral was laid June 17, 1898. The cathedral’s pastor at the time, Father Jeffrey A. Hartnett, did not live to see the construction completed. Father Hartnett died ministering to the faithful during the 1899 smallpox epidemic, contracting the disease while attending to the spiritual needs of patients in the city’s infirmary.

On Oct. 26, 1902, Bishop Edward J. Dunne, second bishop of Dallas, formally dedicated the cathedral. Constructed out of red brick and limestone, and featuring many stained-glass windows, the cathedral was designed by architect Nicholas J. Clayton, who is regarded by many as the greatest Victorian architect Texas The Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, pictured Sept. 29, has ever known.

2023, will now be known as The National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe after being designated as a national shrine by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Dallas Bishop Edward J. Burns announced the new status Oct. 3, 2023. (OSV News photo/ Santos Martinez, courtesy The Texas Catholic)

The Diocese of Jackson has launched a third-party reporting system that will enable all diocesan employees, volunteers and parishioners to anonymously (or named if preferred) make reports. Examples of this activity include fraud, misconduct, safety violations, harassment or substance abuse occurring at a Catholic parish, Catholic school or at the diocesan level. The system is operated by Lighthouse Services. Based in Deerfield, Illinois, Lighthouse Services maintains ethics, safety and fraud hotlines for over 4,100 organizations between the U.S. and abroad.

To make a report visit www.lighthouse-services.com/jacksondiocese or call 888-830-0004 (English) or 800216-1288 (Spanish).

The Association of Priests of the Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi provide a small pension to our retired priests. As you consider your estate plans, please remember these faithful servants by making a donation or leaving a bequest to the Association of Priests. Our parish priests dedicate their lives to caring for us, their flocks. Let us now care for them in their retirement. Donations can be made payable to the Association of Priests and can be mailed to: Diocese of Jackson, P.O. Box 22723, Jackson, MS 39225-2723

Michael Gresham is editor-in-chief of The Texas Catholic, newspaper of the Diocese of Dallas. Violeta Rocha of Revista Católica Dallas, the diocese’s Spanish-language magazine, contributed to this story.

Liturgical Norms for the Diocese of Jackson regarding the distribution and reception of Holy Communion The following norms are in place for the Diocese of Jackson. More norms and directives may be found on the diocesan web site at https://www.jacksondiocese.org/clergy-resources.

The Holy See establishes universal norms for the reverent celebration of the Sacred Liturgy. As part of this process the Holy See asks each bishops’ conference to establish norms and directives for its country or region. Furthermore, a local bishop may establish directives for his own diocese in line with the national and universal directives and norms.

Therefore, the following norms for the distribution and reception of Holy Communion in the Diocese of Jackson have been established by Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz in line with Holy Mother Church’s process for establishing liturgical norms and directives.

• All COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted for almost a year now.

• Communicants may receive the consecrated host in the hand or on the tongue. It is the communicant’s choice in how to receive not the minister of Communion’s. Do not refuse people who would like to receive on the tongue or in the hand.

• In the Dioceses of the United States, which includes the Diocese of Jackson, the posture for receiving Holy Communion is standing.

This applies to all Masses no matter the language or community. A minister of Communion should not refuse someone who kneels to receive Holy Communion, but kneelers and/or the implementation of a communion rail are not allowed.

• Distribution of the Precious Blood from the chalice is approved again. Keeping in mind that the ideal is for both species to be available, a pastor currently has the option to dispense distri-

bution from the cup in times of flu or Covid outbreaks that present a danger to the community.

• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion may be used to assist in the distribution of the Precious Blood and Consecrated Hosts.

• Purification of the sacred vessels must be done by the priest, deacon or instituted acolyte.

• Under no circumstances is a communicant allowed to self-communicate by taking a consecrated host from the ciborium or paten. The minister of Communion must place the host on the communicant’s hand or tongue.

• A communicant is never allowed to intinct (dip) the consecrated host into the chalice of Precious Blood.

• Currently, intinction by the minister of Communion is not an option in the Diocese of Jackson.

Other resources on the Eucharist may be found on our diocesan Eucharistic Revival web site at: https:// www.jacksondiocese.org/eucharistic-revival.

(Photo courtesy of Mississippi Catholic)

OCTOBER 13, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

8 DIOCESE

Jerusalem church leaders call for peace following deadly Hamas attack

By Judith Sudilovsky

JERUSALEM (OSV News) – Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem united in a call for peace and justice amid unfolding violence, following a surprise attack by Hamas in southern Israel, which has left over 700 Israelis dead, among them civilians and dozens of soldiers and police who were killed battling the Hamas fighters. Over 2,000 people were injured. Israeli media said that more than 250 bodies had been recovered from the site of the music festival that was attacked by Hamas fighters on Oct. 7 in southern Israel.

Fears of a ground invasion of Gaza are growing after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to turn the besieged Palestinian enclave into a “deserted island,” while the latest reported death toll of Palestinians is 511. Thousands of people in Palestinian territories are injured in Israeli airstrikes, which began hours following the Hamas attack.

During the Angelus prayer on Oct. 8, Pope Francis said he was “following apprehensively and sorrowfully what is happening in Israel where the violence has exploded even more ferociously, causing hundreds of deaths and casualties.”

He appealed: “May the attacks and weaponry cease.

Please!” crying out that “terrorism and war do not lead to any resolutions, but only to the death and suffering of so many innocent people.” The Holy Father stressed that “War is a defeat! Every war is a defeat!” He also asked for prayers for peace in Israel and Palestine.

“The Holy Land, a place sacred to countless millions around the world, is currently mired in violence and suffering due to the prolonged political conflict and the lamentable absence of justice and respect for human rights,” The Patriarchs and Head of the Churches in Jerusalem said in an Oct. 7 joint statement.

“We unequivocally condemn any acts that target civilians, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity or faith,” said the Patriarchs, among them Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Some countries started to evacuate their citizens from Israel, with some 200 Polish pilgrims and tourists being airlifted from Ben Gurion International Airport in the early morning hours of Oct. 9 by two C-130 Hercules planes that landed at Tel Aviv airport amid rocket strike from Hamas, and the Israeli Iron Dome intercepting rockets from Gaza.

American officials said on Oct. 8 that they were also working through plans to evacuate thousands of Americans from Israel if necessary – no decisions have been made, according to the New York Times.

Shocked by the unhindered breakthrough of hundreds of Hamas gunmen through the fence barrier, Israelis hunkered down in safe rooms and called to relatives and radio programs whispering terrified messages as they heard the militants breaking into their homes. The attack included the takeover of the police station in the city of Sderot, which was later reclaimed.

The attack took place under the barrage of thousands of rocket attacks, which were largely intercepted by the Israeli Iron Dome defense system.

Hamas breached Israel’s security gate in the early morning Oct. 7 and infiltrated dozens of Israel border communities, killing people in their cars and homes and taking others hostage, including several elderly people, a mother with her two preschool-aged daughters, young people and foreign workers. Soldiers were also taken hostage. Social media videos showed captives and bodies of dead Israelis paraded through the streets of Gaza.

One video showed a terrified young woman being pulled by the hair and transferred from one jeep into another by armed Hamas gunmen. In another video,

the body of a young man in shorts taken from a kibbutz, a Jewish communal settlement, was paraded through the streets on the back of a motorcycle.

Thousands of young Israelis and foreigners had been celebrating at a dance party next to one of the kibbutz, and dozens were murdered by the gunmen as they fled in panic through the desert. Many of the captives had been at the party.

The attack took place on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, which marks the completion of the annual cycle of reading the Torah scroll. The attack also fell a day after the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the 1973 War, which began with a surprise attack on Israel by a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria on Yom Kippur, Judaism’s holiest day of the year.

The attack follows a year of increasing violence from both settlers and the Israel Defense Forces after the election of Israel’s far-right nationalist government.

For many Israelis, there were moments of terror and desperation as they identified their loved ones on the horrifying videos. One video showed a shrieking young woman speeding away in a motorcycle sandwiched between two gunmen as her boyfriend was led off by others.

One shirtless man was led through the streets by the neck as gunmen pushed his head down.

Another video showed gunmen sitting on and near the half-naked body of another woman with dreadlocks, later identified as a German national, in the open back of a truck.

Kibbutz residents said it took some eight hours for the Israeli army forces to reach their communities. One mother told Israel radio she and her children were rescued by special forces through the window of their safe room and taken by armed guard to a secured location because militants were still roaming their kibbutz.

After the Israeli army and police gathered forces and responded to the attack, the Associated Press reported that Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters “hundreds of terrorists” have been killed and dozens captured.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces also exchanged fire with Hezbollah over the weekend as Lebanon’s militant group fired dozens of rockets and shells at Israeli positions in a disputed area along the country’s northern border.

In a TV broadcast, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed Oct. 7 that retaliation against Hamas would be swift and harsh.

An Oct. 7 U.S. Department of Defense press release said U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III had spoken with Gallant by phone and had conveyed his condolences “for the victims of this appalling, abhorrent terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel,” and emphasized his “ironclad support for the Israeli Defense Forces and the Israeli people.”

“He also reaffirmed that the Department’s commitment to Israel’s security and its absolute right to defend itself from acts of terrorism is unwavering,” the release said.

The Patriarchs and Head of the Churches said that it is their “fervent hope and prayer” that all parties involved “will heed this call for an immediate cessation of violence.” They also called for dialogue “seeking lasting solutions that promote justice, peace, and reconcil-

iation for the people of this land, who have endured the burdens of conflict for far too long.”

Judith Sudilovsky writes for OSV News from Jerusalem.

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC OCTOBER 13, 2023 – Continued from page 2 – be taken. Details: to register email contactlocusbenedictus@gmail.com or call (662) 299-1232.

TRUNK OR TREATS/FALL FESTIVALS

COLUMBUS – Annunciation, Fall Festival, Sunday, Oct. 29 from 4-6:30 p.m. on College Street in Downtown Columbus. We are joining with First Methodist Church and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for a huge event. No pets, please. Enjoy trunk or treat, cake walk, games, crafts, door prizes, facepainting, costume contest, hall of saints and food. Details: church office (662) 328-2927.

CLEVELAND – Our Lady of Victories, Halloween Carnival, Sunday, Oct. 29 following 5 p.m. Mass. Candy donations needed. Details: Natalie at (228) 861-7253.

FLOWOOD – St. Paul, Trunk or Treat, Saturday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. Sign up your trunk today! Help us bring the best and safest Halloween event to all. Details: church office (601) 992-9547.

GREENVILLE – St. Joseph School, Trunk or Treat, Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. in the St. Joseph Lourdes parking lot. Trunks are needed! Details: Olivia at (601) 906-3902.

GREENWOOD – Immaculate Heart of Mary, CYO Spaghetti Supper and Halloween Festival, Monday, Oct. 23. Spaghetti supper $15 – starts at 4:30 p.m. Dine in, carry out or drive-thru. Carnival on the green at 5:30 p.m. Bingo begins at 6 p.m. Cakes needed for cake walk. Details: church office (662) 453-3980.

HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Trunk or Treat, Sunday, Oct. 29 in the parking lot from 3-5 p.m. Sign your trunk up today! Adult prizes for most creative trunk display. Event for ages up to fifth grade. Enjoy games, face painting and treats! Costume awards for children.

Details: Kim at (662) 719-4116.

DIOCESE 9 HOLLY SPRINGS – St. Joseph, Harvest Festival, Sunday, Oct. 22 at 3 p.m. Youth led Mass and fun! Join us for an afternoon of fun, games, music, dancing, food and fellowship as we celebrate being Catholic. Details: church office (662) 252-3138.

JACKSON – St. Richard School, Cardinal Fest, Sunday, Oct. 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Purchase a $20 wristband for all the fun! Includes food, games, entertainment and one cake walk ticket. Details: school office (601) 366-1157.

MADISON – St. Francis of Assisi, Knights of Columbus Trunk or Treat event, Oct. 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the parking lot in front of St. Thomas. Join us for food, fun and fellowship! Prizes awarded for best decorated trunk, best costumes for kids and adults and best decorated pumpkin. Details: church office (601) 856-5556.

St. Joseph School, Trunk or Treat on Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 5-6:30 p.m. in the campus parking lot. Details: school office (601) 898-4800.

MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, Fall Festival, Friday, Oct. 27 from 6-8 p.m. at the Family Life Center. Games, costume contest, cake walk and more. Food and drink available for purchase. Volunteers needed, contact Kasey at (601) 692-6360. Details: church office (601) 6931321.

NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Trunk or Treat, Monday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. in the parking lot at the corner of S. Union and State Streets. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.

NEW ALBANY – St. Francis of Assisi, Trunk or Treat from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Best dressed Saint wins a special gift. Details: church office (662) 5344654.

OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace, Halloween

Bash, Sunday, Oct. 29 beginning at 5 p.m. Enjoy games, food, trunk or treat and more. All are welcome! Details: church office (662) 895-5007.

PHILADELPHIA – Holy Rosary, Halloween Party, Sunday, Oct. 29 from 5-7:30 p.m. in the parish hall. Costume, mummy wrap and pumpkin carving contests.

Also enjoy food, music and treat bags! Details: church office (601) 656-2880.

SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Halloween Bash, Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. for youth through fifth grade. Cost: One large bag of candy. Concessions available. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.

TUPELO – St. James, Fall Fest, Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy trunk or treat, games, activities and food. Be sure to wear your saint costume. Details: church office (662) 842-4881.

St. James, High School Fall Lock-in, from Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m. until Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. in the St. James gym.

Cost: $40. Enjoy pizza, bon fire, pumpkin painting, movies, fellowship and more. Details: youth director (662) 871-6277.

VICKSBURG – Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, Trunk or Treat, Sunday, Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. at the Knights of columbus Hall (310 Fisher Ferry Road). Details: call (601) 636-8372.

ADULT HALLOWEEN GATHERING

SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Cocktails & Cadavers, Saturday, Oct. 28 in the social hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and party from 7-10 p.m. Join us for an adult Halloween fright night of dancing, food, fellowship and music by DJ Fernando. Tickets are $25 per person. BYOB. Costume and door prizes. Details: Loretta at (901) 634-8157 for tickets or more information.

10 Diocese

OCTOBER 13, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

Family answers 'yes to the Lord's invitation' for mission work

By Joe Lee

poverty, meaning they have all they need to JACKSON – Imagine being very successful in your profession. You and your spouse have a wonderful live and nothing more,” Saul said. “Most of my family, are blessed with many friends and are active questions (amounted to), church members.

‘What would it be like for But something crucial is missing from your lives.

“I had always done well in commercial real estate our kids to go from living in American suburbia to and banking,” said Saul Keeton, a native of the Jackliving in the desert, the son area who became Catholic in 2001. “But (my wife) Jan and I had a growing dissatisfaction with what the jungle or a barrio?’”

Their first mission world had to offer us trip was … we sensed the Lord to Generwanting something In honor of World Mission Sunday al Cepeda, radical from us.”

Mexico, being celebrated on Oct. 22, remember Jan Keeton, a in 2018. cradle Catholic origPope Francis’s theme for the day: Hearts Saul reinally from Stafford, on fire, Feet on the move. calls readTexas, considered ing aloud the idea of foreign to Jan his missions for the first time in 2018. But with young children at home (the journal entries from that Keeton kids range from age 20 down to seven), plan- week.

“We cried about it ning such a trip was complicated.

“A Methodist college friend was very involved in together in a jumble of anticipation, supporting a school in Haiti, and she invited me to emotions: go with her several times,” Jan said. “Eventually it anxiety, relief, excitedawned on me that the only way I’d get to go on a mis- ment, unworthiness,” he said. “I think we experi- MEXICO – Saul Keeton assists in mixing concrete for a foundation on a mission trip was if (our entire family) went together.” enced all simultaneously. sion trip to Mexico in early 2019. He was accompanied by his four oldest chilThrough a simple Google search, Jan learned of Family Missions Company (FMC) and was delighted to We intensified our spiri- dren. The Keeton family said "yes to the Lord's invitation" for mission work. learn that in addition to being a Catholic organization, tual direction with Father (Photo courtesy of Saul Keeton) FMC was based in Abbeville, Louisiana, only 250 miles Anthony Quyet after the trip and, praise be to God, from Jackson. back into mission work and relocated from Jackson to “All the FMC missionaries and staff live in Gospel he confirmed our missionary call.”

Abbeville.

They applied with “I gratefully accepted the position of Director of FMC to be full-time Mission Advancement for FMC,” Saul said. “I oversee foreign missionaries all fundraising efforts, donor relations, our marketand were accepted. ing team, our two retreat centers, and foreign mission With the new formatrips. For the last year, my family has lived in missiontion year beginning ary housing in community with many of the other that fall, the couple families that are part of the FMC administrative staff. faced the choice of “Many people mistakenly believe that the Gospel entering formation has been taken to the whole world … that couldn’t be within a few weeks or further from the truth. While there are hundreds of waiting until fall 2019. organizations that have sprung up in the last 60 years They chose the latter, to serve the church in the U.S., I know of no other that wanting the extra year is so focused on taking the Gospel to places where it to get their affairs in hasn’t been heard yet.” order and build a team While the Keetons’ family service with FMC looks of missionary supportdifferent than Saul and Jan envisioned, they look for ers. opportunities to preach the Gospel around their misThey also wantsion post whenever possible. ed time to pray about “I spoke (recently) to 40 high school kids at one of their son Nicholas’s our retreat centers on serving and loving the poor,” 2018 diagnosis of auSaul said. “When the poor need a water well, we’ll dig tism. one. Or we’ll mix and pour concrete to replace a dirt “We knew the Lord floor. We’ll also listen and offer a shoulder to cry on was in control,” Saul – and cry with them – when emotional support is needsaid, “but trusting in ed.”

Jesus is pretty easy “We do find plenty of opportunities to practice the until a serious trial Corporal Works of Mercy within our own family,” Jan comes along. And it said. “This has had a profound experience on our own was hard to see the hearts. path ahead more than “It’s easy to forget sometimes how hard it is one step at a time.” for many people to say yes to the Lord’s invitation.

Saul made another Through much prayer, we’ve said it twice now, and mission trip to Mexico we’re surrounded by people who’ve also given up evin early 2019 with the erything to follow Him. But that shouldn’t dull us to CANTON – Pictured is Father Guy Wilson, ST conferring a blessing upon couple’s four oldest the shock people feel when their consciences are shakSister Mary Anne Poeshel, RSM, celebrating her 60th anniversary as a relikids, and Jan made one en awake for the first time.” gious sister on Sunday, Sept. 10 at Holy Child Jesus Church. She entered to Costa Rica that year, the Sisters of Mercy in St. Louis on Sept. 8, 1963, entering religious life but they felt the Lord One of the only lay-run Catholic foreign missionary in the midst of the Second Vatican Council. Sister Mary Anne has served wanted them to put organizations in the U.S., Family Mission Company down roots in Jackson "faithfully and dynamically" at Holy Child Jesus, Canton for 21 years, said have more than 200 missionaries serving in nine counand dove headfirst into Father Guy. With no resident priest living at the parish, Sister Mary Anne is tries around the world. They work with the blessing of autism therapy. the on site director of the church, coordinating the community's activities Bishop Douglas Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette, Then, in summer Louisiana. To support FMC, or to reach Saul or Jan and outreach. She also serves as director of religious ed at Holy Child Jesus 2022, they again heard Keeton and learn more about international mission and Sacred Heart Church in Camden. (Photo courtesy of Father Guy Wilson) the Lord’s call to go work, visit familymissionscompany.com.

Sister Mary Anne Poeshel, RSM celebrates 60th jubilee

Second Collection Please be generous Oct. 21 & 22

12 DIOCESE

OCTOBER 13, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

St. Vincent de Paul chapter celebrates serving needs in all forms

By Galen Holley

After getting clean and sober, many have difficulty with their appearance COLUMBUS – “We’ve helped with and trying to reenter the workforce, said everything from prom dresses and gradGarrar. After assisting with dental work, uation gowns to utilities and rent,” said "several clients have come back to visit Overstreet, who helps coordinate more us just so we can see their new smile." than 20 parishioners, all of whom meet With out the help of SVDP this with clients and listen. wouldn't be possible.

St. Vincent de Paul was a French Annunciation parish celebrated 20 priest and zealous advocate for the poor, years of SVDP ministry with a dinner on who died in 1660. He was canonized by Oct. 8. Among the guests were volunteers, the church in 1737. He founded the order past and present, as well as donors and named the Vincentians. the three priests who’ve shepherded the The SVDP volunteers meet between community throughout the ministry’s masses to discuss and make plans. Once run: Fathers Robert Dore, Gerry Hurley they set things in motion, volunteers asand, current pastor, Jeffery Waldrep. sist with everything from rent and utiliWaldrep has been at Annunciation ties to car repair. Recently, they’ve even for six years, and said he’s deeply gratibegun a vibrant dental ministry. fied at the vibrancy of the ministry.

The genesis of the SVDP Society “This is the most active St. Vincent reaches back two decades, to the arrival de Paul I’ve seen,” said Father Waldrep. of Steve Greenough. He came to Annun“They’re honoring the legacy of St. Vinciation from the U.K, where he had been cent de Paul not only in meeting the iminvolved in the St. Vincent de Paul Socimediate needs of clients, but in visiting ety. Along the same time, Karen Overand praying with them and meeting their street’s husband, Raymond, had been spiritual needs. They look at the whole discussing the possibility of an outreach COLUMBUS – Supporters of St. Vincent de Paul in Columbus recently gath- person, rather than somebody who just program with Father Gerry Hurley, who ered at Graham's Camphouse to celebrate 20 years of assisting families in needs their lights cut back on.” was then the parish priest. Raymond is Conducting an effective ministry a psychiatrist, and he’d been concerned need. To date, the SVDP ministry has given more than $1.2 million in in outtakes not only professionalism and careabout homelessness, poverty and a spec- reach to the Columbus community. (Photo courtesy of Katie Braswell) ful planning, but a gentle touch. SVDP trum of needs in the community. Father volunteers meet people who are in a vulnerable state, and they take that seriously.

Hurley put Geenough and Raymond in conversation with each other, and the min“One of the biggest things we do is encourage hope,” said Overstreet. “When istry was born. people have to admit to making a mess of things and not being able to provide for Things started slowly. their family, it can be very tough, and we try to make sure those people feel safe and “People just gave what they could. They gave out of their own pockets,” said loved, and not ashamed.”

Karen Overstreet. To date, the SVDP ministry has given more than $1.2 million in As is often the case, those who minister end up feeling at least as cared for and outreach. Support for the program comes mostly from donations. The SVDP volloved as those whom they serve. unteers coordinate with other ministries in town, including the Salvation Army, “It’s just a beautiful ministry,” said Overstreet. “The church members benefit Helping Hands and the Homeless Coalition.

Dental care is a huge need that Helping Hands partners with SVDP on in the so much from it. It instills such a tremendous sense of gratitude in all of us. It’s community. "We see a lot of clients coming out of alcohol and drug treatment who wonderful.” haven't taken good care of their teeth," said Jennifer Garrar, executive director of Galen Holley is a member of St. Francis of Assisi in New Albany.

Helping Hands of Columbus.

Parishioners share parish origin story on feast of St. Therese

By Berta Mexidor

KOSCIUSKO – A special Mass was celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz, and concelebrated by Father Marco Sanchez, ST, to celebrate the patronal feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus on Sunday, Oct. 1.

Over two days of celebration, parishioners were able to enjoy a permanent exhibit press articles and photos donated by the Joseph family following the passing of patriarch Louis Joseph.

All the documents and notes came into the hands of Marilyn Scott, a parishioner of St. Therese since 1969. She, along with Vicky Bell Pope, and others, undertook the task of chronologically compiling the history of the church with the documents received.

Additionally, Bell Pope painted reproductions of "The Cabin," which gave birth to the church, and of the story of Father Julian M. Guillou, riding a horse on his journey from Yazoo to Kosciusko.

Scott says that this was a “glorious” celebration and noting that “…we have been very blessed to receive these historic documents and also by the presence of Trinitarian priests who have taken charge of the parish.”

The Joseph family are considered the founder of the parish since Mr. and Mrs. Joseph began writing letters to Bishop R.O. Gerow and the town of Kosciusko to help build a church for the growing Catholic community.

“In June 1940, Bishop Gerow dedicated the church to St. Therese of the Child Jesus. The energetic young pastor, the Joseph family, other young members, and a new chapel meant there was Catholic activity like Kosciusko had never seen,” said Scott, reading a prepared statement during the Mass.

The departed Louis Joseph wrote in his original letter to Bishop Gerow: “I know in my heart and soul that our parents were guided to Central Mississippi by our good Lord, to not only raise a wonderful family but to help bring the church to our little town.”

(Marilyn Scott, and Father Marco Sanchez, ST contributed to this story)

KOSCIUSKO – Bishop Joseph Kopacz views pictures painted by Vicky Bell Pope, as a part of a permanent installation at St. Therese chronicling the history of the parish. (Photo courtesy of Father Marco Sanchez, ST)

13 de octubre de 2023

Mississippicatholic.com

“Sirviendo a los Católicos Hispanos de la Diócesis de Jackson desde 1997”

Llamado del Sínodo a comunión puede ayudar a un mundo fracturado, dice un teólogo Por ciNDY WooD

CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) – La Iglesia católica está llamada a ser un instrumento de comunión con Dios y de unidad entre todos los pueblos, pero requiere gracia y "aprender a 'soportar' la realidad, con ternura, generosidad, amor y valentía por la paz". y la salvación del mundo entero", afirmó un teólogo en la asamblea del Sínodo de los Obispos.

"La comunión es la belleza de la diversidad en la unidad. En un mundo moderno que tiende tanto a la homogeneización como a la fractura, la comunión es un lenguaje de belleza, una armonía de unidad y pluralidad", dijo Anna Rowlands, profesora de pensamiento y práctica social católica en la Universidad de Durham en Inglaterra.

Cuando los participantes del sínodo comenzaron a trabajar en la segunda sección o módulo del documento de trabajo de la asamblea el 9 de octubre, sus discusiones sobre Los miembros de la asamblea del Sínodo de los Obispos comienzan a trabajar sobre la comunión como segundo tema del

– Continua en la pág. 2 –

sínodo en el Salón de Audiencias Pablo VI del Vaticano el 9 de octubre de 2023. (Foto CNS/Lola Gómez)

Diócesis entra en segunda fase del proceso de “Reimaginación Pastoral” Por JoaNNa PUDDisTer KiNG

sación sobre quiénes somos. como iglesia, dijo Lavelle. Pedro Apóstol en Jackson, se sintió muy bien con las Las cuatro sesiones de video, dirigidas por el obispo reuniones parroquiales para el proceso de reimagJACKSON – La Diócesis de Jackson comenzó un Joseph Kopacz, se centran en las cuatro marcas de la inación pastoral con la guía de la serie de videos. proceso de renovación pastoral de un año de duración iglesia: Una, Santa, Católica y Apostólica; y están dis“De las reuniones surgieron un par de temas de en Pentecostés de 2023 que concluirá en Pentecostés de ponibles para que cualquiera pueda verlos en el sitio alta prioridad”, dijo el padre Nick.

2024. Este proceso se inició como resultado del Sínodo web de la diócesis, (https://jacksondiocese.org/pasto“Necesitamos una presencia mucho mayor en las diocesano sobre Sinodalidad en 2021. redes sociales; somos muy buenos acogiendo, pero Durante el proceso del Sínodo se articularon tres ral-reimagining) El padre Nick Adam, rector de la Catedral de San nuestra evangelización puede ser aún más fuerte; y prioridades en toda la diócesis que incluyeron todos necesitamos desarrollar un grupo de jóvenes”. los datos demográficos (edad, género, raza, El obispo Kopacz dijo que la primera fase etc.). Eran un llamado a la sanación y la “prepara la mesa para recordarnos lo que unidad; mayor catequesis en todos los nivesignifica ser una iglesia y lo que nuestra idenles; y una comprensión más profunda de tidad como católicos requiere de nosotros en las Escrituras. el mundo. Nuestro deseo era crear un enten“Al evaluar cómo desarrollamos estos dimiento común a partir del cual desarrollar tres temas en toda la diócesis, discernimos una visión para la Diócesis de Jackson”. que era necesario un plan pastoral para “En otras palabras, fomentar un sentido las parroquias y las misiones”, dice Fran de unidad subrayado por las cuatro marcas de Lavelle, directora de formación en la fe de la iglesia”. la diócesis y miembro del equipo central Durante la fase dos, que se extenderá hasque está trabajando en la reinvención pasta el 31 de diciembre de 2023, cada parroquia toral. proceso. llevará a cabo una evaluación parroquial que "La realidad actual en nuestro mundo incluirá la situación actual en la parroquia lopost-Covid brindó una motivación adicioncal, los límites en crecimiento, las áreas que al para mirar dónde estamos como iglesia y están disminuyendo, las oportunidades de cocómo estamos llamados a servir a nuestras laboración con otras parroquias en el zona y comunidades". otras realidades locales.

El proceso se divide en cinco grandes "En la segunda fase, reimaginaremos las fases. La primera fase se desarrolló desde responsabilidades de cada parroquia y misión Pentecostés este año hasta principios de para fomentar un sentido de unidad, subrayaseptiembre, en la que cada pastor o minJACKSON – Los participantes del proceso de reinvención pastoral se do por las cuatro marcas de la iglesia y basaistro eclesial laico (LEM) estableció un reunieron en la rectoría de la Catedral de San Pedro Apóstol para ver el do en datos", dijo el obispo Kopacz.Esta fase comité de reinvención pastoral y hizo que el comité viera cuatro sesiones de videos último video "Apostólica" de la primera fase. La diócesis está actual- también incluye un informe detallado sobre la de eclesiología y respondiera una serie de mente entrando en la fase dos del proceso de reinvención pastoral que preguntas diseñadas para guiar la conver- se espera concluya a finales de año. (Foto del padre Nick Adam) – Continúa en la pág. 2 –

13 de octubre de 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO

'...Una iglesia sinodal, donde la gente camina junta...'

– Viene de la pág. 1 – la promoción de la comunión con Dios y con los demás fueron precedidas por reflexiones ofrecidas por Rowlands y por el padre dominico Timothy Radcliffe, teólogo y ex maestro de la orden dominicana.

Aunque todavía estaban sentados en mesas redondas según el idioma, muchos de los 364 miembros del sínodo estaban en mesas diferentes a las de la semana anterior. Las nuevas agrupaciones se organizaron según los temas en los que los miembros indicaron que querían trabajar; los temas incluyen la promoción de la unidad a través de obras de caridad y justicia; ecumenismo; ser más acogedor con las personas que se

sienten excluidas de la iglesia, como los miembros de la comunidad LGBTQ; y valorar la diversidad cultural, lingüística y racial de la iglesia.

Se esperaba que el Papa Francisco asistiera a la sesión de la mañana, pero surgieron "compromisos imprevistos", dijo Matteo Bruni, director de la oficina de prensa del Vaticano. Si bien no dijo cuáles eran esos compromisos, Bruni dijo que el Papa Francisco no fue uno de los cuatro miembros del sínodo que estuvieron ausentes ese día porque fueron diagnosticados con COVID. El cardenal Jean-Claude Hollerich, relator general del sínodo, presentó el módulo diciéndoles a los participantes que una pregunta clave del proceso preparatorio del sínodo -que incluyó sesiones de escucha a nivel parroquial, diocesano, nacional y continental- fue: "¿Cómo podemos ¿Seremos más plenamente signo e instrumento de la unión con Dios y de la unidad de toda la humanidad?"

Dios, que es Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo, El Papa Francisco ora, en el Salón de Audiencias Pablo VI es "la base de todas las comuniones", dijo, y del Vaticano, al comienzo de una sesión de trabajo de la "este Dios, que es amor, ama de manera espe- asamblea del Sínodo de los Obispos el 6 de octubre de cial a toda la creación, a cada criatura y a cada 2023. (Foto CNS/Lola Gómez) ser humano". " "Todos están invitados a ser parte de la igcliffe, "lo que nos aísla a todos es estar atrapados en lesia", dijo el cardenal. "En profunda comunión con su pequeños deseos, pequeñas satisfacciones, como vencPadre a través del Espíritu Santo, Jesús extendió esta er a nuestros oponentes o tener estatus, grandes títucomunión a todos los pecadores. ¿Estamos dispuestos a los". hacer lo mismo? ¿Estamos dispuestos a hacer esto con "Muchas personas se sienten excluidas o marginagrupos que podrían irritarnos porque su forma de ser das en nuestra Iglesia porque les hemos puesto etiquepodría parecer amenazadora? nuestra identidad?" tas abstractas: divorciados vueltos a casar, homosexEl Padre Radcliffe recordó a los participantes que uales, polígamos, refugiados, africanos, jesuitas", dijo el tema de la "formación", que es más amplio que la entre risas el dominico. "Un amigo me dijo el otro día: capacitación o la educación, surgió repetidamente en 'Odio las etiquetas. Odio que encasillen a la gente. No las discusiones de la primera semana del sínodo sobre puedo tolerar a estos conservadores'". cómo promover una iglesia sinodal, una donde las perRowlands dijo a los miembros y participantes del sonas caminan juntas, se escuchan unas a otras y todos sínodo que es en la Eucaristía donde se encuentran las toman responsabilidad por la misión. diferentes dimensiones de la comunión porque "este es "Una Iglesia sinodal será aquella en la que estemos el lugar donde la comunión de los fieles se manifiesta formados para un amor sin posesión: un amor que no (y) donde recibimos los dones de Dios para el pueblo huya del otro ni se apodere de él; un amor que no sea de Dios". El orden sacramental nos enseña, alimentánabusivo ni frío", dijo. donos, la comunión".

Pero con demasiada frecuencia, dijo el padre Rad-

'... Reimaginaremos las responsabilidades de cada parroquia y misión ...'

– Viene de la pág. 1 – demografía diocesana elaborado por el Centro de Investigación Aplicada en el Apostolado (CARA) de la Universidad de Georgetown.

El informe resume la demografía general de la diócesis, así como un perfil de la población católica que vive en los límites de la diócesis. Las fuentes de datos incluyen el Censo Decenal, la Encuesta de Comunidades Estadounidenses (ACS) y otras fuentes de datos de la Oficina del Censo. También se basa en la Encuesta del panorama religioso del Pew Research Center y en el Censo decenal de religión de la Asociación de Estadísticos de Organismos Religiosos Estadounidenses (ASARB).

“Después de analizar los datos demográficos, las parroquias buscarán oportunidades de crecimiento; evaluar los ministerios y evaluar los desafíos que se pueden abordar”, dijo Lavelle.

A partir de 2024, la tercera fase del proceso de reinvención consistirá en sesiones guiadas y facilitadas para que los decanatos resuelvan los desafíos, tanto en las áreas crecientes como en

PEARL – Una iglesia llena de feligreses y banderas de paises Hispanos es una muestra de la demografía de la diócesis. El Padre César Sánchez celebró Misa el primero de octubre a cientos de feligreses antes de comenzar la celebración parrroquial de la Herencia Hispana. (Foto de Carolina Motato Ramirez)

las áreas decrecientes del ministerio a nivel local y dentro del decanato.

“El objetivo de la fase tres es obtener una perspectiva realista de la salud y el bienestar del decanato dentro del entorno de cada parroquia individual; y analizar áreas de redundancia y áreas potenciales para compartir recursos”, compartió Lavelle.

La cuarta fase incluirá un período de discernimiento sobre los informes de los seis decanatos de la diócesis y una carta pastoral del obispo Kopacz, que describirá los hallazgos en cada decanato y establecerá parámetros para la implementación de una visión diocesana general.

“Para poder desarrollar una visión integral, cada parroquia y misión tiene la responsabilidad de involucrar a los feligreses para comprender mejor las necesidades y oportunidades en cada lugar”, dice Lavelle.

La fase final concluye el proceso de reimaginación pastoral con una celebración diocesana en Pentecostés de 2024, cuyos detalles aún se están trabajando, dijo Lavelle.

13 de octubre de 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO

Imagen de la Cruz aporta un enfoque más claro y comprensión del proceso del Sínodo Por Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.

La tercera fase del Sínodo sobre la Sinodalidad comenzó en Roma el 6 de octubre y sesionará durante la mayor parte de este mes. En resumen, recordemos que la Iglesia Católica en todo el mundo llevó a cabo una amplia gama de procesos a partir de finales de 2021 que invitaron a los laicos, consagrados y ordenados a participar activamente en el camino sinodal descrito como de comunión, participación y misión. Esa fue la primera fase a nivel local de cada (Arqui)diócesis.

Durante la segunda etapa, un comité de delegados de cada región continental supervisó el desarrollo de las síntesis diocesanas en los documentos continentales, de los cuales hay siete. Estos representan las voces de los fieles de Estados Unidos/Canadá, América Latina, Europa, Medio Oriente, África, Asia y Oceanía. El buen fruto del Espíritu Santo de las dos primeras etapas de la empresa mundial guía ahora a los delegados en Roma como una hoja de ruta para la discusión, el diálogo y el discernimiento. A partir de las siete síntesis continentales se elabora el documento de trabajo conocido como Instrumentum Laboris. Esto está repleto de teología de la sinodalidad y del proceso que se llevará a cabo en la tercera etapa durante tres semanas, en este mes en Roma.

Es natural preguntar acerca de los participantes en Roma que están dedicando tres semanas de sus vidas a la tercera fase del proceso del Sínodo y que tendrán una voz extraordinaria en este momento de la historia de la iglesia. En un espíritu de transparencia, el Vaticano publicó el 21 de septiembre la lista final de nombres de quienes participarán en la próxima asamblea del Sínodo, incluidos los laicos que serán delegados con derecho a voto en un sínodo de la Iglesia Católica por primera vez. Los delegados están compuestos por representantes seleccionados por las conferencias episcopales y las Iglesias católicas orientales, líderes de la Curia Romana y 120 delegados seleccionados personalmente por el Papa Francisco. (Ver https://bit.ly/SynodParticipantList2023) En total, 363 personas de todo el mundo podrán votar en la XVI Asamblea General Ordinaria del Sínodo de los Obispos, según las estadísticas publicadas por la Oficina de Prensa de la Santa Sede en julio 7. Entre ellos, 54 de los delegados votantes son mujeres. Además de los miembros votantes, otros 75 participantes han sido invitados a la asamblea sinodal para actuar como facilitadores, expertos o asistentes espirituales. (Comunicado del Servicio Católico de Noticias)

El Instrumentum Laboris describe todo lo que el Espíritu Santo ha logrado durante las dos primeras etapas y dice lo siguiente. La primera fase nos permite comprender la importancia de tomar a la iglesia local como punto de referencia privilegiado, como lugar teológico donde los bautizados experimentan en términos prácticos “caminar juntos”. En primer lugar, hemos experimentado la alegría que se expresa en el encuentro sincero y respetuoso entre hermanos y hermanas en la fe: encontrarse es encontrarse con el Señor que está entre nosotros.

El escenario continental ha permitido identificar y compartir las situaciones particulares que vive la iglesia en diferentes regiones del mundo. Las dificultades diarias de la pobreza, la violencia, la guerra y los trastornos climáticos quedaron a la vista de muchos de nuestros hermanos y hermanas en todo el mundo, especialmente en Medio Oriente y África.

Como se señaló, el tema o visión del Sínodo es Participación y Misión en la Comunión. Esta comprensión de la iglesia está entrelazada en la dirección que hemos tomado en nuestro proceso pastoral de reimaginación de la iglesia como Una, Santa, Católica y Apostólica. No hay duda de que uno tiene que ser paciente con el proceso de escuchar y discernir dentro de la iglesia mundial de más de mil millones de miembros.

A veces hay más preguntas que respuestas, pero como afirma el Instrumentum Laboris, una iglesia sinodal es abierta, acogedora y abraza a todos, y la característica de una iglesia sinodal es la capacidad de gestionar las tensiones sin ser aplastada. Al mismo tiempo, una iglesia sinodal afronta con honestidad y sin miedo el llamado a una comprensión más profunda de la relación entre amor y verdad, según la invitación de San Pablo. “Más bien, profesando la verdad en el amor, debemos crecer en todo hacia Cristo, que es la cabeza del cuerpo.

Y por Cristo el cuerpo entero se ajusta y se liga bien mediante la unión entre sí de todas sus partes; y cuando cada parte funciona bien, todo va creciendo y edificándose en amor.” (Ef 4:15-16) Para incluir auténticamente a todos, es necesario entrar en el misterio de Cristo dejándose formar y transformar por el modo en que vivió la relación entre verdad y amor.

La imagen de la Cruz viene a la mente cuando se busca un enfoque más claro y una comprensión más profunda del proceso del Sínodo. El rayo vertical de la Cruz nos lleva a las bóvedas del cielo donde Dios ha revelado el plan de salvación en la muerte y resurrección del Señor y donde trasciende toda la naturaleza transitoria de la vida. Esto es lo que proclamamos y enseñamos. La viga horizontal de la Cruz representa la vida cotidiana del creyente en cada época, y la inmanencia de Dios en Jesucristo que está con nosotros hasta el fin de los tiempos.

Este es el ámbito del Espíritu Santo que obra para realizar el Reino de Dios en la iglesia y en el mundo. Este es el arduo trabajo del Sínodo que requiere paciencia y confianza a medida que avanzamos sobre casi 2000 años de historia de la iglesia.

Saltillo El Obispo Joseph Kopacz y Monseñor Michael Flannery, de la Diócesis de Jackson viajaron a la Misión de Saltillo, Mexico junto a el Obispo Kihneman, Terry Dickson y Juliana Skelton de la Arquidiócesis de Biloxi para celebrar el 25 Aniversario del traslado de la sede de la Misión Saltillo, de Parroquia del Perpetuo Socorro a San Miguel. La Misión de Saltillo fue creada hace ya 50 años y Monseñor Flannery fue uno de sus fundadores. En la foto, todos van en procesión antes de Misa. (Foto de Monseñor Flannery)

Normas Litúrgicas para la Diócesis de Jackson sobre la distribución y recepción de la Sagrada Comunión Las siguientes normas están vigentes para la Diócesis de Jackson.

Se pueden encontrar más normas y directivas en el sitio web diocesano en https://www.jacksondiocese.org/ clergy-resources.

La Santa Sede establece normas universales para la celebración reverente de la Sagrada Liturgia y pide a cada conferencia de obispos que establezca normas y directivas para su país o región.

El Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz ha establecido las siguientes normas para la distribución y recepción de la Sagrada Comunión en la Diócesis de Jackson: • Todas las restricciones de COVID-19 se han levantado desde hace casi un año.

• Los comulgantes pueden recibir la hostia consagrada en la mano o en la lengua. Es decisión del comulgante cómo recibir la Comunión, no del ministro de la Comunión. No rechaces a las personas que quisieran recibirlo en la lengua o en la mano.

• En la Diócesis de Jackson, la postura para recibir la Sagrada Comunión es de pie.

• Se aprueba nuevamente la distribución de la Preciosa Sangre del cáliz.

• Se pueden utilizar Ministros Extraordinarios de la Sagrada Comunión • La purificación de los vasos sagrados debe ser realizada por el sacerdote, diácono o acólito instituido.

• En ninguna circunstancia se permite al comulgante autocomulgarse tomando una hostia consagrada del copón.

• A un comulgante nunca se le permite sumergir la hostia consagrada en el cáliz de la Preciosa Sangre.

• Actualmente, sumergir la hostia por parte del ministro de la Comunión no es una opción en la Diócesis de Jackson.

Encuentre otros recursos sobre la Eucaristía en nuestro sitio web de Renacimiento Eucarístico en: https://www.jacksondiocese.org/eucharistic-revival

13 de octubre de 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO

Alrededor Diocesano. Celebraciones Hispanas

PEARL – (arriba) Parroquianas en baile folklorico en San Judas. (Foto de Carolina Motato) (der.)

TUPELO – El grupo de baile de Lya Valentine, Emma Thompson, Lupita Triano, Allison Castillo y Alicia Lopez-Herrera. (medio) Raquel Thompson y miembros de St. James en la Celebración de las Culturas promovido por el Departamento de Recreación de la ciudad de Tupelo, el 22 de sep. (debajo) La comunidad celebraron su cultura en la Parroquia de St. James en sep. 30. (Fotos cortesía de Raquel Thompson)

KOSCIUSKO – (der. arriba) Obispo Joseph Kopacz celebra Misa, concelebrada por el Padre Marco Sanchez, ST para celebrar la fiesta patronal de Santa Teresita del Niño Jesús.

(Foto cortesia del Padre Marco) BRANDON – (der. arriba) La Biblioteca Pública de Brandon despliega varios artículos y banderas de varios paises para celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana. (Foto de Elsa Baughman)

TOME NOTA Vírgenes y Santos Santa Teresa de Jesús. Octubre 15 Día de San Juan Pablo II. Octubre 22 San Antonio Maria Claret. Octubre 24 San Judas Tadeo. Octubre 28 Envíenos sus fotos a editor@jacksondiocese.org Síganos en Facebook @Diócesis Católica de Jackson Visite Nuestra página web www.mississippicatholic.com /Español

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC OCTOBER 13, 2023

DIOCESE 13

Episcopal lineage secures region together would I be the last to be in this predicament, he also gave me a great tour and history of the Lady Banksia on the back fence.

Reflecting on that experience, I began to think of the unique connections that dioceses and bishops have with one another. Our diocese was the 13th diocese established in the United States on July 28, 1837. Nashville and Dubuque were established the same day, but we claim pride of place due to strategic location and age.

We have a unique communion with three venerable and historic archdiocesan sees – Baltimore, the primal see of the U.S.; New Orleans, our first metropolitan provincial see; and Mobile, our metropolitan see, where Mass was first celebrated in 1703.

Bishop John Joseph Chanche (1) and Bishop William Henry Elder (3) are natives and products of Baltimore both being ordained bishops in Assumption Cathedral there in 1841 and 1857. Bishop James Oliver Van de Velde (2) was ordained a priest in Baltimore in 1827.

In 1852, Bishop Chanche ordained Francis Xavier Leray a priest in Natchez. Leray went on to become Archbishop of New Orleans in 1883. Bishop Elder, in 1859, was co-consecrator of John Quinlan, second bishop of Mobile, and Dominic Manucy in 1874, who went on to become third bishop of Mobile.

Bishop Francis MOBILE - Mary Woodward explored the gardens outside of Janssens (4) was elethe Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mo- vated to Archbishop bile at the end of September. (Photos by Mary Woodward) of New Orleans in 1888 and was principal consecrator of Bishop Thomas Heslin (5) in St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans in 1889. Prior to beBy Mary Woodward At the end of September, I made a trip to Mobile for ing elevated to bishop, Bishop my birthday and found myself in the gardens of the Heslin was ordained a priest Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception late in the Cathedral Basilica of in the afternoon. The gardens outside the cathedral the Immaculate Conception in are filled with flora of the region and statues scattered Mobile by Bishop John Quinlan in 1869. among the palms and caladiums.

Bishop Quinlan added the It was a beautiful day with cooler temps and low portico to the Mobile cathehumidity, so I became engrossed in taking photos of various elements. Losing track of time, I found myself dral and is buried under it locked inside the garden at the end of the workday instead of in the crypt chapel. He will be able to see on a Friday. I could think of much worse places to be his portico again on the day of the resurrection of the trapped, but I did not relish the thought of climbing the dead when his tomb is opened.

In 1890, Bishop John Edward Gunn (6) was ordained gate to get out. a priest in Rome by the Latin Patriarch of ConstantiFortunately, the rector was nearby when I called nople, which has nothing to do with the current thread the office, and he ventured over to unlock the back gate.

Kindly smiling and assuring me I was not the first nor but I thought it was really cool. In 1911, Bishop Gunn was ordained a bishop in Atlanta in Sacred Heart Church, which he built.

Two of his three consecrating bishops were Archbishop James Hubert Blenk, Archbishop of New Orleans and fellow Marist, and Bishop Edward Allen of Mobile.

Bishop Richard Oliver Gerow (7) was born and raised in Mobile being baptized, confirmed; and in 1924 ordained a bishop in the Cathedral there by Bishop Allen.

In 1927, Bishop Gerow was a co-consecrator of Archbishop Thomas Joseph Toolen of Mobile.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Thirty years later, Bishop Gerow was principal consecrator of Vicksburg native, Joseph Bernard Brunini (8) in our Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle in Jackson. It was a co-cathedral then.

Bishop Brunini was a co-consecrator Joseph Lawson Howze as auxiliary of Jackson in 1973. Bishop Howze was a native of the Mobile area in Daphne and went on to become the first bishop of Biloxi when it was established in 1977.

Bishop William Russell Houck (9), a native of Mobile, was ordained a priest in the Mobile Cathedral in 1951. Another interesting aside, Bishop Houck was ordained a Bishop in Rome by St. Pope John Paul II in a group of 27 bishops ordained that day in 1979.

New Orleans native, Bishop Joseph Nunzio Latino (10) was ordained a priest in St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans by Archbishop John Cody in 1963. Forty years later, he was ordained a bishop in our cathedral

by Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb of Mobile. Bishop Houck served as a co-consecrator.

Bishop Joseph Richard Kopacz was ordained a bishop in our cathedral in 2014 by Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, current metropolitan archbishop of Mobile and native of New Orleans.

Well, that was a whirlwind of trails and tributaries surrounding the episcopal lineage of our region that gives a glimpse of the extraordinary interconnectedness of our bishops and dioceses.

Even more so it is a microcosm of apostolic succession.

All this inspiration of Catholic chronicles springs forth from a Cathedral garden’s locked gates on a Friday afternoon in September. I now know to set an alarm on my phone for 4:15 p.m. when I am wandering down historic pathways.

(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson.)

Above is Bishop Quinlan’s grave in the portico of the Cathedral in Mobile. (Inset) Pictured is the iron gate, Chancellor Mary Woodward decided wasn’t smart to climb after being locked in the Cathedral gardens in Mobile.

OCTOBER 13, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

14 BRIEFS synodality. Such “spiritual worldliness,” he wrote, “though it be camouflaged with the appearance of the sacred, it ends up being idolatrous because it does not recognize the presence of God as Lord and liberator of our lives and of the history of the world. It leaves us prey to our capricious desires.”

The booklet contains two republished essays by the pope that are “united by the concern, which I feel to be a loud call from God to the entire church, to remain vigilant and to fight with the strength of prayer against every concession to spiritual worldliness,” he wrote in the introduction. Titled, “Holy, Not Worldly: God’s Grace Saves Us From Interior Corruption,” the booklet was released by the Dicastery for Communication An aerial view shows restoration work under way July 18, 2023, at and the Vatican publishing house the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which was badly damaged in a Oct. 6 and was offered to the more than 350 participants attending devastating fire in 2019. (OSV News photo/Pascal Rossignol, Reuters) the afternoon session of the Synod of Bishops on synodality. “I offer these texts to the reader as an opportunity to reflect on his life and on the life of the BRICK, N.J. (OSV News) – An air of both excitechurch, with the conviction that God asks us to be open ment and reverence permeated the parish community of St. Dominic in Brick, Oct. 1, when some 1,200 wor- to His newness, he asks us to be unquiet and never satshippers gathered throughout the church complex to isfied, searching and never stuck in comfortable opacwitness the dedication by Bishop David M. O’Connell ity, not defended within the walls of false certainties, of Trenton of a new Diocesan Shrine to Blessed Carlo but walking on the road of holiness,” the pope wrote in Acutis and to pray with his mother, Antonia Salzano the introduction.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – As Catholic young people Acutis, who was visiting from Italy. Blessed Carlo was around the world prepare for the Holy Year 2025, Pope 15 when he died from leukemia Oct. 12, 2006. He had a deep devotion to the Eucharist and became known Francis has asked them to focus on hope. Before the for developing a website catalog of Eucharistic mira- Jubilee of Young People, which will be part of the Holy cles. He was declared venerable in 2018 and beatified in Year celebration, and the next international celebra2020. He became the first millennial to be beatified by tion of World Youth Day in 2027 in Seoul, South Korea, the church. In his homily, Bishop O’Connell used the dioceses around the world day’s Gospel to emphasize how all are called to do the are to celebrate World right thing for the right reason. “It’s not simply a mat- Youth Day on a local level ter of our words or what we say but rather, what we do on the feast of Christ the that makes a difference in life.” After the final blessing, King. The Dicastery for Antonia Acutis, Bishop O’Connell and the clergy pro- Laity, the Family and Life cessed out of the church to the shrine for the dedica- announced Sept. 26 that tion ceremony. Following the dedication, Antonia Acu- Pope Francis had chosen tis returned to the church to address the congregation. as the theme for the up“God wants us to be awakened toward the Eucharist,” coming Nov. 26 celebrashe said. Using her son’s well-known quote, “The Eu- tion “Rejoicing in hope,” from Romans 12:12. And charist is the highway to heaven.”

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – Over 3,000 pilgrims for World Youth Day Nov. from across the United States filled the Basilica of 24, 2024, he chose: “Those the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception who hope in the Lord will in Washington Sept. 30, drawn by a shared love of run and not be weary,” the Blessed Virgin Mary and the rosary. The first an- drawing from the Lord’s nual Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage included a day promise in Isaiah 40:31.

NATION

of preaching, confessions and music, culminating in a chanted rosary procession and the celebration of Mass. Nine months ago, when the Dominican friars of the Province of St. Joseph first issued an invitation to “unite … to confidently seek the intercession of Our Lady,” American Catholics responded in force. Lay pilgrims were joined by more than 80 Dominican friars and over 50 religious sisters from communities across the U.S. “I was completely overwhelmed by the joy and enthusiasm demonstrated by pilgrims,” said Dominican Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, who helped plan the pilgrimage and served as master of ceremonies for the day. “One of the best parts of the day was the demand for confessors. Many, many people sought access to the sacraments. ... Pilgrims were evidently moved by the experience.”

VATICAN

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Christian life is a battle each person must fight against the temptation to be self-sufficient and against a paganism disguised as sacredness, Pope Francis said in an introduction to a small book distributed to participants at the synod on

WORLD

PARIS (OSV News) – By the end of the year, the Notre Dame Cathedral silhouette will be restored: Its entire 315-foot-high spire will once again crown the transept crossing, hidden beneath a 330-foot-high scaffolding. The biggest reconstruction in France’s modern history is “a sign of hope for everyone,” the rector-archpriest of Notre Dame Cathedral, Father Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, told OSV News. A Sept. 13 statement by the public institution Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris (Rebuilding of Notre Dame) mentions “spectacular results” and that progress is

on schedule for the cathedral’s reopening Dec. 8, 2024, as initially announced. The spire collapsed dramatically during the fire that devastated France and the world on April 15, 2019, destroying part of the nave vaults and the transept crossing. Once rebuilt, the transept crossing vaults will be reassembled, like the other vaults already rebuilt or consolidated. The spire will be gradually unveiled over the first half of 2024, when it is covered with its roof to protect the wooden framework. In 2018, before the fire, there were close to 12 million visitors a year to Notre Dame. An estimated 14 million to 15 million a year are expected once the cathedral reopens.

About 340,000 donors from 150 countries raised almost $900 million in donations. Among them are thousands of Americans, especially through the Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris foundation.

MEXICO CITY (OSV News) – A Nicaraguan priest has been reported kidnapped from his parish residence as the country’s increasingly totalitarian regime continues cracking down on the Catholic Church and silencing all dissenting voices. Father Álvaro Toledo was taken by police at 10:30 p.m. local time on Oct. 5, according to a Facebook post from Radio Stereo Fe, which belongs to the Diocese of Estelí. Father Toledo was identified on social media as pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Ocotal. His abduction marked the latest in a wave of kidnappings carried out against priests in the Estelí Diocese, located in the country’s northwest, where imprisoned bishop Rolando Álvarez is apostolic administrator. Three other priests in the diocese have been reported abducted from their parishes in less than a week. Father Ivan Centeno, pastor of Immaculate Conception of Mary Parish in Jalapa, and Father Julio Norori, pastor at St. John the Evangelist Parish in San Juan del Río Coco, were abducted Oct. 1 by plain-clothed individuals. Nicaragua media later reported Father Cristóbal Gadea, pastor of the Our Lady of Mercy in the Diocese of Jinotega, was also abducted on the night of Oct. 1. The priest was lured from his parish residence and arrested, according to 100% Noticias.

Diocesan Missions Collection Be generous Nov. 4 & 5, 2023

The Diocese of Jackson covers 65 of Mississippi’s 82 counties, making it the largest diocese east of the

Mississippi River.

Catholics in the diocese are 2.3 % of the total population.

Mission parishes need your help because: — There are 9 counties without a church building and 28 counties without a resident priest.

— Forty percent of the people in the 65 counties are African-American; less than one percent share the Catholic faith.

— There are 33 public and private universities, colleges and community colleges; there are no Catholic colleges.

— Twenty parishes cover at least two counties.

— Thirty-one counties have neither a religious sister, brother or lay volunteer in ministry.

16 DIOCESE

OCTOBER 13, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

Reflection: 25th Anniversary of San Miguel – Saltillo, Mexico

By Msgr. Michael "Padre" Flannery

had lunch with the villagers and drove on to San Jose, La Brecha (The Breach), to celebrate anothBishop Joseph Kopacz, Bisher funeral Mass. After the funerop Louis Kihneman, Terry Dickal Mass we returned to Saltillo son, Juliana Skelton (both of the about 5 p.m. The last Mass of the Diocese of Biloxi) and I, (Msgr. day was at San Miguel.

Michael Flannery), have just reWednesday saw us on the road turned from a faith and joy filled bright and early (7 a.m.), to head experience of the 25th celebration for the ranchos. After an hour by of the moving of the Saltillo Mishighway we traveled on a gravsion headquarters, from Perpetuel road to have breakfast at San al Help parish to San Miguel. In Jose in the municipality of Partruth, one would have to be presras. We also had a Mass there. ent to witness the joy, faith, hope Our next stop was at Our Lady of and enthusiasm of the people of Guadalupe chapel in Garambullo the mission. For me personally, (meaning a fruit that grows on it was a moving experience. One cactus). The village of Garamcould compare it to a spiritual bullo is 2 hours from the highretreat. Also, it provided me an way. At each stop after the Mass opportunity to go down memory celebration, there was always lane and relive the experience I time set aside for the blessing of had at Saltillo 50 years ago. statues, images and holy water.

Bishop Kopacz and I traveled Then we returned to Saltillo and

by United Airlines on Monday, we had been invited to go to the Sept. 25. We were met by the delehome of Yolanda for a merienda gation from Biloxi in the Houston (snack) which turned out to be a airport and from there we travfull meal. After that meal we reeled to Monterrey, Mexico where, SALTILLO, Mexico – Parishioners begin to gather for Mass at the Church of San Miguel on turned to San Miguel for adoraFather David Martinez, pastor of Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Msgr. Michael Flannery met a delegation tion at 6 p.m. followed by the last San Miguel, was there to greet Mass of the day at 7 p.m. Another us and bring us on the last leg of from the Diocese of Biloxi for the week of Sept. 25-29 visiting ranchos and parishes and delicious meal was served to us ending with the 25th celebration of the moving of the Saltillo Mission headquarters from our journey. We had a little bit and we were ready for bed at 9:30 Perpetual Help parish to San Miguel.

Msgr.

Flannery wrote a summary of the trip to share of time to rest before joining the p.m. The hospitality shown to us novena celebration the evening with members of the diocese. was overwhelming.

Mass at San Miguel at 7 p.m. For On Thursday, we had a little the whole novena, each day was años. After the blessing, we were fed breakfast by the break in that breakfast was served at 8 a.m. Then we designated to recognize some group within the parish villagers. At 10:30 a.m. we were on the road again to set off to visit some of the chapels served by the priests for special attention.

San Jose, La Ventura to celebrate a funeral Mass. La of San Miguel. Our first stop was the Church of Christ The following morning (Tuesday), we were al- Ventura is about 30 kilometers from the highway, and the King. This church was constructed by Father Bill ready on our way to the mountain villages at 7 a.m. the entrance road is good. After the funeral Mass at La Cullen who was stationed at the time at San Miguel. It Our first stop was La Cabaña (the Hut) to bless a hall Ventura, we started our journey back to the highway is a beautiful church in the round. Our next stop was under construction at the last outpost on the road to and stopped on the way at La Presa de San Pedro (The St. William Church which was constructed by Msgr.

Zacatecas and to celebrate Mass there. It is estimated Water Tank of St. Peter). There the bishops blessed the Michael Thornton (Diocese of Biloxi) and the church that it will take another year to complete the build- new statues of St. Peter and St. Paul, purchased for was dedicated by Bishop Latino of happy memory. ing project of the hall. Then they will have a place to the chapel. The church is a beautiful church cut from I would like to share a special memory with you celebrate wedding receptions, funerals and quince rock found on the mountain side. After Mass there we

On left, Bishop Louis Kihneman, Father David Matinez and Bishop Joseph Kopacz visit the tomb of Father Patrick Quinn at the Church of Perpetual Help during their trip to visit the Saltillo Mission in September 2023. On right, Bishop Kopacz can be seen at center during the grand procession of San Miguel on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photos by Msgr. Michael Flannery)

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC OCTOBER 13, 2023

DIOCESE 17

'... It showed the unity of the Catholic Church working together ...'

Our next Arriving at San Miguel we celebrated Mass. After stop was at the Mass we were had time to share a meal and greet the church of San people and enjoy the music of the danza performed by Juan Diego. the different groups. The Bishop of Saltillo, Bishop Hi(Our Lady ap- dalgo Gonzales Garcia joined us for the meal. He was peared to San appointed Bishop of Saltillo on Nov. 21, 2020. He had Diego in Tepey- met Bishops Kopacz and Kihneman last year. We had a ac 1531). For very informative meeting with him as he shared with us, no tour of us his pastoral plan for the Diocese of Saltillo and his churches and vision of how we could participate in that plan. chapels in SaltilAt 4 p.m. the three bishops imparted the Sacrament lo, would be of Confirmation to 50 candidates. It showed the unity complete with- of the Catholic Church working together. It was now out a visit to time to get ready for the final celebration of the Feast Perpetual Help of San Miguel.

Church which The procession into the church that evening was was the original led by the young children of the parish, dressed as headquarters of angels. There were approximately 120 or more chilthe mission and dren dressed in white, as angels complete with wings. the final burial This was followed by the Mariachi band and groups place of Father of danza. The procession into the church of San MiPatrick Quinn guel took at least 10 minutes and it was a joyous faith founder of the filled experience. The church was packed with people mission. standing outside. The pews of center aisle on one side The pastor contained, photos of the bishops associated with the of Perpetual parish, both Mexican and American. On the other side Help was there of the aisle were the photos of all the priests who had to greet us. served in the parish since its inception. After Mass we We had a few moved to the courtyard for the crowning of the queen moments for of the parish, entertainment provided by the mariachi there. band, the singing of the serenade to San Miguel and Bishops Louis Kihneman and Joseph Kopacz are pictured at our Lady of Guadalupe prayer Then we went to the sharing of birthday cake of San Miguel. chapel in Garambullo, one of the ranchos of the Saltillo Mission. the home of MaIn my visit to San Miguel, I had an opportunity to ria Elena and renew many old acquaintances of people I have known the reader. Last year, when I went to visit San Miguel, Armando for another delicious meal. We returned to over the years. One of these experiences was to bring I went to celebrate an evening Mass at St. William San Miguel that evening for adoration and the celebrathe Anointing of the Sick and Holy Communion to an Church. We were just about to begin when a lady came tion of evening Mass. This was followed by a meal with elderly lady who was a catechist at the mission over in. After saluting her, I asked her if I knew her. She the parish staff.

50 years ago. She was an inspiration to me during my responded no. Then I asked her if she was always from Friday was the grand festival of San Miguel. After time there from 1971-1974. During the whole visit, my that locality. She said no. I asked her where she was breakfast, we joined the procession of 400 people who big regret was, Msgr. Michael Thornton was not there born and she responded, La Rosa (The Rose). I asked had come from the villages served by San Miguel. The to enjoy it. He passed away last July. May he rest in her what year she was born? She responded 1972. Then procession began about a kilometer from the church. peace. He was the founding pastor of San Miguel. I I announced to her that I was the one who baptized It was led by a pickup truck carrying an image of San know he was with us in spirit. her. The village of La Rosa is 70 miles from Saltillo. It Miguel and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Then came variAt 10 p.m. it was time to say our last farewell to the was one of the ranchos served by the mission. I do not ous groups of danza from the villages. The tradition of people and return to our rooms to pack for an early know what possessed me to say her, do I know you? It danza goes back to the time of the Aztec Indians and start to the Monterrey Airport the following morning must have been the Holy Spirit. I did have a spiritual had remained a tradition of the Mexican people. and to return home. relationship with her since I had baptized her 50 years before. God does work in mysterious ways. I was now reliving that memory.

Continuing our tour, we went to visit the church of the Holy Mexican Martyrs.

The martyrdom of these men took place during the persecution of the church between 1926-1934. At the beginning of the persecution there were 4,500 priests serving the whole of Mexico. At the end, there were only 334 priests licensed to serve 15,000,000 by the government.

Our next stop was at the chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the colony of The New Image. This happened to be the favorite chapel for Father Patrick Quinn (of happy memory) to visit. From there, we went to visit the church of Divine Mercy. Bishop Kopacz assisted Bishop Raul Vera, Bishop Emeritus of Saltillo, in the dedication of this Dancers from various villages performed at the Church of San Miguel for a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the moving of the Saltillo Mission headquarters from Perpetual Help parish to San Miguel. (Photos by Msgr. Michael Flannery) church.

OCTOBER 13, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

18 DIOCESE

Get ready for #iGiveCatholic 2023 – November 28

By Rebecca Harris

ministries in their community and around the country.”

JACKSON – Kick off the charitable season When an diocese or foundation participates on #GivingTuesday, Nov. 28, with #iGiveCathoin #iGiveCatholic, their webpage hosts individulic – a crowdfunding event that brings the Cathal profile pages for each Catholic parish, school, olic community together to give thanks and give and non-profit ministry (organizations) within back. The Diocese of Jackson is once again jointhat arch/diocese wanting to participate on #Giving dioceses and Catholic foundations across ingTuesday. Each profile page features personthe country for the ninth annual #iGiveCathoalization capabilities, including video, photos, lic campaign. The #iGiveCatholic Giving Day is custom copy and a donate button to tell that orgaheld annually on #GivingTuesday, a global day nization’s story, their impact on the community of giving fueled by the power of social media and the church, and what the organization will and generosity. do with the funds raised. The organization page Last fall, 42 partnering dioceses raised over includes a thermometer and scrolling ticker-tape $18.5 million for 2,400+ participating parishes, updating total donations on the Giving Day in real schools and ministries. The Diocese of Jackson time, affording parishioners, alumni, parents and had 50 participating organizations and ministies supporters the opportunity to track how their fathat collected over $207,000 in donations. The vorite parish, school or ministry is doing during amount that is collected increases each year as #iGiveCatholic. more and more people becaome familiar with Individuals can also get involved, ensuring the the #iGiveCatholic campaign. Since its inauguThe Diocese of Jackson will be participating in #iGiveCatholic success of their favorite parish, school or ministry ral year in 2015, the #iGiveCatholic Giving Day – a crowdfunding event that brings the Catholic community by hosting and personalizing individual fundraishas yielded continued growth in the number of together to give thanks and give back – on #GivingTuesday ing pages on behalf of their favorite organization, participating dioceses and their participating on Nov. 28. (File photo) and/or by providing a gift that can match other donon-profits as well as total donations, both onnations during the event. line and offline, and average gift amount. makes an impact and has a positive effect on the life For more information about supporting organiza“This is an incredible opportunity for Catholic of the church as a whole. We are thrilled the Diocese communities nationwide to unite to promote gener- of Jackson is partnering with #iGiveCatholic to raise tions and ministires withing the Diocese of Jackson osity and celebrate our Catholic heritage,” said Cory funds for all of the participating parishes, schools and on Tuesday, Nov. 28 during the #iGiveCatholic Giving Day, please contact Rebecca Harris at (601) 960-8477.

Howat, president of #iGiveCatholic. “Every donation

Wreaths Across America participation deadline approaches – a patriotic program sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Bishop R.O. Gerow Assembly 554 –

By Staff Reports

CLINTON – Knights of Columbus Assembly 554 is once again participating in the Wreaths Across America program.

This patriotic program has grown from humble beginnings during the Christmas season of 1992, when wreaths were placed on veteran graves in an older section of Arlington Nation Cemetery, into a national event.

In 2022 on Wreaths Across America day 2.7 million wreaths were placed on veteran graves with the help of over 2 million volunteers at 3702 cemeteries nationwide.

Assembly 554 sponsors two locations, the Clinton Cemetery Association and Cedar Grove cemetery. Both cemeteries are located on East College Street in Clinton. The assembly has identified upwards of 300 veteran gravesites and is looking for individuals, small businesses or corporations to sponsor wreath purchases.

Wreaths can be purchased online at kofc554.org, by downloading a sales form and mailing to listed address, or from members of Assembly 554.

Wreaths can also be purchased for a specific veteran at either of our sponsored locations, or for veterans buried at other locations. (Wreaths purchased for veterans at other locations may be picked

up at 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Holy Savior Catholic Church on the corner of Lindale Street and Old Vicksburg Road Clinton.)

The wreaths are made with Maine balsam with a red, hand tied, weatherproof velveteen bow approximately 22” in diameter. The cost per wreath is $17.

This year Wreaths Across America day is Saturday, Dec. 16. In Clinton, the program will begin with a ceremony honoring veterans at 12 p.m. at the War Memorial in the Clinton Cemetery, 500 East College Street followed by wreath placement on veteran graves at both the Clinton Cemetery and Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Anyone wishing to participate in the laying of wreaths is welcome. There is no parking in the cemeteries, but Pleasant Green Mission Baptist Church, located across the street from the cemeteries, allows volunteers to park in their lot.

For more information about this event or for assistance purchasing wreaths please contact Bill O’Connor at (601) 906-8890.

The deadline for all wreath purchas- CLINTON – A member of the Knights of Columbus from Holy Savior parish ing for Wreath Across America Day 2023 places a wreath on the grave of a veteran for the 2022 Wreaths Across is Saturday, Nov. 25.

America event. (Photo courtesy of Knights of Columbus Bishop R.O. Gerow

Assembly 554)

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC OCTOBER 13, 2023

DIOCESE 19

CARA study shows positive signs of Catholic belief in Eucharist, but underscores need for revival

BY MARIA WEIRING

“What we need is not just good catechesis – we do with its survey’s approach, which is why it opened (OSV News) – Almost two-thirds of Catholics be- with an “unaided and open-ended question”: “In your need that – but we also need to invite people to a relalieve in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, but own words, what do you believe happens to the gifts of tionship,” Bishop Cozzens said. “Helping people understand that it (lack of belief in the Real Presence) is not only 17% of adult Catholics physically attend Mass at bread and wine after Consecration during Mass?”

The new CARA study, while showing more Cath- just an intellectual problem, it’s a problem of the heart least once per week, according to a newly published olics believe in the Real Presence in that sense of relationship with Jesus. What we’re survey from Georgetown Universithan in the Pew study, still under- really seeking is inviting people to an encounter with ty’s Center for Applied Research in scores the need for the Eucharistic Jesus in the Eucharist.” the Apostolate. The survey also reThe national study was commissioned by the McRevival, said Bishop Andrew H. vealed a high correlation between Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, Grath Institute for Church Life at the University of belief in the Eucharist and weekly chairman of the USCCB’s Com- Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, “to better underor even monthly Mass attendance. mittee on Evangelization and Cat- stand what the current Catholic population (self-idenThe 2022 survey of self-identiechesis, which is supporting the tified) believes about the Catholic Church’s teaching on fied Catholics published Sept. 26 the Eucharist,” the report stated. The survey included revival. and titled “Eucharist Beliefs: A Na“It’s still not good news,” Bish- 1,031 respondents ages 18 or older with a margin of ertional Survey of Adult Catholics” op Cozzens, who also serves as ror of 4.45 percentage points. It was offered in English found 64% of respondents provided board chairman of the National and Spanish, and administered via online form or live responses that indicate they beEucharistic Congress nonprofit telephone interview from July 11 to Aug. 2, 2022. lieve in the Real Presence, that the The McGrath Institute commissioned the CARA formed in 2022 to plan the national Lord Jesus Christ is truly present event, told OSV News. “What it re- study because of its collaboration with the Nationunder the appearance of bread and veals is that there’s ... people who al Eucharistic Revival and the importance of having wine in the Eucharist.

That conclusion was drawn (OSV News Photo/courtesy of US- say they believe in the Eucharist, clearer data on Catholics’ beliefs regarding the Real but they don’t go to Mass. In that Presence, Bishop Cozzens said. from both open-ended and CCB) Affiliated with Georgetown University in Washingsense, they obviously haven’t had a closed-ended questions responton, CARA is a national, nonprofit, research center dents were asked about their understanding of church real encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist.”

“This is what we’re about with the Eucharistic Re- that conducts social scientific studies about the Cathteaching about the Eucharist and additional questions vival, this encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist that olic Church. to clarify their beliefs.

According to the CARA study, 49% of respondents lets me realize he’s a living person and that changes NOTE: A copy of the CARA survey is available here: correctly identified that the church teaches that “Jesus the way I live,” he continued.

The survey, however, “might actually show us we https://bit.ly/CARAEucharistStudy2023.

Christ is truly present under the appearance of bread and wine.” The other 51% incorrectly identified the have more low-hanging fruit than we thought,” he said. church’s teaching as “Bread and wine are symbols of “In other words, there Jesus’ actions at the Last Supper, meaning that Jesus are people who say they is only symbolically present in the consecrated bread believe in the Eucharist, but they don’t go and wine.”

“Results of this question indicate that there is to Mass every week. ... substantial confusion about what the church teaches How do we invite them about the Eucharist with slightly more adult Catholics into an encounter with not knowing this correctly than those correctly identi- Jesus in the Eucharist The Diocese of Jackson is committed to ensuring that no one being so that their lives can be fying the teachings,” the report stated. served by the church be (is) at risk of sexual abuse or exploitation The survey report noted the data from the respons- changed?” by clergy, religious or lay church personnel. The spiritual well-being The survey found es to the questions indicated “most who do not believe of all the victims, their families and others in the community is of in the Real Presence are not rejecting the teaching, as that knowledge of the church’s teaching on particular concern to the church. In accordance with our policy, all they do not know this is what the church teaches.” victims are offered counseling and pastoral care.

The survey aimed to test or clarify the findings of a the Eucharist and belief 2019 Pew Research Center survey that found one-third that teaching is true is Anyone who has been a victim of abuse or exploitation by clergy, of U.S. Catholics agree with the church that the Eu- highest among Cathoreligious or lay church personnel and has not yet reported it is encharist is the body and blood of Christ. According to lics who attend Mass at couraged to do so. Our victim assistance coordinator, Erika Rojas, a Pew’s analysis published in August 2019, “nearly sev- least once per week, at licensed social worker, is available to assist in making a report. Please en-in-ten Catholics (69%) say they personally believe 95%. Among Catholics contact her at (601) 326-3736. that during Catholic Mass, the bread and wine used in who attend less than Communion ‘are symbols of the body and blood of Je- weekly but at least once For more information about diocesan policies and procedures and to sus Christ.’ Just one-third of U.S. Catholics (31%) say per month, it was 80%. learn what the diocese is doing to create a safe environment for everyIt also found that they believe that ‘during Catholic Mass, the bread and weekly Mass attendance one, please visit the diocesan website at www.jacksondiocese.org and wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus.’” click on “Protection of Children.”

The 2019 Pew survey was part of the impetus for the has dropped seven perNational Eucharistic Revival that the U.S. Conference centage points during To report an allegation of abuse or mishandling of allegations of sexof Catholic Bishops launched last year, and which will the COVID-19 pandemual abuse by a bishop, please visit https://reportbishopabuse.org. include a National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapo- ic from 24% in 2019 to lis in July. The initiative aims “to inspire a movement 17% in 2022 – around 5% of Catholics across the United States who are healed, watch Mass on televiconverted, formed, and unified by an encounter with sion or online due to the Jesus in the Eucharist – and who are then sent out on pandemic. An additional 18% attend less than mission ‘for the life of the world,’” its website states. +Joseph R. Kopacz D.D., Ph.D. In a review of previous surveys asking Catholics weekly but at least once about their belief in the Real Presence beginning with per month. Twenty-six Bishop of Jackson a 2008 American National Election Study, CARA in- percent attend Mass a dicated that the Pew Research Center’s phrasing for few times per year and its question on the topic may have been confusing to 35% rarely or never atrespondents. CARA aimed to be as clear as possible tend Mass.

Protection of

CHILDREN

OCTOBER 13, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

20 Columns

Message of Fatima THINGS OLD AND NEW

By Ruth Powers

This year Oct. 13 is the 106th anniversary of the final apparition of the Blessed Mother at Fatima, Portugal. Our Lady of Fatima is possibly one of the bestknown titles of Our Lady in the modern era because of the urgency of her message and the signs that accompanied her final appearance on Oct. 13, 1917 during the fury of World War I. Beginning on May 13, 1917, and continuing for six months, Lucia de los Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Martos were visited by the Blessed Mother as they watched their sheep at the Cova de Iria in Fatima. At first the children did not understand who she was. They described her as “a Lady more brilliant than the sun” wearing a white mantle edged in gold, a gold crown and holding a rosary. At her first appearance, she asked the children to return on the thirteenth of each month for six months and to pray the rosary every day for peace.

Lucia told the other children to keep the Lady a secret, but Jacinta told her mother, who did not believe, but who spread the story to the neighbors; word soon spread throughout the village and into nearby towns.

Lucia’s mother, also doubting what the children reported, consulted the parish priest. This priest questioned Lucia after the second apparition in June but could not get her to retract her story. It was at this apparition that Our Lady asked that the Fatima Prayer be added to the Rosary.

As the months went by, more and more pilgrims came to the Cova de Iria in the hope of experiencing the apparition. Local civil authorities became alarmed that the children were being used in a plot to incite the

poor people of the country to topple the newly formed Republican government of Portugal. It got so bad that the local provincial administrator took the children into custody and used threats to try to get them to admit that they had been lying. The children, however, refused to take back their story. Even in the face of disbelief by their family and friends and persecution by the secular authorities, they held firm.

Perhaps the most widely discussed aspect of the apparitions are the revelations that have become known as the Three Secrets of Fatima. The secrets were given to the children during the third apparition. First, they were given a vision of Hell and told that many people were going there because of lack of prayer and acts of reparation for sins. Second, Our Lady of Fatima predicted the end of World War I but predicted the Second World War “if people do not stop offending God.” At this point the Bolshevik Revolution was coming to a boil in Russia, and she requested prayers for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart or else Russia will “scatter her errors throughout the world, provoking wars and persecutions of the church.” The final secret involved a vision of the Pope, along with many bishops, priests, and lay people, being killed by soldiers.

On Oct. 13, as Our Lady promised, she revealed her identity as “Our Lady of the Rosary.” She said, “I have come to warn the faithful to amend their lives and ask for pardon for their sins. They must not offend Our Lord anymore for He is already too grievously offended by the sins of men. People must say the Rosary. Let them continue saying it every day. I would like a chapel built here in my honor.”

After this, the apparition ended with a spectacular sign which has come to be known as “The Miracle of the Sun.” According to eyewitness accounts reported

Respecting life in ordinary times ON ORDINARY TIMES

By Lucia A. Silecchia

Nearly ten years ago, Pope Francis recounted a story from his youth. He spoke of a man who lived with his wife, children and aging father. As the elderly father’s abilities declined, he started to eat sloppily while dining with the family. His son lost his patience. He got a small table, placed it in the kitchen and left his father alone in the kitchen at the little table, to dine messily and alone.

Soon thereafter, the man came home to find his own young son constructing a small table. When he asked the boy what it was for, the lad’s innocent reply was that he was building a table for his father to use when he himself grew old and would be banished to dine alone.

When I first read this story – and whenever I have contemplated it since – it has always held an exquisite sadness. The contours of this narrative are achingly common. Although the story was told as part of a teaching on respect for older persons, it seems equally poignant for Respect Life Month, observed throughout October.

There are three intertwined tragedies in Pope Francis’ vignette – tragedies worth contemplating this month.

The most obvious tragedy is that of the elderly man. He was a victim of the “throwaway culture” that tossed him aside when he became an inconvenience and required care that was unpleasant or difficult to offer. Sadly, this happened not in a crowd of strangers but within the very heart of his own family. A child discarded before being born, a grandmother in a nursing home who yearns for a visitor, and a person whose mind works differently than that of others can all be, metaphorically, banished away with him if there is no one to embrace them with love.

This month is a time to consider all those who, like the aged man in the story, are tossed aside in a busy world with no time for those who are unborn, ill, elderly or weak in the myriad ways in which humans experience frailty.

The second tragedy is that of the young boy. Children see and hear everything that their elders say and do, and they learn by example. In this tale, the boy obviously loves and respects his father because he wants to imitate him in all he does. He

in The Sun Danced at Fatima by Joseph Pelletier, after a period of rain, the dark clouds broke and the sun appeared as an opaque, spinning disc in the sky. It was said to be significantly duller than normal and to cast multicolored lights across the landscape and the people. The sun was then reported to have dropped suddenly towards the Earth before zig-zagging back to its normal position. Witnesses reported that their previously wet clothes and the sodden ground suddenly became completely dry. This was witnessed by believers and non-believers alike, and by some as far away as 10 miles from the Cova de Iria.

Francisco and Jacinta died soon after these events during the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-1920. Lucia, however, later entered religious life first as a Dorothean Sister and later as a Discalced Carmelite. She lived until 2005. Over the course of the 1920’s, Our Lady appeared to Lucia several times. In December of 1925 she established the First Saturday Devotions, and in February 1926 requested that the devotion be spread throughout the world. In June 1929 she once again requested that Russia be consecrated to her Immaculate Heart. Between 1976 and 1993 Sister Lucia published a series of memoires describing the events of Fatima in her own words.

There has been some controversy over whether the so-called “Third Secret” has been completely disclosed and whether the Consecration to Russia has been performed correctly. Sister Lucia verified both before her death. The main message of Fatima, however, has been consistent with the messages from every other Marian apparition: repent and turn toward Christ; and pray always. For two excellent resources on the events of 1917 at Fatima you can read The Sun Danced at Fatima or watch the 2009 film “The 13th Day.” (Ruth Powers is the program coordinator for The Basilica of St. Mary in Natchez.)

has learned well and is prepared to grow up to be just like his dad. Yet, how sad it is that the lesson he has learned is one that devalues a life that is inconvenient when he could have been taught how to serve those in need. How sad it is that he will not have his meals with his grandfather and share the bond between generations that binds families together. How sad it is that, like so many young children, he will be kept away from those who suffer and will spend his youth only with those who are healthy and strong. How sad it is that he may learn these lessons on life not just from a heartless world but from his very own parents.

This month is a time to reflect upon what we teach children about respect for life.

They hear what we say but, far more importantly, they see what we do.

The third tragedy is that of the man in the middle who is both son and father.

He is not entirely the villain he seems to be. He is, after all, caring for his father in his own home and is providing him with his material and physical needs. He may be struggling with the demands of providing for his own family and may simply be following the examples he saw in his own youth. The story does not go on to report what his reaction was to his son’s carpentry project and whether he changed the way he thought of his father. I like to think he did.

He is a tragic figure too. Like so many in the peak of strength, he does not realize that a vulnerable time will come for him as it does for all of us. It is easy to overlook those whose lives are fragile if we do not see how vulnerable each of us is. Yet, I know I was once unborn. If I am blessed with the gift of years, I will grow old. In between, there will be the illnesses and unknowns that fill my life and all of our lives.

They may lie just around an unseen corner.

This month is also, then, a time to reflect upon the ways in which those who seem weakest and those who seem strongest are, in fact, linked together as part of the same family.

The theme for the 2023 Respect Life Month centers on “radical solidarity.” This begins with radical solidarity with women and the children they carry. To live and witness to such radical solidarity begins with a commitment to turn away from the throwaway culture and to respect life in all of its stages in all the days of our ordinary times.

(Lucia A. Silecchia is a Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Faculty Research at the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law. Email her at silecchia@cua.edu.)

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‘Radical solidarity’ with women in need means being the ‘hands and feet of Jesus,’ pro-life leaders say ing difficult pregnancies, difficult decisions, what they’re going to need to flourish, what’s going to (OSV News) – In Marietta, Georgia, helping be needed to protect those babies, those moms, moms in need goes beyond diaper distribution or and to create a world in which they can be cared rental assistance. It’s rocking a baby in the middle for and loved and supported,” said O. Carter of the night to help a tired mother sleep, a phone Snead, the center’s director and a professor of law call to check in and listen, a warm relationship of and political science, of the initiative. support.

That meant focused academic programming “It would be easy for these ministries to drop and events, as well as engaging researchers intersome diapers off, and not to say that’s not importested in public policy, health care, race, addiction ant,” said Keri Ninness, who leads the Walking management, mental health care, employment with Moms in Need ministry at St. Joseph Parish law, housing and other facets that play into vulin Marietta. “But when we’re talking about longnerable parents’ circumstances and decisions, term impact – and we’re talking long term – being Snead said. the hands and feet of Jesus, that means relationAmong the de Nicola Center’s current partship.” nerships is the university’s Wilson Sheehan Lab The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for Economic Opportunities and the National Malaunched Walking with Moms In Need, a parternity Housing Coalition, which are conducting ish-based ministry that networks resources and an empirical study of maternity homes’ role in accompanies pregnant and parenting mothers, in improving outcomes for mothers and babies.

March 2020. While initial efforts were stymied by Snead, a consultant to the USCCB’s Committhe COVID-19 pandemic, many have recommitted tee on Pro-Life Activities, said that kind of reto helping pregnant and parenting mothers, espesearch refutes the popular “slander” that accuses cially as abortion lawmaking returned to states pro-life advocates of caring only for unborn balast year following the U.S. Supreme Court decibies, not their mothers or children post-birth. sion overturning Roe v. Wade.

“It’s the case, and it’s always been the case, On Sept. 18, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, chairman of the U.S. Conference of This is the illustration included in the materials for the U.S. that pro-lifers have stepped up to try to care for Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activi- bishops’ Respect Life Month 2023. The U.S. Catholic Church moms and families in need,” he said. “This is … ties, called Catholics to “radical solidarity” with celebrates Respect Life Month every October. (OSV News the radical solidarity, radical hospitality: caring for others in need by virtue and in proportion to vulnerable pregnant women in a letter titled “Liv- photo/courtesy USCCB) their need, not because we have something to gain ing Radical Solidarity” issued ahead of the 50th by it or some kind of pre-existing obligations do anniversary of the inaugural Respect Life Month barriers for mothers to get free diapers, so it organized it, but … everybody has a claim on us, especially the this October. a day each month where mothers could pick up diapers weakest and most vulnerable.”

“While ending legalized abortion remains our pre- and other baby supplies, no questions asked.

How Walking with Moms in Need will grow remains eminent priority, the most immediate way to save baIn another situation, a mother’s car broke down, bies and mothers from abortion is to thoroughly sur- and she started to receive Uber gift cards “out of no- to be seen, but its leaders know the work is valuable. In round mothers in need with life-giving support and where.” The woman was surprised to realize the wide the past year, St. Joseph in Marietta has helped about personal accompaniment. This is radical solidarity,” network of people who wanted to help her, he said, and 18 women, Ninness said.

“These ministries have the opportunity to preach Bishop Burbidge wrote. because of Walking With Moms in Need, the communi- the Gospel in a way that does not even require quotThe phrase, the letter notes, echoes St. John Paul cation for a call for help was in place. ing Scripture,” she said. “It’s ‘I’m going to allow myself II, who first defined “radical solidarity” as becoming Part of that network are three long-standing mater- to be the hands and feet of Jesus for you, so that you “courageously ‘pro woman,’ promoting a choice that nity homes, as well as transitional housing for women is truly in favor of women” by not leaving a woman and children experiencing homelessness in the Dio- might not know who Jesus is, but you will see what he does, through what this ministry does.” in need alone. Drawing on Pope Francis, Bishop Bur- cese of Charlotte. bidge said radical solidarity requires a “new mindset “Radical solidarity is going to mean radical availMaria Wiering is senior writer for OSV News. … moving beyond the status quo and out of our com- ability,” Father Ascik said. “Radical availability is befort zones.” ing willing to answer a text message, maybe at 9 p.m.

For Ninness, “Solidarity means to be one with each at night or on a weekend, with a need that other. It means to be in communion with one another,” mom’s having right now.” she said. She pointed to a quote in Bishop Burbidge’s “That’s the culture that Walking with letter from Pope Francis saying solidarity is not found Moms helps us build,” he continued, “bein “a few sporadic acts of generosity.” cause, whereas, maybe before we would That’s why relationships and prayer are key to St. say, ‘Yeah, I want to help pregnant moms,’ Joseph’s Walking with Moms in Need program, she … the next step is stepping up and saying, said.

‘I’m here. I’m the person that you can call That approach is familiar to Father Peter Ascik, on, the person that will go and talk to you, who coordinates the Walking with Moms in Need ini- the person that will help you run down a tiative for parishes in the Diocese of Charlotte, North place where you can get food on a weekThe Diocese of Jackson is proud of the outstanding edCarolina, as the first director of its nearly two-year-old end,’” when food banks are closed. ucators and support staff in our schools. Several of our Dioffice of family life.

A holistic approach to supporting exocesan Catholic Schools still have job openings during the As a parochial vicar in 2020, he helped one of the di- pecting and parenting mothers in difficult 2023-2024 academic year. Visit https://jacksondiocese.org/ ocese’s largest parishes, St. Matthew in Charlotte, start circumstances is the crux of the Women employment for an opening near you. a Walking with Women in Need program. Along with and Children First initiative at the de NicoThe Catholic schools and learning centers of the diocese another Walking with Moms program at St. Pius X in la Center for Ethics and Culture at the Uniare required to comply with all applicable federal and state Greensboro, North Carolina, “the programs at both of versity of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Inanti-discrimination laws. They hire employees and admit those parishes have flourished and are bearing really diana. students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, good fruit,” he said.

In November 2021, just before oral arguage, religion or disability to all the rights, privileges, proWhile the state generally bans abortions after 12 ments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health grams and activities generally accorded or made available to weeks, it has become a destination for women seeking Organization were heard by the U.S. Suall individuals at the school/center. abortions from neighboring states, including Georgia, preme Court and real potential loomed The educational institutions of our diocese do not discrimwith more restrictive laws, said Father Ascik, who is for the overturn of Roe and Planned Parinate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, also pastor of St. Mary, Help of Christians Church in enthood v. Casey, the de Nicola Center sex, age, religion, or disabilities in the administration of Shelby, North Carolina. launched an initiative to unite scholars on their educational policies, admission policies, personnel polHe praises the program for building networks of so- the interdisciplinary questions that suricies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic and other cial services and providers of material resources, and round building a culture of life. school/center administered programs. the parishes for noticing gaps and working to fill them.

“Let’s just try to think creatively and St. Matthew parishioners identified paperwork-related comprehensively about what people fac-

By Maria Wiering

Diocesan Catholic Schools still have job openings in 2023-2024 academic year

OCTOBER 13, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

22 YOUTH

Around the diocese COLUMBUS – (Right) First grader, Locklyn Barker plants her pinwheel at Annunciation School's annual Pinwheels for Peace event on International Day of Peace.

(Photo by Logan Gentry)

PEARL – St. Jude youth group help out the parish's Feed my Sheep ministry on Sep. 24. Youth made over 50 fleece blankets that will be given away to the homeless at Poindexter Park later this Fall. (Photo by Tereza Ma) SOUTHAVEN – On Oct. 4, Sacred Heart School Principal, Bridget Martin lead a special blessing for music teacher, Angie Davis' newest member of the family, Catalina Lopez, with Bella Davis. (Photo by Sister Margaret Sue Broker)

VICKSBURG – Preschool students, Clarke Beasley and Lawson Skipper, became scientific investigators as they explored pumpkins inside and out using all five of their senses. (Photo by Lindsey Bradley)

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC OCTOBER 13, 2023

YOUTH 23

'R' is for reading

COLUMBUS – Kids enjoy time to read on their class activity mat at Annunciation School. (Photo by Logan Waggoner) VICKSBURG – "Johnny Appleseed" visited Vicksburg Catholic School PreK-3, Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten students.

Special thanks to VCS alumnus Peter Pikul (Class of 1967) for being acting as Johnny Appleseed for youth this year. (Photo by Lindsey Bradley)

OCTOBER 13, 2023 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

24 Diocese

Around the diocese: Blessing of the animals for the Feast of St. Francis

By Joanna Puddister King

JACKSON – Blessing of the pets ceremonies are part of the celebration for the Feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, in rememberance for his love of all creatures. This time of year, people bring a procession of animals, everthing from dogs and cats to raccoons, snakes and spiders to our churches and schools for a special blessing ceremony. The love we give to pets and receive in return from pets draws us into the circle of life and our relationship to God. Please enjoy these photos of these very special "blessings" in our lives.

NATCHEZ – (Right) More than 50 pets were blessed and given St. Francis tags on Sunday, Oct. 1 at St. Mary Basilica. More than $1,200 was raised for division among three local animal charities (Natchez Adams Humane Society, Hoofbeats and Pawprints Rescue and Natchez Spay and Neuter). (Photos courtesy of Ruth Powers)

HOUSTON – (Left) Father Bihn Nguyen reads a blessing for some very well behaved pets at Immaculate Heart of Mary Houston.

(Photo courtesy of parish)

TUPELO – (Above) Father Tim Murphy blessed animals big and small for St. James Tupelo's annual blessing of the pets event. (Photos by Michelle Harkins) VICKSBURG – (Left) Father Rusty Vincent blesses Winnie, fur baby of Vivian and Gerardo Velazquez.

Stella, with her "mom" Barbara Hill, patiently awaits her turn. (Photo by Connie Hosemann)