MS Catholic, December 9, 2022

Greenville parish and school give thanks for generosity of longtime parishioner, Salvado Sarullo

BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING

GREENVILLE – The grey skies on Tuesday, Nov. 29 did not dampen spirits in celebrating the memorial to longtime St. Joseph parishioner, Salvador Sarullo. The dedication and Mass at St. Joseph School, planned for outdoors, was moved indoors due to the threat of severe thunderstorms in the region.

The ceremony following Mass marked the incredible generosity of Sarullo, who bequeathed a large portion of his estate to St. Joseph parish in Greenville.

Sarullo was born in 1931 in Greenville and graduated from St. Joseph High School (formerly St. Rose of Lima) and attended Springhill College in Mobile. He was a lifelong resident of Greenville, where he was a well-respected and successful businessman, who was known for his integrity, generosity and involvement in the community. Passing in December 2018, Sarullo helped many in need during his 87 years.

Bishop Joseph Kopacz prayed with Sarullo many times during the last year of his life, calling him a “great man of faith.” During the event he lauded Sarullo as a remarkable example of Catholic generosity and challenged everyone to live up to his example and great works of charity in the community.

Since his passing, St. Joseph parish has worked hard to preserve the legacy of Sarullo’s gift, while embarking on multiple projects to spread the Good News of the Gospel and support those in need in the Greenville community.

During the dedication ceremony, that included a blessing of a projected photo of the “Touchdown Jesus” statue and plaque commemorating Sarullo due to the inclement weather, several shared the impact he made with his gift, as well as future plans to impact the Greenville community.

President of the St. Joseph parish finance council, Ken Purvis shared renovations completed at the church and those to come thanks to the gift made by Sarullo. He said that the parish approved plans for an extensive remodel and improvements to the interior of the Victorian-Gothic style church including the complete re-plastering of interior walls, artwork and murals painted throughout the sanctuary, including the ceiling.

Purvis shared that future plans include extending and enlarging the altar to better accommodate service. The historic restoration project is set to commence in 2023 right after Easter.

Purvis told those gathered that the church has already completed a re-design of its sound system and that part of the Sarullo bequest helped match funds donated by parishioners to replace the slate tile roof in 2020.

Speaking on improvements to the St. Joseph parish hall, Jim Lipscomb, president of the parish pastoral council, started by thanking the diocese for all of the support given

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St. Elizabeth parish celebrates triple celebration

BY TEREZA MA AND JOANNA PUDDISTER KING

CLARKSDALE – On Sunday, Nov. 20, St. Elizabeth parish in Clarksdale held a triple celebration celebrating the parish's 110th anniversary and the Feasts of St. Elizabeth and Christ the King. Though the day was chilly, the warm welcome of the community drew all in attendance in for a day of worship and fun.

St. Elizabeth parish began in 1891 with the assignment of the first pastor, Father Louis Dutto, who remained with the parish for seven years. The first building was on Issaquena Avenue and was described as "little more than a shotgun house" that seated about 100 people at most by Cleta Ellington in "Christ the Living Water: The Catholic Church in Mississippi."

By 1913, as the Catholic population grew, a larger brick church and rectory were built on Fairland Place by a young Irish pastor, Father Peter Keenan.

Writings of the day describe the Delta region as a diverse settlement with many northern Europeans, Italians, Lebanese, Chinese in the area. The same seemed to ring true to the diversity of the descendants who still attend the parish today.

“Knowing our church history helps us understand how our ancestors lived their faith as we consider how we live ours today,” said Camille Walker, parishioner who delivered remarks for the parish's anniversary. “The

lives of our forefathers help us to grow in our faith and to continue their love and care for the church as God’s children.”

In 1969, St. Elizabeth parish moved to Florence Street where the church building is still located today.

As for celebrating the parish’s anniversary and two feasts, Father Raju Macherla said that he didn’t plan the coincidence, “but God helped us come together in this way on this special occasion.”

During his homily at the celebration, Father Raju

reflected on the feasts and talked about his parish and parishioners that he loves so dearly.

“Repeat after me: “I love my church and today is my church feast,” Father Raju said to smiles across the pews.

“We celebrate birthdays, wedding anniversaries, graduations, so we should certainly celebrate the church feast.”

Father Raju weaved in stories of different parishioners and their history through his homily. From “family pews” that he said signified a meaningful, tangible at-

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In memoriam 4

Sister Mary Dorothy Calhoun, RSM passed Nov. 23

St. Joe Championship 13 St. Joe Greenville claims football championship

Youth 14 Photos from around the diocese

GREENVILLE – On Tuesday, Nov. 29, Bishop Joseph Kopacz blesses a statue dedicated to the memory of Salvador Sarullo, who bequeathed a large portion of his estate to St. Joseph parish. The statue is located on the St. Joe School football field. The festivities were held indoors due to inclement weather. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King)

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

BILOXI Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church, The Role of Beauty in the Spiritual Life: understanding and praying with the church’s Sacred Music, Jan. 26, 2023 at 7 p.m. Event is a talk by Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka. Details: visit olgchurch.net.

GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, Fatima Five First Saturdays Devotion, Jan. 7, Feb. 4, March 4, April 1 and May 6. Confessions begin at 8 a.m.; Mass at 9 a.m; Rosary at 9:30 a.m. and Meditation at 10 a.m. Details: church office (601) 856-2054.

PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS

BATESVILLE St. Mary, Children’s Christmas Program, Sunday, Dec. 18 after 10:30 a.m. Mass.

BROOKHAVEN St. Francis, Youth are invited to Christmas Baskets, Bags and Caroling event on Sunday, Dec. 18. After Mass enjoy pizza and then deliver fruit baskets and carol to shut-ins. Then travel to Trends Health and Rehab at 12:25 to carol and pass out gift bags to residents. Details: church office (601) 833-1799.

CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, CYO Indoor Yard Sale, Saturday, Jan. 21. You can drop off items beginning Jan. 4. Details: church office (662) 846-6273.

COLUMBUS Annunciation, Christmas Extravaganza, Monday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at MUW’s Rent Auditorium in Whitfield Hall. Annunciation Catholic school K4 through fifth graders will present an amazing Christmas program to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. All are welcome. Details: church office (662) 328-2927.

FOREST St. Michael, Christmas Party hosted by Hispanic community, Friday, Dec 23 at 7 p.m beginning with the Rosary, in the parish hall. All are welcome.

Christmas Party hosted by Vietnamese community, Saturday, Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. in the parish hall. All are welcome. Details: church office (601) 469-1916.

MADISON St. Francis, Ring In Your Faith 10k run and 5k run/walk, Saturday, Dec. 31 at 8 a.m. Registration fee guarantees your shirt through Dec. 17 and you will enjoy a mouth-watering New Year’s Day meal with a

Southern twist. Ring in 2023 and register here: https:// bit.ly/RingInYourFaith2022 Details: Joe at leslieslee@ hotmail.com.

MADISON St. Joseph School, Christmas Arts and Crafts Camp, Saturday, Dec. 17, St. Joe Fine Arts Building from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1-4 p.m. For grades K through eighth. Cost is $40 per session or $70 for both. Snacks included. Bring lunch if staying for both sessions. Details: email vrunnels@stjoebruins.com.

NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Blood Drive, Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. at the Family Life Center. Details: call Regina to schedule an appointment at (601) 445-5616.

PHILADELPHIA Holy Rosary, Christmas Potluck for three parishes, Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. Details: church office (601) 656-2880.

PEARL St. Jude, Advent Parish Dinner and Children’s Christmas Program, Sunday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. Parishioners, be sure to bring your favorite dessert or salad. Details: church office (601) 939-3181.

SENATOBIA St. Gregory, Luncheon and Santa, Sunday, Dec. 18 from 4-9 p.m. Details: church office (662) 562-5318.

SOUTHAVEN Christ the King, La Posada, Saturday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. All are invited to join in the procession with Mary and Joseph in their search for shelter. Followed by a dinner with Santa. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.

SAVE THE DATE

DIOCESE World Marriage Day, Feb. 12, 2023 at Jackson, St. Peter Cathedral. Details: register to attend with your home parish.

BILOXI Our Lady of the Gulf, Sacred Music Workshop for cantors, choir members, music directors and clergy, Jan. 27-28, 2023. Cost is $40 with registration deadline of Jan. 13. Details: Registration and more information at classicalartsfoundation. com. Email workshop@classicalartsfoundation.com with questions.

ADVENT PROGRAMS/PENANCE SERVICES

BATESVILLE St. Mary, Advent Mission in Spanish, Friday, Dec. 16 with reconciliation from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and talk from 6-8 p.m. All ages are encouraged to attend. Details: church office (662) 563-2273.

COLUMBUS Annunciation, Penance Service, Thursday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m.

FLOWOOD St. Paul, Penance Service, Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m.

HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Penance Service, Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.

Holy Spirit, Advent Meditation with Deacon Ted, “Hush from the rush,” Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. Please bring a candle.

MADISON St. Franics, Penance Service, Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.

MAGEE St. Stephen, Penance Service, Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m.

NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Penance Service, Thursday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m.

PEARL RIVER St. Therese, Penance Service, Thursday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA Holy Rosary, Penance Service, Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.

SOUTHAVEN Christ the King, Advent Meditation [Spanish], Thursday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. Please bring a candle.

Jackson Flowood

FEATURED PHOTO

Hymns of Advent, source of hope, inspiration

BY BISHOP JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D.

The season of Advent this year is perfectly balanced with four full weeks, and on this weekend we arrive at the half-way point celebrating Gaudete Sunday, an invitation to rejoice in the Lord.

St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians eloquently prepared the way of the Lord for that early Christian community, and for Christians in every age. “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say: Rejoice! Let your kindness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything but present your needs to God in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. Then the peace of God which is beyond all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)

Joy and peace are part of the package of blessings from the Holy Spirit and are the fruits of our salvation in Jesus Christ which the Heavenly Hosts announced to all the world on the first Christmas night, and it has been our hope ever sense.

Following the Lord throughout the year we know that we cannot separate his birth from his suffering, death and resurrection. Yet, even on the night before he

died, he prayed that his disciples would know his peace, the power that the world cannot give. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled; be not afraid.” (John 14:27) Upon arising from the dead the first words to his disciples huddled in fear were, “peace be with you” before showing them his hands and his side. (John 20:19)

In the joy of birth and in the sorrow of suffering and death the Lord assures us that his peace can stand guard over our hearts. This is a precious gift for those who are grieving over serious loss during these holy days or holidays. One can easily get more depressed or sorrowful when confronted with the expectation that it is a time to be merry or happy, like in “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.” Even “Merry Christmas” can ring hollow if overcooked.

With Mary, our Blessed Mother, we are called to hold and be held by the Son of God and allow his peace to stand guard over our lives. We pray for one another that the peace of Christ which is beyond all understanding dispels the darkness of doubt and fear, grief and shame as the ultimate Christmas gift. May we be present to one another in a way that cuts through that which fades quickly to that place where the Lord dwells within us.

Whatever the circumstances of our lives, let us then continue to prepare the way for the Lord in ways that works for us. The hymns of Advent can be a source of

hope and inspiration and in a particular way the church embraces the beloved hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” especially coming down the home stretch that carries the faithful to Christmas Eve.

This hymn contains the O Antiphons which represent the yearning of the people of Israel for the Messiah. The verses of the hymn are applied as the Gospel antiphons beginning on Dec. 17 and they can deepen in us a hunger for the Savior.

“O, come, O Wisdom from on high! O, come, O Lord of power and might! O, come, O Flower of Jesse’s stem! O, come, O Key of David! O, come O Radiant Dawn! O, come, O King of All the Nations! O come, O come, Emmanuel!” This hymn can easily be combined with the Advent wreath in our homes during the week before Christmas to prepare the way of the Lord.

At this point in time in Advent, the Blessed Mother points the way to come to her Son through faith. The feast of the Immaculate Conception and of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrate her love for the church and her singular role in God’s plan of salvation. The following is the prayer after Communion on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and a fitting ending prayer for the column.

“Lord God, may the Body and Blood of your Son, which we receive in this sacrament, reconcile us always in your love; and may we who rejoice in Our Lady of Guadalupe live united and at peace in this world.”

Himnos de Adviento, fuente de esperanza e inspiración

POR OBISPO JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D.

El tiempo de Adviento de este año está perfectamente equilibrado con cuatro semanas completas. Este fin de semana llegamos a la mitad del camino celebrando el Domingo de Gaudete, una invitación a regocijarnos en el Señor.

San Pablo en su carta a los Filipenses preparó elocuentemente el camino del Señor para esa comunidad cristiana primitiva y para los cristianos de todas las épocas. “Alégrense siempre en el Señor. Repito: ¡Alégrense! Que todos los conozcan a ustedes como personas bondadosas. El Señor está cerca. No se aflijan por nada, sino preséntenselo todo a Dios en oración; pídanle, y denle gracias también. Así Dios les dará su paz, que es más grande de lo que el hombre puede entender; y esta paz

cuidará sus corazones y sus pensamientos por medio de Cristo Jesús.” (Filipenses 4:4-7)

El gozo y la paz forman parte del paquete de bendiciones del Espíritu Santo y son los frutos de nuestra salvación en Jesucristo que las Huestes Celestiales anunciaron a todo el mundo en la primera noche de Navidad, y es nuestra esperanza desde entonces.

Siguiendo al Señor, durante todo el año sabemos que no podemos separar su nacimiento de su sufrimiento, muerte y resurrección. Sin embargo, incluso la noche antes de morir, oró para que sus discípulos conocieran su paz, el poder que el mundo no puede dar. “Les dejo la paz. Les doy mi paz, pero no se la doy como la dan los que son del mundo. No se angustien ni tengan miedo. (Juan 14:27) Al resucitar de

entre los muertos las primeras palabras a sus discípulos acurrucados por el miedo fueron, “la paz sea con vosotros” antes de mostrarles sus manos y su costado. (Juan 20:19)

En la alegría del nacimiento y en el dolor del sufrimiento y de la muerte, el Señor nos asegura que su paz puede velar por nuestros corazones. Este es un regalo precioso para aquellos que están de duelo por una pérdida grave durante estos días festivos o días festivos. Uno puede deprimirse o entristecerse más fácilmente cuando se enfrenta a la expectativa de que es un momento para estar alegre o feliz, como en “Feliz Navidad”

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BISHOP’S SCHEDULE

Saturday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m. – La Posadas, St. Jude, Pearl

Sunday, Dec. 18, 11 a.m. – Mass and Christmas Dinner, St. Patrick, Meridian

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 6 p.m. – Penance Service, St. Paul, Flowood

Saturday, Dec. 24, 4 p.m. – Christmas Eve Mass, Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson

Saturday, Dec. 24, 7 p.m. – [Spanish] Christmas Eve Mass, Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson

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

Saturday, Jan. 14, 4:30 p.m. – Closing Mass for 2023 GO! Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference, Pontchartrain Center, Kenner, Louisiana

All events are subject to change. Check with parishes and schools for further details.

The Christmas decorations are going up in the rectory and in downtown Jackson and I know that the halls are being decked at our seminaries as well. As we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas, we give thanks for the gift of the church, the Eucharist and the priesthood. Here are a couple of updates of note as we near the end of another year!

On May 20, 2023, Ryan Stoer and Tristan Stovall will be ordained to the transitional diaconate. This is the final step before priestly ordination, and it has been a long journey for both Ryan and Tristan to come to this point. The ordination will be at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral.

Shortly after their ordination, Ryan and Tristan will be joining myself and two of our other seminarians for a two-month immersion trip to Mexico in June and July. I have written about this immersion in previous issues. It will be an opportunity for our seminarians, and myself, to gain incredibly important language skills so we are better able to walk with all of our parishioners.

Following that trip, they will embark on their diaconal ministry assignment. This is a big step in the journey of every seminarian. The diaconal assignment is always a little longer than a typical summer, and it gives the newly ordained deacon a great chance to celebrate liturgies and to preach at Mass. Ryan will be at St. Joseph Parish in Gluckstadt while Tristan will be a St. Mary Basilica in Natchez. I know that the people of these parishes will be very supportive and I thank Father Matthew Simmons and Father Aaron Williams for supporting our formation program by walking with these men.

On May 27, 2023, Deacon Carlisle Beggerly will be ordained to the priesthood. His initial priestly assignment will be decided at a later date. Deacon Carlisle completed his diaconal assignment at St. Francis in Madison and is now finishing up his Master of Divinity at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. It is always exciting to set these on the calendar, and please keep these men in your prayers as they near these milestones.

I am also happy to report that the proceeds from our 3rd Annual Homegrown Harvest Festival stands at $142,515.06. This is a really remarkable total and speaks to the support that is present for our seminarians and formation programs. A great thanks also to those who gave to the Depart ment of Vocations as a part of #iGiveCatholic. Please keep all nine of our seminarians in your prayers that they have a restful and rejuvenating Christmas holiday and that their upcoming annual retreat is grace-filled and helpful to their discernment.

If you are interested in learning more about religious orders or vocations to the priesthood and religious life, email nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org.

In

memoriam:

Sister Mary Calhoun

ST. LOUIS – Sister Mary Dorothy Calhoun, RSM passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Joan Marie Calhoun was born on Dec. 31, 1933; predeceased by parents, John Worthing Calhoun (1943) and Dorothy Louise Tremoulet Cal houn Brundige (1992); sister, Dorothy Calhoun Jackman (1982); brother, John Worthing Calhoun, Jr. (2015); and stepfather, William Hart Brundige (1955). Survived by brother, William Hart Brundige Jr; nieces and nephews, John Dan iel Jackman, Jr., MD; Michael Calhoun Jackman; Joan Jackman Becker; Worthing Francis Jackman; John Worthing Calhoun III; Catherine Clann Calhoun; Susan Calhoun Waggoner; William Hart Brundige III and John Dudley Brundige.

Sister Mary Dorothy (Joan) was a graduate from Holy Name of Jesus School and Mercy Academy, and entered the convent in 1952 at the Mother of Mercy Novitiate, St. Louis Province; graduate of St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, 1958; B.S Nursing, St. Louis University, 1960; Masters in Hospital Administration, St. Louis University, 1968; Certification in Clinical Pastoral Ed ucation, Baptist Hospital, New Orleans, 1990.

Sister Dorothy’s (Aunt Sis’) life of dedication (nursing, administration, min istry) included supervisor of obstetrics, delivery, nursery, OR, ER and director of nursing services at Mercy facilities in New Orleans, Brownsville, Texas, St. Louis, Missouri and St. Paul, Minnesota (1958-1967); administrator (CEO/CFO) Mercy Hospital New Orleans (1968-1973); administrator (CEO/CFO) St. John’s Hospital Springfield, Missouri (1973-1977); administrator (CEO/CFO) Mercy Health Center Laredo, Texas (1977-1980); Director of Pastoral Services for Sisters of Mercy and Mercy Hospital New Orleans (1981-1992) and St. Joseph’s Mercy Health Center Hot Springs, Arkansas (1992-1995); Pastoral Care Chaplain Hot Springs (19952014); Volunteer at Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, Arkansas (2014-2020). Sister Dorothy’s past two years were spent in prayer and works of mercy, in loving care with the retired Sisters of Mercy in St. Louis.

In the Diocese of Jackson, Sister served in ministry and on the board of Mercy Hospital in Vicksburg. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022 in the chapel of Catherine’s Residence in St. Louis; interment in Calvary Cemetery, St. Louis. Dona tions in memory of Sister Mary Dorothy Calhoun RSM are appreciated, to Catherine’s Residence Ministry Fund, Sisters of Mercy – The Americas, 2039 N Geyer Road, St. Louis MO 63131, attention Sister Richard Mary Burke, RSM.

Baby Jesus’ wish list

STEWARDSHIP PATHS

By Julia Williams

JACKSON – Odds are you’ve got a Christmas list going by now — gift ideas for everyone from your nephew to your god daughter to your mailman. But what about the birthday boy? What’s the gift Jesus gets from you this Christmas?

If you’ve ever read the Book of Levit icus, you know all about the sacrifices God asks of the Israelites, referred to in the reading from Hebrews today. Le viticus can be a chore to read — a little repetitive, a little intimidating. There’s a lot of very specific actions that God asks His Chosen People to complete to make up for whatever they have done wrong. In essence, it’s a bit of a wish list for gifts. But it’s a wish list that can really con fuse you. What’s God going to do with a cereal offering? The kidneys of an ani mal? If you look closely, what God is do ing here is beautiful. He’s customized his wish list to only those things He knows the Israelites can give. It’s God saying, in what amounts to theological baby-talk for folks who barely know of Him and His ways, exactly how they could be stewards. “Do this, but don’t do that. If you do that, do this and you will find My mercy.”

Our guide to stewardship — the Gospels of Christ — is less precise because by the time of Christ, God’s people have grown in understand ing of love and mercy and relationship with the divine.

Through Christ, we find out that God’s real wish list didn’t really consist of cereal offer ings and the kidneys of various animals. It’s far simpler, but luckily, it’s something we still have on-hand.

All He wants is our whole heart.

Source: Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS, 4lpi.

com.

Artwork: Madonna and Child, Provincia di Firenze, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Flor ence, c. 1466-1469. Public Domain.

Father Nick Adam

Father Nick Adam

God’s anger – our feelings of guilt and shame

IN EXILE

By Father ron rolheiser, oMi

My early religious training, for all its strengths, placed too heavy an emphasis on fear of God, fear of judgment, and fear of never being good enough to be pleasing to God. It took the biblical texts about God being angry and displeased with us literally. The downside of this was that many of us came away with feelings of guilt, shame and self-hatred, and understood those feelings religiously, with no sense that they might have more of a psy chological than a religious origin. If you had feelings of guilt, shame and self-hatred, it was a signal that you were not living right, that you should feel some shame and that God was not pleased with you.

Well, as Hegel famously taught, every thesis even tually spawns its antithesis. Both in the culture and in many religious circles today, this has produced a bit ter backlash. The current cultural and ecclesial ethos has brought with it a near-feverous acceptance of the insights from contemporary psychology vis-à-vis guilt, shame and self-hatred. We learned from Freud and others that many of our feelings of guilt, shame and self-hatred are really a psychological neurosis, and not an indication that we are doing anything wrong. Feel ings of guilt, shame and self-hatred do not of them selves indicate that we are unhealthy religiously or morally or that God is displeased with us.

With this insight, more and more people have be gun to blame their religious training for any feelings of guilt, shame and self-hatred. They have coined the term “Christian neurosis” and have begun speaking of “being in recovery” from their churches.

What’s to be said about this? In essence, some of this is healthy, a needed corrective, though some of it also suffers from its own naiveté. And, it has landed us here. Today, religious conservatives tend to reject the idea that guilt, shame and self-hatred are mainly a neurosis (for which our religious training is responsi ble), while religious liberals tend to favor this notion. Who is right?

A more balanced spirituality, I believe, combines the truth of both positions to produce a deeper un derstanding. Drawing on what is best in current bib lical scholarship and on what is best in contemporary psychology, a more balanced spirituality makes these assertions.

First, that when our biblical language tells us that God gets angry and unleashes his fury, we are dealing with anthropomorphism. God doesn’t get angry with us when we do wrong. Rather what happens is that we get angry with ourselves and we feel as if that anger were somehow “God’s wrath.” Next, most psycholo gists today tell us that many of our feelings of guilt, shame and self-hatred are in fact unhealthy, a simple neurosis, and not at all an indication that we did some thing wrong. These feelings only indi cate how we feel about ourselves, not how God feels about us.

However, that being admitted, it is too simple to write off our feel ings of guilt, shame and self-hatred as a

mere neurosis. Why? Because even if these feelings are completely or largely unmerited, they may still be an im portant voice inside us, that is, while they don’t indicate that God is displeased or angry with us, they still can be a voice inside us that won’t be silent until we ask our selves why we are displeased and angry with ourselves.

Here’s an example. There is a wonderfully enlighten ing exchange in the 1990s movie, “City Slickers.” Three men are having a conversation about the morality of having a sexual affair. One asks the other, “If you could have an affair and get away with it, would you do it?”

The other replies: “No, I still wouldn’t do it.” “Why not?” he is asked, “nobody would know.” His response contains a much-neglected insight regarding the question of guilt, shame and self-hatred. He replies, “I would know and I would hate myself for it!”

There is such a thing as Christian “guilt neurosis” (which incidentally is not limited to Christians, Jews, Mus lims and other religious persons, but is universal among all morally sensitive people). However, not all feelings

of guilt, shame and self-hatred are neurotic. Some are trying to teach us a deep moral and religious truth, that is, while we can never do a single thing to make God angry with us for one minute, we can do many things that make us angry with ourselves. While we can never do anything to make God hate us, we can do things that have us hate ourselves. And, while we can never do any thing to make God withhold forgiveness from us, we can do things that make it difficult for us to forgive ourselves. God is never the problem. We are.

Feelings of guilt, shame and self-hatred do not of themselves indicate whether we have done something wrong, but they do indicate how we feel about what we have done – and that can be an important moral and religious voice inside us.

Not everything that bothers us is a pathology.

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

Even a two-minute examination of conscience is helpful, pope says

By Cindy Wooden

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – A daily examination of conscience is an important tool for recognizing where God is at work in one’s life and where “the evil spirit” tries to lead one astray, Pope Francis said.

“Learn to read in the book of our hearts what has happened during the day. Do it. Just two minutes, but it will do you good, I promise,” the pope told visitors at his weekly general audience Nov. 30.

Continuing his series of audience talks about dis cernment, the pope spoke again about “spiritual con solation” and about using a daily examination of con science to distinguish between what just feels good and “genuine consolation,” which, he said, “is a sort of con firmation that we are doing what God wants of us, that we are walking on his paths, that is, on the paths of life, joy and peace.”

Relying on the teaching of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, the pope explained that conso lation comes from knowing that a thought or impulse is good at its beginning, middle and end, because it inclines one to do something good, is motivated by love for God and others and leads to a sense of peace.

On the other hand, the pope explained, “the evil spirit” can sneak in and distract one from doing good or sow anger toward others or pride.

Pope Francis used the example of the thought or urge to pray, accompanied by “affection for the Lord and my neighbor, it invites gestures of generosity, of charity: it is a good beginning.”

But, he said, if “every time I have to wash the dishes or clean the house, I have a strong urge to pray – this happens in convents” – then the impulse is not all good.

“Go wash the dishes, then go pray,” he said, because “prayer is not an escape from one’s tasks.”

And, the pope said, “if I begin to pray and, like the Pharisee in the parable, I tend to be self-satisfied and to disdain others, perhaps with a resentful and sour spirit, then these are signs that the evil spirit has used that thought as a key to enter into my heart and to transmit his feelings to me.”

Then, Pope Francis said, one should ask, “Where

does that thought take me? For example, it can hap pen that I work hard for a good and worthy task, but this pushes me to stop praying; I find I am increasingly aggressive and angry, I feel that everything depends on me, to the point of losing confidence in God. Here, evidently, there is the action of the evil spirit.”

The devil’s style is “devious, masked,” the pope said, and he usually starts with something important to the person and then twists it.

“The more we know ourselves, the more we sense where the evil spirit enters, his ‘passwords,’ the en trance to our heart,” Pope Francis said.

“Before ending your day, stop a bit and ask what has happened (that day) – not in the newspapers,” he said, but in one’s heart.

“Noticing what happens is important,” he said. “It is a sign that God’s grace is working in us, helping us to grow in freedom and awareness. We are not alone; the Holy Spirit is with us. Let’s see how things are going.”

Pope Francis delivers his talk during his gener al audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Nov. 30, 2022. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

'... each year Salvador's legacy will continue to live on...'

– Continued from page 1 –

to the parish, even in tough times. “They’ve stuck with St. Joe School and St. Joe parish for many years,” said Lipscomb.

For the parish hall, Lipscomb said the renovation will expand the size with improvements like new LED light ing, HVAC system, sound system, projectors for presen tations, furniture and more. Renovations also include a new kitchen with a cafeteria style serving line and topof-the-line appliances and work stations.

“This new space will be a show-place for church meet ings, sacrament classes, youth retreats, parish assemblies, wedding receptions and luncheons,” said Lipscomb.

Construction on the parish hall project has already commenced and should be completed early in 2023.

“I want to thank Salvador Sarullo for your generosity that has allowed us to create all of these different proj ects,” said Lipscomb.

One of the most significant ministries of St. Joseph parish is St. Joseph Catholic School said Britt Virden, em ceeing the event. The gift from Sarullo will also provide a major expansion to the existing facility.

Athletic director, John Butler introduced the expan sion project that includes the gym and athletic facilities. “We’ve established a standard of excellence in education and athletics,” said Butler. “We have set the bar for ath letics and we want to continue to grow and to get better.”

Plans include building onto the back of the gym with new expanded locker rooms for boys and girls basket ball, soccer, baseball and softball teams. The addition will feature a separate training and recovery room for athletes and school trainers, new bathrooms and ticket counter.

The gym entrance will also showcase past and cur rent championships with more trophy cases for the Fighting Irish champion ship teams, said Butler. The newest being the MAIS 4A State Football Championship trophy the team claimed in mid-November.

The new athletic facili ties will allow the school to host tournaments and gen erate revenue, said Butler. “We want folks to come see our school and what we do here.”

Virden said with the gift from Sarullo, St. Joseph School is also looking to grow. He shared that the school is starting an initial committee looking at an Ear ly Learning Center for the community. “We are always looking to grow and expand our offerings, not only because it is important for our community – it’s important to the church, important for our faith,” said Virden.

“It’s important to have a place for parents to have their children come and transfer over into our schools.”

'... church plays a vital role in our lives ...'

Speaking more on the project was Bart Outzen, who said the goal was to have a program that would sustain the student population and “prepare an intellec tual, academically and spiritually prepared stu dent all the way through to St. Joseph.” The center would be located adjacent to the existing school, and it would have a curricu lum based upon national standards for early learn ing centers across the U.S., said Outzen.

Virden said with the Sarullo gift, they want to be good stewards have the gift continue to pro vide for improvements for “the next 125 years of more” by setting up trusts for St. Joseph School and St. Joseph Church with the Catholic Foundation, headed by Rebecca Har ris.

ent and his treasure through the years.”

For the Catholic Foundation, the St. Joseph Catholic Parish trust is the largest parish trust; and the St. Joseph Catholic School trust is the largest trust to date thanks to Sarullo’s gift, said Harris.

“Each year Salvador’s legacy will continue to live on through the annual distributions provided to the parish school. Future generations will be blessed by his gener osity.”

Another ministry that benefited from Sarullo’s legacy is the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Greenville. Thanks to his gift, they were able to completely restore and re model their buildings.

“Our clients don’t only come to St. Vincent to receive food and clothes they also get a hug, a smile and we pray with them,” said volunteer, Julice Curry. “Mr. Sarul lo knew that the poor, the underprivileged in our com munity need a ministry like St. Vincent de Paul.”

Curry shared that in 2000, Sarullo bought the four buildings the organization is housed in now and with his most recent gift they restored them. St. Vincent was able to restore the roof, repair windows and walls and cre ate a more convenient entrance for clients, among oth er vital projects. The kitchen also received an upgrade to accommodate more food items for the hundreds of low-income clients served each week.

After the dedication ceremony, Bishop Kopacz trav eled over to St. Vincent de Paul to view the improve ments and bless the building.

– Continued from page 1 –

tachment to the church, to profound memories from church visitors who still con sider St. Elizabeth their home parish, since attending there as children.

“I have heard so many beautiful true stories from you,” said Father Raju. “I have shared all these stories to tell you that though we live elsewhere in the country or world, the church plays a vital role in our lives every day. It is from the altar that we receive the grace of God.”

After the celebration Mass, the parish had a classic Thanksgiving feast with ham, turkey and Delta-made delicacies. There were games for all ages – even adults en gaged in the fun, making memories and celebrating a parish with warm traditions and love for their community.

Over 49 years ago, leaders across the dio cese decided to establish the Catholic Foundation with the goal to encour age legacy giving through endowed funds and major gifts.

“Salvador Sarullo loved his Catholic faith and it was very near and dear to him,” said Harris. “He was extremely gener ous with his time, his tal

“Certainly, it is with great joy that as we hear the words at the culmination of St. Matthew’s Gospel at the final judgement, that the work he talks about, and certainly demands, is being done here at St. Vincent de Paul – welcoming the stranger as we heard. Praying with them, feeding, clothing, giving drink – that's just some thing woven into this ministry that is such a blessing,” said Bishop Kopacz.

The repairs to the buildings at St. Vincent de Paul were completed in August 2022. The board is planning on an open house soon and invites everyone to attend to see the improvements made possible by Sarullo’s gen erous bequest.

“Mr. Sarullo was amazing,” said Curry. “He was a very simple man. If you ever had the pleasure of meet ing him, you know that he lived a very simple life but he loved big. He loved his church, he loved this school and he loved, loved St. Vincent de Paul.”

GREENVILLE – Volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul got right back to work sort ing clothing for families in need, after Bishop Joseph Kopacz blessed their renovated building on Tuesday, Nov. 29. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King)

CLARKSDALE – A parishioner unveils one of Father Raju Macherla's paint ings he donated for a parish raffle on Nov. 21. In his spare time, he loves to paint beautiful nature scenes. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

Statues assist in evangelization

FROM THE ARCHIVES

By Mary WoodWard

JACKSON – Travelling statues is once again the topic of our archives journey.

This past weekend I was in Greenwood at Immacu late Heart of Mary parish for the celebration of Confirma tion with Bishop Joseph Kopacz. As you may recall, IHM sadly was vandalized back in January and their beloved statue of the Blessed Mother was severely damaged.

We were able to restore the statue through the gifted hands of Eyd Kazery and return her to the parish in time for the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in June.

This past Sunday for the first time I was able to see her in person adorning her newly designed place of hon or in the church. Joy welled up in my heart to see her standing there watching over the congregation.

For centuries statues have adorned churches and churchyards reflecting images of our Catholic faith fam ily. When people ask me why Catholics pray to statues, I respond by asking them if they have photos of their parents and grandparents somewhere such as the stair case wall.

I go on to explain that our statues and images of saints are similar to their family photos. The images invoke rev erence for people who have inspired us, and we believe in faith to be in heaven available to offer prayers on our behalf to God. That usually does the trick and in answering the ques tion an act of evangelization has just occurred.

Statues at the Cathedral took cen ter stage as tools of evangelization the week of Thanksgiving.

Last year two statues in the Bish ops’ Cemetery had to be moved to prepare the grave for Bishop Joseph N. Latino. Those two statues – the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Francis – never got moved back. We had left them in place not only because the Sacred Heart looked as if it were con soling St. Francis and that is a very appropriate scene in a cemetery, but also because they weigh about 400500 lbs. each.

Herein lies the evangelization moment. We have a Belhaven University baseball player named Luke from Lake Charles, Louisiana, who serves at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday at the Cathedral. He loves his Catholic faith and remarked to me one Sunday in the sacristy that there were several other Catholic players on the team who did not always make it to Mass.

Remembering the misplaced statues, I suggested per haps we could get them interested in coming to Mass if we had some kind of service project such as moving the statues. Luke took this to heart and the Monday before Thanksgiving he showed up for the daily noon Mass at the Cathedral with several teammates.

It just so happened a few of our diocesan seminari ans were at Mass and just like that we had 10 strapping young men to move those two statues. Indeed, it was a Holy Spirit moment.

The bonus was we wanted the statues placed in dif ferent spots from their previous locales and the young men were so very amenable to wrangling them some 20-25 feet from where they were.

The Sacred Heart statue was first to move. He was the heavier of the two and he was too heavy for the dolly. So, they basically walked the statue into its place along the side wall of the Cathedral. At times it looked

like a dance and at other times a wrestling match, but mission accomplished.

St. Francis was lighter and easily moved on the dolly to his spot overlooking the bish ops’ burial plots with the Sacred Heart. Pass ersby may now see both statues more easily and hopefully be inspired to offer prayers for our deceased bishops.

After the project was complete, our sem inarians invited the teammates into the Ca thedral where I gave them an expedited tour of the stained-glass windows and sanctuary along with a little history of the diocese be fore they headed back to campus. A couple of the baseball players were so enthusiastic they volunteered to come back and move things whenever we needed help.

Mission accomplished. We had connect ed them to a parish, and they want to come back and be a part.

Evangelization 101 – invite people to church. We know the Lord uses us in cre ative ways to bring people closer to him. You never know who is seeking the Lord and may be inspired by your sincere invitation.

JACKSON – Diocesan seminarians and some strong Belhaven University baseball players were able to move the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Francis statues in the Bishops’ Cemetery next to the Ca thedral of St. Peter the Apostle. (Photos courtesy of Mary Woodward)

NATION

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (CNS) – In the past several years, an increasing number of Providence College grad uates have pursued a vocation with the Dominican order that runs the Rhode Island university. “During the five years I was in Providence, we had at least one student enter the novitiate at the end of each year,” said Do minican Father Michael Weibley, whose first assignment after ordination was as a chaplain and professor at Prov idence College. “An average of a novice a year like that is a tremendous blessing for the order,” said the priest, who this year was named pastor of SS. Phillip and James Parish in Baltimore. The increased number of vocations coming from the college emerges in a climate of declin ing rates of new vocations, particularly for religious or ders: In the past 60 years, the total number of active religious priests in the United States has been reduced by more than half. In the past 20 years, the Dominican Province of St. Joseph, which comprises the Northeastern corner of the United States, has been reporting steadi ly increasing vocations, with many of the new recruits being drawn directly from Providence College. For the novices currently emerging from Providence College, the call to preaching seems to be coming at a much younger age. Seeing “younger and younger friars on campus or students your own age going directly into the novitiate after graduating” makes it “easier to envision yourself actually pursuing that lifestyle,” said Dominican Brother Nicodemus Thomas, a 2018 graduate.

VATICAN

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis told Italian students to “dream big” like St. John XXIII and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. about the world of peace and jus tice they would like to see. And at the same time, he wished them a good Advent journey “made up of many small gestures of peace each day: gestures of acceptance, encounter, understanding, closeness, forgiveness and

service. Gestures that come from the heart and are steps toward Bethlehem, toward Jesus, who is the prince of peace.” Pope Francis met Nov. 28 with some 6,000 Ital ian schoolchildren, teens and their teachers, who have been participating in the program of the National Net work of Schools for Peace. The program is focusing on the theme, “For Peace. With Care,” and Pope Francis told them that the second part is essential. “Usually, we talk about peace when we feel directly threatened, as in the case of a possible nuclear attack or a war being fought on our doorstep,” the pope said. And “we care about the rights of migrants when we have some relative or friend who has migrated.” But even when war is not near or threatening someone known, “peace is always, always about us! Just as it always concerns another, our brother or sister, and he or she must be taken care of,” the pope told the stu dents.

WORLD

BEIRUT (CNS) – Vio lette Yammine aims to illumi nate Advent and Christmas hope for Lebanese facing tough times. The graphic de signer has launched an “Ad vent Box” that includes a “Meditations for Advent with the Holy Family” booklet, with an accompanying set of Holy Family figurine candles. Separately, there is also a chil dren’s Christmas story. The two Christmas season family participation projects are the first offerings of Yammine’s

Catholic design firm “Banafsaj,” which is how Violette is pronounced in Arabic. Yam mine, a Maronite Catholic, considers her enterprise – Banafsaj Christian Designs – a way “to offer beautiful violets, and scents, to the Lord.” In Lebanon, she noticed, most Christian family-oriented publications are produced by evangelical churches. So, she decided “to put all my talent in the service of Christ.” The Advent booklet and accom panying Holy Family candles are intended for the three Sundays preceding Christmas. Yammine said she hopes it will spark “an Advent well spent in prayer.” The first Sun day reading concerns the Annunciation, intended for the Mary candle. The second Sunday reading is the revelation to Joseph, and thus the Joseph candle. The birth of Je sus is the third and final Sunday reading, with the candle of baby Jesus in the manger.

ACCRA, Ghana (CNS) – As Ghana’s national soccer team, the Black Stars, joins other national teams for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, some Ghanaian citi zens have been talking about Iñaki Williams, who was named after a Catholic priest. His parents, Ghanaians Felix Williams and Ma ria (Mary) Arthuer, crossed the Sahara and, when they got to Morocco, jumped the bor der fence to Melilla, one of two Spanish cit ies in North Africa. The Guardian reported that, on the advice of a lawyer, they said they were from Liberia to apply for political asylum. They ended up in Bilbao, Spain. A Caritas volunteer, then-Deacon Iñaki Mar dones, was instrumental in helping them when they arrived in Bilbao. “I went to pick them up at Abando (railway) station,” Father Mardones told La Provincia, a Spanish magazine. At the time, Maria was seven months pregnant. “I remember them with the suitcase and the uncertainty on their faces,” Father Mar dones told La Provincia. The report on them said they understood Spanish, “but when I started to speak they looked at me without understanding anything. When I switched to English they sighed in relief.” He helped them to an apartment used by Caritas, and even helped them get to the hospital for their child’s birth.

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 re ports. Examples of this activity include fraud, misconduct, safety violations, harassment or substance abuse occurring at a Cath olic 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/jacksondi ocese or call 888-830-0004 (English) or 800-216-1288 (Spanish).

The Association of Priests of the Dioceses of Jackson and Bi loxi provide a small pension to our retired priests. As you con sider your estate plans, please remember these faithful servants by making a donation or leaving a bequest to the Association of Priests. Our parish priests dedicate their lives to caring for us, their flocks. Let us now care for them in their retirement. Donations can be made payable to the Association of Priests and can be mailed to:

Diocese of Jackson, Attn: Cathy Pendleton, P.O. Box 2248, Jack son, MS 39225-2248

This is a meditation with a St. Joseph candle from the “Advent Box” booklet by Banafsaj Christian Designs in Leba non. The booklet comes with an accompanying set of the Holy Family figurine candles. (CNS photo/courtesy Banaf saj Christian Designs)

la Santísima Madre señala el camino para llegar a su Hijo a través de la fe ...’

o “Felices Fiestas”. Incluso “Fe liz Navidad” puede sonar falso si se cocina demasiado.

Con María, nuestra Santísima Madre, estamos llamados a sostener y ser sostenidos por el Hijo de Dios y permitir que su paz cuide nues tras vidas. Oramos unos por otros para que la paz de Cristo, que está más allá de todo entendimiento, disipe la oscuridad de la duda y el miedo, el dolor y la vergüenza como el último regalo de Navidad. Que estemos presentes unos a otros de una manera que atraviese lo que se desvanece rápidamente a ese lugar donde el Señor mora dentro de nosotros.

Cualesquiera que sean las circunstancias de nuestra vida, sigamos entonces preparando el camino para el Señor de manera que fun cionen para nosotros. Los himnos de Adviento pueden ser fuente de esperanza e inspiración y de manera particular la iglesia abraza el amado himno “!Oh, Ven, ven, Emmanuel”, especialmente en la recta final que lleva a los fieles a la Nochebuena.

Este himno contiene las antífonas que representan el anhelo del pueblo de Israel por el Mesías. Los versos del himno se aplican como las antífonas del Evangelio a partir del 17 de diciembre y pueden profundizar en nosotros el hambre del Salvador.

“¡Oh, ven, oh Sabiduría de lo alto! ¡Oh, ven, oh, Señor del poder y del poder! ¡Oh, ven, oh, Flor del tallo de Jesé! ¡Oh, ven, oh Llave de David! ¡Oh, ven, oh, Radiante Amanecer! ¡Oh, ven, oh Rey de todas las naciones! ¡Ven, ven, Emanuel!” Este himno se puede combinar fácilmente con la corona de Adviento en nuestros hogares durante la semana antes de Navidad para preparar el camino del Señor.

En este momento de Adviento, la Santísima Madre señala el camino para llegar a su Hijo a través de la fe. La fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción y de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe celebra su amor por la iglesia y su papel singular en el plan de salvación

de Dios. La siguiente es la oración después de la Comunión en la Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y una oración final adecuada para la columna.

“Señor Dios, que el Cuerpo y la Sangre de tu Hijo, que recibimos en este sacramen to, nos reconcilie siempre en tu amor; y que los que nos regocijamos en Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe vivamos unidos y en paz en este mundo.”

‘...

MADISON – St. Francis parish hosted a special evening of worship and adoration for Advent with Catholic musician, John Finch and his band on Sunday, Dec. 4. (Photo by Melissa Smi ley)

World Marriage Day celebrates gi of marriage as vocation, sacrament

KNEADING FAITH

BY FRAN LAVELLE

My first parish after graduating from college was Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Columbus, Ohio. Holy Spirit also had an elementary school and was truly a neighborhood parish. The parish was mostly made up of families with young children and older married couples who raised their children in the parish and school. That first year at Holy Spirit was the first time I was really aware of World Marriage Day. It may have been that during my high school and college years I had not paid attention, or it might be that our university parish did not celebrate World Marriage Day in a significant way. In any event, I recall the priest at Holy Spirit inviting all of the married couples to stand and re-new their wedding vows. As the married couples stood, I remember looking around and seeing a sea of children still seated along with myself. It was and still remains a powerful image in my mind. I remember witnessing those couples, young and old, recommitting their lives to one another. The vow to love one another

in good times and in bad is much more profound knowing that a couple have had their share of both in the years they have been husband and wife.

I have a friend who has been married for over 50 years. In reflecting on her marriage, she speaks to how organically their marriage has evolved over the years. She told me once that she and her husband have had four “mini-marriages” within their one marriage. It is natural that as we age, we grow and mature.

In their marriage they were able to meet the challenges of their changing relationship as they moved through the various stages of life. Now retired, they have had the opportunity to look back and see that the work they put into remaining together built a bond that they could not have imagined on their wedding day. She tells me often that it is all a gift. The good and the not so good helped them grow in their love and strengthened their commitment to one another. If you are a couple or know a couple who have been married for a number of years you know exactly what I am talking about.

The church in her wisdom rightly celebrates the gift of marriage as both vocation and sacrament. It is important for single people, young couples, and newlyweds to see what enduring love and sacrifice look like.

Each February the diocese celebrates the gift and witness of marriage. Under the leadership and planning of the Office of Family Ministry all couples celebrating their 25th, 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries are invited to the Diocesan World Marriage Day celebration. It will be held Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Jackson, Mississippi. There will be a Mass followed by a reception. To register contact your parish office or go to www.jacksondiocese.org/family-ministry to register yourself. For additional information or questions, please contact Debbie Tubertini at the Office of Family Ministry at (601) 9608487 or email debbie.tubertini@jacksondiocese.org.

May your commitment to your marriage be a great witness to the young people in your life just as those couples were for me all those years ago. This year I will be celebrating my first World Marriage Day as a newlywed. God willing, we will have many years to celebrate the gift of our late life vocation. Keep loving one another well. I know it is my long-term plan!

(Fran Lavelle is the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Jackson.)

From darkness into light this Advent

GUEST COLUMN

BY SISTER CONSTANCE VEIT, LSP

Our motherhouse is located on a large property in a tiny village in rural France. With its old stone buildings, expansive pastures, flower gardens and shaded pathways, it’s a gorgeously bucolic setting and the most peaceful place I’ve ever been.

During the year that I lived there I don’t think I heard a single airplane overhead, an emergency siren or even a car horn. The nighttime silence and dark, starlit skies were especially striking.

Looking up at the stars I felt the deep security of knowing I was enveloped by God’s love.

The memory of those starry Breton skies still quiets my soul and fills me with a sense of peacefulness in the midst of life’s inevitable difficulties.

What a contrast this is to the darkness enveloping our Ukrainian brothers and sisters this winter as their country continues to be bombarded on a daily basis. This darkness is not a blanket of security or prayerful serenity – although cries to God no doubt rise from it – but an inescapable cloud of fear and dread.

As I think of the people of Ukraine during this Advent season, I am reminded of the words of the prophet Isaiah about the people dwelling in darkness. (Is 9:2ff) This passage speaks of a burdensome yoke, a taskmaster’s rod, boots tramped in battle and cloaks rolled in blood.

This is harsh military imagery.

The people living in darkness are wounded and oppressed, like our Ukrainian brothers and sisters today. They desperately need someone to shine a light into the cold cellars and improvised bunkers in which they huddle. They need a savior.

It is just after the winter solstice, the darkest point of the year, that we celebrate the coming of our Savior at Christmas. Isaiah proclaims, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone ...For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.”

In their icons Ukrainian Catholics and Orthodox Christians

traditionally portray the Nativity scene as a black cave surrounded by jagged rocks. This inhospitable setting represents the cruel and sinful world into which Jesus was born.

From heaven a large star sends a single shaft of light to pierce the darkness and guide the viewer’s eye directly onto the baby lying in the manger. This babe is the light that will dispel all darkness.

An Orthodox monk reflecting on the Nativity icon wrote, “O God, upon whom will the light shine if not those who live in darkness? If I truly feel that I am in darkness, then I surely will seek the light.”

This insight helps us to understand that the miracle of Christmas is not automatic. We must realize our need to be plucked out of the darkness that surrounds us – we must intentionally seek the light.

For most of our contemporary world, Christmas is filled with bright lights, shiny baubles and excesses of every kind. It is difficult to quiet our hearts enough to seek the true light we so desperately need.

Perhaps an act of solidarity with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters can help us to clarify our priorities this Christmas.

Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and the highest ranking Ukrainian clergyman in the United States, recently spoke at a meeting of U.S. bishops.

He suggested that we open wide a window in our home, turn the lights out and sit there long enough to really feel the cold. This act of solidarity, he suggested, will help us to feel what the Ukrainian people are experiencing everyday as this war drags on.

May this simple gesture of empathy and solidarity inspire us to intensify our prayers for peace, that the light of Christ will truly pierce the darkness this Christmas – the darkness of sin and war enveloping our world, and the darkness that lurks in each human heart.

O Lord, God-Hero and Prince of Peace, how we need you! Come into our world anew this Christmas and dispel the darkness with your divine light!

(Sister Constance Veit is the communications director for the Little Sisters of the Poor in the United States and an occupational therapist.)

Fourth and Glory! St. Joseph continues dynasty with victory over Tri-County in state title game

By DaviD W. Healy/Delta Democrat times

JACKSON – It takes more than one player to make a dynasty.

These were the words from St. Joseph Catholic School coach John Baker just minutes after his Fighting Irish defeated Tri-County Academy 26-14 to win the MAIS Class 4A State Championship Thursday, Nov. 17 at Jackson Academy. It was the Irish’s fourth state championship in school history and fourth in six years.

As they have done in their pre vious three state championships, the biggest stars on this year’s St. Joseph (11-1) team shined the brightest. But it was not just one star. The night and the glory belonged to the entire St. Joseph team who avenged a loss last season to Tri-County in last year’s state semifinal game.

Senior running back Kye Nelson, who played as a 5-foot-9 wrecking ball the entire game, carried the ball for crucial yardage time after time again. In the second half, Nelson’s determination came to a crescendo when his 34-yard touchdown score put the Irish in the lead for good at 20-14 with 1:56 to play in the third quarter. Nelson finished the night with 144 yards rushing on 16 carries.

“I was just thinking after every carry to keep going and keep fighting,” Nelson said. “This game was revenge for us because Tri-County beat us in the semifinals last season.”

Said Baker, “Kye and the offensive line, they put the whole team on their backs and they got us in the end zone. We made the decision to run the ball in the second half because we felt like we were more physical team and at halftime we thought if we ran the ball we could win.”

Nelson missed last year’s state semifinal with an in jury.

Senior quarterback CJ Moore was another Irish play er who helped cement the Irish dynasty Thursday night.

Moore is the brother of the first two Irish quarter backs, Brice Johnson and Dillon Johnson, who helped lead the Irish to their first three state championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019. During Thursday’s contest, Moore looked much like his older two brothers when they were leading the Irish to state glory. As he had all season, Moore extended offensive plays with his speed and escapability.

After Tri-County opened the scoring when QB Bryce Warriner connected with Ty Milner on a 13-yard touch down pass with 2:59 left in the first quarter, Moore found a wide-open Christian Foster in the back of the endzone for 24-yard touchdown reception to give St. Jo seph a 7-6 lead.

Later in the second quarter, Moore made his biggest play of the game when he raced down the right sideline for a 76-yard touchdown run to put the Irish up 14-6 with 2:57 left in the second quarter. The Irish finished with 264 rushing yards.

“CJ pulls a rabbit out of his hat every time,” Coach Baker said. “He is the best athlete on our team. He doesn’t let things get to him. He threw an early pick, but he came back and reset and ran that long touchdown

for us.”

Moore ended the game 14 of 29 with 163 yards passing. He had 114 yards rushing. St. Joseph’s Stank King led the Irish with 55 yards receiving on five catches. Chris Mayfield had 53 yards receiving for the Irish on three catches.

While the St. Joseph offensive players did their part for the victory, the Irish defense also stood tall when it mattered the most, holding the Rebels score less in the second half.

On Tri-County’s first offensive possession of the game, defensive end Donnie Smith recovered a Rebel fumble at the Tri-County 38-yard line. In the second quarter, defensive back Stank King made an intercep tion and returned it 15 yards to the Irish 37-yard line.

In the third quarter, St. Joseph defensive lineman Alex Foster helped to end a Rebel drive with a 15yard sack for a loss.

Later in the third, King deflected a Tri-County

pass in the back of the endzone that looked at first like it was a sure touch down.

The Rebels managed just 49 rush ing yards in the game.

Tri-County head coach Phillip Wasson, a Greenville native who once coached at St. Joseph and Washington School, praised the Irish on their state championship.

“St. Joe is a really good team,” Coach Wasson said. “Most of their best players are all back from last year. Coach Baker has done a good job with them. They have only lost one game this year. I am proud of that group because I know a lot of those kids over there at St. Joe.”

(David Healy is sports editor for the Delta Democrat-Times. He can be reached at dhealy@ddtonline.com. Re-printed with permission.)

JACKSON – The Fighting Irish of St. Joe Greenville toppled Tri-County Academy for the MAIS Class 4A State Championship on Thursday, Nov. 17 at Jackson Academy. More photos at mississippicatholic.com. (Photos by Joanna Puddister King)

(Top Right) Seniors Stank King and Kye Nelson celebrate after a big play in the first half. (Above) The Fighting Irish run onto the field at the start of the MAIS 4A State Championship game.

St. Elizabeth celebration

CLARKSDALE – On Sunday, Nov. 20, St. Elizabeth parish held a triple celebration – the 110th aniversary of the church and the feasts of St. Elizabeth of Hungary and Christ the King. On left, Elizabeth Blaine Cau then, Brooks Cauthen and Father Raju Macherla read a beautiful prayer at the end of Mass.

(Below) Luke Agostnelli, Steele Britt, Father Raju, William Walker and Isabel Walker participate in Adoration before Mass. (Photos by Tereza Ma)

MERIDIAN – Father Augustine Palimattam Poulose and Father Justin Joseph try to warm up in between building beds for children in need on Nov. 12. A group of youth and parishioners worked to build 10 beds for an organization called Sleep In Heavely Peace. (Photos courtesy of Catholic Community of Meridian)

Around the diocese

COLUMBUS – (Right) Families gathered for a Thanksgiving feast at Annunciation Catholic School. (Photo by Logan Waggoner)

Blessings

St. Richard service

JACKSON – St. Richard School's community service project, Manhattan Mall, runs in November and December when sixth graders collect gift items and wrapping supplies to host a shopping event for the residents at Manhattan Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jackson. (Top photo by Tammy Conrad and bottom photo by Cathy Tebo)

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School celebrated Thanksgiving blessings with a family dinner before Thanksgiving break. (Photos by Sister Margaret Sue Broker)

GREENVILLE – Maleah Morris walks away after receiving a blessing. Father Sanchez and Bishop Joseph Kopacz gave blessings and dis tributed communion during a special Mass honoring Salvador Sarullo at St. Joseph School. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King)

Regional representatives meet pope, discuss 'continental phase' of synod

sus, in order to mend our church."

The meeting at the Vatican was meant to help finalize plans for the regional gatherings called to reflect on the "Document for the Continental Phase," a document released in late October and echoing the themes that emerged from all the national synthe ses of synod listening sessions and the con tributions of religious orders, Catholic move ments, Vatican dicast eries and nuncios from around the world.

not listen, you do not know where people are," which is essential for helping them come to a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Speaking to Vatican News, the archbishop said he hoped that listening and sharing would "help heal, at least as far as the church is concerned, some of the po larization" evident in U.S. society.

"I think the emphasis that's been placed on listening will be a great help if people enter into these moments of conversation and dialogue and discernment with a spirit of listening to the other," he told Vatican News.

The bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean also will hold multiple meetings, although all four will be in-person gatherings. The meetings are scheduled for El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Brazil between Feb. 13 and March 10. The bishops also have decided that 55% of the participants will be laypeople while 45% will be bishops, priests, deacons and religious.

By Cindy Wooden

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – While some people want to "reform" the Catholic Church and others want "to put the brakes on the synod process," those involved in pre paring the continental phase of the synod process want "to mend" the church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the pope, said Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg, relator general of the synod.

As final plans are made for the continental phase leading to the Synod of Bishops 2023-24, the bishops and coordinators responsible for the regional meetings met at the Vatican Nov. 28-29.

The participants included Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Bishop Raymond Poisson of Saint-Jérôme and Mont-Lau rier, Quebec, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Archbishop Broglio told Catholic News Service Nov. 30 that the meeting was "well-planned" and "quite uni versal," while also making it clear how the "continental phase" was being organized differently in each part of the world.

Meeting Pope Francis late Nov. 28, Cardinal Hollerich said the synod process has faced "temptations" along the way.

Particularly in the media, he said, there is a tempta tion to politicize the church, looking at it "with the logic of politics."

But, he said, the 30 par ticipants from around the world who met at the Vatican in late November "want to be able to enter into a true dis cernment, an apostolic, mis sionary discernment, so that the synodal church can carry out its mission in the world. We want to walk together with you and, above all, with the Holy Spirit and with Je

Participants in the continental phase will be asked to discuss what in the document "resonates" with them or what they believe is missing, said Xavière Missionary Sister Nathalie Bec quart, one of the synod undersecre taries.

Vatican News, reporting on the meeting Nov. 28, said representatives discussed some of the challenges the process already has raised, including "the small minority of people who have participated so far; the chal lenge facing the church regarding how she carries out her mission; the prevalence of personal piety rather than community-building practices and ritual; (and) the vast amount of information, proposals and sugges tions that makes synthesizing or com ing to conclusions difficult."

In addition, Vatican News said, some participants saw "the need for a definition of 'inclusive' regard ing how the voices and views of non-Catholics or former Catholics is envisioned; misunderstanding that the consultation process is meant to grant all of the requests people are raising; bringing out the voices of women is a challenge particularly in those places where societies are still patriarchal; (and) media interpreta tion of the synod from a sociological rather than ecclesiastical slant."

The bishops of the United States and Canada have decided to hold 10 online sessions for their continental phase; the meetings, scheduled for 90 minutes, will take place from Dec. 14 to Jan. 21 with five sessions in English, three in Spanish and two in French.

Archbishop Broglio said the bish ops chose the format to increase the number of people able to participate.

"I hope there will be an oppor tunity to listen to the concerns of different people," he said. "If you do

The European gathering is scheduled for Feb. 5-12 in Prague with 200 people attending in person and up to 10 more delegates from each country following online. Catholics from Australia, New Zealand and other parts of Oceania will meet Feb. 5-9 in Suva, Fiji.

The Middle East meeting will be held Feb. 12-18 in Beirut, Lebanon, while the Asian meeting will be held Feb. 23-27 in Bangkok, Thailand. The bishops of Africa and Madagascar will sponsor a gathering in Addis Aba ba, Ethiopia, March 1-6.

Community builds beds for children

MERIDIAN – On Nov. 12, the Catholic community of Meridi an worked with an organization called Sleep In Heavenly Peace building beds. The organization has a simple mission, “no kid sleeps on the floor in our town.” After several months of fund raising, the community raised the money to build 10 beds. Each bed costs $250 and includes the bed, mattress and bed linens. Most had little to no building experience, but came together on a cold, rainy day and got the project done. The group then helped to deliver four of the beds to children who were sleeping on the floor. We are called to serve, and Sleep In Heavenly Peace can surely help with that. (Photo courtesy of Catholic Community of Meridian)

Pope Francis leads a meeting with the presidents and coordinators of the regional assemblies of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican Nov. 28, 2022. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, attend ed the meeting. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)