2025 SacramentS S pecial e dition
HOLLY SPRINGS – Artwork by Holy Family student Kensley Shakayla Malik. (Photo courtesy of Holy Family School)
VICKSBURG – St. Paul parishioners (l-r) Colette Hotard, Jack Caldwell, Mary Russell Lawrence, Sophia Ravencraft, Rodney Ravencraft and David Foley received first Communion, pictured with teacher Barbara Hill and Father Rusty Vincent. (Photo by Connie Hosemann)
PEARL – St. Jude parish celebrated first Communion on Saturday, May 10. Pictured are Brendan Bokros, Dalexa Bolanos, Dante Bond, Chris Castillo, Kevin Castillo, Aaron Guzman, Scarlett O’Bier, Mia Rose and Kirby Roundtree with Father Cesar Sánchez and Kathleen Edwards. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
BATESVILLE – St. Mary parish celebrated first Communion. Front row, from left: Abbigail Almanza, Aileen Almanza, Aiden Watts and Ana Sofia Casillas. Back row, from left: Luis Serna, Father Pradeep Thirumalareddy and Sebastian Serna. (Photo courtesy of parish)
FLOWOOD – (below)
St. Paul parish celebrated first Communion. Back row, from left: Alex Rose, Ali Rose, Julia Halter, Emori Nelson, Addison Scott, Olivia Thweatt, Lily Cain, Ava von Fischer-Benzon and Andrew Valino.
Front row, from left: Corinne Gibson, Finley Stevens, Catherine Pambianchi, Jack Joseph, Foster Malone, Logan Linick, Thomas Head, Jaxon Perez, Camilla Castro, Emma Kate Withrow and Mamie Lindsey. (Photo by Sara Withrow)
BROOKHAVEN – St. Francis of Assisi parish celebrated first Communion with Sophia Coleman, Thomas Lopez, Fynlee Gaudet, Gunner Smith, Camdyn Pigott, Samuel Bougere and Montze Gonzalez, pictured with Father Manohar Thanugundla. Not pictured is Cade Duplantis. (Photo by Emily Phillip)
TUPELO – (below) St. James parish celebrated first Communion with Catarina Alonzo Perez, Brianna Avina, Katherine Avina, Christian Bernal Ocampo, Matthew Bernal Ocampo, Oscar Nicolás Diaz, Ave Emplaincourt, Corinne Eschete, Santiago Escobedo, German Joel Flores, Carolyn Gan Lim, Roman Hernandez, Helen Le, Heidi Lira, Janeth Lira, Aaron Martinez, Lucas Martinez, Briana Mendoza, Alex Montoya Cabral, Manny Moralez, Maya Moreno, Alondra Ortega, Jimmy Joshua Peralta Macias, Kinleigh Poppelreiter, Daniel Quiñones, Joel Quiñones, Leandro Jireh Rangel Gayosso, Fernando Romero Garcia, Angela Triano Rodriguez, Sophia Varela Velasco, Ariadna Vazquez, Ximena Vazquez, Cameron Vincent, June Weatherford and James Wiygul, pictured with Father Octavio Escobar and first Communion catechists. (Photo courtesy of parish)
Polk received
Communion at
GREENVILLE – St. Joseph parish celebrated first Communion on April 27. Pictured are Reece Shoffner, Carolina Martinez, Father Cesar Sánchez, Savanna Azar, Sebastian Varela; front row: Brooks Vickers and Eli Logan. (Photo by Mary Lynn Powers)
MERIDIAN – First Communion was celebrated at St. Patrick Church on May 4. Pictured with Father Augustine Palimattam are Destiny Sophia Alvarado-Sanchez, Cristian Jatniel Alvarado-Sanchez, Elizabeth “McBride” Boyer, Alexa del Angel Sanchez, Amy del Angel Sanchez, Giovanni Diaz, Sofia Garcia, Eli Jimenez, Amy Le, Jadiel Medrano, Quy Nguyen, Charlie Owen, Alexa Rangel, Oscar Yahel Suarez-Gonzalez, Georgia Valko, Julissa Valle and Valeria Yepes. (Photo courtesy of parish)
CLINTON – Holy Savior parish celebrated first Communion on May 4. Front row, from left: Reece Burwell, Lucas Gonzalez-Miranda, Samantha Campos, Mary Mae Mazy, Isley Richardson and Gabriela Mazy. Middle row, from left: Romy Lacey, Cecilia Tucker, Margaret Yentzen, Avery Hayes and Wolf Frazier. Back: Father Lincoln Dall. (Photo by Janeth Mazy)
JACKSON – James “Jimmy” Hilario Villa
first
St. Peter the Apostle Cathedral, pictured with his godfather, Father Andrew Bowden. (Photo by Mara Villa Polk)
MAGEE – Father Stephen Okojie is pictured with Tyler Doiron at his baptism at St. Stephen parish. (Photo courtesy Kirby J. Rivere)
KOSCIUSKO – St. Therese parish celebrated first Communion on May 4. From left to right: Donal “Hawk” Shannon, Ella Johnson, Alex Nguyen and Camila Arvizu, with Father Marco A. Sanchez, S.T. (Photo courtesy of parish)
JACKSON – Christ the King parish celebrated first Communion with catechist Gina Lobo and Deacon Denzil Lobo. Top row, from left: Avery Johnson, Samuel Anderson and Oscar Anderson. Bottom row: Alaya Anderson, Kendrea Bass and Grace Asowata. At right is Father Joe Dyer. (Photo by Maggie Spence)
McCOMB – The following children received first Communion Saturday, April 26, 2025, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Bottom row, from left: Joseph Bonson, Brentlee Griffin, Khaleb Fuerte and Jonathan Gonzalez. Center: Marygrace Codding. Top row, from left: Father Rusty Vincent, Kylie Greer, Lidia Cliburn, Juan Gonzalez and Father Suresh Thirumalareddy. (Photo courtesy of parish)
JACKSON – Holy Ghost Catholic Church celebrated first Communion April 16, 2025. Pictured from left are Father Madanu Vijaya Bhaskar, SVD; Alexandria Barney; Cattaleya Barney; and Tristan Barney, siblings. (Photo by Dorothy Ashley)
– St. Michael parishioners received first Communion on May 4. Pictured from left to right: Elliot Dale Beasley, Abigail Grace Roach, Caden Harper Marshall, Donald Keith Rice III and Crosby Clayton Roberts, with Father Robert Dore in the back. (Photo by Amy Chaney)
– (right) St. Jude parish celebrated first Communion on Saturday, May 3. Pictured from right: Mateo Alvarado, Daniela Duran, Kelvin Espinoza, Maximiliano Gaviria, Vanessa Hernandez, Dyana Lemus-Polanco, Daleyza Lopez, Osmari Monragon, Jake Morales, Isaias Navarro, Melanie Vizcaya and Jordan Zainz. (Photo by Denisse Dunlop)
LELAND – St. James parish celebrated first Communion with Reed Mahalitc, Daniel Smythe, Lela Fratesi, Cameron Palasini, Mason McGee and Colt Palasini. (Photo by Ann Marie Smythe)
CRYSTAL SPRINGS – St. John parish celebrated first Communion May 25, 2025. Pictured are Father Kevin Slattery and Isabel Luna. (Photo by Yvette Howard)
PEARL
VICKSBURG – St. Paul RCIA candidates Caleb Bethany, Melanie Nunez and Alexander Nunez were welcomed into the Catholic faith at the Easter Vigil 2025, pictured with Father Rusty Vincent. (Photo courtesy of parish)
VICKSBURG
– St. John the Evangelist parish celebrated first Communion May 4. Back row, from left: Frances Whelan, Althea Schmerge, Cordie Houston, Tessie Getz and Collins Soldevila; middle row, from left: Lulu Chaney, McLaurin Wade, Forte Koury, Zoe Marascalco and Theodore Cutcliffe; front row, from left: Sophie Hudspeth, Hank Noel, Clara Allen, Mary Grace Cannon and Charlotte Stringfellow. Pictured with Father Mark Shoffner. (Photo by Antonella Rescigno)
– St. Mary Basilica celebrated first Communion on May 4. Top row, from left: Abigail Powers, Lewie Brown, Colt Atkins, Carmen Escamilla, Khloe King, Patrick Goldman, Easten Morris, Stevie Jenkins, Thomas O’Brien, Jacob Tran and Father Aaron Williams. Bottom row, from left: Neil Willard, Tommy Malloy, Lauren King, Piper Smith, Tinley Blaney, Aubrey Ryan, Ella Blase Gaude, Elin Wagner, Jewel Killen and Harrison Williams. (Photo courtesy of parish)
– St. Mary parish celebrated first Communion. Front row, from left: Sara Earnest, Evelynn Eldred and Oscar Garfias. Back row: catechist Kerri McKnatt and Father Pradeep Thirumalareddy. (Photo courtesy of parish)
OXFORD
NATCHEZ
MAGEE – (left) St. Stephen parish celebrated first Communion with Moses Lien and Isaac Do, pictured with Father Stephen Okojie. (Photo by Kirby Rivere)
BATESVILLE
CITY – St. Mary parishioners Trace Kennedy and Mary Cole McMaster made their first Communion Sunday, April 6, 2025, with Father Paneer Arockiam.
– St. Francis of Assisi parish celebrated first Communion. Front row, left to right: Beck Kenyon, Heidi Tassin, Dustin Le, Addison McCormick, Grayson Santana, Addy Jasinski, Jennie
Alex Magaña, Sophie Vaughan and Hal Venable. Second row,
to
Ellie Runnels, Sadie Baldwin, Louis Toth, Riley Walker, Silas Berlin, Gavin Bahadur, Isabel Palacios, Khloe Palacios, Frankie Brown, Lawson Griffin, Ruby Robb, Caroline Webb, Vivi-Ann Barbrey and Sadler Sims. Third row, left to
Myles Godbold, Theodore Brignac, Harper Measells, Daniel Harkins, Claire Smith, Bethel Ambe, Hannie Ambe and Akshaya Tirumalareddy. Pictured with Fathers Joseph Golamari and Albeenreddy Vatti. Also pictured are Ethan Conerly, Thomas McDaniel, Declan McCormick and Diya Tirumalareddy.
YAZOO
(Photo by Babs McMaster)
PEARL – St. Jude parish celebrated the baptism of Ariana Perez, Miya Perez, Christina Diaz and Crystal Diaz on May 23. (Photo by Kathleen Edwards)
MADISON
Jones,
left
right:
right:
(Photo by Paula Bennett)
JACKSON – St. Therese parish celebrated first Communion on May 25. Pictured are Liliana Balderas, Rodrigo Bautista, Ailin Prudencio, Genaro Flores, Joshua Balderas, Kaylee Duarte, Oscar Gaspar, Ashley Hernández and Hailey Hernández. Teachers Rosalinda Montoya, Maria Valadez and Alondra Del Rosal are also pictured with celebrant Father Stephen Okojie. (Photo by Mario Villasenor)
HAZLEHURST – St. Martin parish celebrated first Communion on June 1. Front row, from left: Aylin Ramirez Matias, Cynthia Hernandez Martinez, Lesli Hernandez Lorenzo, Sheylin Sarayda Agustin, Rosa Perez Gomez, Beyli Hernandez Garcia, Kevin Salinas, Sulma Garcia Gabriel, Antony Romero Lopez and Fernanda Velasquez Aguilon. Back row, from left: Bernabe Zaragoza, catechist Higinia Cermeno, Father Kevin Slattery, catechist Concepcion Martinez and Eric Alejandro Reyes. (Photo by Yvette Howard)
– St. Stephen parishioners Allison Underwood, holding Lawson, and Father Stephen Okojie, holding Leah, are
with Wade Underwood. Both children were baptized together.
FLOWOOD – (above) St. Paul parish celebrated Confirmation at St. Jude in Pearl. Back row, from left: Zeke Vaughn, Cameron Clune, Deacon Tony Schmidt, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Father Gerry Hurley, Abram Eubanks, Anthony Haag and Drayden Gales. Front row, from left: Mary Lucille Gaspard, Delilah Roberts and Jordyn Sclafani. (Photo by Rhonda Bowden)
MAGEE
pictured
(Photo by Kirby J. Rivere)
JACKSON – (right) Youth from Holy Family parish celebrated first Communion on Sunday, April 20, 2025. Pictured from left: Jordan Resendiz, Father Leon Ngandu, SVD; Natalia Sanchez and Alejandro Sanchez. (Photo courtesy of parish)
JACKSON – St. Richard parish celebrated first Communion April 26. Back row, from left: Harry McIlwaine, Samuel Nicholas, Mary Frances Turner, Grant Comstock, Victor Griffin, Knox Hogue, Levi Eaton, William Mosley, Fraley Minton and Sophie Rogers. Middle row, from left: Mende Dillon, Sudie Markow, Ellie Bowers, Lyle Carlton, Hales Carlton, Elsie Ueltschey, Harrison Fox, Hallie Lumaghini and Aiden Jones. Bottom row, from left: Olivia Mokry, Theil Crews, Elaine Barrera, Pippa Kline, Andrew Whitfield, Aaron Jones, Ann Lavender Simmons and Greer Taylor. (Photo by Ron Blaylock)
MERIDIAN – (left) St. Joseph parish celebrated first Communion May 4. Pictured are Father Augustine Palimattam, Zorah Johnson and Robert “RJ” Quedado. (Photo by John Harwell)
CARTHAGE – St. Anne parish celebrated first Communion with Brianna Nallely Lopez Cardona, Emily Mia Sanchez Mejia, Wilbert Yaniel Rodriguez, Alondra Barron Gonzalez, Dayamy Villasenor Ramirez, Emmanuel Trinidad Garcia Lopez, Max Karim Orozco Garcia, Yaretzy Mishelle Tremaj Miranda, Stephanie Sofia Lopez Salvador, Irvin Evelio Salvador Agustin, Kenia Martinez, Irvin de Jesus Vazquez Figueroa, Dylan Jesus Salvador Perez, Jonathan Rodriguez Marroquin, Brianna Colin Barron, Alexander Barron Gonzalez and Liam Jose Vasquez Figueroa. (Photo courtesy of parish)
CRYSTAL SPRINGS – St. John parish celebrated Confirmation May 31, 2025. Front row, from left: Odalis Rodriguez, Neida Ramirez, Dania Mendez, Magali Hernandez Garcia, Uvaldo Hernandez Garcia, Chelsey Delcid Reza and Jessica Corado. Back row, from left: Father Kevin Slattery, Nancy Zarate, Melani Socon, Esteban Martinez, Bishop Kopacz, Mia Joseph, Kevin Guerrero Loaeza and Rubi Guerrero Loaeza. (Photo by Yvette Howard)
OXFORD – St. John the Evangelist parish celebrated Confirmation. Back row, from left: Jack Lewis, Ayden Vazquez, Annie Perry, Cecilia Carr, Robert Jubera, Landon Hendrickson, Andrew Colby, Anthony Vasquez, George Noel and John Brents. Front row, from left: James Brents, Allison Munoz, Mackenzie Clark, Carson Hendrickson, Edward Lewis, Lawson Sanders, Campbell Soldevila and George Lewis. (Photo courtesy of parish)
COLUMBUS – Annunciation parish celebrated Confirmation on May 6. Back row, from left: Ethan Barclay, Jack Furnari, Father Jeffrey Waldrep, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Thompson Regimbal, Joseph Ratliff and catechist Maria Dunser. Front row, from left: Ava Alexander, Jackie Robinson, Sophia Shepherd, Ayla Meier, Abigail Maya, Isabella Padron, Jasmine Marquez, Lilly Moody, Emily Robinson, Angelle Jean-Pierre and Ashley Dominguez. (Photo courtesy of parish)
COLUMBUS – Joseph Ratliff receives the sacrament of Confirmation as Bishop Joseph Kopacz anoints him with sacred chrism at Annunciation parish. (Photo by Melissa Ratliff)
CATHOLIC JULY 18, 2025
MADISON – St. Francis of Assisi parish celebrated Confirmation May 25. Front row, from left: Kathlyn Alfonso, Eliza Rowlett, Iliana Blount, Father Albeen Vatti, Stafford Lott, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Josiah Davidson, Ania Reyna, Florentina Martinez and Lauryn Blue. Second row, from left: Ava Martin, Daniel Inman, Nicholas Kalichka-Paiva, Rodrigo Neira, Jack Williams, Rowan Buck, Brian Maldonado, Jackson Nicosia and Landry Lee. Back row, from left: Betzy Guerrero, Father Joseph Golamari, Mary Woodward (chancellor), Deacon Denzil Lobo, Alex Glass, Msgr. Elvin Sunds, Alex Lott and Julian Reyna. (Photo by Melissa Smalley)
JACKSON – Avery Leverette received the sacrament of Confirmation at Christ the King parish, pictured with sponsor Regina Adams, Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Deacon Denzil Lobo. (Photo courtesy of parish)
NEW ALBANY – St. Francis of Assisi parish celebrated first Communion on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Top row, from left: Cruz Mejia, Father Jesuraja “Raj” Xavier and Carlos Enrique Nava. Second row, from left: Jesus Romero Zuniga, Jacob Contreras, Christina Nava, Kayla Marie Nava, Milan Ortega and Luis Miguel Lopez. Third row, from left: Yaretzi Navarro, Esmeralda Mendoza, Brandon Guerrero, Paulina Ramirez, Ariana Romero, Melani Romero and Valeria Chavez. Front row, from left: Valeria Noemi Huerta and Thiago Vera. (Photo by Joanna Manning)
– Our Lady of Victories parish celebrated Confirmation on May 3, 2025, with several youth from neighboring parishes. Front row, from left: Father Kent Bowlds, Rachel Tibbs, Teresa Noguez-Centeno, Colleen Gonzalez, Maggie May, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Valeria Castro (Immaculate Conception, Indianola), Kayla Zuniga (St. Francis, Greenwood), Jocelin Camacho and Zuleica Sanchez-Flores. Second row, from left: Aaden Cosue, Landon Vargas, Braden Davis, Ignacio Morales-Balderas, Anderson Short, Jose Santos Gonzalez (St. Joseph, Greenville), Pratheek Bheemashetty, Emma Ornelas, Viktor Manriquez, Netzaen Moncada and Fabian Torres. Back row, from left: Harper Morlino (St. Joseph, Greenville), William Garrett, Caine Buehring and Layton Glorioso. (Photo by Jenifer Jenkins)
the
Father
of
McCOMB – St. Alphonsus parish celebrated Confirmation on May 1. Bottom row, from left: Savannah Scariano (Confirmation coordinator), Fatima Cambron, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Amina Rozelle, Cailley Duplantis (St. Francis of Assisi, Brookhaven) and Londyn Folse. Middle row, from left: Father Suresh Thirumalareddy, Hayes Gabler, Renee Peña and Father Bill Henry. Top row, from left: Angie Barrios (Confirmation teacher), Chase Fortenberry, Dillon Rollins and Tatum Klug. (Photo courtesy of parish)
CLEVELAND
CANTON –
Guy Wilson, S.T., administers
sacrament
Confirmation to Myles Chandler at Holy Child Jesus parish. (Photo by Sister Mary Anne Poeschl)
April 19.
Morgan Purdy, Melissa Farley, Jackson Farley and Mason Farley. Second row, from left: Darcel Phillips, Derek Silva, Jonathan Farley, Steven Kelley, Benjamin Hardy, Jennifer DiFatta, Noelle Carey, Chloe Battles, Layla Farley, Emma Farley and Mary Catherine Pogue. Third row, from left: Robert Calcote, Zachary Robbins, Nathan Polichnia, Sara Daleo, Briana Polichnia, Robin Cumberland, Albree Sanders Florey and Scott Florey. Fourth row: Ken Woodward, faith formation director, Father Augustine Palimattam and Diane Daleo.
Joseph parish celebrated
on May 4. Bottom row, from
Lilly Thomas, Emily Dearman, Laura Jones, Avery Trowbridge, Abby Stringer, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Kehle Hutto, Bell McNeil, Abby Grace Gorman, Natalia Cruz, Janet Gaspar and Anna Stenmark. Middle row, from left: Deacon Denzil Lobo, Isabelle Zevallos, Anna Antici, Mary Greer Flowerday, Isabella Ainsworth, Austin Sanders, Kennedy Hutto, Ella Trowbridge, Elizabeth Yoste, Avery Leverette, Caroline Touchet, Sophie Jones, Zarin Thomas and Evans Henderson. Top row, from left: Father Matthew Simmons, Father Ray Remke (Birmingham), Charlie Ring Jr., Colby Jones, Drew Wamble, Davis Runnels, Chad Davidson, John Dean D’Antonio, Brian Bergeron and Liam Hawk. (Photo courtesy of parish)
MERIDIAN – St. Patrick parish celebrated Confirmation on
Front row, from left: Sarah Kelley,
(Photo courtesy of parish)
GLUCKSTADT – St.
Confirmation
left:
PEARL – St. Jude parish celebrated Confirmation on May 8. Front row, from left: Deacon John McGregor, Father Cesar Sanchez, Katelyn Huerta, Catherine Castillo, Allison Luevano, Kaylie Gonzalez, Mary Lynn Brannon, Mary Adeline Bokros and Deacon Mark Bowden. Second row, from left: Matthew DeOchoa, Cruz Rodriguez, Edwin Juarez, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Kevin Luevano and Ricardo Juarez. (Photo by Rhonda Bowden)
MERIDIAN – St. Joseph and St. Patrick parishes in Meridian celebrated Confirmation on April 30 at St. Patrick Church. Bishop Joseph Kopacz was the celebrant, assisted by Father Augustine Palimattam, pastor; Father Carlisle Beggerly, parochial vicar; and Deacon Denzil Lobo. Those receiving the sacrament of Confirmation included Sean Auzenne, Yuliana Ayala, Kristy Castillo, Vanessa Espino, Macarena Frias, Jose Angel Garcia, Arely Gomez-Moreno, Mary Lee Gregory, Marcos Marin, Luis Perez Jr., Miranda Rigdon and Diego Suarez-Reyes. (Photo courtesy of parish)
JACKSON – St. Therese parish celebrated first Communion on May 1. Students receiving the sacrament included William Chavez, Maximiliano Arreguín, Angelli Bolaños, Leslie Duarte, Vanessa Vaca, Charito Barrera, Roberto Jacinto-Garcia, Lino Feregrino, Melissa Doiron, Tyler Doiron, Tommy Doiron, Nelly Rosales, Maria J. Flores Pascual, Angelica Bartolome Nicolás, Javier Alexander Mejía, Clarence Ngong, Charis Ngong, Wade Underwood, Steven Trejo, Edward Maya, Alex Mora, Azul López, Alejandro Martínez, Huriel Campusano and Ashley Duarte. Also pictured are teachers Hannah Villasenor, James Villasenor, Jill Hisaw and Ingrid Piernas; Director of Religious Education Mario Villasenor; and celebrants Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Father Stephen Okojie. (Photo by Mario Villasenor)
BATESVILLE – Gracyn Gurley received first Communion at St. Mary parish and is pictured with Father Pradeep Thirumalareddy. (Photo courtesy of parish)
Please, give generously! August 9 & 10, 2025