B JOE LEE MADISON – Known nationally for his business books and Ted Talks, Oxford native David Magee seemingly had it all before his beloved son William –who lettered in track at Ole Miss and attended Honors College – died of an accidental drug overdose in 2013, a year after graduation. But it wasn’t just William who was hurting at the time of his death. “I had to go look at what happened in our family,” Magee said. “How did what looked like a picture-perfect American family chasing the dream get completely shattered?”Author of the critically acclaimed memoir, Dear William, Magee is the keynote speaker at this year’s Journey of Hope luncheon, set for Tuesday, Sept. 20 at the Jackson Convention Complex. Much more than simply a tribute to his late son, Dear William is a brutally honest look at a family that had been in crisis for many years.
Six new deacons ordained for diocese
Pope's travels 8 Summary of Pope Francis' travels to Canada in July INSIDE THIS WEEK Oh, Deer Winners 9 St. Richard students win big at national competition Back to School 15-19 Catholic schools are back in session after summer break
JACKSON – Six men were ordained into the permanent diaconate at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle on Saturday, July 16. Pictured during the ordination are Tony Schmidt, David Rouch, John Pham, Wesley Lindsay, Dien Hoang and Mark Bowden. (Picture by Michael Barrett photography) – Story and deacon Q&As continued on page 6 –
The long, hard gaze into the mirror began with Magee himself, who was adopted and unaware of his birth parents’ identity until well into adulthood. “I lived a great life in this wonderful university town,” he said of Oxford. “We knew everyone and could walk to the Square. But my house was very dark because there was a lot of depression and emotional pain inside me." “I did not know who I was, and the lack of sense of identity was something I didn’t deal with well. I tried to pretend it wasn’t there with alcohol and prescription Adderall.”Inaddition to losing William, Magee and his wife, Kent, nearly lost their son Hudson to an overdose. Magee’s infidelity led to divorce before he and Kent remarried. But as facing their fears put them on a successful path to recovery and healing, Magee consulted his family about going public with everything they’d gone through in hopes of benefitting those in crisis.
Journey of Hope event to highlight addiction, recovery and healing
– Continued on page 20 –
In his remarks about the readings, Bishop Kopacz pointed out the sacredness and gifts of the office of the diaconate. “As we appreciate over a long tradition, nearly 2000 years, its service in Jesus Christ. Its His ministry and right at the beginning the Apostles realized we need to designate this and we need to select those who are going to be faithful to the Lord and to the needs of the communities with whom they are entrusted,” said Bishop Kopacz. “So, we continue that many years later and the church has indeed worked with you over these past five years – give or take – to arrive at this moment,” Bishop Kopacz told the diaconate candidates. He also reminded the new deacons that their ministry is one of service through the word, sacrament and Drawingcharity.on their experience of marriage or family experience, Bishop Kopacz acknowledged that “all have learned how to sacrifice, serve and care up to this point their lives.”“Now opens another door where they will serve in the midst of our parish communities, serving the Lord and serving those entrusted to them.”
BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING JACKSON – On Saturday, July 16, Bishop Joseph Kopacz ordained six men into the permanent diaconate at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. The men spent the last five years in formation, studying spirituality, canon law, homiletics and learning how to administer sacraments.To full pews and those standing behind at the entrance to the Cathedral, Bishop Kopacz acknowledged the evident joy and love for Mark Andrew Bowden of St. Jude Pearl, Dien L. Hoang of the Cathedral of St. Peter, Dixon Wesley Lindsay of the Cathedral of St. Peter, John Anh Pham of St. Michael Forest, David Preston Rouch of St. Michael Vicksburg and Anthony William Schmidt of St. Paul Flowood, being ordained to the“Thediaconate.joyis so obvious this morning as we come together in the Lord ... to celebrate so much of our tradition of faith ... and in the ministries that are such a blessing for our church and our parish communities,” said Bishop Kopacz. “And this morning, we celebrate the great gift of the diaconate.”
AUGUST 19, 2022mississippicatholic.com
MADISON 40th annual Bishops Cup Golf Tourna ment at Lake Caroline, Thursday, Sept.. 15. Tee time 1 p.m. To sponsor or sign up as an individual or team visit bit.ly/BishopsCup2022. Details: contact Julia Williams (601) 960-8481.
JACKSON – St. Richard, Con firmation, May 22. Pictured: Angela Marie Bethea, Declan Blaylock, Alexia Brown, San dra Elaine Crowder, Daniel Dear, Rachel Ann Donaldson, Emily Dunn, Benjamin Cooper Flechas, Gabriella Brou Fraser, Mary Scott Garrard, Charlotte Marie Germany, Victor Noel Mavar Grantham, Luke Harris, Austin Michael Hart, Rainey Lynn Hoffman, Candace Hol man, Colton Holman, Anna Maria Martin, Riley Leann Mi randa, Leah Grace Munoz, Da vid Huu Nguyen, John Nolan Pajak, Carol Rappai, Ramsey Clare Sandel, Andrew Smith, Iris Elizabeth Steckler, Ava Kathryn Stephen, Christo pher Thomas, Mary Lee So phie Topik, Charles Thomas Turner, John Kelly Turner, Jude Williams, Charlie Zhang, Chloe Marie Vizier, Lydia Rose Foster and Matthew Kaiser. (Photo by Ron Blaylock)
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, Germanfest 2022, Sun day, Sept. 25 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The family-oriented fes tival is best known for its authentic German food and music. Admission and parking are free. Festival goers may wish to bring a lawn chair. Details: church office (601) 856-2054.
PEARL St. Jude, Retreat for Healing and Hope, Fri day Oct. 14, 6:30-9 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the parish hall. Featured speakers: Father Bill Henry, Janet Constantine, LMHC and spiri tual director, sponsored by Marian Servants of Jesus the Lamb of God. Registration free, lunch provided. Top ics: Our Brokenness; Blocks to Healing; and Receiving God’s Love. All are welcome. Details: Contact Maureen at (601) 278-0423 or Pat at (601) 955-0755 or email msofjlog@gmail.com.
MADISON St. Francis, Annual Floyd Doolittle Golf Classic at Whisper Lake Country Club, Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. All proceeds go directly to seminarian ed ucation. Details: contact Art Ring at (601) 559-8581 if you would like to play, sponsor or volunteer.
V cksburg TupeloTupelo ColumbusColumbus Laur elr OxfordOxford Hat t esburg JacksonJackson FlowoodFlowood PearlPearl CORINTH – St. James, Confirmation, July 9 with Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz and Father Mario Solórzano. Students pictured: Ana hi Rivera, Mirelle Blanco, Maria Diego, Maria Lopez, Adamaris Perez, Ricardo Hernandez and Alexis Gonzales (New Albany). Jasmin N. Trejo and Sharivel Trejo (Jackson) also celebrated their First Communion. (Photo courtesy of parish)
Details: church office (662) 624-4301. MCCOMB St. Alphonsus, “The Fullness of Truth,” Sept. 12-14 at 6 p.m. Join us as we come together to know God in his fullness at our parish mission, presented by Jimmy Seghers, founder of Totus Ministries. All are welcome! Details: call (601) 684-5648.
YOUTH EVENTS DIOCESE Middle School Fall Retreat with NET Min istries, Oct. 15-16 at Lake Forest Ranch, Macon. Retreat is for 7th/8th graders with opportunity for prayer, faith sharing, fellowship and more. Details: contact Abbey Schuhmann at (601) 949-6934 or abbey.schuhmann@ jacksondiocese.org.
HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Annual Bazaar, Satur day Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy games, silent auction, craft booths, homemade goods at the Country Kitchen and more. Details: contact Julie Stefanik at ju lieastefanik@gmail.com or call the church office at (662) 429-7851.
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth, “Life in the Spirit” re treat, Saturday, Aug. 27 at 9 a.m. and ends with closing Mass at 4 p.m. Topics include: God’s Gifts of Love, Salva tion, New Life; Baptism of the Holy Spirit; and Healing prayer. Retreat led by Father Bill Henry. Lunch provided. Request registration by Aug. 22, but late welcome too!
JACKSON St. Richard, ChristLife: Discovering Christ, a seven-week series begins Sept. 28 and ends Nov. 9. Held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Foley Hall. Come enjoy dinner and explore answers to important life questions. Registration required, child care for ages 3+ is provided. Details: register at StRChristlife@ gmail.com or visit https://saintrichard.com/christlife.
PARISH, FAMILY AND SCHOOL EVENTS FLOWOOD St. Paul Early Learning Center Golf Tournament, Friday, Sept. 16 at Bay Pointe Golf Club. Register at bit.ly/StPaulELCGolfTournament. Details: contact stpaullearningcenter@gmail.com.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Blood Drive, Tuesday, Aug. 30 from 1-6 p.m. Details: church office: (601) 4455616. RIPLEY St. Matthew, Parish Feast Day Celebration. Saturday, Sept. 24 enjoy fun with sports tournaments, food booths and more. On Sunday, Sept. 25, Bilingual Mass of Thanksgiving at 3 p.m., followed by a potluck meal. Details: church office (662) 993-8832.
AUGUST 19, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC R dgeland Cl nton APPLIANCE AUDIO VIDEO BEDDING FURNITURE SUPERSTORE
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Pope’s “penitential pilgrimage” aims to bring healing, hope CATHOLIC AUGUST 19, 2022 let there be light Publisher Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz Communications Director Joanna Puddister King Production Manager Tereza Ma Berta Mexidor P.O. Box 2130 Jackson, MS 39225-2130 Phone: 601-969-3581 editor@jacksondiocese.org Volume 68 Number 15 (ISSN 1529-1693) CATHOLIC is an official publication of the Diocese of Jackson, 601-969-1880, 237 E. Amite St., Jackson, MS 39201. twice per month January - April and Septemberonce per month June, July and August. Subscription $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
Beginning in the heart of the believer, the Holy Spirit can bring about divine renovation, a new creation on all points on the compass of human relations. Pope Francis accepts a gift of a traditional drum from Elder Piita Irniq during a meeting with young people and elders outside the primary school in Iqaluit, Nunavut, July 29, 2022. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
BY BISHOP JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D. The apostolic visit of Pope Francis to Canada during the last week of July was self-described as a “penitential pilgrimage” in the service of forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, hope and new life for the Indigenous Peoples of the First Nations, Metis and Inuit Peoples who suffered greatly in the residential schools throughout Canada for nearly a century and a half. What occurred in these schools was government policies with which the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations collaborated.Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission heard over 7,000 testimonies from former students of residential schools in Canada “that recalled in painful detail the way our language was suppressed, our culture taken from us, our spirituality denigrated and our families torn apart” according to Chief Wilton Littlechild, one of the members of the Commission. At the outset of the pilgrimage Pope Francis entered straightforwardly into the caldron of pain that afflicts the memories and the lives of the indigenous today. “The overall effects of the policies linked to the residential schools were catastrophic. What our Christian faith tells us is that this was a disastrous error, incompatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ ... I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the indigenous peoples. Dear brothers and sisters, many of you have stated that begging pardon is not the end of the matter. I fully agree that it is only the first step, the starting point to assist the survivors of the residential schools to experience healing from the traumas they suffered.”
Saturday, Aug. 27, 6 p.m. – LIMEX Awards Ceremony, St. James, Tupelo Sunday, Aug. 28, 10:30 a.m – Confirmation, St. Elizabeth, Clarksdale Sunday, Sept. 11, 11 a.m. – Red Mass, St. John, Oxford Thursday, Sept. 15 – 40th Annual Bishop’s Cup Golf Tournament, Lake Caroline Golf Club, Madison Saturday, Sept. 17, 4 p.m. – 75th Anniversary Mass, Sacred Heart School Gymnasium, Southaven Monday, Sept. 19, 6 p.m. – Catholic Charities Journey of Hope Meet & Greet with David Magee, Sal & Mookies, Jackson Tuesday, Sept. 20, 12 p.m. – Catholic Charities Journey of Hope Luncheon with David Magee, Jackson Convention Complex
All events are subject to change. Check with parishes and schools for further details.
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A constant theme throughout his apostolic visits, homilies and addresses was the reconciling power of the Cross and Resurrection, the only power on earth that can bring about lasting healing and hope in the lives of the victims. “In the face of evil, we pray to the Lord of goodness; in the face of death, we pray to the God of life. Our Lord Jesus Christ took a grave which seemed the burial place of every hope and dream, leaving behind only sorrow, pain and resignation, and made it a place of rebirth and resurrection, the beginning of a history of new life and
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as Canada’s national indigenous parish is also a point of reference for the Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Croatian and Eritrean communities. On this holy site, Pope Francis reflected that the church is the house of reconciliation for everyone, but most words and deeds of reconciliation take place at the local level, in communities like this where individuals and families travel side by side, day by day. To pray together, to help one another, to share life stories, common joys and common struggles: this is what opens the door to the reconciling work of God. In proposing that reconciliation is local, Pope Francis embodied the Gospel conviction of St. Paul that all believers are ambassadors for Jesus Christ, and therefore, ministers of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5) Beginning in the heart of the believer, the Holy Spirit can bring about divine renovation, a new creation on all points on the compass of human relations. Beyond Canada and reaching out to the ends of the earth, the Synod on Synodality is the dream of Pope Francis for the church and for the world. Whenever and wherever the church can model and live communion, participation and mission, there will be an overflow that could be a fountain of life, light and love for the world.During the synod process in our diocese, there was a repeated call for greater unity built upon forgiveness, healing, reconciliation and hope. Whether the source of the brokenness was rooted in personal sin, a diminishment in physical or mental, health, the impact of the pandemic or scandals in the church, divorce, drug overdose or despair, as Pope Francis said in the Church of the Sacred Heart of the First Nation, the universal Catholic Church and each parish and ministry are intended to be a house of reconciliation. May the Holy Spirit awaken in us the heart and mind of the One who draws us out of darkness into the marvelous light of God’s love.
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AUGUST 19, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC4 VOCATIONS CALLED BY NAME
I realized this year how important it is not to over-schedule. Our seminarians get a lot asked of them throughout the year. They have academic duties of course, but they are also very involved in the community life of their respective seminarians. This is all on top of what they are responsible for here in the diocese. So, these few days provided some good rest and relaxation, and the guys could just sit and visit with one another. I enjoyed racing Grayson Foley across a pond on a paddle board — sadly I lost twice, but I didn’t fall in! One more tradition that has grown is a day where Bishop Kopacz comes and has a conversation with the seminarians. The topics have varied over the years, but it is a great gift to have a Bishop who wants to build up relationships with the seminarians. This year we also celebrated with Will Foggo as he was instituted as a “candidate” for Holy Orders. This is a canonical process that allows Will to wear the roman collar as a public representative of the church. It is a great opportunity for a seminarian to realize that he is a public representative of the church, even if he is not yet ordained.
The first week of August there was a flurry of activity for the seminarians of our diocese. Some were wrapping up their summer assignments while our four new men were busy getting the last requirements met for seminary studies this fall. We all took a few days of rest of relaxation in Ridgeland for our annual Seminarian Convocation. This gathering started as a seminarian-led initiative back in 2016. Back then Father Aaron Williams and I were still in seminary and we wanted to schedule a few days away to build community with the other seminarians. It had been a few years since we’d had such a gathering, and we knew we wanted to make it a little more formalized.
Each year since we’ve gathered in some way, shape or form, and I think each year it’s done what it’s supposed to do: build camaraderie and facilitate good communication. Since I’ve been vocation director, I’ve used the Convo cation to talk to the guys about what to expect for the coming year. This was especially helpful this year since we have four new seminarians. It was fun to see how to the dynamic of the group was bolstered and changed by the addition of new blood, and to see our returning guys step up and be good leaders for the new men.
I’d like to thank Bobby Arnold, who donated his property for the week to us. Please say a prayer for him and his intentions if you would in thanksgiving for his generosity!
Father Nick Adam If you are interested in learning more about religious orders or vocations to the priest hood and religious life, email nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org. Father Nick Adam
Disarmed and dangerous
The Pope’s Corner Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, pope tells young people Pope Francis addresses participants of Hechos 29, a youth conference held in Monterrey, Mexico on evangelization in the digital age, in a video released Aug. 6, 2022. The pope encouraged young men and women to carry out their mis sion in the digital space “so that contemporary culture can know God by feeling him within you.” (CNS screen grab/ Vatican Media)
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC AUGUST 19, 2022 5Spirituality
By Junno arocho esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Christians must never give in to fear when evangelizing, especially when reaching out to those in need in the digital space, Pope Francis said.“Do not be afraid to make mistakes,” the pope said in a video message sent Aug. 6 to participants of Hechos 29, a youth conference in Monterrey, Mexico, on evangelization in the digital age. “I never tire of repeating that I prefer a church that is wounded because it goes out to the existential pe ripheries of the world, rather than a church that is sick because it remains closed up in its own little securities,”
Pope Francis Accordingsaid.toits website, the Aug. 5-6 conference is “an international meeting of digital evangelizers that seeks to awaken in all participants (the de sire) to become and to build up the church.” In his message, the pope greeted the young men and women attending Hechos 29 and said the meeting was “an important initiative for missionary work in digital en vironments.”“Maythis meeting help you to feel like a community, as part of the missionary life of the church, which has never been afraid to go out to meet new horizons and frontiers. And, with creativity and courage, announce the mercy and tenderness of God,” he said. Recalling his address to church leaders during his July 24-30 visit to Canada, the pope emphasized the need to “find new ways to proclaim the heart of the Gospel to those who have not yet encountered Christ.”
Modern-day evangelizers, he said, must use “pastoral creativity to reach peo ple where they live, not waiting for them to come, but where they live, discovering opportunities for listening, dialogue and en counter.”“The Lord knocks on the door to enter within us, but how often does he knock on the door from the inside, so that we may let him out,” the pope said. Pope Francis encouraged the young evangelizers to carry out their mission and to be good Samaritans in the digital space, “so that contemporary culture can know God by feeling him within you. “Go and bring the hope of Jesus, especially to those who are farthest away, giving them reasons for their hope,” the pope said. “May your words be accompanied by charity, and may your virtual presence strengthen your physical presence, so that the network may gen erate communion, which makes Jesus present in your culture.”
IN EXILE By Father ron rolheiser, oMi After his first arrest, the peace activist Daniel Ber rigan went into hiding. After four months, he was cap tured, but during those months underground, although a threat to no one, he was put on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list. There’s an irony here that did not go un noticed. Someone put up a poster of him with this caption: Wanted –Notorious consecrator of bread and wine. Disturber of wars and felonious paper burner! The fugitive has been known to carry the New Testament and should be approached with extreme caution. Disarmed and dangerous. Disarmed and dangerous! Corny as that may sound, it expresses the real threat to injustice, violence and war. Disarmament is dangerous. Someone who is genuinely unarmed is ultimately the one who poses the greatest danger to disorder, immorality and violence. Violence can withstand violence, but it can be brought down by non-violence. Here are some examples. In our own generation, we have the example of Christian de Cherge, one of the seven Cistercian monks who were kidnapped and later killed by Isla mist extremists in Algeria in 1996. His journey, and that of the other monks who died with him, is chroni cled in a number of books (including some of his own letters and diaries) and in the awarding-winning film, “Of Gods and Men.” Living within a small community of nine monks in a remote Muslim village in North ern Algeria, Christian and his community were much loved by that Muslim community and, being French citizens and enjoying the protection of that citizenship, their presence constituted a certain protection for the villagers against Islamic terrorists. Alas, the situation was not to last. On Christmas Eve, 1995, they received a first visit from the terrorists with the clear warning that they had best leave before they would become its victims. Both the French and the Algerian governments offered them armed protection. Christian, acting alone at first, against the majority voice in his own community, cate gorically refused armed protection. Instead, his prayer became this: In face of this violence, disarm us, Lord. His response to the threat was complete disarmament. Eventually, his entire community joined him in that stance.Six months later they were kidnapped and killed, but the triumph was theirs. Their witness of fidelity was the singular most powerful gift they could have given to the poor and vulnerable villagers whom they sought to protect, and their moral witness to the world will nurture generations to come, long after this par ticular genre of terrorism has had its day. Christian de Cherge and his community were disarmed and dangerous. There are innumerable similar examples of other persons who were disarmed and dangerous. Rosa Parks, disarmed and seemingly powerless against the racist laws at the time, was one of the pivotal figures in ending ra cial segregation in the United States, as was Martin Luther King. The list of dangerous un armed persons is endless: Mahatma Gandhi, Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, Desmond Tutu, Oscar Romero, Franz Jagerstatter, Dorothy Stang, Daniel Berrigan, Elizabeth McAlister, Michael Rodrigo, Stan Rother and Jim Wallis, among others. Not least, of course,JesusJesus.was disarmed and so dangerous that the au thorities of his time found it necessary to kill him. His complete non-violence constituted the ultimate threat to their established order. Notice how both the civil and religious authorities at the time did not so much fear an armed murderer as they feared an unarmed Jesus ... Release for us, Barabbas! We prefer to deal with an armed murderer than with an unarmed man professing non-vio lence and telling people to turn the other cheek! Give them credit for being astute. Unconsciously, they recognized the real threat, someone who is unarmed, non-violent and turning the other cheek. However, “turning the other cheek” must be properly understood. It is not a passive, submissive thing. The op posite. In giving this counsel, Jesus specifies that it be the right cheek. Why this seemingly odd specification? Be cause he is referring to a culturally-sanctioned practice at the time where a superior could ritually slap an inferior on the cheek with the intention not so much of inflicting physical pain as to let the other person know his or her place – I am your superior, know your place! The slap was administered with the back of the right hand, facing the other person, and thus would land on the other person’s right cheek. Now, in that posture, its true violence would remain mostly hidden because it would look clean, aes thetic, and as something culturally accepted. However, if one were to turn the other cheek, the left one, the violence would be exposed. How? First, because now the slap would land awkwardly and look violent; second, the person receiving it would be sending a clear signal. The change in posture would not only expose the violence but it would also be saying, you can still slap me, but not as a superior to an inferior; the old order is over. Disarmed and dangerous. To carry no weapon except moral integrity is the ultimate threat to all that is not right. (Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser is a theologian, teacher and award-winning author. He can be contacted through his website www.ronrolheiser.com.)
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Favorite saint: St. Matthias – Matthias was chosen to replace Judas and his selection process was accomplished by casting lots af ter the Apostles prayed. The concepts associ ated with Matthias that make him so fond is that it is written that he was chosen not be cause he was worthy, but because he would become worthy. We should all work tireless ly to become more worthy of God’s love for each one of our souls. Secondly, Matthias was my paternal grandfather’s name. I owe my Catholic origins to him and my paternal grandmother. They were one of the five founding fami lies of Gluckstadt and have a wonderful history with the Diocese of Jackson. I am proud to continue the Catholic faith in my life and life as a deacon.
Parish: Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson Spouse: Honghuong Nguyen Hometown: Saigon, Vietnam Favorite Scripture passage: The Parable of the Lost Son be cause God created humans in his image and he also gave them rea son and freedom to live according to his will. Freedom is a priceless gift that God has given so that human they are free to be faith ful to God or to betray him. God always respects human freedom. It was because humans had the right to freedom that he sinned against God. But God is rich in mercy and he still loves people when they are still in sin. God patiently waits, invites and creates all conditions for them to return to live in his grace.
Favorite religious image or devotion: I’ve always been intrigued by the story of the return of the prodigal son. Rembrandt’s painting, "Prodigal Son," has multiple interesting aspects within the painted image to inspire repentance and forgiveness. At some point in our lives, we will have played all the characters in the story. Favorite liturgy: Holy Thursday is my favorite litur gy. Obviously, Jesus serves as the one to emulate in all as pects of our lives, but Holy Thursday holds significance. As a deacon, I am here to serve and not be served and what more humbling example to attempt to emulate than that of Jesus washing the feet of the Apostles. Did you come across something you learned in your formation that you did not expect?
Vocation story: As an adult, I have been active in my parish in various areas. Service to others is a natural part of my being and has served me well as a registered nurse. When I reached my late 40’s, I began to plan for retirement and, oddly, the issue of finances was not my main area of concern. I was really struggling to formulate how my life was going to be spent once I was no longer on the 9 to 5 work routine. My pastor, Father Gerry Hurley, called me one day and asked if I would consider the diaconate. My wife and I discussed and prayed about it and felt that it was an idea worth exploring. I can honestly say that pursu ing the diaconate was a decision that received the most discernment out of all the decisions in my lifetime. I am ever confident that the diaconate is where God wants me. There have been plenty of struggles, doubts and fears along the formation journey leading up to ordina tion. However, ordination is not the supreme goal of the formation journey. Frankly, the journey is only beginning as I and my brother deacons, go into the world to serve.
– Continued from page 1 –'... Ordained deacons are assigned to parishes ...'
Parish: St. Michael of Forest Spouse: Diem Thuy Nguyen Favorite Scripture passage: Matthew 6:33 – “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Favorite saint: My favorite saints are St. John the Apostle and St. Theresa, the Little Flower of Jesus. I love St. John for he is truly a friend of Jesus; and I like St. Theresa for she discovered the simple and easy way to holiness. Favorite religious image: Sacred Heart of Jesus. Did you come across something you learned in your formation that you did not expect? Knowing that the “harvest is plenty, but laborers are few.” I want to contribute whatever I can to ease the burden of my pastor. What are you most looking forward to doing? I am most looking forward to creating a lively atmosphere at church, so the liturgical service would be more enjoyable for all who come to worship.
Ordained deacons are assigned to parishes in the diocese and they may administer baptism, serve at the altar at Mass and distribute the Eucharist; bring the Eucharist to the dying; read the sacred Scriptures to the faithful and on occasion, to preach; to administer sacramentals; to assist at and bless marriages and to officiate at funeral and burial rites. Another group of men have begun their formation process in hopes of being ordained to the diaconate in 2026. For more information on the permanent di aconate visit www.jacksondiocese.org/offices/diacon ate. (Additional photos from the diaconate ordination can be found online at mississipicatholic.com or on Facebook @jacksondiocese.
Q&A: Dien Hoang Q&A: John Anh Pham
Favorite Scripture passage: Romans 14:7-9 – I’m fond of this passage because it's a reminder of our true purpose in life which is to be responsible to the Lord.
Favorite saint: St. Anthony – Because of his charity, he always helps the poor and especially helps those who have lost things to find what they have lost.
What are you most looking forward to doing?
Favorite religious image: My favorite is the Crucifix because when I look at it, I see how dialoge with God is vertical. I share all my faiths, failing and successes with God. Jesus stretched out his arms on the crossbar just as he looks at me to bring the Good News to every one through my daily lives and my loving sacrifices. The horizontal communion shows that I love Jesus Christ by making sacrifices for others as Jesus has sacrificed for me.
I am looking forward to transitioning into parish life and what other duties the Bishop assigns. I like knowing the people in my parish and hope that I will be able to know a larger segment of the parish via participation within the ministries of the parish. I also look forward to visiting with the sick. Hospice care holds a special place in my heart and I hope to be able to assist in the spiritual and pastoral care of the dying and their families.
The formation process and the length of time to complete it are lengthy for a multi tude of reasons; however, I entered formation wanting to be taught what it was that I need ed to know as a deacon. I really wanted the formation process to be catechetical; howev er, for the formation process to form a deacon fully and properly, it requires one to absorb the academic knowl edge and, most importantly, allow that information to transform oneself in the four main areas of formation — spiritual, human, pastoral and academic. Being in a personal and authentic relationship with others is how I can best let the face of God shine. The diaconate is less about me and more about me not getting in the way of God as he uses me to continue to build this church.
Favorite liturgy: My favorite liturgy of the year is Holy Thursday (the Last Supper of Jesus Christ). In the evening liturgy of Holy Thursday, the church celebrates the Eucharist instituted by Jesus after the last supper with the Apostles in the Upper Room, in re membrance for all eternity to his real presence among us. This is the last Mass to be celebrated before the Eas ter Vigil of Holy Saturday. After Mass this evening, the altar cloths are stripped off, the candlesticks and cross es are removed, flowers are no longer displayed to an nounce the date of the church’s great funeral and also imply that the church celebrates no more until the day of the resurrection of Christ. Did you come across something you learned in your formation that you did not expect? Serving without forgetting myself, no matter how great would be in vain. What are you most looking forward to doing? Visiting the sick, helping the poor and bringing man back to human dignity.
More Q&A from our Deacons and their wives can be found at mississippicatholic.com
AUGUST 19, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC6 DIOCESE
Q&A: Tony Schmit
Parish: St. Paul, Flowood Spouse: Karen Schmit Hometown: Gluckstadt and have lived in Brandon for the last 30 years.
Children: Houston Schmidt, 26; Parker Schmidt, 24; and three four-legged Jack Russell Terrier daughters –Butterbean, 16; Stella, 6; and Izzy, 5.
Favorite saints: St. Thomas Aquinas – I appreciate his efforts as reconciling reason with the faith of the church. This reconciling has been very important to my own journey and is vital to the future of the church. Favorite religious image: I really like the image of the smiling Jesus. I think it’s a good model for us as we think of ourselves as images of Christ that the rest of the world sees. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is one of joy – we need to let people see that. When people look at us, they need to see the joy of the Gospel shining out to them through a happy person smiling back at them, ready to share their joy with them. Favorite liturgy: By far the Easter Vigil! I love the drama played out in the fire outside, the light of Christ being carried into the darkened church, the lights be ing brought up as the old testament unfolds and then the celebration when Jesus comes into the world! I wish everone would immerse themselves in the Triduum and take part in the Easter Vigil. Mass on Easter day pales in comparison!
Q&A: Mark Bowden
Q&A: David Rouch
Children: Ann and I have four adult children and threeReecegrandsons:andhis wife Nicole and their son Jack, age seven months. They live in Olive Branch. Destin and her husband Jonathan and their two sons, James (6) and Benjamin (2). They live in Germany.
Meredith, our daughter, who lives in Shreveport. Conner and her husband Zach, who live in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Q&A: Wesley Lindsay Parish: Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle Can you describe a conver sion or deep faith experience? I was born, raised and spent 40 years in the Baptist church. In 2004, I left the Baptist denomination to become an Episcopalian. Almost four years later, I "saw the light" and became Catholic via RCIA.
DIOCESE 7MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC AUGUST 19, 2022
Parish: St. Michael, Vicksburg Spouse: Ann Rouch Hometown: Vicksburg, but after college I moved to Magnolia, Arkansas for 22 years before moving back in late 2018.
Parish: St. Jude, Pearl Spouse: Rhonda Bowden Hometown: Currently, Brandon. Originally grew up in Cleveland. Did you have a conversion or deep faith experi ence? I am a cradle Catholic, and one who for a long time really took my faith for granted. I would call my old-self a nominal Catholic, I was very timid about my faith. I was petrified that someone would ask me “Are you Saved?” Through the discovery and study of apologetics back in the mid to late ‘90s, I discovered so many truths of our faith. This helped me not only to understand what we as Catholics believe, but how to respond to confusion that so many have about our beliefs. That is what ignited my love for the Catholic faith. Favorite Scripture passage: No single scripture passage really stands out above the others as so many touch me at different points and stages of my life. But James 2:14-17 which discusses that faith without works is dead is among my perennial favorites. It was this pas sage and similar ones through de fending the Catholic beliefs that ignited my faith for Catholicism a number of years ago. Favorite religious image: There are a number of crucifixes that portray Christ in a bloody, dirty manner versus the many that really ignore the scourging that took place before the crucifixion. Jesus was nearly dead from beatings when they nailed him to the cross. Those images really touch my soul of the reality and horror that our Lord endured for us. Many times I have gazed upon such an image and bow my head in shame that it should be me instead of Him. What a sacrifice He made for us.
Hometown: Jackson Favorite Scripture: John 8:32 – God's own Free dom!
Favorite liturgy: Holy Saturday is my favorite litur gy of the year, as it is when we welcome new members into the church. There is a deep-down joy in seeing new members embrace our faith. It is a compounded joy to celebrate our risen Lord and witness these new people receiving the Eucharist for the first time. Did you come across something you learned in your formation that you did not expect? Honestly, the fact that I got ordained really surprises me. The formation process was wonderful for my intel lect and my soul, but it took nearly the whole time of almost five years for me to finally desire to be a dea con versus just willing to be one. That conversion was brought about by the prayer of so many.
Favorite Scripture passage: Luke 1:4649 – “And Mary said: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.’” I love this passage because it describes the way He has worked in my life!
Vocation story: Deacon John McGregor invited me to consid er this calling, but I was initially not interested. However, I was interested though in a theology degree, so I went in with the idea that if the diaconate did not work out, I would have the Master of Theological Studies degree that I did want. So many times during this journey, I was ready to throw in the towel and give it up. But through lots of prayer, discern ment and support by many, I finally embraced this call ing. What are you most looking forward to doing? I think that my heart lies in doing pastoral work, like visiting the homebound, those in the hospital, those in prison, and doing small community evangelization. I fell in love with apologetics, which is understanding and de fending the faith, so I am interested in sharing that. Children: Rhonda and I have two children. Our son Andrew was recently ordained as a priest and our daughter Laura teaches special education in Pearl.
Did you come across something you learned in your formation that you did not expect? Probably the thing that I didn’t expect was how much I would grow as a person. One of my first Deacon for mators said, “if you want to be the same person that you are today, leave now.” Formation is about growing into a better image of Jesus Christ. People think it’s about studying and learning stuff, but really, that’s just a means to an end. It’s really about changing who you are for the better.
Vocation story: In retrospect, I think I have been aware of a call beyond the voca tion of Christian husband and father from an early age. When I was a kid, I’d play priest and my mom says I would tell her that I want ed to be a priest when I grew up. Life went on and I got interested in girls and life took turns that I felt like closed off that opportunity to me. One day at church I saw a flyer about the diaconate, and I picked it up. Then when I was about age 35, the diocese started a Diaconate formation class. I thought about it briefly but didn’t respond. During that time, I became very active in my church and my pastor at the time, Father T.J. Hart, asked me if I’d ever considered the diaconate. He invited me to pray about it, but it would be several more years before the diocese started another class. During that time, I was praying about it diligently and I led a church trip to an event at another parish. As we walk in, this guy walks up to greet us, looks at me and says, “Are you a Deacon, or are you going to be one?” Obviously, I was completely shocked! At the time, only my wife and my pastor knew anything about my discernment. I had to ask the people with me not to talk it, because the shock on my face was readily apparent to everyone.Nowthat I look back on my journey, God gave me lots of hints and nudges along the way, and He even guided me away from the priesthood, which I see clearly now was not my calling. People ask, “How did you re ceive your call?” From my experience, that is the wrong question. We are all called to ministry, some are called to live their baptismal ministry as Christian Husband or Christian Wife and Father or Mother. Some are called to the religious life. Some are called to the priesthood. Some are called to the diaconate either as a single per son or a married couple, but we are all called. It’s not a matter of being called, it’s a matter of recognizing what you are called to and deciding how you are going to respond. What are you most looking forward to doing? What I really want to do the most is engage the young adult church. Young people today are so beautiful and want so desperately to do good, but they have been let down by everyone: their parents, their church, their government, society. They are jaded and distrustful, es pecially of the church. here is such good and such beau ty in Catholicism, but many of them dismiss it, thinking it is too good to be true. I want to reach out to them, get them involved and “rebuild the brand.”
Vocation story: I turned my life over to God more than 40 years ago. He has led me to this wonderful ser vice opportunity, the diaconate! What are you most looking forward to doing? Helping to advance God's Kindom through service to His people.
Courage, resilience: Trip shows tenacity of Canada’s Indigenous and pope
The chief had welcomed Pope Francis to his home – Maskwacis – July 25, the first full day of the trip, and created some controversy by giving the pope his late grandfather’s headdress. He told Canada’s Native News Online that the Ermineskin Cree Nation had decided as a community that the headdress was an appropriate way to thank the pope for visiting their town and making his first apology on Canadian soil there. “I am sorry,” the pope said at the Muskwa, or Bear Park, Powwow Grounds. “I ask forgiveness, in particular, for the ways in which many members of the church and of religious commu nities cooperated, not least through their in difference, in projects of cultural destruction and forced assimilation promoted by the gov ernments of that time, which culminated in the system of residential schools,” the pope said.The Canadian government has estimated that at least 150,000 First Nation, Inuit and Métis children were taken from their families and communities and forced to attend the schools between the 1870 and 1997. At least 4,120 children died at the schools, and sever al thousand others vanished without a trace. The survivors tell stories of enduring hun ger, brutality and emotional, physical and sexual abuse at the schools, about 60% of which were run by Catholic religious orders and other Catholic institutions. An almost constant drumbeat accompa nied Pope Francis on his trip – to Edmonton, Maskwacis and Lac Ste. Anne in Alberta, to Quebec City and nearby Sainte-Anne-deBeaupré and, finally, to Iqaluit in the Cana dianTheArctic.traditional drummers echoed heart beats and heartache, a relentless reminder of how the trauma students experienced at the residential schools was passed down gen eration to generation in a lack of love and support and a lack of respect for individual dignity and community rights. Archbishop Donald Bolen of Regina, Sas katchewan, a member of the Canadian bish ops’ working group on Indigenous relations, was present at every stop Pope Francis made. And, at most events, including in Iqaluit, he traveled with residential school survivors from his province. As the visit was ending July 29 on a grav eled parking lot outside Nakasuk Elementary School, Archbishop Bolen told Catholic News Service he was moved by “the absolute deter mination, courage and resilience, on the one hand, of survivors embodied in a certain way by Chief Wilton Littlechild, and the courage and determination to be engaged in healing work by the pope – two old men who can barely stand up, who need help in all kinds of ways, but carry a common desire to bring healing and to take good steps forward.”
By Cindy Wooden IQALUIT, Nunavut (CNS) – At the end of his sixday visit to Canada, Pope Francis, sitting in a wheelchair, said goodbye to Chief Wilton Littlechild, also sitting in a wheelchair.Littlechild, a 78-year-old lawyer, survivor of abuse in a residential school and former grand chief of the Con federacy of Treaty Six First Nations, had spent decades advocating for the rights of First Nation, Métis and Inuit people and had lobbied hard for Pope Francis to come to Canada to apologize in person for the Catholic Church’s complicity in abusing children, breaking up families and suppressing Indigenous language and culture.
Pope Francis and Chief Wilton Littlechild say farewell to each other July 29, 2022, in Iqaluit, Nunavut, as the pope prepares to return to the Vatican after a six-day visit. Littlechild, a 78-year-old lawyer, survivor of abuse in a resi dential school and former grand chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, had lobbied hard for the pope to visit Canada and apologize to residential school survivors. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
World8 AUGUST 19, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
Praying vespers with Canadian bishops that evening, he said: “Thinking about the process of healing and reconciliation with our Indigenous brothers and sisters, never again can the Christian community allow itself to be infected by the idea that one culture is superior to others, or that it is legitimate to employ ways of coercing others.”Helistened to survivors in Quebec the last morning of his visit and to other survivors in Iqaluit not long be fore flying back to Rome. Pope Francis thanked the survivors “for having had the courage to tell your stories and to share your great suffering, which I could not have imagined.”
“This only renewed in me the indignation and shame that I have felt for months,” since delegations of First Nation, Métis and Inuit survivors visited the Vatican in March and April. Again, he said, in Iqaluit, “I want to tell you how very sorry I am and to ask for forgiveness for the evil perpetrated by not a few Catholics.”
The apology was a crucial first step. And it was something survivors wanted and needed to hear in person. Pope Francis knew that. “The overall effects of the policies linked to the res idential schools were catastrophic,” he said at Maskwa cis. “What our Christian faith tells us is that this was a disastrous error, incompatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”Ata prayer service July 26 with Indigenous represen tatives in Lac-Ste-Anne, on the shores of a lake known for his healing power, Pope Francis said: “All of us, as church, now need healing: healing from the temptation of closing in on ourselves, of defending the institution rather than seeking the truth, of preferring worldly pow er to serving the Gospel.”
At a meeting in Quebec with government officials and Indigenous leaders July 27, he said: “I express my deep shame and sorrow, and, together with the bishops of this country, I renew my request for forgiveness for the wrong done by so many Christians to the Indigenous peoples.”AtMass July 28 at the National Shrine of SainteAnne-de-Beaupré, Pope Francis spoke of “the scandal of evil and the Body of Christ wounded in the flesh of our Indigenous brothers and sisters.”
Natchez hosts choral festival
The seventh grade winning team from Texas featured the use of marine and freshwater algae as bioaccumulators of mi croplastics; the eighth grade winners from Illinois studied the impact of different soil additives on increasing the magnesium content in food crops, and determined a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution; and the ninth grade first place team from New Jersey determined the necessary compo nents of a smart beehive system to optimize colonyDuringhealth.the awards ceremony, Maj. Gen. Brown, commanding general of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, inspired the students with these words, “Lots of careers can be exciting, many careers can be rewarding — financially and personally. But a smaller number of careers give you the chance to do something meaningful. To launch a first of its kind product, secure a patent or produce something that changes our way of life for the better is meaningful. Supporting our mutual defense and doing something that brings a soldier home alive is meaningful in a way that few other things are.”
The St. Richard team named, “Oh Deer!” decided to take on the chal lenge of a common Mississippi problem – deer-related vehicle accidents. Their project was inspired by personal experience when one teammate’s father was involved in a deer collision causing extensive damage to his car. The team wanted to develop something that would deter deer with out harming them and prevent them from running out into oncoming traffic potentially saving countless lives and thousands of dollars in vehi cle damage. As they began their research, they discovered that current devices on the market aren’t very effective. They learned that deer can hear at higher pitches than humans, and while deer can see ultraviolet light, they do not see well above eye level. The resulting invention is “Steer Clear Deer” — a device that can be attached to a vehicle or placed on the roadside. It uses light and sound with changing patterns in ranges deer can see and hear, but humans cannot. Field testing and trials using those two deer senses showed great success in deterring deer with the least amount of risk to humans. “Don’t be surprised if you see ‘Steer Deer Clear’ on the shelves one day!” said Jennifer David, St. Richard School principal.Team “Oh, Deer” brought home much more than a national title, though. Each team member received US Series EE Savings Bonds worth $10,000 at maturity, and they have new friends and great memories to treasure. While in Washington DC for the finals, the students partic ipated in several activities including a Department of Defense Career Workshop Day, working in Army labs, learning about weapons systems, touring the National Zoo and several national monuments, and a show case event highlighting all the student projects. “I learned more about the Army and how they do more than fight battles,” said Thornhill. “The activities showed us they also use science, technology and math to help our country in other ways.” The weeklong event was also a unique opportunity to get to know the other students and advisors from around the country. They fostered new friendships and plan to stay in touch with some of them. “The future is very bright,” said advi sor Ashley Klein. “I watched the kids grow, particularly in how they presented them selves. They were poised and confident and worked together beautifully. It was great seeing the amazing projects these kids un dertook.”
The students were indeed inspired and feel this experience has opened up more opportunities for their future. Lily Frances Garner said it makes her feel like she can do anything she puts her mind to, including succeeding in high school. She is even considering the possibility of pursuing a STEM career like Engineering.
DIOCESE 9MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC AUGUST 19, 2022
By Monica Walton JACKSON – This wasn’t your typi cal middle school class project, nor what it a typical summer for Neel Boteler, Lily Frances Garner, Benjamin Manhein and Maley Thornhill. These four St. Richard School students spent their time engaging in creative, critical thinking, and lots of hard work — and it paid off big time! After winning the local, state and regional lev els, they completed their sixth grade year with a trip to Washington DC, and earned first place in the nation at the 20th an nual eCyberMission Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Com petition sponsored by the US Army. More than 8,400 students registered to compete in the event, and our local students took home top honors in their division with a device to help reduce deer-related vehicle collisions. “Our team put in a lot of prep time,” said Maley Thornhill. “I didn’t real ize it was going to take so much work, but at nationals it paid off!”
Benjamin Manhein recalled the many hours of research and sorting through all their findings to determine what information would be most helpful to the project. “It was a good feeling when we knew we had what we needed and could begin building the Steer Clear Device,” he said. The STEM competition invites students in grades six through nine across America to develop a “mission challenge” for their local communities and present a four-minute oral presentation followed by a question and answer session. The panel of judges consisted of U.S. Army scientists and engineers who work at Army laboratories and centers across the country. Ultimately, the goal is to foster student interest in a STEM career thus “cultivating an enduring, high-caliber workforce to provide tomorrow’s soldiers with the capabili ties they need to protect our national interests across the globe.”
This was an experience unlike any oth er for these students. “We felt like kings!” said Neel Boteler. All agreed it was most definitely worth the hard work, and they felt proud to represent our state so well. “Hearing our name called was amazing,” said Lily Frances Garner. “We couldn’t believe our Mississippi team actually brought home the title for the first time. We showed that Mississippi kids are smart, too. It was awesome!”
By Father aaron WilliaMs NATCHEZ – On July 29, 2022, the choir and parishioners of St. Joseph church in Rayne, Louisiana arrived in Natchez to take part in the inaugural Basilica of St. Mary Choral Fes tival. The Basilica’s director of sacred music, Max Tenney, who also serves as director of music for Notre Dame Seminary in New Or leans, was approached by Father Brent Smith, pastor of St. Joseph in Rayne, to inquire about available conferences for his choir and musi cians to receive formation in choral singing and the church’s vision of sacred music. In other regions of the United States, groups such as the Church Music Association of America and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians provide brief conferences designed specifically for parish musicians, but no such conferences or resources are avail able in the South. Tenney proposed that, in stead of encouraging Father Smith to send his musicians to a distant conference, the Basilica in Natchez host a private weekend of forma tion for his entire choir, which would rehearse along-side the Basilica’s own choir. In a matter of about a month, a committee of volunteers from Natchez sprang into action and planned a three-day conference includ ing musical workshops, tours of antebellum homes and historic sites, and good food for the combined attendance of over forty sing ers. The weekend culminated in the combined festival choir singing for the 10 a.m. Solemn Sunday Mass. The Basilica was packed to ca pacity with many visitors from other parishes and even non-Catholic churches in the area that had seen advertisements about the choral display planned for the Sunday Mass. The choir prepared an impressive reper toire including choral works of Ralph Vaughan Williams, Marco Frisna and James Chepponis, as well as Gregorian chant and classic English hymnody. The weekend left an impression of the beauty of sacred music on all the atten dants and many of those who were present for the Sunday Mass. Owing to the success of this weekend, St. Mary Basilica looks forward to planning a sec ond Choral Festival for the summer of 2023 which will be open for registration for other interested choirs and musicians. The program will include a similar schedule of workshops and historic tours, but also time for infor mative conferences on the Catholic vision of sacred music. It is hoped that this festival will become a recognized source of musical formation in the Southern United States, and an opportunity for networking among Catho lic musicians. Information on next Summer’s conference is forthcoming toward the end of 2022.
Catholic students, ‘Steer Clear Deer’ is a national winner
WASHINGTON – Graduating sixth grade students at St. Richard stop for a shot with their award winning project “Steer Clear Deer” at the 20th an nual eCyberMission STEM competition in July. Pictured left to right, Maley Thornhill, Ben Manhein, Neel Boteler and Lily Frances Garner. (Photo courte sy of St. Richard School)
DIOCESE10 AUGUST 19, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC Since 1972, the DIOCESE OF JACKSON has been partnering with Catholic Extension to build the faith in central Mississippi. Join us and together we can build and repair churches, strengthen and grow essential ministries and support our lay and ordained leaders. OR MAIL YOUR DONATION TO: Catholic Extension Collection Diocese of Jackson, P. O. BOX 22723, Jackson, MS 39225-2723 Gregory Crapo | Diocese of Biloxi, Mississippi | 2022-2023 Lumen Christi Award Finalist Please, give generously during our Annual Special Collection SEPT. 10 & 11 PLEASE GIVE TO SUPPORT THE WORKS OF CATHOLIC EXTENSION IN MISSISSIPPI AND BEYOND! JOIN US!Since 2008 Gregory Crapo has been the director of de l’Epee Deaf Center in Biloxi. Crapo and his sta promote independence and inclusion in community for the deaf, hard of hearing and disabled. Crapo has crafted a wide array of social services including ASL classes (American Sign Language), a food pantry, transportation and emergency services during weather emergencies like Hurricane Katrina. An on-site clinic provides help for people who are cross eyed or who have cataracts. (Photos courtesy of diocese)
Santa Ana, patrona de muchas culturas Los miembros de un grupo de danza tradicional actúan fuera de la Iglesia Católica de Santa Ana Ixtlahuatzingo en Tenancingo, México, el 26 de julio de 2022, durante una celebración de la fiesta de la santa patrona de la iglesia, Santa Ana, abuela de Jesús. (Foto del CNS/David Maung)
Por berTa MeXidor JACKSON – Como cada año, la comunidad de Carthage se reunió para festejar el día de Santa Ana, patrona del lugar y a la que la iglesia católica local debe su nombre. Santa Ana y San Joaquín son los padres de la Santísima Virgen María y por ende abuelos de Jesus y su día es celebrado por la Iglesia universal cada 26 de julio. Santa Ana y San Joaquín son considerados patrones de los abuelos. Santa Ana es patrona de las mujeres en trabajo de parto y de los mineros. Esta vez la celebración fue encabezada por el Padre Marco A. Sánchez, ST, miembro de los Siervos Misioneros de la Santísima Trinidad y pastor de las iglesias de St. Anne Carthage y St Therese de Kosciusko y asesor espiritual del MFCC. La Misa bilingüe, por primera vez para el Padre Marco, fue una muestra de la diversidad de la parroquia. El Padre Marco dijo que cada día se hace más frecuente encontrar comunidades multiculturales y multigeneracionales y a las cuales los parroquianos deben acostumbrarse a confraternizar con culturas diferentes a la suya y donde el pastor debe atender a las demandas multiculturales de la misma. Los parroquianos de Carthage han aumentado considerablemente, el local de la iglesia ya se hace pequeño. Este aumento continúa, a pesar de algunas experiencias difíciles, como la experimentada el 7 de agosto de 2019, cuando días después de la celebración de Santa Ana, numerosas familias hispanas de esta comunidad se verían afectadas por las redadas de ICE. La fiesta anual de Santa Ana en Carthage es una muestra de fe y hermandad en Cristo. El Padre Marco dijo que esta ocasión muestra a una “ ...familia unida, que es la familia de Cristo,” y añadió “... ustedes probablemente tienen miedo de acercarse unos a otros, pero si comparten el mismo Padre no puede haber miedo de estar cerca, unos de otros.” Durante toda la celebración miembros de las comunidades Afroamericana, Anglo e Hispana compartieron la alegría en hermandad, bajo el manto de Santa Ana.ElPadre Marco insistió a los jóvenes a aprender las oraciones en ingles también, “... somos privilegiados de tener sacerdote en español, pero no todas las parroquias tienen ese privilegio.” “Sirviendo a los Católicos Hispanos de la Diócesis de Jackson desde 1997” 19 de agosto de 2022Mississippicatholic.com
CARTHAGE – Fieles acompañan a la Patrona de la comunidad en procesión alrededor de la iglesia. Las mujeres se van turnando para llevar en hombros la imagen de Santa Ana, mientras el sacerdote canta y guia el rosario en diferentes paradas. Esta fiesta anual se ha convertido en toda una cultura y tradición local, en donde participa la comunidad multicultural, que ya incluye varias generaciones y que aumenta regularmente. En este año la celebración fue el 24 de julio, con Misa bilingue, celebrada por el padre Marco A. Sanchez, ST, acompañada por ministerio musical a una gran multitud de parroquianos que abarrotaban la pequeña iglesia. (Foto de Berta Mexidor)
CAMDEN – Miembros del Ministerio de Emaus en la Diócesis de Jackson tuvieron una reunion de reencuentro, el 30 de julio, que estuvo asesorada por el Padre Marco A. San chez, ST. La pandemia intervino en la pausa que los grupos de Emaus- mujeres y hom bres- de Jackson, tuvieron en sus retiros. (Foto cortesia del Padre Marco A. Sanchez)
Hoy en día, asignado como párroco en dos comuni dades, Santa Ana, en Carthage y Santa Teresa en Kos ciusko, he encontrado a miembros de este grupo, Emaús, que tam bién han realizado su experiencia desde hace ya algunos años, te niendo que viajar a Houston prin cipalmente para realizarla. Quisiera invitar a todos los párrocos, administradores, laicos y otros líderes a que conozcan y promuevan o apoyen esta expe riencia. No hay muchos recursos en español para nuestras comu nidades hispanas de la diocesis y puedo dar testimonio que EMAUS puede ayudarnos a que nues tras comunidades, especialmente hispanas, puedan seguir integrán dose de una manera mas convenci da a la vida de nuestras parroquias y comunidades. La experiencia es dirigida, en su totalidad, por laicos, con la asesoría de un líder espiri tual. De los sacerdotes se nos pide cooperar con ellos en el sacramento de la reconciliación y la Eucaristía. El apoyo y el acompañamiento, en las diferentes parroquias, dan a las personas que realizan la expe riencia Emaús la oportunidad de convertirse en verdaderos apóstoles y misioneros, con el convencimiento auténtico de que ¡Cristo ha resucit ado!Si estas interesado en tener más información sobre cómo tu comuni dad hispana puede ser parte de este retiro comunícate con el Padre Mar co A. Sánchez, ST, (601) 564-1676 y correo electrónico: marcsanchez. st@gmail.com. (Padre Marco A. Sánchez, ST es miembro de la comunidad religiosa de los Siervos Misioneros de la Santísima Trinidad. Es pastor de la iglesia de St. Anne Carthage y St. Therese de Kos ciusko y asesor espiritual del MFCC de la delegacion de Jackson.)
KOSCIUSKO – Con el tema ”Uno más para tí, Jesús”, 47 hombres del ministerio Camino de Emaús realizó su primer retiro del 3 al 5 de mayo, 2019 en Pineview Camp Kosciusko, bajo el liderazgo de Hirvin López y Ricardo Ruiz. (Foto cortesia de Hirvin López)
Por Padre Marco a. San chez, ST CARTHAGE – Soy miembro de la comunidad religiosa de los Sier vos Misioneros de la Santísima Trin idad. Tengo 30 años de haber sido ordenado sacerdote y he pasado la mayoría de este tiempo acompañan do a las comunidades hispanas en los Estados unidos y Puerto Rico. En el año 2002, fui asignado a acompañar a la Comunidad de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, en Clío, AL de la Arquidiócesis de Mobile, formada en su totalidad de gente proveniente de México. En este tiempo fui introducido a esta experiencia de Emaús, por la entonces coordinadora del Ministe rio Hispano la Doctora Olga Villar, actual directora de SEPI, en Miami. La experiencia Emaús, nacida en la Arquidiócesis de Miami, es un fin de semana basado en el pasaje de Lc. 24,En13-35.mis primeras participaciones parecía una experiencia más que se han desarrollado a lo largo de la his toria de nuestra Iglesia moderna. Sin embargo, empecé a ver que la expe riencia tenía una reacción diferente en los participantes, que mayormente son hispanos con un estatus migratorio irregular, todos ellos de comunidades bilingües, donde mucho o poco se les tomaba en cuenta. La sencilles de la experiencia, la condición de los participantes y la realidad de la Iglesia en los Estados Unidos, con respecto a esta población, provocan una re acción extraordinaria en la vida de esta gente, donde la mayoría experimenta una transformación autentica de conversión y adhesión a Jesucristo y a la vida de la Ig lesiaOtrocatólica.delos factores, que me han impactado es la entrega y devoción de los que dirigen la experiencia, to dos ellos LAICOS, miembros de nuestras parroquias, sin ninguna preparación especial para tal experiencia, sino solo su determinación de transmitir el amor que ellos han recibido de parte de Jesucristo en esta experiencia a través de su testimonio personal.
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JACKSON – Mujeres pertenecientes al ministerio de Emaús, posan frente a la Catedral de San Pedro, luego de la Misa de clausura de su primer retiro del 5 al 7 de abril, 2019 en Pineview Camp – Kosciusko. (Foto por Patricia Cruz)
EMAUS, camino a Iglesia moderna
La misma fue dada al ser vicio del perdón, sanación, reconciliación, esperanza y vida nueva para los Pueblos Indígenas de las Primeras Naciones, Metis y Pueblos Inuit que sufrieron mucho, durante casi un siglo y me dio, en las escuelas residen ciales de todo Canadá. Lo que ocurrió en estas escuelas fueron políticas gubernamentales con las que, la Iglesia Católica y otras denominaciones cristianas colaboraron. La Comisión de la Verdad y Reconciliación de Canadá escuchó más de 7000 testimonios de exalumnos de escuelas residenciales en Canadá "...que recordaron con doloroso detalle la forma en que se suprimió nues tro idioma, se nos arrebató nuestra cultura, se denigro nuestra espiritualidad y se desgarraron nuestras famili as," según el jefe Wilton Littlechild, uno de los miembros de laAlComisión.iniciode la peregrinación, el Papa Francisco entró de lleno en la caldera de dolor que aflige hoy la memoria y la vida de los indígenas. “Los efectos generales de las políticas vinculadas a las escuelas residenciales fueron catastróficos. Nuestra fe cristiana nos dice que esto fue un error nefasto, incompatible con el Evangelio de Jesu cristo… Humildemente pido perdón por el mal cometido por tantos cristianos contra pueblos indígenas." "Queridos hermanos y hermanas, muchos de vo sotros habéis dicho que pedir perdón no es el fin del asunto. Estoy completamente de acuerdo en que es solo el primer paso, el punto de partida para ayudar a los so brevivientes de las escuelas residenciales a experimentar la sanación de los traumas que sufrieron.” Un tema constante, a lo largo de sus visitas apostóli cas, homilías y discursos, fue el poder reconciliador de la Cruz y la Resurrección, el único poder en la tierra que puede traer sanación duradera y esperanza en la vida de las víctimas.“Anteel mal, roguemos al Señor del bien; ante la muerte, roguemos al Dios de la vida. Nuestro Señor Jesu cristo tomó una tumba que parecía el lugar de sepultura de toda esperanza y sueño, dejando solo tristeza, dolor y resignación. Hizo de ella un lugar de renacimiento y resurrección, el comienzo de una historia de vida nueva y de reconciliación universal. Nuestros propios esfuerzos no son suficientes para lograr la curación y la reconcil iación: necesitamos la gracia de Dios. Necesitamos la sabiduría serena y poderosa del Espíritu, el tierno amor del Consolador... para avanzar juntos en nuestro cami no.”La Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de los Primeros Pueb los, designada en 1991 como parroquia nacional indíge na de Canadá, es también un punto de referencia para las comunidades italiana, portuguesa, española, croata y eritrea. En este lugar sagrado, el Papa Francisco reflex ionó que la iglesia es la casa de la reconciliación para todos, pero la mayoría de las palabras y los hechos de reconciliación tienen lugar a nivel local, en comunidades como esta, donde las personas y las familias viajan jun tas, día a día. Orar juntos, ayudarnos unos a otros, com partir historias de vida, alegrías y luchas comunes: esto es lo que abre la puerta a la obra reconciliadora de Dios. Al proponer que la reconciliación es local, el Papa Francisco encarnó la convicción evangélica de San Pablo de que todos los creyentes son embajadores de Jesucristo y por lo tanto, ministros de la reconciliación. (2 Corintios
Nuestros propios esfuerzos no son suficientes para lograr la curación y la reconciliación: necesitamos la gracia de Dios.
5) Comenzando en el corazón del creyente, el Espíri tu Santo puede producir una renovación divina y una nueva creación en todos los puntos de la brújula de las relaciones humanas. Más allá de Canadá y alcanzando los confines de la tierra, el Sínodo sobre la Sinodalidad es el sueño del Papa Francisco para la iglesia y para el mundo. Siempre y donde la iglesia pueda modelar y vivir la comunión, la participación y la misión, habrá un desbordamiento que podrá ser fuente de vida, luz y amor para el mundo. Durante el proceso del sínodo en nuestra diócesis, hubo un llamado repetido a una mayor unidad basada en el perdón, la sanación, la reconciliación y la esper anza. Ya sea que la fuente del quebrantamiento tenga sus raíces en el pecado personal, una disminución de la salud física o mental, el impacto de la pandemia o los escándalos en la iglesia, el divorcio, la sobredosis de dro gas o la desesperación, como dijo el Papa Francisco en la Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de la Primera Nación, de la Iglesia Católica universal, y cada parroquia y ministerio está destinado a ser una casa de reconciliación. Que el Espíritu Santo despierte en nosotros el cora zón y la mente de Aquel que nos saca de las tinieblas a la luz maravillosa del amor de Dios.
Papa nombra a tres mujeres para departamento de seleccionar obispos
Por obiSPo JoSePh r. KoPacz, d d La visita apostólica del Papa Francisco a Canadá, durante la última semana de julio, fue autodescrita como “peregrinación penitencial.”
“Peregrinación Penitencial” y Sínodo sobre Sinodalidad: perdón, sanación, reconciliación y esperanza
VATICANO – El papa Francisco saluda a la hermana Raffaella Petrini, miem bro italiana de las Hermanas Franciscanas de la Eucaristía con sede en EE. UU. y secretaria general de la oficina que gobierna el Estado de la Ciudad del Vat icano, el 3 de diciembre de 2015. (Foto de CNS/Vatican Media vía Reuters)
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CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) –Diez días después de decir que nombraría a dos mujeres para el grupo que lo ayuda a elegir obispos, el papa Francisco nombró a tres mujeres para el cargo. Por primera vez, los miembros incluyen mujeres: Hermana Raffaella Petrini, miem bro de las Hermanas Franciscanas de la Eucaristía, quien es secretaria general de la oficina que gobierna el Estado de la Ci udad del Vaticano; la hermana salesiana francesa Yvonne Reungoat, ex superiora general de la orden; y Maria Lia Zervino, argentina, presidenta de la Unión Mundial de Organizaciones Femeninas Católicas. El dicasterio está dirigido por el carde nal canadiense Marc Ouellet y es respons able de ayudar al papa a elegir obispos para las diócesis de rito latino fuera de los territorios de misión de la iglesia. An tes de que la reforma de la Curia romana del papa Francisco entrara en vigor en ju nio, los miembros del dicasterio eran solo cardenales y algunos obispos. Los otros nuevos miembros del dicast erio incluyen: Cardenales Anders Arbore lius de Estocolmo; José F. Advincula de Manila, Filipinas; José Tolentino de Men donca, archivero del Vaticano; y Mario Grech, secretario general del Sínodo de los Obispos.Elpapa Francisco también nombró como miembros a varios obispos que se convertirán en cardenales en agosto: Cardenales-designan a Arthur Roche, pre fecto del Dicasterio para el Culto Divino y la Disciplina de los Sacramentos; Láza ro You Heung-sik, prefecto del Dicasterio para el Clero; Jean-Marc Aveline de Mar sella, Francia; y Oscar Cantoni de Como, Italia.Los otros nuevos miembros son: el ar zobispo Drazen Kutlesa de Split-Makarska, Croacia; el obispo Paul Tighe, secretario del antiguo Consejo Pontificio para la Cul tura; y el abad benedictino Donato Ogliari, abad de San Pablo Extramuros en Roma y administrador apostólico de la Abadía de Montecassino, Italia. Los nuevos miembros se unen a los miembros existentes, incluidos los carde nales estadounidenses Blase J. Cupich de Chicago y Joseph W. Tobin de Newark, Nueva Jersey. de agosto de 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO
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Vírgenes y Santos Santa Teresa de Calcuta. Sep. 5 Día del Trabajo. Labor Day. Sep. 5
La Natividad de la Santísima Virgen María –Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, Patrona Cuba Sep. 8 San Pedro Claver. Sep. 9 Virgen de Coromoto, Patrona de Venezuela. Sep. 11 Exaltación de Santa Cruz. Sep. 14 San Genaro. Sep. 19 San Pio de Pietrelcina. Sep. 23 San Gerónimo. Sep. 30 Envíenos sus fotos a editor@jacksondiocese.orgSíganosen
Santa Ana en Carthage y Confirmaciones en Corinth
CORINTH – El sacramento de la Confirmación fue recibido por 9 jóvenes, en Misa celebrada por el Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz y el padre Mario Solórzano, el 9 de Julio en St. James the Less. Los jóvenes son: Anahi Rivera, Mirelle Blanco, Maria Diego, Maria López, Adamaris Pérez, Ricardo Hernández, Alexis Gonzáles (New Albany), Jasmin N. Trejo y Sharivel Trejo. (Fotos por Bernardo Sorcia)
TOME
CARTHAGE – (Arriba–Izq.) Primera lectura, de la Misa de celebración de Santa Ana; (arriba) las mujeres llevan en procesión la imagen de la patrona de la comunidad, como tradición local; (izq.) la masiva participación de una audiencia multicultural colmando el pequeño espacio de la iglesia, el 24 de julio. (Fotos por Berta Mexidor) NOTA
In 2022 the sisters have been among several dozen communities of women re ligious to broaden the reach of the global synod of the Catholic Church, an ongoing process initiated by Pope Francis to transform the way the church approaches self-gov ernance and its mission of evangelization. Visit https://springfieldop.org/150years for more about the Springfield Dominican Sisters’ response to God’s call, their history, and all the events planned for the anniver sary celebration throughout the year. (The Springfield Dominican Sisters are members of the global Order of Preachers founded by St. Dominic de Guzman in 1206. For more than 800 years, Dominicans have preached the Gospel in word and deed. Today, thousands of Dominican sisters, nuns, priests, brothers, associates and laity minister in more than 100 countries around the world).
By SiSter Beth Murphy, Op SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A yearlong sesquicentennial celebration of the founding of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield begins this summer. The celebration opens at 6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 19, with a Mass lives treamed from Sacred Heart Convent Chapel. The celebrant is The Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki, Bishop of the Diocese of Spring field-in-Illinois. The year will include multiple prayerful and celebratory events, culminating in a public Eu charistic celebration on Aug. 19, 2023, to mark the 150th anniversa ry of the arrival in Jacksonville of the pioneer sisters in 1873. “Looking back over the span of our history is an exercise in gratitude, humility and awe,” said Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP, the prioress general of the congregation. “I am grateful to those six women who, with 48 hours’ notice, said yes to a mission they could never had imagined. I am humbled by God’s continued fidelity. I stand in awe of the mission to which we are called for the life of the world.”
In the past, being in solidarity with the rostros concretos — as it is expressed in Spanish — meant building educational and healthcare institutions to serve a grow ing nation of immigrants. With the institution-building phase of the U.S. Catholic Church’s story now long past, an authentic response to the world’s needs looks different that it did in the 19th century. In 2014, when he declared a year dedicated to consecrated life, Pope Fran cis told the church’s religious women and men — sisters, brothers, and priests — “Come out of yourselves and go forth to the existential peripheries.” He asked religious women and men to go to those who have lost all hope, feel abandoned, without purpose, and “thirsting for the divine.”
The Diocese of Jackson has launched a third-party reporting system that will enable all diocesan employees, volunteers and parishioners to anony mously (or named if preferred) make reports. Examples of this activity include fraud, misconduct, safety violations, harassment or substance abuse occurring at a Catholic parish, Catholic school or at the diocesan level. The system is operated by Lighthouse Services. Based in Deerfield, Illinois, Lighthouse Ser vices 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/jacksondio cese or call 888-830-0004 (English) or 800-216-1288 (Spanish).
Gratitude, humility, awe: Dominican Sisters celebrating 150 years of ministry for the life of the world
“This time of prayerful contemplation on our history is as much about looking toward the future with hope as it is about reflecting back on a storied past,” Sister Rebecca Ann insists. “As it was for our founding sisters 150 years ago, our mission of standing in solidarity with persons on the peripheries of our nation, church, and world is ongoing and responsive to the needs of the world today.”
The Association of Priests of the Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi provide a small pension to our retired priests. As you consider your estate plans, please remember these faithful servants by making a donation or leaving a bequest to the Association of Priests. Our parish priests dedicate their lives to caring for us, their flocks. Let us now care for them in their retirement. Donations can be made payable to the Association of Priests and can be mailed to: Diocese of Jackson, Attn: Cathy Pendleton, P.O. Box 2248, Jackson, MS 39225-2248
Since 1873, Dominican Sisters from the Springfield-based congregation have done just that at hundreds of ministry sites in 21 states and multiple locations in Peru.Current ministries on the peripheries include education and advocacy for ra cial justice, immigration reform, accompaniment of Native Americans and literacy education centers. Springfield Dominican sisters are engaged in the support of asylum seekers, persons with mental illness, and children living in impoverishment. Though no longer sponsors of health care institutions, Dominican sisters continue in healthcare ministry as hospital chaplains, home visitors, clinicians, lab techni cians, and providers of nursing care. In addition, the educational mission begun by the founding sisters continues on through three sponsored high schools, two literacy centers, a program of for mation of associate candidates, and in multiple other ways of educating, forming, and supporting the faith journeys of individuals, families, and parishSincecommunities.1999,when the sisters took responsibility for Jubilee Farm on Springfield’s western border, the congregation has grown increasing ly active in educating and advocat ing for personal and policy changes that will mitigate the climate crisis and support a healthier planet. The sisters and their associates are active participants in the Vatican’s Laudato Si’ Action Platform.
dIOCESE 11MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC AUGUST 19, 2022
By sister alies therese
Before her conversion, during her years as a profes sor, she was very outspoken about women’s roles and wrote in the Ethos of Women’s Professions, for example: “One could say that every normal healthy woman can hold a position. And there is no profession which can not be practiced by a woman.” (ICS) Not long after she would become unemployable because she was both woman and Jew. No place in academia for her. Does that sound familiar? How is the truth rejected? What can/not be taught? How do we ignore history? Next month we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Cross on Sept. 14, and maybe our study of St. Benedicta might open to us deeper wisdom and help us put the suffering, especially targeted violence, at His Cross. “As for what concerns our relations with our fellow man, the anguish in our neighbor’s soul must break all precepts. All that we do is a means to an end, but love is an end in itself because God is love.” (ICS) (Sister alies therese is a canonically vowed hermit with days formed around prayer and writing.)
By Melvin arrington We know we all have a purpose in life. We are here to know, love and serve God. If we come to know Him, we will love Him. And if we love Him, we will want to serve Him. St. Rose of Lima learned these truths at a young age and took them to heart. I, on the other hand, was nearing retirement age when I discovered them and began putting them into practice. St. Rose of Lima (1586-1617) was born into a well-to-do family in Peru’s capital city during Spanish America’s Colonial era. Early on, she showed an inclination to the austere life, fasting often and praying constantly. As a young lady she was considered to be very beautiful. But she was so fearful of the pitfall of vanity that, before going out into the street, she would soak her hands in lime and intentionally disfigure her face by rubbing pepper on her cheeks to mar her complexion. At one point she began wearing a self-fashioned crown of thorns because of a deep desire to imitate Christ. Why perform these excessive mortifications? Perhaps it was an attempt to take the words of our Lord a little too literally when He proclaimed, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out” and “If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off.” (Matthew 5:29-30) In any case, the object was to enhance her spiritual rather than physical beauty. These extreme forms of penance seem strange to us, like the actions of some one who is out of touch with reality. But we can also view them as a protest against the materialism and evils of those times, an era plagued by violent acts of cruelty and the savage lust for gold. When the family fell on hard times, Rose began working in their home vegetable garden by day and doing needlework, including making exquisite lace and embroi dered silks, at night. Many friends encouraged her to marry in order to escape poverty, and her great beauty would have easily made this possible. But instead, at age 20, she joined the Third Order of St. Dominic after seeing a black and white butterfly come to rest on her shoulder, taking that as a sign God wanted her to wear the black and white habit. As a member of the Third Or der, Rose was allowed to wear the habit and continue living and working at home. She greatly admired and hoped to imitate St. Catherine of Siena and chose the great Italian saint as her patron. Like St. Catherine, Rose received visions from God and experienced mys tical ecstasy. This aroused the suspicions of church authorities, including the Inquisition. But after theologians conducted an examination, they concluded that her holiness was genuine. Hoping to live a life of solitude, Rose managed to construct a hut as a little hermitage on the grounds of the family home. There she lived as a recluse, spending much time in prayer. St. Rose reportedly protected the city of Lima from disaster three times. When Dutch pirates invaded the city in 1615, the fearless young woman stood guarding the tabernacle in the Church of Santo Domingo as the raiding party entered the church. When they saw her there, they returned to the ships and canceled their plans to plun der the city. In two other instances her prayers saved Lima, once from attack during an indigenous uprising and, on another occasion, from damage by an earthquake.
On Aug. 9, 2022, we celebrate the feast day of Edith Stein (St. Sister Benedicta of the Cross, OCD), German (born, 1891, in Breslau in what is now Poland) intellec tual, scholar, typhoid-nurse hospital worker and Jew ess-cum-Catholic Christian (1922) and Carmelite (1933), who at 52 was taken to the Nazi chambers and murdered (1942). I like what Sister Joan Chittister, OSB, points out: “The fact is Edith Stein is not important because she was martyred for anything. Edith Stein is not a light to take into the 21st century because she was killed by Na zis for whatever reason. Edith Stein is a pathway through darkness because of the courage it takes to critique your own.” (emphasis mine, A Passion for Life, Orbis, 1996) She might be best known in Carmelite circles, un like some of her more famous Sisters, Teresa of Avila, or Therese. That she was caught up with Bonhoeffer or Kolbe and others also annihilated for religious reasons during the Nazi regime, points to the highlights (1942) of the brutal reality of authoritarian politics. Though she had been smuggled to the Netherlands, she and her sis ter Rosa were found out and eventually reached Aus chwitz where their earthly lives ended abruptly. In the day (and maybe today as well?), a sister pro fessing Carmelite life took a ‘title’ pointing her in a spe cial direction within her prayer vocation ... in this case ‘of the Cross’ was chosen and the fact that she was born on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, she had been on this path her whole life. She saw her life as one united with the suffering of God, the anguish of the innocent, and the prayer of the powerless. The Cross for her became the Christian marker where the greatest love had been shown, even to those who ravaged the world, who lived out of greed or insensitivity, who barreled through country after country demanding obedience and submission. Mostly the Cross was the symbol of success, despite its narrow appearance, of the empathy theory she’d studied reminding people that to walk in another’s shoes across barriers (class, culture, ethnicity and...) is to accept a call to build together the beauty of peace. We ‘cross over,’ out of our zones into a graced place serving one another. The beauty of God, reflected in the common good, is torn asunder when the innocent are ravaged when lies become common currency for truth, and when hope seems impossible as attacking armies (of whatever kind) seek to dominate. Aren’t we just a bit too cozy with violence? Just look at Oklahoma, executing 25 men one a month (on Thursdays) for two years beginning this month. That the Cross reaches up and stretches out is a reminder that God is not just the God of ‘me’ but the God of ‘we’; when will we nourish one another and cease scrambling in darkness ... perhaps they’ll come for me, for Inus?her book The Wisdom of the Cross, she remarks that through a process of death, all will come to life in Him if we are willing to give our lives. She says, “This faith in the Crucified – united with devoted love – is for us the doorway to life and the be ginning of the glory to come. The Cross is our only boast ... But the cross is not the end: it is lifted high and shows us the way to heaven.” (ICS, Washington, 1996) She had no illusion about what that meant for her, her sister Rosa and so many more; it meant death. Equally, she understood that through her tool of conversion (the autobiography of St. Teresa of Avi la, 1921) she saw ‘the truth.’ Her mother was brought to tears at her conversion. ‘I’ve nothing to say against him (Jesus),’ she told Edith, ‘just that he claimed to be God.’
12 Columns Christian marker: The Cross AUGUST 19, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
In reading about this saint, I found out that she’s considered the founder of social services and social work in Peru. The term “social services” refers to promoting the welfare of others by providing assistance such as medical care and housing for the benefit of those in need in the community, and that’s exactly what Rose did. During the latter portion of her life, in true Dominican fashion, she added an active component to the contemplative life by roaming the city in search of homeless children, the sick, the elderly and the dying and taking them to some rooms reserved in her parents’ house, where she fed and bathed them and saw to their needs. In fact, that’s the sort of thing we should all be doing in some form or other – serving the less fortunate – either directly or indirectly through prayer and financial support. At age 31 Rose fell sick and died. She was so highly regarded by the citizens of Lima that during the funeral procession the city’s leaders took turns carrying her cof fin. St. Rose of Lima is the patron saint of Latin America (feast day, Aug. 23). Canon ized in 1671, she was the first person born in the New World to be raised to the altars. One lesson we can learn from this saintly life is that faith must be put into action. As mentioned earlier, I came to this realization rather late. As a young man, I spent most of my time selfishly caring for my own needs, with relatively little concern for the com mon good. Later, after I had a family of my own, I just didn’t seem to have enough free time to pull away from obligations at home to become involved in community service. Only in mid life did I come to understand that I needed to make time for volunteer work. There are opportunities for involvement in every community. In retirement I’ve found mine. These activities are good for the soul. They have changed the direction of my life, and clearly for the better. In the final analysis, we’re here to serve others, not ourselves. As Pope Francis says, “It is not enough to say we are Christians. We must live the faith, not only with our words, but with our actions.” St. Rose of Lima would wholeheartedly agree. (Melvin Arrington is a Professor Emeritus at University of Mississippi and member of St. John Oxford.) St. Rose of Lima and the call to service
FROM THE HERMITAGE
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis recognized the martyrdom of Hungarian Father Péter Oros, who was killed at the height of the Cold War by Soviets in Ukraine. During a meeting Aug. 5 with Cardinal Mar cello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the pope also signed decrees advancing the sainthood causes of four other men and one woman. According to the dicastery’s website, Father Oros was born in Biri, present-day Hungary, in 1917 and was or dained a priest for the Ruthenian Eparchy of Mukachevo in 1942. Some records indicate a Byzantine bishop born in the same year with a similar name. Although the Di castery for the Causes of Saints states Father Oros was an Eastern-rite Catholic priest, it was not unusual at the time for an auxiliary bishop to be named clandestinely. After the annexation of the Transcarpathian territory in present-day Ukraine, the suppression of Eastern Catholic churches forced Father Oros into hiding. After a warrant for his arrest was issued in 1953, he was shot and killed by a police officer at a train station in Siltse, Ukraine, while attempting to flee.
The German Catholic news agency KNA said that in at least 43 countries, women, but also men and children, are in mortal danger because they are being persecuted as alleged witches, according to the 2022 World Map of Witch Hunts published by missio Aachen. Missio said it had added Sier ra Leone and Zimba bwe to the map since last year. Most of the countries affected are in Africa, but the phe nomenon also exists in Southeast Asia as well as Mexico, Bolivia, Guatemala and Hai ti. The current missio world map is based on conservative esti mates. Other lists put the number of affect ed countries near 60, KNA reported. Experts said more people had been killed as alleged witches and sorcerers worldwide in the past 60 years than in the 350 years of European witch hunts. The accusation of witchcraft often is triggered by sudden and inexplicable deaths or illnesses, but also by weather phenomena, Swiss Franciscan Sister Lorena Jenal said in a recent interview with KNA. WASHINGTON (CNS) – Cuban bishops and Pope Francis asked for prayers as a major fire has caused at least one death, more than 100 injuries and left 17 fire fighters missing in Cuba. The fire initially began with a lightning strike that hit a tank at an oil facility Aug. 5 and has since spread along the port city of Matanzas. Thousands were evacuated from the region as the fire spread from one tank to three. Some feared wind was spreading the contamination to other parts of the island, including to the capital, Havana, about 60 miles away.
Pope Francis, in a telegram sent to the Cuban bishops via Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said he was following news about the “unfortunate accident.
May the Lord grant you strength in this moment of pain and sustain the work of extinction (of flames) and (of) search and rescue,” the telegram said.
VATICAN VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis plans to make his long-awaited visit to Ukraine before his trip to Kazakhstan in September, said Andrii Yurash, Ukraine’s ambassador to the Holy See. In a series of tweets post ed Aug. 6 after meeting with the pope, Yurash said the people of Ukraine “have been waiting for the pope” since the start of the war and will “be happy to greet him be fore his trip to Kazakhstan.” “I am very close to Ukraine and want to express this closeness (through) my visit to Ukraine,” the pope said, according to the Ukrainian am bassador. “Moments of communication with (the) Holy Father are always inspirational,” he said in a follow-up tweet. “Especially when there is a chance to discuss and promote subjects that are ‘on the table’ for a long time, like the pope’s visit to Ukraine.” The pope expressed on several occasions his desire to not only visit Ukraine, but also Russia to plead for an end to the conflict. In an in terview with Catholic News Service July 18, Yurash said that while Ukraine was ready for a papal visit, he doubt ed the pope would be able to visit Moscow.
BRIEFS 13MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC AUGUST 19, 2022 NATION WASHINGTON (CNS) – Decrying President Joe Biden’s new executive order on abortion, the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee said Aug. 5 that “continued promotion of abortion takes lives and irrep arably harms vulnerable pregnant mothers, their fami lies and society. Even preceding the Dobbs decision, my brother bishops and I have implored the nation to stand with moms in need, and work together to protect and support women and children,” Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori said in a statement. “It is the wrong di rection to take at a moment when we should be work ing to support women and to build up a culture of life,” added the prelate, who heads the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-life Activities. On Aug. 3, Biden signed an executive order instructing the Department of Health and Human Services “to advance access to reproductive health care services, including, to the extent permitted by federal law, through Medicaid for patients traveling across state lines for medical care.”
LAFAYETTE, La. (CNS) – The annual Fête-Dieu du Têche in the Diocese of Lafayette took place on the feast of the Assumption, Aug. 15, and this year’s 40-mile eucharistic procession by boat down the Bayou Têche coincides with the U.S. Catholic Church’s three-year Na tional Eucharistic Revival now underway. “In an effort to cultivate a deeper devotion to Jesus’ presence in the Eu charist, boaters will be able to choose a patron from a list of 50 eucharistic witnesses – saints and blesseds “who exemplified a life totally dedicated to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist,” according to a news release about this year’s event. Saints known for their love of the Eucharist were highlighted, including St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Jean Vian ney, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Teresa of Kolkata, as well as Blessed Carlo Acutis. “The intention for the all-day spir itual and cultural celebration will be for a ‘Renaissance Eucharistique’ in Acadiana and beyond,” the release said. Acadiana refers to the French Louisiana region – com posed of 22 parishes – that is home to the Cajun people. Cajuns are descendants of the Acadians, a people exiled from present-day Nova Scotia by the British during the French and Indian War. They settled along the bayous and prairies of southwest Louisiana.
In his statement, Archbishop Lori said: “I continue to call on the president and all our elected officials to increase support and care to mothers and babies, rather than fa cilitate the destruction of defenseless, voiceless human beings,” he said.
AACHEN, Germany (CNS) – Missio, one of Germany’s Pontifical Mission Soci eties, marked the third World Day Against Witch Hunts Aug. 10 by warning that the phenomenon is on the increase worldwide.
WORLD LAGOS, Nigeria (CNS) – Nigerian officials identi fied six suspects arrested in connection with the June 5 attack that killed 40 people at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo. Maj. Gen. Jimmy Akpor, defense department spokesman, said all were linked to the Islamic State West Afri ca Province group. He said the arrests were made through a joint effort of military and defense officials. Akpor said a preliminary investigation showed that “Idris Abdulma lik Omeiza was the mastermind of the ter ror attack on the Catholic Church in Owo as well as the attack on a police station” in Kogi state June 23. In the second attack, a police officer was killed and weapons were stolen. Omeiza is sometimes known as Bin Malik. Police also arrested Momoh Otohu Abubakar, Aliyu Yusuf Itopa and Auwal Ishaq Onimisi for the Owo attack, in which attackers sneaked into a Pentecost Mass with explosives. Akpor confirmed Aug. 10 that the four were arrested Aug. 1. On Aug. 11, Akpor said officials had arrested two more suspects: Al-Qasim Idris and Ab dulhaleem Idris. Officials did not release a motive for the attack.
August brings three “H’s” in Mississippi Destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina is seen in Gulfport, Miss., Sept. 6, 2005. Hurricane Katrina and subsequent flooding left more than 500,000 people homeless. Catholic churches, organizations and schools were among the institutions taking in evacuees and providing temporary shelter and schooling. (CNS photo by Ed Foster, Jr.)
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PEARL – On Saturday, June 25 the St. Joseph and St. Therese of Lisieux Order of Discalced Carmelite Seculars welcomed three Aspirants to the group at the Rite of Admission at St. Jude Parish in Pearl. The Aspirants are Father Lincoln Dall, Michael McFadden and Gabriela Thompson. They now enter a deeper level of study and formation into Carmelite spirituality and Community life that will continue for the next two years. Each one was given a Bible and the brown scapular of the Order. (Photo by Rhonda Bowden)
New aspirants for Carmelite Seculars
FROM THE ARCHIVES By Mary WoodWard JACKSON – In Mississippi, the month of August stirs a myriad of thoughts of the “3-H’s” for which we are so well-known – heat, humidity and hurricanes. This August is no different. I would like to share a couple of memories of Au gusts gone by. Two of the worst hurricanes to make landfall in the history of the state and country were August hurricanes named Camille (Aug. 17 and 18, 1969) and Katrina, which actually made landfall first across Miami on Aug. 23, 2005, then again in Mississippi on Aug. 29. Well, let me now date myself. I remember Hurricane Camille. We grew up on Millsaps College campus in Jackson in faculty housing. When Camille came ashore 170 miles south of our house, the old-style metal two-inch green Vene tian blinds stood out from the windows rattling in the wind all night long. That image is forever etched in my mind. Prior to destroying all wind measuring tools, Camille was clocked at a one minute sustained 175 mph winds with a 25-foot storm surge. She was fierce and became the benchmark of storms for years to come until 2005, when Ka trina made her way toward the Gulf Coast. What many may not remember is Katrina had already made landfall near Miami and caused widespread flooding and power outages there a week before. I remember because Bishop Joseph Latino was in Miami when the first landfall occurred. He had that kind of luck throughout his life. As I watched the path of Katrina develop, it became eerily similar to Ca mille’s path straight up the Gulf. When I picked up Bishop Latino at the airport upon his return from Miami a few days after the initial landfall, I made the re mark that Katrina was following him. There was definitely a bad feeling about thisThatstorm.weekend, the Cathedral in Jackson experienced standing room only congregations – filled with evacuees from the Gulf Coast and Louisiana. As peo ple came forward in the communion line, there was not a dry eye in the house. While Katrina was making landfall early Monday morning, we in the chan cery office were sent home and told to be where we needed to be for the next 12 hours by 11 a.m. When I arrived home after dropping off a couple of cases of Cath olic Extension Bibles for evacuees at the Coliseum, I hunkered down with my pimento cheese and Zapp’s. Taking comfort in the fact that my 70-year-old house had survived Camille, I watched the news until the power was knocked out around noon. Still, I was confident in the structure of my house even when the attic turbine snapped off, bounded down the roof and landed at my feet on the back porch. I was losing confidence when I took my nearly decapitated self into the attic to put a bucket under the hole in the roof left by the now absent turbine. I recall thinking “next stop Oz.”After what seemed like a 10-hour tornado in slow motion, the next morning I ven tured out following the sounds of the chainsaw to get neighbors to put me on their list of tree removal. They came and dispatched the tree on the fence, shared some cold water I had in an ice chest (I was prepared because of the really bad feeling about the storm), and moved on to the next neighbor. We all pulled together to help because we knew if it was this bad in Jackson, it had to be 1000 times worse on the Coast. I recollect seeing the helicopter flyover of the Gulf Coast – we were wrong – it was a million times worse. Who could have ever imagined worse devastation than Camille? Those thoughts entered my mind in the attic the night before, but the reality of it in one flyover report removed all doubt. After a day of clean up in the neighborhood, the next day provided a chancery office with electricity and air-conditioning. It also became a hub for evacuees to come and use email and Facebook on our computers to let family and friends around the world know they were ok. Indeed, it was quite the time in Jackson, but nothing in comparison to our friends at the chancery office in Biloxi whom we did not know whether they were ok or not for a full two days due to shattered communication lines and towers. From an archive’s perspective, after dealing with the humanitarian needs of these disasters, thoughts turn immediately to sacramental registers in destroyed churches. These registers contain our sacramental lives, which are often used to establish identi ty, get a passport and obtain pensions. In our diocese, every 10 years we bring in these registers and make copies of the contents in the event of such a disaster. Because there were microfilm copies of registers in 1969, parishes that may have lost registers to the storm were able to get copies of them. Ideally, these registers would be stored in secure environments, but that is not always possible. As we move through August and the Gulf continues to heat up, this is a prime time for parishes to reexamine plans for sacramental register safekeeping. Simple things such as large Ziploc bags on hand and portable watertight containers available can go a long way in protecting these lifelines for parishioners and the church. Another handy thing to have is a disaster clean up kit in a bucket that includes bleach, gloves, masks and scrubbing brushes. As I write this, I remember there is a bucket is still in my attic... Take care and stay safe. (Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson.)
Welcome back to our Catholic schools
Greetings everyone! Happy New Year! Welcome back to school and to the 2022-2023 school year. This summer has undoubtedly been the hottest one in my rec ollection. Still, the Office of Catholic Education and your school principals have been working diligently to ensure that students have the best start to this new school year. We want to welcome four new administrators to the diocese this year. They bring a wealth of experience and a heart for ser vice to their local schools. Robin Branton will serve as high school principal for Cathedral School in Natchez. Robert Calcote will serve as principal at St. Patrick School in Meridian. Christopher Payne will serve as principal of Sister Thea Bowman School in Jackson. Finally, Jon Graham will serve as assistant principal for St. Aloysius in Vicksburg. We are excited to have them with us for this new school year! Returning to Catholic education to support the new leaders at their schools are Pat Sanguinetti for Cathe dral School in Natchez and Dr. Virgil Strickland for St. Aloysius Vicksburg. We sincerely thank them for their dedicated service to Catholic education and are excited they are with us, even if they are only with us temporarily. Our committees have been busy reviewing test scores, evalu ating programs and making plans to address the responses received in our surveys at the end of last year. We will soon share our findings in the Office of Catholic Education annual report and the plans for this school year. Our 2022-2023 theme comes from Psalm 100:2; Serve the Lord with Gladness. “Serve Others” is one-third of the pastoral priorities for the Diocese of Jackson. This year, we have chosen to acknowledge the National Eucharistic Revival and the Catecheti cal theme “This is my Body given for you,” through the loving act of service to each other and our communities. From the young children at the early learning centers to the high school seniors, our students, faculties, staff and administrators will be looking this year for opportunities to serve each other and their communities meaningfully.Finally,we welcome you to the mission of Catholic education. As baptized Catholic Christians, we graciously accepted the re sponsibility to evangelize during the sacrament of Confirmation. You can support this mission by praying, volunteering in your parish schools and supporting school fundraisers. Our Catholic schools are not only an investment in society’s future but the future of our church as well.
Christopher Payne – Sister Thea Bowman School, Jackson Christopher Payne was born and raised in Jackson. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. After gradu ation, Payne began his career as a teacher at Sister Thea Bowman School. Payne says he is committed to being a positive role model for my students. “Because of the promise I made to God, my family, my principal, Mrs. Shae Robinson and mostly to my students, I stayed ready in my position as their teacher to now transitioning as principal. It is in deed surreal, yet aligned by God.”
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Graham has an extensive educational background with experiences in general education, special education, STEAM, curriculum development and management, and academic leadership and administration. He was hon ored in 2016, 2018 and 2020 as an educator of the month, and most recently was recognized as Vicksburg Daily News’ 2022 Swimming Coach of the Year. Graham received a B.A. in interdisciplinary studies degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, a M.A. in education and teaching from Belhaven Universi ty, and an Ed.S. in educational leadership and adminis tration from Delta State University. He is currently pur suing a Ed.D. in educational instruction and curriculum at Delta State University.
Robert Calcote – St. Patrick School, Meridian Rob Calcote is a native of Meridian. He received his Bachelors of Business Administration from the Universi ty of Mississippi and an undergraduate and masters de gree in education from Mississippi State University. Calcote has been married to his wife Melissa for 30 years. They have one daughter, Claire Calcote, that is a registered pharmacist practicing in a second year resi dency program at CHI St. Joseph in Lexington, Kentucky. Recently retired with 30 years of public education experience as a teacher and administrator with a back ground in four different grade levels, Calcote is ready for the task of leading St. Patrick School. Calcote says, he has always had the desire to lead a school that has a spiritual foundation with a tradition of academic excellence. “My hope for St. Patrick Catholic School Meridian is that it will be a safe nurturing place where the dignity of each individual child is valued and the love of Christ is evident in everything we do,” says Calcote. Jon C. Graham – St. Aloysius High School, Vicks burg Jon Graham comes to St. Aloysius High School with a passion for preparing the minds, hearts and souls of young disciples for their academic success, future life en deavors, and meaningful opportunities to grow deeper in their faith in a Christ-centered environment enriched with Catholic values and traditions.
Payne’s vision for Sister Thea Bowman School is one with substantial growth in enrollment and community relations with the city of Jackson. “Within my first year, I hope to continue the quality academic education that has been established here and bring new ideas and cus toms that will increase the perspective of my school with in our community,” said Payne.
Robert Calcote St.MeridianPatrick Jon C. CatholicVicksburgGrahamSchoolsRobinCathedralBrantonNatchez
ExecuitveKarlaSincerely,LukeDirector of Catholic Schools “Serve the Lord with gladness” is the theme for Catholic schools across the diocese this school year. (Artwork by Katie Fenstermacher)
Robin Branton – Cathedral School, Natchez Robin Branton is a native of Baton Rouge who at tended Louisiana State University where she received her Bachelor’s of Science degree with a concentration in secondary english education. She obtained her Mas ter’s of Education degree in educational leadership from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. She has eigh teen years of educational experience, eleven of which have been spent in the Catholic school system including teaching English at St. Joseph’s Academy for six years be fore relocating to the Natchez area. She joined Cathedral School as an English teacher in 2017 before serving as the Middle School/High School Assistant Principal from 2020-2022.Brantonis
married to John and they have five chil dren – Tate (MSU c/o 2022), Searcy (Cathedral c/o 2024), Quin (Cathedral c/o 2029), Harrison (Cathedral c/o 2031) and Suzannah (Cathedral c/o 2033). Togeth er they enjoy traveling, sports and family time. They are active members of St. Mary Basilica. Catholic education and tradition is important to Bran ton, which is what brought her to Cathedral. It reminds her of her childhood schools and the educational back ground she received throughout her life. She hopes to continue to build on this wonderful, Catholic foundation, education and tradition that Cathedral carries with the trust and support of the school community.
Four new principals for our Catholic schools
Graham, a Marine Corps veteran, is an active mem ber of St. Paul of Vicksburg where he attends Mass with his supportive wife of 23 years, Christina and their three children – Noah (22), Jo nah (14) and Emma Kate (12). As a family, they en joy attending various sport ing events and taking road trips to explore historical sites and trying out new foods.Jon expressed, “I ap preciate the rich traditions and esteemed reputation of St. Aloysius and I have great expectations for our future as we move forward into taking the school from good to great! My vision is to work collaboratively with all teachers, parents and stakeholders to strengthen our Catholic faith and the rig orous academics St. Aloysius already possesses as well as developing new opportunities to enrich our school, parish, community and, most importantly, our phenom enal students.”
Meet the new principals Chris Payne SisterBowmanTheaJackson
NATCHEZ – Beth Foster leads her kindergarten class into the cafeteria for the first time with a little instruc tion. Shhh! (Photo by Cara Moody) NATCHEZ – Father Aaron Williams leads the senior class in the traditional last first day of school sunrise prayer service on the Cathedral school football field. (Photo by Cara Moody)
VICKSBURG – Father Rusty blesses backpacks at St. Paul parish. (photo by Connie Hosemann)
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COLUMBUS – (Top right) Second grader, Mila Hardy says her prayers for a blessed first day of school. (Pho to by Logan Waggoner)
JACKSON – (Right) Students get “write” to work in language arts class at Sister Thea Bowman school. (Photo by Rachel Patterson)
GREENVILLE – Dr. Jennings let band students try out their new instruments that were received through the St. Cecilia Foundation. (Photo by Nikki Thompson)
SOUTHAVEN – Sister Margaret Sue Broker, OSF and Sacred Heart School alum and parent, David Delgado, pose for a photo after the eighth grade jersey ceremo ny. (First two photos by Laura Grisham) Father Jack Kurps, SCJ, was the celebrant for Sacred Heart School’s first Mass of the school year. He re minded students that in addition to working and study ing hard, they should always be kind and respectful.
HOLLY SPRINGS – Breanna Sumlar, Kira Faulkner and Teyuana Reaves take a break from the day’s activities at Holy Family school. (Photo by Phyllis Parker)
VICKSBURG – St. Francis Xavier first grader, Kemper Maxwell is ready to learn on her first day of school. (Photo by Lindsey Bradley)
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MERIDIAN – Third graders Ladarius Ransom, Reese Washburn and Nolan Alexander play “uno” during a break on their first day at St. Patrick school. (Photo by Emily Thompson)
VICKSBURG – St. Aloysius interim principal, Buddy Strickland celebrates with the class of 2023 as they walk in for their “last, first day of school.” (Photo by Lindsey Bradley)
COLUMBUS – (Above) Principal Joni House welcomes Kindergartener Milo Parish and her mom at Annunciation school. (Photo by Logan JACKSONWaggoner)
MADISON – St. Anthony students draw self portraits on their first day of second grade. (Photo by Rachel Patterson) JACKSON – Ms. Morris and her new Kindergarten students get ready to learn on the first day of school at St. Richard. (Photo by Rachel Patterson)
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– (Left) Director of Catholic Schools, Karla Luke assists Khamyra Powell on her first day of PreK-3 at Sister Thea Bowman School. (Photo by Rachel Patterson)
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JACKSON – Parents and students gathered at St. Richard school for the "Meet the Teacher" event on Thursday, Aug. 4. (Photo by Tereza Ma) VICKSBURG – Father Rusty Vincent celebrates Vicksburg Catholic School’s faculty and staff Mass. All hope to find God’s grace in each other as they start the new school year with fresh hope, joy, forgiveness and love. They will serve the Lord with gladness. (Photo by Lindsey Bradley)
COLUMBUS – Mrs. Ferraez and Mrs. Young learn about the new technology program at Annunciation school and work on assigning new devices (iPads and Chromebooks) to all students for the year. (Photo by Logan Waggoner)
YAZOO CITY – Youth at St. Mary parish participated in Vacation Bible School with the theme "Armor of God." The children dressed as knights and sang "In the Lord's Army" at the close of event. (Photo courtesy of Babs McMaster) for the new school year
Prepping
MERIDIAN – Father Augustine blesses backpacks. (Photo by EmilyGREENVILLEThompson) – (Above) Father Sanchez prays over high school faculty before their first classes with students. (Photo by Nikki Thompson)
In the Lord's Army
“It took some years, but I had their blessing to do it – Kent, Hudson and our daughter Mary Halley,” he said. “The strength of Dear William is not that we lost him, but that we found joy and recovery together. The book applies to families who feel like they’ve lost something; they can get joy beyond what they ever imagined. It also applies to communities. We look around and see despair, but it is doable. You must have a plan and work hard to execute it.” What would Magee, who is helping launch the William Magee Institute for Student Well Being at Ole Miss, tell his twentyone-year-old self? “To believe in your self,” he said. “The selfdoubt is so poisonous. When you’re going through a hard time, it’s easy to point fingers at others. The twenty-oneyear-old me had all these dreams of the American family I would have, and I coached my three chil dren in most every sport they played. I taught Sun day school. I was on the City Council in Oxford. “I was checking all the boxes,” he continued, “but rather than having a strong faith foundation and a strong belief in myself, I had a lot of self-doubt. I wish I could tell that version of me to get some counseling. I could have saved myself and my family a lot of pain andMageegrief.” will have a strong message for parents at the Journey of Hope luncheon. “Their own fears will often get in the way of rais ing their kids,” he said. “We want our children to have the best of everything. If warning signs flare up, the parents may fear that if they do ask for help –such as counseling – they may be labeled. “A lot of kids have lost their joy. A lot of them tell us, ‘I’m making A’s, I’m on the sports teams, I’m on the homecoming court. Why do I feel so bad?’ We should worry about exposing them to what will help them, such as a good education. Faith is a big, positive part of their joy, while misuse of alcohol and substances steals that joy. We must do a better job of educating parents in navigating that path.” Magee will have a strong message for parents at the Journey of Hope event ...'
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Author, David Magee of Oxford is the featured speaker at Catholic Charities Journey of Hope event on Sept. 19 and 20 in Jackson. Magee is the author of Dear William: A Father's Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, Love and Loss. (Book cover courtesy of author)
