Youth

14youth

School sports

JACKSON – St. Richard fifth and sixth grader girls worked on their basketball skills on Saturday, Nov. 13 in the school gym. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

Feast time at St. Patrick parish

MERIDIAN – Fourth grader, Ayden Rush takes aim in the Knights of Columbus Annual Soccer Challenge. (Photo by Emily Thompson)

Don't drop the chili!

GREENVILLE – Thomas Jones has a little fun while packing boxes for the annual food drive for St. Vincent de Paul. (Photo by Nikki Thompson) MERIDIAN – St. Patrick and St. Joseph parishes had a Thanksgiving feast on Sunday, Nov. 21. Mrs. Teresa LaBiche makes dessert recommendations to Anariah Rue and Scarlett Cayer. (Photos by Tereza Ma)

MERIDIAN – Molly Corbitt Miles has a great conversation with Bishop Joseph Kopacz during the Thanksgiving feast at St. Patrick parish on Nov. 21.

Whodunit? DIOCESE

Go forth and set the world on fire

Field trip fun

NATCHEZ – Youth gather for a bonfire and closing prayer with Father Mark Shoffner at the "Go Forth and Set the World on Fire!" retreat. (Right) Ryker Atkins pets Hank the friendly goat. (Photos by Carrie Lambert)

MADISON – St. Joseph staged the comedy-mystery "Clue" on Friday, Nov. 12 to a nearly, sold out auditorium.

Cast: Red dress, Miss Scarlet–Conrad, Blue dress, Mrs. Peacock–Weisenberger, Mr. Green–Hall, Professor Plum–Brown, Wadsworth–Klopman, Mrs. White–Liberto and Colonel Mustard–Rosamond. (Photos by Tereza Ma)

BRANDON/MAGEE – Religious Education students at St. Stephen took a field trip to St Peter’s Cathedral in Jackson. Father Antony Chakkalakkal along with catechists Leslie Taylor, Jeannie Breaux, Basil Breaux and Melanie Breaux provided a tour of the Cathedral and a grounds tour of the State Capitol followed by some fun at McClain Safari in Brandon. (Photo courtesy of Janie Wallace)

16 DIOCESE

Let us give thanks

By Tereza Ma

MERIDIAN – Sunday, Nov. 21 was a special day for the parishes of St. Patrick and St. Joseph in Meridian. After two years the parishes were able to celebrate with their annual Thanksgiving feast and were joined by Bishop Joseph Kopacz, also celebrating the feast of Christ the King at Mass with Father Augustine Palimattam.

Parishioners were thankful for many things. Here are a few of their responses: – Valeria Rangel is thankful for the Spanish and English speaking parishioners to get together as community. "Even though we have different Mass times, speak in different languages and have different cultures, it is wonderful to come together." – For Ken Woodward the dinner was a renewal of the community. "It leads us to Christ because we are the body of Christ. On this day as we honor him as King of Kings, what better way to do it than enjoying community with our brothers and sisters and enjoy a meal together." – Lucila Vargas, originally from Columbia, has been a member of St. Patrick for 46 years. She has enjoyed the tradition of the parish gathering to give thanks and enjoy a meal, as in her home country "they normally just go to church and give thanks to the Lord." – Dorethea Cole of St. Joseph parish loves the way that both parishes "get together as one Catholic community." – Tina Nadeau traveled 1,450 miles from South Dakota by motorcycle for the event to spend her mom's birthday with her and enjoy Thanksgiving together with her mother and stepdad, who cooked for the parish feast. "It is so special to be here and give thanks." MERIDIAN – Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Father Augustine Palimattam celebrate Mass on Nov. 21 for Feast of Christ the King, prior to the huge Thanksgiving celebration for the St. Patrick and St. Joseph Catholic community. (Photos by Tereza Ma) Below: Father Augustine and Bishop Kopacz visit with parishioners before taking stroll to the parish center to enjoy the annual Thanksgiving meal.

Gerry Cober who prepared many delicious items on the menu, visits with parishioners to see how they are enjoying the meal. He had family come visit from South Dakota for the event and Thanksgiving. Father Aaron shared a laugh with parishioners during the feast.

Huge thanks goes to Debbie Hover who handled all the logistics behind the feast. She has faithfully worked at St. Patrick for 21 years. Hover is pictured taking a quick coffee break in the kitchen.

Sandra Killen and Lucia Vargas (right) enjoyed each others company in line. Killen shared a story about her daughter-inlaw from Czechoslovakia who got shocked first time she was invited to Thanksgiving dinner. (Left) Valeria Rantel with her mom and two siblings head into the community center to share thanks and a meal.