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APRIL 29, 2022

mississippicatholic.com

Regional synod sessions bring ideas for unity, evangelization, education BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING BERTA MEXIDOR

structure of the diocese.” Those focus areas are healing and unity; adult formation for evangelization, JACKSON – Catholics around the diand education of youth. Those who parocese shared their hopes for the church ticipated were asked to reflect on how the with Bishop Joseph Kopacz and members diocese and at a local church level could of the Synod Advisory Council at regional address the focus areas, giving concrete exlistening sessions held around the diocese amples on how to address them. over the past five weeks. Many comments around the diocese reA total of ten sessions were held from lated to the faith formation of adults, with March 21 through April 19, with two several pointing to the 2019 Pew Research sessions delayed due to bouts of severe student that approximately 70% of Cathoweather around the state. These regional lics believe that the bread and wine used sessions were the next step after parishes in Communion are only symbolic and not across the diocese conducted individual in the church’s teaching of transubstantilistening sessions to hear from people who ation, where the bread and wine actually fill the pews and those who no longer feel become the Body and Blood of Jesus. connected to the church. From the indiFran Patterson of St. Francis Madison vidual sessions the Synod Advisory Counsaid she felt a call and a need that the cil reviewed every submission from each church “needs to explain to everyone why parish that participated and identified core issues on the minds of those across the di- MADISON – Cecilia Carlton of St. Paul Flowood attended the first regional we do what we do – why we believe it,” referring to the study. She suggested engagocese. synod session held at St. Francis Madison on Monday, March 21. Carlton During the regional sessions, Fran and others around the diocese shared ways that the diocese can address the ing programs like Father Burke Masters, Lavelle, director of faith formation for focus areas of healing and unity; adult formation for evangelization, and edu- “Be Formed” program. Patterson said that she and others at St. Francis have completthe diocese and chair of the Synod Ad- cation of youth. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King) ed two 90-day series and that the series is visory Council reviewed the things that “profound.” formation and education of lay leaders; increased faith were heard in the synod listening sessions. “Both some of us as converts, and others as cradle These included the need to create community outreach formation opportunities for adults; the need for more opportunities, both within the church and the larger evangelization efforts; ways to reach the young church; Catholics, we were blown away,” said Patterson. “The richness that is now coming from us actively particicommunity; a need for healing with regard to marriages, among others. In each regional session, Lavelle went over the above pating in Mass is profound and we have a desire to do annulments, LGBTQ, Racial and ethnic divisions and the sexual abuse scandal; a need for unity; a way to be inclu- results and said, “what we really want to do is focus on more.” – Continued on page 6 – sive of all cultures and diverse communities; increased those areas that came up that we can address within the AND

Pontifical Mission Societies staff accompanies Ukrainians in Holy Week BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

with the people, to journey with them through our Lord's passion and crucifixion, to LVIV, Ukraine – For Msgr. Kieran Harrington, national director of the Pontifical remind them of the hope of the resurrection." The Pontifical Mission Societies are intended to help the church grow, including Mission Societies in the United States, the timing of his visit to Ukraine – Holy Week with programs for children. according to the Julian calendar – was intentional. "But now we are in war," Msgr. Harrington said, "and many of those who have "I thought that it is important at this moment of war to come to a place we support to be with those who are in the midst of suffering, to be with Christ where he is suffer- supported our work want to help with the immediate need. And so that is why I am here, to bring that immediate help for food, for medicine. Our brothers and sisters are ing now, to stand at the foot of the cross here in Ukraine," he said. "You cannot stop the suffering, but you can be with them, so that they know they suffering, so we give what we can." Traveling with Msgr. Harrington throughout Ukraine were Father Sebastian Sardo, are not suffering by themselves, so they know that they are not alone," he said. "It matters that someone comes and cares about your suffering." – Continued on page 6 – Msgr. Harrington admitted a bit of fear traveling to INSIDE THIS WEEK Ukraine. "And then I meet mothers concerned about their children, who've heard the pounding of bombs and the scaring effect of that. I speak to a young girl who had gone through that experience and is looking at her sister and not wanting her sister to experience that. "And others feel hatred for what is being done and are so upset that they are hating, because they know we are made for love. This is the takeaway for me. That God made us to love. And war makes us hate." Bringing humanitarian aid and other assistance for From tthe he archi archives hives hi 13 Youth 19 Sr. Thea Sr h Bowman 9 the outreach by the church in Ukraine and in Poland, Woodward explores statues Youth images and features Smithsonian seeks to make Msgr. Harrington noted that "spiritual accompaniment" was critical as well: "to be here in Holy Week, to pray around the diocese from around the diocese Sr. Thea Boman exhibit

APRIL 29, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. Women’s Morning of Spirituality, Saturday, May 14 at the Catholic Church of the Incarnation. Program begins at 7:15 a.m. with breakfast and ends with Mass at 12:15 with Most Rev. J. Terry Steib. Details: Register at http://womensmorning.com.

PARISH, FAMILY AND SCHOOL EVENTS FLOWOOD LifeWalk for Center for Pregnancy Choices, May 7 at 8 a.m. at the Flowood Nature Park. Non-competitive one mile run/walk. Visit www.cpcmetrofriends.org/lifewalk for more information. GREENVILLE St. Joseph, Paul and Wadel Abide Memorial Golf Classic, Friday, May 13 with 1 p.m. tee time at the Greenville Golf and Country Club. Following golﬁng is dinner with beverages. Teams will consist of 4-man scrambles. Sponsorships available. Details: Bonda Abide at (662) 931-0490. St. Joseph School, Calling St. Joe class of 2002, it’s your 20th reunion. Please update your mailing address, email and phone number to receive all reunion details with Leslie Anderson at leslieabideanderson@gmail. com. HERNANDO Holy Spirit, 2022 Yard Sale, Friday/ Saturday, May 13-14. Items will ﬁll every inch of the Family Life Center. Details: LaRae Walgenbach at (901) 486-0225 if you have questions or would like to volunteer. JACKSON St. Richard Men’s Club, Flight to the Finish 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run will be held at the school/ church campus on Saturday, May 7. Details: call (601) 366-1157. JACKSON Birthright Mom’s Day Baby Shower, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Holy Family parish. Birthright is celebrating expectant mothers by giving away 100 baby gift bags. All are welcome to learn about the ways Birthright provides hope, friendship and support to

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women who are preganant or think they may be pregnant. Details: email birthrightofjackson@gmail.com. MADISON St. Francis, Parish Family Picnic, Sunday, May 22 after 10:30 a.m. Mass. Picnic is full of activities for children, along with food and fellowship for all. Details: church ofﬁce (601) 856-5556. St. Francis, Floyd Q. Doolittle Golf Classic at Whisper Lake Country Club on Saturday, May 14, with all proceeds going directly to seminarian education. In addition to playing the course, compete in a putting contest and a closest-to-the-pin event. Also enjoy lunch and supper prepared by the Knights of Columbus Council 9543 at St. Francis, and you may win a door prize! Details: Art Ring at (601) 559-8581 or somerville3817@gmail.com if you’d like to play, sponsor or volunteer at the tournament. NATCHEZ Cathedral School, 38th Annual Crawﬁsh Countdown Saturday, May 7, 6-10 p.m. Live music by 90 Degrees West. Tickets $120 each and $30 for second chance insurance. Details: more information and tickets available at cathedralgreenwave.com. Ireland Trip with Father O’Connor, September 7-15, 2022. Beauty and culture around every corner on this 8-night Wild Atlantic Tour of Ireland. With its leisurely pace of 4-nights Galway, 3-nights Donegal, ending in a beautiful castle, this tour is a true gem. For more information visit https://caragrouptravel.com/tour-of-irelandwith-father-o-connor-2022/ SOUTHAVEN Christ the King, Trivia Night on Friday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $15/person or $25/couple. You can purchase a sub sandwich or bring your own food and drink. Door prizes available. Details: Karin at (901) 289-0311.

for an opportunity near you.

SAVE THE DATE CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth, VBS 2022: Celebrating God’s Greatness, June 20-24. Details: Catelin Britt (662) 902-6478. OLIVE BRANCH Knights of Columbus, Spaghetti Fundraiser, Sunday, May 22, 2022 after Mass. Dine in or carry out. $8 per plate, $25 per family, $2 smoked sausage ($1 half), $10 quart gravy and $5 quart slaw. Details: church ofﬁce (662) 895-5007. JACKSON St. Richard, VBS 2022, June 6-9. Online registration open May 1-10. No registrations will be accepted after May 10. Details: church ofﬁce (601) 3662335. JACKSON Priestly Ordination of Deacon Andrew Bowden, Saturday, May 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. MADISON St. Francis, VBS 2022, June 20-24 for all children going into Pre-K4 through fourth grades. Registration will begin in May if enough volunteers sign up to assist with the camp. Details: Mary Catherine at mc.george@stfrancismadison.org. PONTOTOC St. Christopher Catholic Friendship Camp, ages 7-11, June 12-18; and ages 12-14, June 19-25. Details: Heidi Stephens campsm@juno.com or https://www.campfriendshipmississippi.com.

JOB OPENINGS JOB OPENINGS Catholic schools across the diocese have a variety of positions open from principals to substitutes. Please visit https://schools.jacksondiocese.org/education-overview/employment/

... Blessing of the Oils ...

APPLIANCE AUDIO VIDEO BEDDING FURNITURE SUPERSTORE

JACKSON – Pictured left to right are Deacon Andrew Bowden, Father Aaron Williams, Mary Woodward, William Foggo and Bishop Joseph Kopacz during the annual Chrism Mass on Tuesday, April 12 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. There are three types of oils: Holy Chrism, Oil of the Catechumens and Oil of the Infirm or Sick. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

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let there be light

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC APRIL 29, 2022

Divine Mercy resonates grace of forgiveness, peace, reconciliation, hope and life BY BISHOP JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D. The Octave of Easter, the celebration of the Lord’s resurrection from the dead extends for eight days reaching its crescendo on the second Sunday, pastorally and prayerfully cherished as Divine Mercy Sunday. The Gospel each year for this Sunday is John 21:19-31 when the risen Lord appeared twice to his apostles huddled in fear to bless them with peace, to bestow the Holy Spirit upon them, to restore their lives and to send them on mission. The second appearance in this setting was necessary because Thomas went missing for the first encounter and was still steeped in his shame, doubt, fear, and hopelessness. The resurrection narratives are written down and proclaimed in the words of the evangelist “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31) Each year, the Divine Mercy of the crucified and risen Lord is invoked for the “whole world” and many worthy causes, and this year at the Cathedral we raised up in prayer the victims of sexual abuse in our church. During the Synod process many in our diocese expressed a yearning for unity that acknowledges the necessity for healing on many fronts. Like the apostles, and especially St. Thomas, many in our church and society are hurting for numerous reasons. One grave reason that ensnares far too many is the crime of sexual abuse that continues to afflict victims and loved ones. Some at our parish and diocesan sessions brought to the fore the commitment of church leadership nearly twenty years ago to never lose sight of “The Promise to Protect and the Pledge to Heal.” Over these past twenty years much has been accomplished through the development and strengthening of safe environments to fulfill the promise to protect our children and young people in church programs. Countless thousands have been educated to be vigilant not only in church settings, but also in their daily lives concerning the behaviors and circumstances that could be problematic for vulnerable children and youth. Never again can we be complacent because predators in all walks of life are always alert for the environmental soft spots that grant access to children. Just as critical in the fulfillment of the church’s commitment is “The Pledge to Heal,” lest we forget those who are suffering the unspeakable assaults of sexual abuse against their human dignity. Divine Mercy Sunday resonates with the grace of forgiveness, peace, reconciliation, hope and life. It’s twofold. The apostles, the first church leaders, had abandoned and denied their Lord, and they needed the grace of mercy and a new beginning. “For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world,” is a plea for God’s mercy upon church leadership who were perpetrators, or who allowed the abuse to continue. The more heartfelt prayer is for the mercy of God to bathe those who have been harmed with healing and hope, peace and new life. When we hear Jesus’ invitation to Thomas to place his finger in the nail marks and his hand into the pierced side, we know that God desires healing for all who are broken and beaten down from sexual abuse and who yearn for new life to touch the healing power of God’s mercy in Jesus Christ. This resurrection moment was announced by the Lord Jesus at the outset of

Volume 68 Number 10 (ISSN 1529-1693)

P.O. Box 2130 Jackson, MS 39225-2130 Phone: 601-969-3581 E-mail: editor@jacksondiocese.org Publisher ........................................................................................... Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz Communications Director ...................................................................... Joanna Puddister King Production Manager ...................................................................................................Tereza Ma Contributors ......................................................................................................... Berta Mexidor

his public ministry in St. Luke’s Gospel. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to bring release to captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and set the oppressed go free.” (Luke 4:18) These words of the Lord are the fundamental work of the church, and the heart of the “pledge to heal.” There are many paths to new life in the Body of Christ and our prayer on Divine Mercy Sunday was that we never tire of praying for and accompanying our grievously harmed brothers and sisters on the path of life to him who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (La versión en español de la Columna del Obispo está en la página 11.)

BISHOP’S SCHEDULE Friday, April 29, 6 p.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ -RVHSK *UHHQYLOOH Saturday, April 30, 4 p.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ 6W )UDQFLV RI $VVLVL %URRNKD YHQ Sunday, May 1, 10 a.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ +RO\ )DPLO\ -DFNVRQ Sunday, May 1, 5 p.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ 6W -RVHSK *OXFNVWDGW Monday, May 2, 6 p.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ $OO 6DLQWV %HO]RQL Wednesday, May 4, 6 p.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ 6W 3DXO )ORZRRG Friday, May 6, 6 p.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ 6W 0DU\ %DVLOLFD 1DWFKH] Sunday, May 8, 10:30 a.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ 6W 0DU\ %DWHVYLOOH Tuesday, May 10, 6 p.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ 6W -RVHSK 6W 3DWULFN 0H ULGLDQ Wednesday, May 11, 5 p.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ 6W -RVHSK 6WDUNYLOOH Saturday, May 14, 10:30 a.m. ² 3ULHVWO\ 2UGLQDWLRQ RI 'HDFRQ $Q GUHZ %RZGHQ &DWKHGUDO RI 6W 3HWHU -DFNVRQ Sunday, May 15, 11 a.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ 6W $QQH &DUWKDJH Sunday, May 15, 5 p.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ 6W )UDQFLV RI $VVLVL 0DGLVRQ Sunday, May 22, 9:30 a.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ 6W 7KHUHVH -DFNVRQ Sunday, May 22, 5 p.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ 6W 5LFKDUG -DFNVRQ Saturday, May 28, 10 a.m. ² &ORVLQJ &HUHPRQ\ IRU &KULVWLDQ )DPLO\ 0RYHPHQW 5LFKODQG &RPPXQLW\ &HQWHU Wednesday, June 1, 6 p.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ 6W -XGH 3HDUO Friday, June 3, 6 p.m. ² ,QVWDOODWLRQ RI )DWKHU $GROIR 6XDUH] +RSH :HOO 3RLQWH 0RUWRQ Saturday, June 4, 10:30 a.m. ² 2UGLQDWLRQ RI &DUOLVOH %HJJHUO\ WR 'L DFRQDWH ,PPDFXODWH &RQFHSWLRQ :HVW 3RLQW Saturday, June 4, 5 p.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ ,PPDFXODWH &RQFHSWLRQ :HVW 3RLQW Sunday, June 5, 10:30 a.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ &DWKHGUDO RI 6W 3HWHU -DFNVRQ

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC LV DQ Rႈ FLDO SXEOLFDWLRQ RI WKH 'LRFHVH RI -DFNVRQ ( $PLWH 6W -DFNVRQ 06 3XEOLVKHG WZLFH SHU PRQWK -DQXDU\ $SULO DQG 6HSWHPEHU 'HFHPEHU RQFH SHU PRQWK -XQH -XO\ DQG $XJXVW 6XEVFULSWLRQ UDWH D \HDU LQ 0LVVLVVLSSL RXW RI VWDWH 3HULRGLFDO SRVWDJH DW -DFNVRQ 06 DQG DGGLWLRQDO HQWU\ Rႈ FHV POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mississippi Catholic, P.O. Box 2130, Jackson, MS 39225-2130. Website: www.mississippicatholic.com www.jacksondiocese.org

Saturday, July 9, 5 p.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ 6W -DPHV &RULQWK Sunday, Aug. 28, 10:30 a.m. ² &RQÀ UPDWLRQ 6W (OL]DEHWK &ODUNVGDOH All events are subject to change. Check with parishes for further details.

4 VOCATIONS

APRIL 29, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

CALLED BY NAME I was honored to be asked by Bishop Kopacz to represent our diocese at the keynote banquet at the Knights of Columbus State Convention in Tunica on Saturday, April 23. As a part of the night’s festivities the Worthy State Deputy Roy Gamez and State Secretary Guy Heying presented a generous donation to the Bishop Gerow Priest Education Fund totaling more than $40,000. These funds go directly to the annual budget for our seminarians and our efforts to ÀQG PRUH PHQ WR VWXG\ IRU WKH SULHVWKRRG One of the focuses of the evening was the role that men need to play in the Catholic Church. The core virtues of the Knights of Columbus are charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism, and Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly highlighted how the organization has been living out these virtues in the midst of these trying times. I also believe that these virtues, if lived out by Catholic men, can lead to a great abundance of priestly vocations. I have shared in this space before that one of the driving forces behind my discernment was the example of my Knights of Columbus Council in Meridian. &RXQFLO LV ÀOOHG ZLWK &DWKROLF OD\ PHQ ZKR WDNH WKHLU FDOO WR VHUYH DQG WKH PDQGDWHV RI WKHLU IDLWK LQ -HVXV &KULVW YHU\ seriously. This made a great impact on me as I considered how I was called to serve in the church. There is great power in the example of men in the church. If men care more about their time in prayer Father Nick Adam and service than their time on the couch or on the golf course or at the gym or at the game, then that speaks to our young people. If men can build healthy friendships rooted in faith that enables them to share healthy leisure time together, that encourages the same behavior in their families. If men can ORYH *RG DQG FRXQWU\ LQ D ZD\ WKDW VHHNV ÀUVW DQG IRUHPRVW WR VHUYH WKRVH PRVW LQ need with generosity and courage, then they are a great light to our world in desperate need for examples of fervent faith. They are most especially lights to their families, which the Knights of Columbus seek to support in everything that they do. I greatly appreciate the generosity of our KC councils and assemblies throughRXW WKH 6WDWH RI 0LVVLVVLSSL 7KH DQQXDO ÀQDQFLDO FRQWULEXWLRQ WKDW WKH\ PDNH WR VXSport future priests is a fruit of the work that they do in their communities throughout each year. I encourage any man who is wanting to grow in faith to consider joining their local council. I am glad that I joined mine all those years ago. – Father Nick Adam ROBINSONVILLE – Mississippi Knights of Columbus State SecIf you are interested in learning more about religious orders or vocations to the retary Guy Heying (St. Richard Council 15131) presents a dopriesthood and religious life, please email nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org. nation to Father Nick Adam on behalf of the Councils and Assemblies of the Knights of Columbus in the Diocese of Jackson.

In memoriam: Sister Kay Burton, SNJM ROCKFORD, Wa. – Sister Kay was born Frances Catherine (Kay) Burton on Nov. 3, 1936, in Santa Monica, California to Gordon and Marie Burton while Gordon was employed by Douglas Aircraft to work on experimental airplanes. The family moved to Issaquah, Washington, in 1942 when Gordon began work as a government inspector on airplanes in Renton. They lived there for less than a year when the family moved to Rockford, Washington, where Kay had fond memories of living on the Saunders place. In 1948, the family moved to Lake Creek, Idaho, into the farmhouse where Gordon had been raised and that is still standing today. In 1954, Kay graduated from Rockford High School as Valedictorian. She enrolled in Holy Names College, Spokane, graduating in 1958 with a degree in Education and began her teaching career at Deer Park High School. In January 1960, after a year and a half teaching in public schools, Kay entered the novitiate of the Sis-

ters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary at Marylhurst, Oregon receiving the religious name Sister Gordon Mary. She pronounced first vows on Feb. 5, 1962. Sister Kay spent years developing peace-education programs and anti-racism curricula as an inner-city teacher and administrator in Seattle. She traveled to Clarksdale, Mississippi, in 1978 to teach at Immaculate Conception School and earned a M.Ed. in Counseling and Guidance from Western Michigan University in 1979. After returning to Spokane from 1983-87 to assume a leadership role as Provincial Director of her SNJM community, Sister Kay returned to Mississippi. She bought a house which she immediately remodeled into appropriate space for tutoring. She reached out to the Jonestown community to find out what people wanted. As a result, Sister Kay established GED programs, garden projects, softball teams and life skills classes for the people of Jonestown. Music was important to her and became a major emphasis. She encouraged instructors to come to Jonestown to teach music. The result was joyful singing at annual Christmas celebrations and Black history presentations, as well as piano recitals and other wonderful gatherings. Her successful volunteer recruitment campaigns led to innumerable home repair and Habitat for Humanity projects benefiting the residents of Jonestown. Volunteers created a playground for younger children and helped upgrade basketball, baseball and track facilities. Sister Kay provided enrichment opportunities to the young people of Jonestown by organizing field trips and driving students to meet Sisters and others involved in

service work. These ranged from travels to the Native American Community in Wapato, Washington, to Holy Names Convents in Lesotho, Africa. Sister Kay also helped found The Call to Vietnam Program which sent Sisters of the Holy Names and volunteers to teach English language skills to the young Lovers of the Holy Cross Sisters in Hue, Vietnam. Sister Kay’s career spanned a lifetime of giving to those in need. Her gifts as a teacher, administrator, volunteer, advocate, innovator, gardener and counselor touched the lives of the thousands of people she served. The people of Jonestown, Mississippi, will never forget Sister Kay and the impact she had during the thirty-plus years of her ministry there. Sister Kay Burton, SNJM, died March 18, 2022, in Spokane, Washington, at Hospice House of Spokane. There must have been a joyous greeting in Heaven that morning as her mom and dad along with brothers Dick, Bill, Jim, and Ira met Kay on her journey to everlasting life. Sister Kay is survived her ﬁve brothers: John, Tom, Don, Bob and Steve and generations of nieces and nephews who knew and loved their Aunt Kay. Sister Kay is also survived by members of her religious community the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. A funeral Mass was held on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rockford, Washington. She is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Sisters of the Holy Names Retirement Fund, PO Box 398, Marylhurst, OR, 97036 or online at www.snjmusontario.org/donate.

Spirituality 5

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC APRIL 29, 2022

Then God created light again IN EXILE BY FATHER RON ROLHEISER, OMI It doesn’t matter whether you picture the origin of time the way science does, as beginning with the Big Bang, or whether you take the biblical account of the origins of the world literally. Either way there was a time before there was light. The universe was dark before God created light. However, eventually the world grew dark again. When? We are told in the Gospels that as Jesus was dying on the cross, between the sixth and ninth hour, it grew dark and Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!” What really happened here? Are the Gospels saying that it actually grew dark in the early afternoon, an eclipse of the sun, or are they referring to another kind of darkness, of a spiritual kind? Was there an eclipse of the sun as Jesus was dying? Perhaps. We don’t know, but that is of secondary importance anyway. What the Gospels are referring to is a kind of darkness that envelops us whenever what’s precious to us is humiliated, exposed as powerless, ridiculed, terminally defeated and crucified by our world. There’s a darkness that besets us whenever the forces of love seem overpowered by the forces of hatred. The light extinguished then is the light of hope, but there is deeper darkness and this is the kind of darkness that the Gospels say formed a cloud over the world as Jesus hung dying. What’s being insinuated here is that at Jesus’ crucifixion, creation went back to its original chaos, as it was before there was light. But what’s also being insinuated is that God created light a second time, this time by raising Jesus from the dead, and that this new light is the most staggering light of all. Moreover, unlike the original light, which was only physical, this light is a light both for the eyes and for the soul. For the eyes, the light of the resurrection is also a radically new physical phenomenon. At the resurrection of Jesus, the atoms of the planet were shaken up from their normal physical workings. A dead body rose from the grave to a life from which it would never again die. That had never happened before. Moreover, the resurrection of Jesus was also a radically new light for the soul, the light of hope. What is this latter light? There’s a famous song written by Robbie Robertson made popular in the early 1970s by Joan Baez, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. Narrated in the first person by a man called Virgil Caine, the song is a sad lament about the distress experienced by a poor white Southern family during the American Civil War. All that could go wrong for them, seemingly had gone wrong, including the death of their young son, killed in the war. Their situation is dark, lacking any hope. At a point in the song, the narrator offers this lament about his brother’s death: He was just eighteen, proud and brave; But a Yankee laid him in his grave; I swear by the blood below my feet; You can’t raise the Cain back up when it’s in defeat. Can life be raised back up when it’s in defeat? Can a dead body come out of its grave? Can a violated body again become whole? Can lost innocence ever be restored? Can a broken heart ever be mended? Can a crushed hope ever again lift up a soul?

Doesn’t darkness extinguish all light? What hope was there for Jesus’ followers as they witnessed his humiliation and death on Good Friday? When goodness itself gets cruciﬁed, what’s the basis for any hope? In two words – the resurrection. When darkness enveloped the earth a second time, God made light a second time, and that light, unlike the physical light created at the dawn of time, can never be extinguished. That’s the difference between the resuscitation of Lazarus and the resurrection of Jesus, between physical light and the light of the resurrection. Lazarus was restored to his selfsame body from which he had to die again. Jesus was given a radically new body which would never die again. The renowned biblical scholar Raymond E. Brown

tells us that the darkness that beset the world as Jesus hung dying, would last until we believe in the resurrection. Until we believe that God has a live-giving response for all death and until we believe God will roll back the stone from any grave, no matter how deeply goodness is buried under hatred and violence, the darkness of Good Friday will continue to darken our planet. Mohandas K. Gandhi once observed that we can see the truth of God always creating new light, simply by looking at history: “When I despair, I remember that all through history, the way of truth and love has always won. There have been murderers and tyrants, and for a time they can seem invincible. But in the end they always fall. Think of it, always.” (Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser is a theologian, teacher and award-winning author. He can be contacted through his website www.ronrolheiser.com.)

The Pope’s Corner

Light of risen Christ dispels darkness of fear BY JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES

cause “fears must be said, fears must be expressed in VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Young people should not order to be able to drive them away.” “Darkness puts us in crisis; but the problem lies in allow the darkness of fear to overwhelm them and instead allow the light of Easter to illuminate their lives how we manage this crisis,” the pope explained. “If I keep it only for myself, for my heart, and I don’t talk and give them courage, Pope Francis said. Fears “must be brought to light. And when fears, about it with anyone, it doesn’t work. In times of criwhich are in darkness, come into the light, the truth sis, you have to talk, talk with the friend who can help, bursts out. Do not be discouraged: If you are afraid, put with your dad, your mom, your grandfather, your grandit to the light and it will do you good!” the pope told mother, with a person who can help. Crises must be thousands of young men and women gathered in St. Pe- illuminated to overcome them.” He also encouraged the young men and women ter’s Square. The April 18 event, titled “Seguimi” (“Follow Me”), present to not be afraid of life and all that it entails but was organized by the Italian bishops’ conference and instead to be afraid “of the death of the soul, of the death brought young teens from all of Italy for a prayer vigil of the future, of the closure of the heart.” “Life is beautiful, life is meant to be lived and to give in Rome. While initial projections expected 57,000 people at the event, the Vatican said an estimated 100,000 it to others; life is meant to be shared with others, not to close it in on itself,” he said. young people were present. Like children who call on their mother when in need, It was the first large-scale gathering of its kind in St. Peter’s Square since the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered Pope Francis said Christians can call upon Mary who, in her adolescence, “accepted her extraordinary vocation all public events in the country in 2020. After riding around and greeting the crowd on his to be the mother of Jesus.” “May Our Lady – the mother who was almost your popemobile, Pope Francis welcomed them and said the “square has long been waiting to be filled with your age when she received the angel’s announcement and became pregnant with him – teach you to say: ‘Here I presence, your faces, and your enthusiasm.” “Today, all of you are together, coming from Italy, in am!’” the pope said. the embrace of this square and in the joy of the Easter (Follow Arocho on Twitter: @arochoju) that we have just celebrated,” he said. However, the pope said that although Jesus’ resurrection “conquered the darkness of death,” there are still dense clouds “that darken our time.” “In addition to the pandemic, Europe is experiencing a terrible war, while injustices and violence continue in many regions of the earth that destroy humankind and the planet,” he said. “Often it is your peers who pay the highest price: Not only is their existence compromised and made insecure, but their dreams for the future are trampled on. Many brothers and sisters are still waiting for the light of Easter.” Reflecting on a Gospel reading from St. John, in which the risen Christ appears to his disciples while they were fishing on the Sea of Galilee, the pope said young people, like the disciples, can experience moments in life that “put us to Pope Francis gives the thumbs up as he arrives for a the test” and “make us feel naked, helpless and meeting with thousands of young people taking part in a pilgrimage organized by the Italian bishops’ conference in alone.” In those times of uncertainty, he continued, St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican April 18, 2022. (CNS young people must not keep to themselves, be- photo/Remo Casilli, Reuters)

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APRIL 29, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

'... We can begin to make a difference today ...'

FOREST – Deacon Carlos Solá assisted in facilitating four regional synod sessions in Spanish. He is pictured at St. Michael in Forest on Thursday, March 24. Fran Lavelle is seated in the background. (Photo by Berta Mexidor) Along the lines of education, many at the regional sessions focused on youth and how to get them excited about their faith and how to encourage them to be comfortable sharing their faith. Cecilia Carlton of St. Paul Flowood said that youth at her parish were asking for more instruction on the Bible. “They are afraid to evangelize because they don’t think they know the Bible like they should.” Carlton suggested developing another program more Scripture speciﬁc, like Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and how to evangelize with Scripture. The Hispanic community at St. Michael Forest, also echoed Carlton’s suggestion, asking for more faith education and classes on the scripture. – Continued from page 1 –

At the regional session at Immaculate Heart of Mary Greenwood, Irene Stark of St. Peter Grenada had an idea to pair youth with senior citizens to learn from each other. “We need something joyful and happy. Something our youth can look forward to doing – like more events and retreats,” said Stark. Another theme common between English and Spanish speaking communities was the focus of unity and healing. Some present suggested having a more concentrated effort of our parishes holding joint events or sharing events with each other, as “we are one Catholic family,” said one participant. Glara Martin of St. Francis Greenwood agreed that uniting parishes is a “great way of healing.” “We need to be willing to learn from each other. We need to feel empowered to reach out to those that have left the church,” said Martin. “We can’t give up! Even getting one back is enough.” With the Spanish speaking regional sessions, many of the same concerns with unity were brought up, with regard to the diversity of cultures that exist within the diocese. At St. Michael Forest, several present spoke about wanting to share traditions and faith within their intercultural community of “Hispanics, Vietnamese, African-Americans and Anglos.” Deacon Carlos Solá, serving at St. James Tupelo, facilitated the four Spanish regional sessions. He said that people are looking for an experience of faith that will help them in life. “If faith doesn’t help us to live,” said Sola, “what is it for?” “The church must be that space where brothers and sisters must find the way to live, with intensity and joy, in the style of Jesus: the Way, Truth and Life. In that direction is where our search must go.” Now that regional synod sessions are complete, the Synod Advisory Council and Bishop Kopacz will compile a 10-page report on what was learned during the sessions. The deadline for filing the report is June 30. Catholic News Service (CNS) reports that in turn, the reports from all dioceses across the U.S. will be sent to regional gatherings – 16 total. Then, regional representatives will work on drafting individual synthesis reports and submitting them to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The report then enters a “national synthesis phase” according to CNS, then being sent to the Vatican by the end of August for further refinement along with other synod reports from around the globe. The beauty of the Diocese of Jackson’s process says Lavelle is that by coming together in these regional sessions, “we don’t have to wait for a document from Rome, we can begin to make a difference today.”

'... Evil is conquered by grace ...' an Argentine priest – Continued from page 1 – who is ecclesiastical assistant at the U.S. office of the Pontifical Mission Societies, and Father Israel Perez, a priest of the Brooklyn Diocese, who is originally from Cuba. St. Joseph Monastery of the Basilian Fathers near Lviv opened its doors to 170 refugees. This is where the U.S. group started its journey in Ukraine April 20. Basilian Father Panteleimon Trofimov, the monastery's superior, told Msgr. Harrington he had no hesitation in welcoming the refugees, mostly mothers and children. "We are Christians. How could we not welcome them into our home? Our place is to be with people," he said. One refugee, Halina, made a 12-hour journey from Kyiv to the Lviv monastery. She said she asks God to keep as many people alive as possible. When asked about where God is in all this, a widow, Taisia, 85, also staying at the monastery, said: "God is here! Here's an example for you: How else did we get here?" Many Eastern-rite Catholics, as well as Orthodox, celebrate Easter according to the Julian calendar, often a week after Latin-rite Catholics celebrate Easter. On Holy Thursday, April 21, Msgr. Harrington visited Ternopil. In addition to the celebration of the Lord's Supper, he met with Ukrainian Catholic Auxiliary Bishop Teodor Martynyuk and discussed church efforts to assist refugees from eastern Ukraine. The U.S. delegation traveled to Kyiv on Good Friday,

Societies to support the efforts of the Catholic Church in Ukraine and Poland to assist refugees and those in immediate need.

Editors: Support can be offered for all these efforts April 22, and visited an area with cars destroyed by bul- through the Pontifical Mission Societies at MISSIO.org/ lets and bombs – cars where children and families were HelpUkraine. killed. The priests also prayed at a mass grave. "Horrifying," Msgr. Harrington said. "You see the physical destruction, but in speaking to the people, you also learn the emotional destruction. "God is suffering with us in these moments, but it's not the last word; we know that from Good Friday," he said. "It may be ferocious, but at the end of the day, evil is conquered by grace." Returning to Lviv for Easter April 24, Msgr. Harrington reflected on his journey in light of Holy Week. "It's the grace of Christ's death and resurrection that give us life," he said, "and we believe that there will be an Easter moment." He encouraged prayer – "we help by our prayers" – and support – "that is what charity is, it is love, giving of ourselves." "This was a privileged time," Msgr. Msgr. Kieran Harrington, U.S. national director of the Pontifical Harrington said, "a blessing to walk with Mission Societies, participates in an Easter service April 24, 2022, them in their suffering, to walk with in Lviv, Ukraine. Msgr. Harrington visited the war-torn country them in solidarity." during Holy Week on the Julian calendar, followed by Ukrainian By the end of the week, $200,000 Catholics and Orthodox. (CNS photo/Andrey Gorb, courtesy Ponhad been sent by the Pontifical Mission tifical Mission Societies)

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC APRIL 29, 2022

VATICAN 7

Pope promulgates Curia reform, emphasizing church’s missionary nature BY CINDY WOODEN

He also linked it to the ongoing process of promoting “synodality,” VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Nine a sense of the shared responsibility years after taking office, Pope of all baptized Catholics for the life Francis promulgated his constituand mission of the church. tion reforming the Roman Curia, a True communion among project he began with his internaall Catholics, he said, “gives the tional College of Cardinals shortly church the face of synodality; a after taking office in 2013. church, that is, of mutual listening “Praedicate Evangelium” in which each one has something (“Preach the Gospel”), which was to learn: the faithful people, the published only in Italian by the College of Bishops (and) the bishop Vatican March 19, will go into efof Rome listening to the other, and fect June 5, the feast of Pentecost. all listening to the Holy Spirit, the Merging some congregations spirit of truth.” and pontifical councils and raising Addressing one of the main the status of others – particularly concerns expressed by bishops the charitable office of the papal around the world in the past, the almoner – Pope Francis said he constitution said, “The Roman hoped the constitution would enCuria does not stand between the sure that the offices of the Vatican pope and the bishops, but rather fulfill their mission in helping proplaces itself at the service of both mote the church as a community in ways that are proper to the naof missionary disciples, sharing the ture of each.” Gospel and caring for all those in Pope Francis wrote that in reneed. organizing the Curia, he wanted to Part of that effort, he wrote, requires including more laypeople in Pope Francis leads a meeting of his Council of Cardinals at the Vatican Feb. 21, 2022. On promote a “healthy decentralizaMarch 19, 2022, Pope Francis promulgated the long-awaited constitution reorganizing the tion” that would, at the same time, Curia leadership positions. promote “co-responsibility” and “This new apostolic constitu- Roman Curia. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) communion with the bishops and tion proposes to better harmonize Dicastery for Culture and Education. among the Vatican offices. the present exercise of the Curia’s “Praedicate Evangelium” replaces St. John Paul II’s The Curia, he said, should support individual bishops service with the path of evangelization that the church, especially in this season, is living,” the pope wrote in the 1988 constitution, “Pastor Bonus,” but, unlike it, does in their mission as pastors as well as the work of bishops’ not reserve the leadership of certain offices only to car- conferences and synods of Eastern Catholic bishops. document. Because “the face of Christ” is reflected in the faces To emphasize the importance of the church’s mission- dinals and bishops, although the individual statutes of of his disciples, the document said, members of the Roary nature, in the new constitution Pope Francis speci- those offices may make such a specification. However, Pope Francis wrote in the document that man Curia should be “distinguished by their spiritual life, fied that he is the prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization; he will be assisted by a “pro-prefect” for “basic offices that have “their own statutes and laws shall ob- good pastoral experience, sobriety of life and love for the questions regarding evangelization in the world” and a serve them only insofar as they are not opposed to the poor, spirit of communion and service, competence in “pro-prefect” for “the first evangelization and the new present apostolic constitution and shall propose their ad- the matters entrusted to them, and the ability to discern particular churches,” those previously supported by the aptation for the approval of the Roman pontiff as soon the signs of the times.” as possible.” In the ordering of the Roman Curia, the Secretariat of Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Insisting that every Christian is “a missionary disci- State maintains its position of leadership and coordinaIn a similar way, until 1968, the popes were prefects of what became the Congregation for the Doctrine of ple,” the constitution said, the reform of the Curia also tion, but the new Dicastery for Evangelization is placed needed to “provide for the involvement of laymen and above the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. the Faith. The description of the organization of the doctrinal “Pastor Bonus” began its description of the doctrinal women, including in roles of governance and responsidicastery includes changes announced by Pope Francis congregation’s responsibility saying, “The proper duty of bility.” The participation of laypeople “is indispensable, be- in February, creating separate doctrinal and disciplinary the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is to promote and safeguard the doctrine on faith and morals in cause they cooperate for the good of the whole church sections, reflecting the growing importance of the office the whole Catholic world; so, it has competence in things and, because of their family life, their knowledge of so- that investigates allegations of clerical sexual abuse and cial realities and their faith that leads them to discover the abuse of office by bishops or religious superiors. that touch this matter in any way.” The constitution places the Pontifical Commission for The new constitution begins its description by saying, God’s paths in the world, they can make valid contribu“The task of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith tions, especially when it comes to the promotion of the the Protection of Minors “within the dicastery” and says is to assist the Roman pontiff and the bishops-eparchs in family and respect for the values of life and creation, the “its task is to provide the Roman pontiff with advice and the proclamation of the Gospel throughout the world, Gospel as leaven for temporal realities and the discern- consultancy and to propose the most appropriate initiatives for the protection of minors and vulnerable people. promoting and safeguarding the integrity of Catholic ment of the signs of the times.” Describing the personnel of the offices, the constituCardinal Seán P. O’Malley of Boston, president of doctrine on faith and morals, drawing on the deposit of faith and also seeking an ever deeper understanding of it tion said the leadership, “as far as possible, shall come the commission and a member of the Council of Carfrom the different regions of the world so that the Ro- dinals that drafted the constitution, said, “For the first in the face of new questions.” time, Pope Francis has made safeguarding and the proThe new constitution does away with the previous man Curia may reflect the universality of the church.” They can be clergy, religious or laypeople “who are tection of minors a fundamental part of the structure of distinctions between “congregations” and “pontifical councils,” referring to all of them simply as “dicasteries.” distinguished by appropriate experience, knowledge con- the church’s central government.” “Linking the commission more closely with the work In addition to creating the Dicastery for the Service firmed by suitable qualifications, virtue and prudence. of Charity in place of the almoner’s office, the constitu- They should be chosen according to objective and trans- of the new Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith reption merges the Congregation for the Evangelization of parent criteria and have an adequate number of years of resents a significant move forward in upgrading the place and mandate of the commission, which can only lead to Peoples and the Pontifical Council for Promoting New experience in pastoral activities.” Pope Francis described the reform of the Curia as a stronger culture of safeguarding throughout the Curia Evangelization into the new Dicastery for Evangelization, and it merges the Congregation for Catholic Educa- part of the “missionary conversion” of the church, a re- and the entire church,” he said in a statement March 19. tion and the Pontifical Council for Culture into the new newal movement aimed at making it reflect more “the image of Christ’s own mission of love.”

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NCEA speaker addresses impact of social media on adolescents BY PETER FINNEY JR. NEW ORLEANS (CNS) – The founder of an internet safety initiative warned Catholic school teachers and administrators April 20 about the appeal and impact of social media on today’s students. Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes (www.protectyoungeyes.com), told participants at the annual conference of the National Catholic Educational Association in New Orleans that the world has changed for children because digital technology has been designed slickly to grab kids’ attention and keep them hooked. He said the ubiquity of online pornography and the sophisticated algorithms used by social media platforms to lure children and teens into inauthentic relationships with strangers and also encourage comparison envy have created unprecedented emotional challenges that can actually harm the brain. “Please try not to start another conversation, ‘When I was a kid ...’ because if TikTok existed when you were a kid, you would’ve been addicted, too,” said McKenna, a father of four. Contrary to the common wisdom that kids are “resilient,” McKenna said that while children with developing brains are “incredibly adaptive,” the bottom line is that “trauma is trauma.” “We live in a time, with digital doorways everywhere, where the opportunities for trauma to our young people are more prevalent than ever,” he said, noting that the digital pornography today is of a type far removed from the “2D” pornography of the 1970s. While adolescents searching for their identity for-

merly found answers in family, friends and the church, McKenna said the digital world has multiplied places to turn for advice by a thousand. “The brain operates according to a very simple principle: Whatever I feed my precious brain is what it learns to love, especially before age 16, and this is exactly when we give them all of their technology,” he said. The technology of platforms such as YouTube – the most popular app with kids – TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram know the adolescent brain “full well.” Snapchat does something very enticing to grab kids’ attention: A feature called “Snapstreak” provides additional rewards for keeping a daily chat going with another user. McKenna said Snapchat developers have “ﬁgured out” that breaking the streak causes stress, and “if I’m a young person, I’m stressed out about losing that streak.” A hormone released inside the brain nudges the teen to release that stress by returning to the “safety” of Snapchat. TikTok’s algorithm, McKenna said, “is like nothing else I have experienced on earth.” He said he found himself unconsciously intrigued by a video of a woman harvesting bees and he watched related videos for 90 minutes. “Here’s how the dopamine system works inside TikTok – your feed studies you. Every twitch is a signal to that algorithm, and then it starts to feed you the most addictive form of that content so that you scroll endlessly. Anything that’s long – especially sitting in a classroom – is boring.”

McKenna said a Facebook whistleblower offered information that its sister platform, Instagram, was known to be “toxic to teen girls” who post “perfect” selfies and then get little response. McKenna said there are some teens for whom social media can actually be a benefit because they can engage with others who have similar challenges or disabilities. Thus, measuring the overall impact of social media remains “complicated,” he said. One thing is certain: Gone are the days when some of the worst moments of teenage life in dealing with adversaries are gone and forgotten within a few hours. “When I was growing up, there were safe places,” he said. “When I got off the bus, I was safe. They couldn’t get to me anymore. If something dramatic happened at the football game, by the time Monday rolled around, it kind of fizzled away.” “All of the things that used to create a reset for trauma when we were growing up are all of the things that accelerate trauma today,” he continued. “When kids go home, it’s shared, all weekend long. All summer long it gets shared. Imagine a world where social comparison impacts your self-worth.” One of McKenna’s remedies is to delay kids’ use of social media. “It’s not ‘no tech’ – we don’t want kids to be bubble-wrapped – but it’s ‘slow tech,’” he said. Finney is executive editor/general manager of the Clarion Herald, newspaper of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Mississippicatholic.com

29 de abril de 2022

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

Sínodo: Audiencia Pública de Obispo Kopacz con feligreses POR BERTA MEXIDOR

El matrimonio Villafranca estuvo preY JOANNA KING sente en la sesión de escucha el martes 29 JACKSON – Católicos Hispanos y anglode marzo y allí le expresaron al obispo su parlantes han compartido con el Obispo Jomayor preocupación para el futuro de la seph Kopacz sus opiniones y esperanzas en Iglesia: la educación y formación de los el cambio para bien de toda la comunidad y jóvenes, concentrada en el punto #3 de la la Iglesia. El Obispo Kopacz participó en diez agenda. sesiones de escucha, desde el 21 de marzo al Nadya resume que la sesión “... fue una 19 de abril, a través de toda la diócesis para rebuena oportunidad para dirigirse directcibir las sugerencias de soluciones a varios de amente a la Diócesis,” cuando en la audilos cambios y retos de la Iglesia para el futuro. encia habían católicos de muchos años en Las cuatro audiencias públicas con la coMississippi y otros que solo tienen tres o munidad Hispana fueron conducidas por el cuatro meses y andan en busca de seguir diácono permanente Carlos A. Solá, de St su tradición católica, “ me llamo mucho la .James Tupelo. El diácono Sola tiene 31 años al atención la disponibilidad del Obispo para servicio del pueblo Santo de Dios y comenzó a acercarse a toda la comunidad y como al fiservir en la parroquia de St. James Tupelo en nal de la misma, continuó conversando con noviembre 2021. varios de los presentes,” concluyó Nadya. Las audiencias públicas regionales son el St. Francis Greenwood paso posterior a las discusiones en cada parEl diácono Solá califica la reunión, de roquia de los objetivos del Sínodo de la Sino- FOREST– Fredy Orozco, líder en la comunidad de Forest por más de diez dalidad, propuesto por el Papa Francisco, para años, reparte el material con los puntos a debatir en audiencia pública el alrededor de 30 personas y los padres capuchinos, de buena y en donde sobresalió el responder a interrogantes que tienen los católi- 24 de marzo en el salón de St. Michael. (Foto de Berta Mexidor) deseo de aprender la palabra de Dios, manecos alrededor del mundo. Los puntos que reSt. Anne Carthage y conocidos líderes de toda la comujo de la Biblia y la oportunidad de crecer en sumen todas las intervenciones en las parroquias y que fueron analizados en las audiencias públicas regionales nidad católica como Blanca Peralta de Sacred Heart, la espiritualidad con contenidos sólidos de la fe católica. Canton y Fredy Orozco líder en la comunidad de Forest St. James Tupelo son tres: y quienes, resumiendo muchos años de servicio a sus Danna Johnson, quien es Ministra Eclesial Laica del 1. Sanación y Unidad 2. Formación de Adultos para la Evangelización comunidades, dieron también sus impresiones al obispo. Inmaculado Corazón de María en Houston, resumió la El padre Adolfo instó a todos los presentes a decir en audiencia como “muy positiva y donde la gente estaba 3. Educación: Niños y Jóvenes Al recoger todas estas impresiones, el Obispo some- que forma la parroquia y la diócesis puede ayudar a los dispuesta a compartir con espíritu de fe, sus opiniones con el obispo.” Parroquianos de todo el decanato V parterá un informe Diocesano a la Conferencia de Obispos adultos, principalmente a los padres de familia. Una parroquiana dijo que la mejor forma para la ticiparon en la misma. Allí la participación de jóvenes fue de Estados Unidos (USCCB), que elaborará un resumen nacional para presentar al Papa. A continuación, Mis- sanación y unidad de las comunidades, problema bási- impresionante y sus intervenciones versaron acerca de la sissippi Católico ofrece un resumen de cada una de las camente relacionado con la diversidad de culturas que Formación de adultos y jóvenes, donde pidieron retiros y hay en la parroquia, sería el aprendizaje del inglés, como encuentros para conocerse mejor y la preocupación por sesiones. lenguaje común para poder transmitir tradiciones y fe. aquellos que se van y no regresan. St. Michael Forest Sínodo al Futuro El jueves 24 de marzo, en la parroquia de St. Mi- Los parroquianos que tomaron la palabra coincidieron Ahora que las sesiones del sínodo regional están chael, Forest, el obispo Joseph Kopacz asistió a una audi- en que hay que identificar a los líderes que estén listos a ayudar a los demás “por amor a Dios,” dijo uno de ellos. completas, el Consejo Asesor del Sínodo y el obispo Koencia pública con parroquianos de la región. St. Jude Pearl pacz compilarán un informe de 10 páginas para el 30 Junto a los presentes, en el salón de la iglesia, estuOlinsser y Nadya Villafranca son mexicanos y líde- de junio. Luego, el informe entra en una "fase de síntesis vieron los padres Adolfo Suárez, párroco de San Miguel Forest y Padre Marco Antonio Sánchez, ST, párroco de res de la comunidad Hispana, después que se unieran nacional", que se enviará al Vaticano a fines de agosto. a Ismael y Nadia Garcia Fran Lavelle, a cargo del Departamento Formación en su sueño de fortalecer de Fe de la Diócesis, dice que mientras tanto “no tenla comunidad católica que emos que esperar un documento de Roma, podemos asiste a la parroquia. comenzar a marcar la diferencia hoy.”

MADISON – El Obispo Kopacz se dirige a los parroquianos en St. Francis, TUPELO – Una audiencia de Hispanos, de todas las parroquias del Decanato V, Madison el 21 de marzo, durante la primera Audiencia Pública, donde el obis- intercambió con el Obispo Kopacz el 5 de abril en St. James Tupelo, en reunión po escuchó opiniones variadas para mejorar la Iglesia. (Foto de Joanna King) donde los jóvenes fueron muy activos. (Foto cortesía de Danna Johnson)

29 de abril de 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO

Si la fe no nos sirve para vivir, ¿para qué nos sirve? POR DIÁCONO CARLOS SOLÁ Experiencias sobre audiencias regionales del Sínodo de la Sinodalidad junto al Obispo José Kopacz y la comunidad Hispana. JACKSON – La experiencia de una iglesia que decide caminar junta, pastores y pueblo, es algo que se hace patente en este ejercicio de las consultas en las que un Obispo se sienta a escuchar activamente lo que su pueblo le quiere comunicar. Este proceso es una espiritualidad de comunión de todo el pueblo santo de Dios. Este mismo ejercicio de ir al encuentro de la gente por parte del pastor es en sí mismo un momento de Sinodalidad. El Obispo Joseph Kopacz, con su equipo de trabajo, discernirá según sus mejores habilidades, para descubrir la voluntad de Dios que se revela en la lectura de “los signos de los tiempos.” Soy empresario y mi servicio a la Diócesis de Jackson es en carácter de voluntario, como el de tantos que ofrecen su tiempo, talento y tesoro a la causa de la evangelización, desde la experiencia de una iglesia que quiere ser sinodal. Mi primer servicio, como facilitador de la experiencia de escucha del obispo con su pueblo, invitado por el Departamento de Formación de Fe, fue el martes 24 de marzo, en la comunidad de St. Michel de Forest y cuyo párroco es el Padre Adolfo Suárez, en la que habría como mínimo cerca de 70 a 80 personas, mayoritariamente guatemaltecos. Fue una experiencia muy positiva de la que salieron reclamos que merece la pena tener presentes. El jueves 29 de marzo, en la Parroquia de St. Jude nos encontramos por segunda vez con el obispo y su párroco, el Padre Lincoln. Entiendo que el grupo era cerca de 30 personas de los que la mayoría eran mexicanos. Fue una noche en que las mujeres hicieron la mayoría de las contribuciones y muy buenas, por cierto. El jueves 31 de marzo en la Parroquia de St Francisco, junto a los padres Capuchinos y un grupo de cerca de 30 personas, pudimos disfrutar de un diálogo en el que surgieron diferentes aportaciones. El jueves 5 de abril el obispo asistió a su último encuentro en español de la diócesis. Esta vez con la comunidad del Decanato V, en la parroquia de St. James en Tupelo. Fueron cerca de 100 participantes, que aportaron opiniones en la misma sintonía de los grupos anteriores. En una de esas sesiones, un joven nos compartió que cuando estuvo en una fuerte depresión, que lo llevó a intentar acabar con su vida, buscó en muchos lugares hasta que llegó de nuevo a la iglesia. La verdad es que los católicos no fueron a su casa a buscarlo ni a invitarlo, sino los cristianos de otras denominaciones. Él visito algunas iglesias, pero no encontraba ahí su lugar. Como es hijo de familias católicas le preguntó a su hermana, que ha sido una católica sin muchos contenidos y que como no lo podía ayudar, ella le indicó que buscara en YouTube a ver si algún “cura de esos” le podía ayudar. Encontró a uno, de tantos buenos que hay, que lo ayudó a conseguir respuestas que lo trajeron de nuevo a su casa, la iglesia católica. De esta experiencia se levantan preguntas importantes: • ¿Porqué no nos sentimos enviados a invitar a otros a la iglesia? • ¿Porqué no sentimos que es nuestro deber evangelizador salir al encuentro de otros que nos necesitan desesperadamente? • ¿Porqué alguien tiene que salir a buscar explicaciones que deberían ser del dominio de los católicos de a pie y que vivimos nuestra fe de manera sencilla? • ¿Porqué teniendo buenos sacerdotes o laicos preparados, no logramos motivar a hermanos de nuestra comunidad, para que sigan creciendo en la fe dentro de nuestras familias parroquiales?

Una cosa es lo que se dice y otra lo que se comunica, ¿cuál es el mensaje detrás de las palabras y los gestos? Sería bueno saber qué ha experimentado el Obispo en esta experiencia y cómo cree que le ha iluminado su entendimiento para servir a esta iglesia local. A mí me dice que es una dinámica de compromiso mutuo, en la iglesia que se levanta para atender los reclamos de una sociedad que necesita testigos del Reino, en una Iglesia que se siente y actúa como sal de la tierra, fermento de la masa y luz del mundo. Este espíritu, y más aún espiritualidad sinodal nos obliga a ver a los otros como dignos compañeros de camino, a todos y todas sin importar género, nacionalidad, etnia, condición económica, ni creencias religiosas o políticas. Es importante que todos aprendamos a escuchar activamente, y el Obispo es un modelo por seguir. Si él se mueve al encuentro de los demás en sus vecindarios, si él se sienta a escuchar, si él preside en la caridad a la comunidad de fe, si él acepta comentarios, señalamientos – algunos muy atrevidos que rayan en ataques poco ediﬁcantes – y los asume buscando el bien que puede haber en ellos, entonces, nosotros podemos hacer lo mismo. Hay cosas que el Obispo puede hacer en su diócesis ya, pues entra en su discreción local; otras irán a ser discutidas en otras esferas, pero ya podemos corregir el camino según lo ya caminado. Eventualmente podremos evaluar e integrar los aportes que el Espíritu nos muestre de lo que el Sínodo del 2023 nos regale. Por ahora podemos asumir e interiorizar lo que ya nos está comunicando la experiencia. Personalmente de lo que escuché, en las cuatro de diez sesiones de escucha en la que estuve, me resuena más la formación coordinada desde la diócesis para los líderes de las parroquias que formarán a los miembros de las comunidades. La formación básica y avanzada en Biblia para todos, pero coordinada por la diócesis para tener criterios claros tanto, pedagógicos, catequéticos y de contenidos. Toda la formación debe mirar a ser testigo y evangelizadores. Se debe incluir formación para ayudar a la comunidad a salir a encontrar a los demás – no necesariamente a los miembros – pero poder llegar a otros y compartir nuestra experiencia de Dios y de comunidad, para acercarlos. Necesitamos aprender a expresar nuestro interés por los demás y su bienestar. También que haya la posibilidad de que aquellos que así lo deseen puedan seguir estudios más avanzados en Teología, Pastoral, Liturgia y Espiritualidad, entre otros. Las comunidades hispanas necesitan clases de inglés para mayores, ya que muchos ni siquiera dominan el español – pues hablan diferentes dialectos – y no se pueden comunicar adecuadamente. Para sanar las divisiones étnicas se planteaban encuentros comunitarios en que se celebraran las diferencias culturales y se reconociera su aporte en diferentes áreas: alimentos, arte, creencias, aportes fuera de sus comunidades particulares. Se podrían hacer festivales comunitarios en donde cada cultura se pudiera expresar, para la consideración de los demás. En la comunidad de St. Jude, por ejemplo, había un grupo de hermanas, algunas anglo – americanas y otras afro – americanas, que se reunían periódicamente para conocerse y compartir experiencias. No recuerdo que se presentaran ejemplos de acciones a seguir para acercar las posturas partidistas en los temas políticos, se dijo que “La Iglesia no se debe meter en política, pero que a la vez debe defender los derechos de los no nacidos y denunciar el pecado.” Pienso que en las divisiones por posturas partidistas hay grandes retos que atender. El tema de centrar la acción de la iglesia en la familia y la pareja me pareció que resonó mucho con las comunidades al igual que la formación humano – psico – histórica – espiritual. La atención por la salud emocional y mental de las personas me tocó mucho, el joven que comentó sobre su búsqueda y desespero, todavía lo tengo presente en mi mente y mi corazón. La gente está buscando una experiencia de fe que les ayude para la vida, y me parece muy importante este punto: si la fe no nos sirve para vivir, ¿para qué nos sirve? La iglesia debe ser ese espacio donde hermanos y hermanas debemos encontrar la manera de vivir, con intensidad y gozo, al estilo de Jesús: Camino, Verdad y Vida; en esa dirección debe ir nuestra búsqueda. La version completa de esta reﬂexion puede ser encontrada en sitio web: https://www.mississippicatholic.com/category/es/

(El Diácono Permanente Carlos A. Solá Fonseca, tiene 31 años al servicio del pueblo Santo de Dios. Comenzó a servir en la parroquia de St. James Tupelo FOREST – En el salón de St Michael, el 24 de marzo, el diácono Carlos A. Solá, in- en noviembre 2021. Empresario, de 64 años, felizmente casado, por más de 44 vitado por Fran Lavelle, sentada al fondo, a cargo de Formación de Fe de la Diócesis, años, con María de los Ángeles Cosme con la que ha creado una familia de dos fue el moderador en las sesiones de escucha con Hispanos, en las cuales motivó a los hijos de 40 y 39, una hija 42, dos nietos de 18 y 12 y una nieta de 17.) participantes a expresar sus opiniones para mejorar la iglesia. (Foto de Berta Mexidor)

29 de abril de 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO Más allá de este quebrantamiento, el grito del espíritu humano por la sanación y la unidad, fruto de la Unción del Espíritu Santo, surge también de las divisiones que plagan nuestra iglesia y sociedad, la violencia y los asesinatos en nuestras comunidades, las guerras que atentan contra la dignidad de la persona humana hecha a imagen y semejanza de Dios, el dolor de las víctimas de abusos sexuales, las que todavía languidecen y anhelan la curación, y las penas y luchas que agobian a los ﬁeles que necesitan reconciliación. Esta herida generalizada es el mal fruto del pecado, original y personal, en la iglesia, en la vida familiar y en el mundo. El Papa Francisco es sabio cuando observa que la Iglesia en su esencia es un hospital de campaña, que brinda sanación y esperanza a la humanidad, espiritual y físicamente. Sufrimos estos ataques contra el don de la vida de Dios, pero lo hacemos con esperanza debido a la victoria de nuestro Señor Jesucristo en su muerte y resurrección que da vida. Él murió para liberar a los oprimidos por el pecado y la injusticia, y tenemos el poder y los medios para hacerlo. Somos un pueblo Emaús al que el Señor acompaña en el camino para reconducir nuestro camino cuando estamos perdidos; permanece con nosotros en la Eucaristía, en la fracción del pan por el derramamiento de su sangre en la Cruz. Tenemos la Unción del Espíritu del Señor para la bendición y consagración de nuestros Santos Óleos, circulando por todas partes una temporada de refrigerio y un Año de Favor del Señor. Es la Iglesia como el Buen Samaritano vertiendo aceite y vino, caminando la milla extra, y sin calcular el costo, para cumplir la misión del Señor de fomentar la libertad duradera y eterna, ser una luz en la oscuridad y ser la buena noticia de la sanación y la unidad Es una tarea poderosa, y en los momentos de gracia, sabemos que no hay mejor manera de vivir. En medio del sueño de Dios para la humanidad, y en el corazón de la Iglesia, está el sacerdote que es Ministro

Misa Crismal invoca Espíritu de Dios POR OBISPO JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D. En Semana Santa celebramos la alegría y belleza de nuestra Misa Crismal para celebrar nuestra unidad como Pueblo de Dios en la Diócesis de Jackson, para celebrar la renovación del sacerdocio y la bendición y consagración de los santos óleos, todo bajo la mirada amorosa del Espíritu Santo en el corazón de la iglesia en la Santa Misa. Esta es nuestra costumbre y estamos gozosos de recuperarla después de tres años. Este lapso ha pasado, desde que la Catedral rebosaba de ﬁeles, anhelando reunirnos una vez más en la plenitud de nuestra fe católica. En este día oímos como se cumple la Escritura, porque el Espíritu del Señor está sobre nosotros en quien hemos sido ungidos por la fe y el Bautismo. El Evangelio de San Lucas es la pieza central de la Palabra de Dios para este año litúrgico. Asimismo, la Buena Nueva del evangelio de Lucas es la piedra angular de nuestro proceso de sinodalidad que ha tocado todos los rincones de nuestra diócesis en los últimos meses. El pasaje evangélico tradicional de la Misa Crismal, el discurso inaugural de Jesús, es también Palabra inspirada para nuestros encuentros regionales, porque la unción del Espíritu del Señor es el motor que impulsa, litúrgica y pastoralmente, la renovación y un Año de Favor, un don que el mundo no es capaz de dar ni sostener. Al reunirnos en unidad y solidaridad eucarística, es importante que sepamos y apreciemos que uno de los temas y esperanzas dominantes expresados en toda la diócesis en el proceso del Sínodo es un deseo profundamente arraigado de sanación y unidad. Por un lado, este anhelo identiﬁca la pérdida, el dolor y las relaciones rotas por el impacto de la pandemia.

de la Palabra, de la Buena Noticia de Jesucristo, Administrador de los Sagrados Misterios, de los Sacramentos y Siervo-Líder. Los sacerdotes, como todos los bautizados, en las buenas y en las malas se alegran y luchan, dan gracias y piden perdón, buscan la comunidad y la amistad con el Señor con sus hermanos sacerdotes y con el pueblo de Dios. Especialmente, en tiempos recientes, estoy agradecido a Dios por la generosidad y la perseverancia de nuestros sacerdotes que caminan la milla extra en el servicio al Señor y al pueblo de Dios, y en muchos casos por su esprit de corps (cuerpo de espíritu) mientras se unen unos a otros en apoyo fraternal. Agradezco a muchos en nuestra diócesis que cuidan y oran por los sacerdotes. En particular, hoy saludo a nuestros sacerdotes jubilados, que continúan soportando el calor del día, por así decirlo, esforzándose al servicio del Señor y del Pueblo de Dios. ¡Gracias! ¡Ustedes son una inspiración! La Misa Crismal, cada año, celebra la convicción que trabajar en la Viña del Señor es responsabilidad de todos los bautizados. El proceso del Sínodo trajo este estándar a casa, una y otra vez. En la Vigilia Pascual y el Domingo de Pascua, la renovación de las promesas del Bautismo en toda la iglesia universal nos vuelve a comprometer a todos con la misión y la visión del Señor Jesús, proclamadas por primera vez en la Sinagoga de Nazaret y selladas en su muerte y resurrección. Pero en este día en la Diócesis de Jackson, de manera enfocada e intencional, la Iglesia llama a los fieles a invocar el Espíritu de Dios para bendecir a nuestros sacerdotes que renuevan sus votos al Señor, su unidad conmigo, su obispo y su compromiso con el Cuerpo de Cristo. Excepcionalmente, fueron ungidos y apartados y configurados para Cristo, el Sumo Sacerdote, para servir los anhelos más profundos de los fieles por la sanación y la unidad. Los sacerdotes necesitan sus oraciones para apoyar sus mejores intenciones a fin de vivir sus vocaciones, fiel y fructíferamente, como ministros de la Palabra de Dios, administradores de los misterios de Dios y siervos líderes. Gracias por su fe, esperanza y amor.

Declaración Diocesana sobre sentencia penal de Paul West JACKSON – Paul West fue maestro y director de la Escuela St. Francis en Greenwood, Mississippi, desde julio de 1993 hasta octubre de 1998. La Diócesis de Jackson cooperó plenamente con el Estado de Mississippi en la reciente condena penal de Paul West, incluyendo la prestación de testimonios de antecedentes en su juicio para lista diocesana de clérigos que han sido acusados de manera creíble de abuso sexual de menores. La lista se proporcionó por primera vez al ﬁscal general del estado de Mississippi en 2002, que luego se actualizó y se hizo pública en marzo de 2019. La Diócesis informó la acusación inicial contra Paul West al Departamento de Servicios Humanos y al Departamento de Policía de Greenwood en 1998 e informó las acusaciones posteriores al Fiscal de Distrito del Condado de Leﬂore en 2018. West fue destituido del ministerio después de la denuncia original de 1998. La Diócesis de Jackson está comprometida con la protección de los niños. La mala conducta sexual por parte del personal de la Iglesia viola la dignidad

humana y la misión de la Iglesia. La Diócesis ha dedicado una cantidad considerable de tiempo y recursos para garantizar que los niños atendidos por la Iglesia no estén en riesgo de abuso sexual por parte del personal de la Iglesia. Durante los últimos treinta años, la Diócesis de Jackson ha desarrollado e implementado un programa de ambiente seguro. La Diócesis ha publicado normas de conducta para sus sacerdotes y diáconos, así como para empleados diocesanos, voluntarios y cualquier otro personal de la Iglesia en puestos de conﬁanza que tenga contacto regular con niños y jóvenes. A partir de 1986, la Diócesis implementó una política y un procedimiento por escrito con respecto a la denuncia y el manejo de reclamos por conducta sexual inapropiada. La política se actualizó en 1994 con la adición de un Comité Diocesano de Revisión de Aptitud y nuevamente en 2002 para que reﬂejara los mandatos de la Carta Episcopal.

La Diócesis de Jackson se compromete a garantizar que ninguna persona a la que sirva la iglesia corra el riesgo de sufrir abuso o explotación sexual por parte del clero, los religiosos o el personal laico de la iglesia. El bienestar espiritual de todas las víctimas, sus familias y otros miembros de la comunidad es de particular interés para la iglesia. De acuerdo con nuestra política, a todas las víctimas se les ofrece asesoramiento y atención pastoral. Se alienta a cualquier persona que haya sido víctima de abuso o explotación por parte del clero, religioso o personal de la iglesia laica y aún no lo haya denunciado, a que lo haga. Nuestra coordinadora de asistencia a víctimas, Erika Rojas, una trabajadora social con licencia, está disponible para ayudar a hacer un informe. Números de contacto del Coordinador de Asistencia a las Víctimas: (601) 326-3736; (601) 326-3760. Para obtener más información sobre las políticas y procedimientos diocesanos y para saber qué está haciendo la diócesis para crear un entorno seguro para todos, visite el sitio web diocesano en www.jacksondiocese.org y haga clic en "Protección de Niños." Para hacer una denuncia de abuso o mal manejo de denuncias de abuso sexual por parte de un obispo, visite https://reportbishopabuse.org.

+Joseph R. Kopacz D.D., Ph.D. Bishop of Jackson

29 de abril de 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATÓLICO

Corazón de Jesús, Familia y Semana Santa

RICHLAND – La Federación de Jackson del movimiento Familiar Católico Cristiano celebró su conferencia regional el sábado 26 de marzo. La reunión contó con la presencia de al menos 40 matrimonios. Rafael Pisso Rivera S.T. Vicario General de los Siervos Misioneros de la Santísima Trinidad fue el invitado por el Padre Marco Antonio Sanchez, ST, quien es el párroco de St. Anne Carthage y asesor espiritual del MFCC, María. (Foto de Berta Mexidor)

TOME NOTA Vírgenes y Santos Día de la Santísima Cruz, Domingo, mayo 3 Virgen de los Desamparados, Nuestra Señora de Lujan, Argentina mayo 8 Día de las Madres, mayo 9 Virgen de Fátima, mayo 13 Nuestra Señora de la Evangelización, Perú, mayo 14 San Isidro Labrador, mayo 15 Santa Rita de Casia, Patrona de los Imposibles, mayo 22 Virgen Auxiliadora, mayo 24 Solemnidad de la Ascensión del Señor, mayo 29 Santísima Trinidad, mayo 30 Visitación de la Santísima Virgen María, mayo 31

Antes y durante Semana Santa se rememoraron muchas veces los momentos de la Pasión del Señor. En las fotos están algunos ejemplos: Estaciones de la Cruz en St. Jude Pearl y Cruxificción en San Francisco de Asís Madison y el Inmaculado Corazón de María Houston llevado a cabo por el Ministerio de Evangelización de St. Christopher Pontotoc. (Fotos de St. Jude Pearl y St. Francis Madison: por Elsa Baughman y del Inmaculado Corazón de María, Houston por Danna Johnson)

MADISON – El Obispo Joseph Kopacz bendijo la exhibición de la película Corazón Ardiente, el lunes 4 de abril, en el cine Malco de Madison. Iliana Salmerón Hall, feligresa de St. Francis Madison ha sido la promotora de esta película, producida por el Festival Internacional de Cine Católico. (Foto de Berta Mexidor)

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MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC APRIL 29, 2022

Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture seeks to create a Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA exhibit BY SISTER THEA BOWMAN GUILD WASHINGTON – Teddy Reeves, M.Div., Ph.D., curator of religion and co-interim head of the Center for the Study of African American Religious Life for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, DC is delighted to have obtained one of Sister Thea Bowman’s most popular gowns. Reeves contacted Redemptorist Father Maurice J. Nutt two years ago inquiring if he had an African gown owned by Sister Thea. At the time Father Nutt did not have one of Sister Thea’s gowns in his possession. As fate would have it, months later, Father Nutt was given a very popular gown worn by Sister Thea from Boston College professor emerita, Dr. M. Shawn Copeland. With Dr. Copeland’s permission, Father Nutt gifted the gown to the NMAAHC as a way of promoting Sister Thea’s life and holiness to a greater audience. Father Nutt noted, “I think that Sister Thea would love being a part of the ﬁrst national museum honoring the history, culture, and legacy of African Americans. In my estimation, Sister Thea Bowman is African American history and culture!” The NMAAHC was also given permission by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration to use pictures of Sister Thea for the future exhibit. The museum is seeking to collect other items and artifacts of Sister Thea to make for a more robust exhibition. There is no date available on when the exhibit will debut. (If anyone wishes to donate items belonging to Sister Thea Bowman to the Smithsonian exhibit contact Father Maurice Nutt at maurice.nutt@jacksondiocese.org. For more information on the Cause for Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman or to donate to the cause, visit www.sistertheabowman.com.)

On right, picture of Sister Thea Bowman’s gown donated by Father Maurice Nutt with permission of Dr. M. Shawn Copeland for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture for a future exhibit on Sister Thea. Above, Sister Thea Bowman is pictured wearing the donated gown.

CATHOLIC SERVICE APPEAL 2022 The Intercultural Office works with Black, Hispanic, Vietnamese and Native American Catholics in our diocese to develop leadership, celebrate diverse cultures and strengthen parish engagement. The staff offers leadership training, family programs and retreat experiences to celebrate their gifts and deepen their Catholic faith. csa.jacksondiocese.org

JUST SCAN TO GIVE OR MAIL IN: PO BOX 2248, JACKSON, MS 39225

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MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC APRIL 29, 2022 NEW YORK (CNS) – Ukrainian Catholics in New York celebrated Easter with prayers that Christ’s triumph over death will also signify victory over everything evil happening in their home country. Bishop Paul P. Chomnycky of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford, Connecticut, was the main celebrant for the Easter Divine Liturgies April 24 at St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan. The parish celebrates services according to the Julian calendar. On the 60th day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Bishop Chomnycky said the situation there is coloring the whole Easter feast, as a cloud hanging Smoke rises as residents walk near homes destroyed by lava deposited over everything, but there is reaby the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo in Goma, Congo, June 6, 2021. son for hope. “In the resurrection, Pope Francis will visit Goma during is July 2-5 trip to Congo. (CNS pho- not only did Christ defeat death, but he also defeated violence, evil to/Djaffar Al Katanty, Reuters) and mistruth,” he said. He said all Ukrainians are “putting our trust FLAT ROCK, Mich. (CNS) – In the year 1300, a in the resurrected Christ that he will defeat evil in our priest was celebrating Mass in the convent of O Cebreiro, country.” He also read passages from the Easter message Spain. Lacking faith in the true presence of Jesus in the of Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, major archbishop of sacrament, the priest nevertheless recited the conse- the Ukrainian Catholic Church. Writing from Kyiv, Archcration prayers. Suddenly, the host he held in his hand bishop Shevchuk compared the passion of Christ to the turned into human ﬂesh. Turning to the cup, the priest, war in Ukraine. “We have become aware of how human incredulous, noticed not wine, but actual human blood. nature remains fallen, how the devil continues to control He fell in adoration. The incident, recognized by Pope human beings who have no God in their hearts. He who Innocent VIII as the “Miracle of O Cebreiro,” is one of sows hatred and instigates war against one’s neighbor hundreds of eucharistic miracles in the Catholic Church’s opposes the almighty.”

NATION

history – incidents in which the supernatural reality of Jesus’ body and blood in the Eucharist became powerfully and physically apparent. The church teaches that the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of the Catholic faith, although a 2019 Pew study found that only one-third of Catholics believe in the Real Presence in the Eucharist. The Real Presence Apostolate of Michigan has been educating Catholics on the Real Presence since 2007 by offering a traveling exhibit about eucharistic miracles – instances in which the literal presence of Jesus’ body and blood in the Eucharist have become physically manifest. The exhibit has 170 panels and all were on display in the vestibule of St. Roch Parish in Flat Rock at the start of Holy Week. Several parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit hosted the exhibit recently, and its next stop was Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 22-29.

VATICAN

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In war, especially the current conﬂict in Ukraine, no one can claim victory, because all of humanity loses, Pope Francis said. During an April 23 meeting with a group of Italian pilgrims commemorating a miraculous image of Mary that wept, the pope said her tears are a sign of God’s compassion as well as his sorrow for humankind’s sins. Mary’s tears are “a sign of God’s weeping for the victims of the war that is destroying not only Ukraine – let’s be brave and tell the

truth – it is destroying all the countries involved in the war. All of them.” War, he explained, “not only destroys the people who have been defeated. No, it also destroys the victor. It also destroys those who look at it as superficial news to see who is the winner, who is the loser. War destroys everyone.” More than 3,000 pilgrims took part in the pilgrimage, which coincided with the 500th anniversary of a miracle in which an image depicting Mary at Jesus’ side during the crucifixion shed tears of blood. The tears that Mary shed, as well as the miracles attributed to the image over the centuries, are not only a sign of God’s love for his children but also “Christ’s pain for our sins, for the evil that afflicts humanity.”

WORLD

KINSHASA, Congo (CNS) – A Catholic priest in Congo said Pope Francis will be visiting the country not only to reconcile it, but also to tell the world “about the conﬂicts that are tearing this country apart.” The announcement of the pope’s July 2-5 visit “sounded like the voice of the angel of the Lord to the poor shepherds in the region of Bethlehem: ‘I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all the people,’” said Father Georges Kalenga, a member of the planning committee who is also second deputy secretary-general of the Congolese bishops’ conference. Father Kalenga told Catholic News Service that the pope will be visiting to reconcile a people blighted by the evils of “tribalism, regionalism and clientelism, the exclusion of political opponents, practices and discourses that weaken social ties, compromise national cohesion on several levels, particularly on the socio-political level.” Pope Francis will visit Kinshasa, the country’s capital, but he also will travel to Goma, in the east. Father Kalenga said Goma is “the place chosen symbolically for the pope’s meeting with the people who live in the eastern part of the country, bloodied for more than two decades by wars, rapes, massacres and all the other violations of human dignity.”

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC APRIL 29, 2022

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La Divina Misericordia resuena con la gracia del perdón, la paz, la reconciliación, la esperanza y la vida POR OBISPO JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D. La Octava de Pascua, la celebración de la resurrección del Señor de entre los muertos, se extiende durante ocho días alcanzando su crescendo el segundo domingo, celebrado pastoralmente y en oración como el Domingo de la Divina Misericordia. El Evangelio de cada año para este domingo es Juan 21:19-31 cuando el Señor resucitado se apareció dos veces a sus apóstoles acurrucados por el miedo para bendecirlos con la paz, para infundirles el Espíritu Santo, restaurarles la vida y enviarlos a una misión. La segunda aparición en este escenario fue necesaria porque Tomas desapareció durante el primer encuentro y todavía estaba sumido en su vergüenza, duda, miedo y desesperanza. Los relatos de la resurrección están escritos y proclamados con las palabras del evangelista “... para que ustedes crean que Jesús es el Mesías, el Hijo de Dios, y para que creyendo tengan vida por medio de él.” (Juan 20:31) Cada año se invoca, para el “mundo entero” y muchas causas nobles, la Divina Misericordia del Señor cruciﬁcado y resucitado. Este año en la Catedral levantamos en oración a las víctimas de abuso sexual en nuestra iglesia. Durante el proceso del Sínodo, muchos en nuestra diócesis expresaron un anhelo de unidad que reconoce la necesidad de sanación en muchos frentes. Al igual que los apóstoles, y especialmente Santo Tomás, muchos en nuestra iglesia y sociedad están sufriendo por numerosas razones. Una razón grave, que atrapa a demasiados, es el delito de abuso sexual que continúa aﬂigiendo a las víctimas y a sus seres queridos. Algunas de nuestras sesiones parroquiales y diocesanas destacaron el compromiso del liderazgo de la iglesia, hace casi veinte años, de nunca perder de vista “La Promesa de Proteger y el Compromiso de Sanar.” Durante estos últimos veinte años, se ha logrado mucho a través del desarrollo y fortalecimiento de entornos seguros para cumplir la promesa de proteger a nuestros

Diocese statement regarding conviction and sentencing of Paul West GREENWOOD – Paul West was a teacher and principal at St. Francis School in Greenwood, Mississippi from July 1993 until October 1998. The Diocese of Jackson cooperated fully in the State of Mississippi’s recent criminal conviction of Paul West, including providing background testimony at his trial on the diocese’s list of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors. The list was first provided to the Attorney General in 2002 and then updated and released publicly in March of 2019. The diocese reported the initial allegation against Paul West to the Department of Human Services and the Greenwood Police Department in 1998 and reported the subsequent allegations to the Leflore County District Attorney in 2018. West was removed from ministry after the original 1998 complaint. The Diocese of Jackson is committed to protecting children. Sexual misconduct by church personnel violates human dignity and the mission of the church. The diocese has dedicated substantial time and resources to ensure that children being served by the church are not at risk of sexual abuse by church personnel. The spiritual well-being of all victims, their families, and others in the community is of particular concern to the church. Over the past thirty years, the Diocese of Jackson has developed and implemented a safe environment program. The diocese has publicized standards of conduct for its priests and deacons as well as diocesan employees, volunteers, and any other church personnel in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people. Beginning in 1986, the diocese implemented a written policy and procedure regarding reporting and handling of sexual misconduct claims. The policy was updated in 1994 with the addition of a Diocesan Fitness Review Committee and again in 2002 so that it would reflect the mandates of the Bishops’ Charter. Anyone who has been a victim of abuse or exploitation by clergy, religious or lay church personnel and has not yet reported it is encouraged to do so. The Victim Assistance Coordinator, Erika Rojas, is available to assist in making a report. The contact number for the Victim Assistance Coordinator is (601) 326-3736.

niños y jóvenes en los programas de la iglesia. Innumerables miles han sido educados para estar atentos no solo en los entornos de la iglesia, sino también en su vida diaria con respecto a los comportamientos y circunstancias que podrían ser problemáticos para los niños y jóvenes vulnerables. Nunca más podemos ser complacientes porque los depredadores, en todos los ámbitos de la vida, siempre están alerta a los puntos débiles ambientales que permiten el acceso a los niños. Tan importante como el cumplimiento del compromiso de la iglesia es “La Promesa de Sanar” para que no olvidemos a aquellos que están sufriendo los ataques indescriptibles del abuso sexual contra su dignidad humana. El Domingo de la Divina Misericordia resuena con la gracia del perdón, la paz, la reconciliación, la esperanza y la vida. Doblemente. Los apóstoles, los primeros líderes de la iglesia, habían abandonado y negado a su Señor, y necesitaban la gracia de la misericordia y un nuevo comienzo. “Por Su dolorosa Pasión, ten piedad de nosotros y del mundo entero,” es una súplica a la misericordia de Dios sobre los líderes de la iglesia, que fueron perpetradores, o aquellos que permitieron que continuara el abuso. La oración más sincera es que la misericordia de Dios bañe, a todos los que han sido dañados, con sanidad y esperanza, paz y vida nueva. Cuando escuchamos de Jesús la invitación a Tomás de poner su dedo en las marcas de los clavos y su mano en el lado abierto, sabemos que Dios desea sanar a todos los que están quebrantados y golpeados por el abuso sexual y que anhelan una nueva vida, para tocar el poder sanador de la misericordia de Dios en Jesucristo. Este momento de resurrección fue anunciado por el Señor Jesús al comienzo de su ministerio público en el Evangelio de San Lucas. “El Espíritu del Señor está sobre mí, porque me ha consagrado para llevar la buena noticia a los pobres; me ha enviado a anunciar libertad a los presos y dar vista a los ciegos; a poner en libertad a los oprimidos.” (Lucas 4:18) Estas palabras del Señor son la obra fundamental de la Iglesia y el corazón de la “promesa de sanar.” Hay muchos caminos hacia una nueva vida en el Cuerpo de Cristo y nuestra oración en el Domingo de la Divina Misericordia fue que nunca nos cansemos de orar y de acompañar a nuestros hermanos y hermanas, gravemente dañados, en el camino de la vida hacia Él que es el Camino, la Verdad y la Vida.

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

To make a report visit www.lighthouse-services.com/jacksondiocese or call 888-830-0004 (English) or 800-216-1288 (Spanish). The Association of Priests of the Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi provide a small pension to our retired priests. As you consider your estate plans, please remember these faithful servants by making a donation or leaving a bequest to the Association of Priests. Our parish priests dedicate their lives to caring for us, their ﬂocks. Let us now care for them in their retirement. Donations can be made payable to the Association of Priests and can be mailed to:

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

12 Columns

APRIL 29, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

Loving. Respecting. Forgiving. KNEADING FAITH BY FRAN LAVELLE

The Synod on Synodality is forming and informing the work of the diocese as we continue to recover from the pandemic. Being a self-confessed overthinker, the implications about what we are hearing has my mind and heart working overtime. Yes, I am at the point of sleeping with a notepad next to the bed to write things down in the middle of the night lest I forget them by morning. There is much work to be done for sure. While our process has highlighted the challenges facing the church, it has also revealed a great hope that is palatable but energizing and exciting. Our Synod Advisory Council spent a Saturday last month combing through the individual responses from the parishes. A common thread throughout the responses be it Anglo, Hispanic, African American, or youth is a call for unity and healing. Literally the Body of Christ is suffering from divisiveness and indifference toward the other. The question remains, how do we come back together under the four marks of the church – One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic? It is a behemoth task, but it can and must be undertaken for the good of all God’s people. In our regional listening sessions with Bishop Kopacz, we have been asking people to give us concrete ideas on how we can truly heal and restore unity. Sometimes in the United States we can be a little egocentric and not see life beyond our borders. One of the things that Covid revealed was the culture of dualistic thinking and

divisive political rhetoric is not unique to the U.S. This culture of dis-unity has permeated the globe. We can all point ﬁngers or become armchair sociologist in offering explanations on how we got here. To a degree I think reﬂecting on the question of how we got here is helpful in discerning how we move on from here, but we cannot allow the question of how we got here further divide us with blame. The call for unity and healing can be achieved if we truly recognize and understand the dignity of all people. If we believe that we were created in the image and likeness of God, then we all share the dignity given to God’s children. At one of the regional listening sessions a young boy aged 8-9 came up to me after the session was over to turn in his paperwork. After thanking him he turned and walked away. I glanced down at the paper he handed me. In response to how we can foster healing and unity he wrote, “To love and to respect and to forgive. We should be loving people.” This young boy understands with great clarity our mission to heal and unite takes love, respect, and forgiveness. One of the Gospel readings from the local listening sessions was the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke

10:25-37). We all know the story. But do we really know the story? (Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, paragraph 81) Pope Francis underscores the point of the parable, “By approaching and making himself present, he crossed all cultural and historical barriers. Jesus concludes the parable by saying: “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37). In other words, he challenges us to put aside all differences and, in the face of suffering, to draw near to others with no questions asked. I should no longer say that I have neighbors to help, but that I must myself be a neighbor to others.” In responding to the question of what the Holy Spirit is calling us to in this reading, one high school student responded beautifully, “The good Samaritan ignored the social differences between himself and the victim in the name of mercy. This is the mindset we should have today.” It can feel somewhat overwhelming when we consider the multitude of challenges that face our world today. It is easy to feel small and insigniﬁcant. Many people pass by the victim on the road. It only takes one person to stop and show compassion. I am reminded of an oft noted quote by Edward Everett Hale, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. How are we being called to pour oil and wine into the wounds of our neighbors? That is the question before us today. I think my young friend from the listening session framed our response beautifully ... Loving. Respecting. Forgiving. (Fran Lavelle is the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Jackson.)

Ounce of prevention, worth a pound of cure OUNCE OF PREVENTION

BY REBA J. MCMELLON, M.S., LPC The number one reason adult survivors don’t tell their parents about being sexually abused is they didn’t want to make the situation worse. They fear the parent wouldn’t be able to handle the information in a healthy way. Opening a conversation doesn’t have to be awkward and heavy. Ask your adolescent and adult children what their views are on the recent #metoo movement and the #timesup movement. Then, listen, listen, listen. Different generations define sexual assault differently. What was shrugged off in the 1970’s may not be considered something to ignore now. Ask your kids what they consider unwelcomed flirtation and unwelcomed physical touch. Listen to their definitions of sexual assault and sexual misconduct. Define as a family what is considered criminal versus what is considered inappropriate. Then discuss how to handle both. Always include both male and females in these conversations. Males are even less likely to report sexual abuse than females. Open the dialogue. Reduce the stigma, at least in your own home. Families are as sick as their secrets and as healthy as their dialogue. Let your children know you can handle what they have to say. You can listen. You can respond in a firm and rational way. If not, they are not likely to come to you with a report of abuse. If you find that this is a subject you simply cannot breech with your children, talk with someone about why. Unresolved issues of a parent’s own sexual abuse can lead to the cycle continuing because it has become a taboo subject. It is not uncommon for the same family member or community person that abused the parent to also abuse their child. The damage will have lifelong consequences by never reporting or revealing the assault. Abuse can become a multigenerational

issue that leads to increasingly severe mental health damage. However, there is a wide range of what is considered a reportable offense. It’s a new era. Sexual misconduct is in the media and out in the open more than ever. These tips are for parents of adolescent and adult children. – Open a discussion with your adolescent and adult children. Ask them to teach you what they know about the #metoo movement. In a discussion with my own son, I stated there were things we just learned to put up with, the “lighter” offenses. He said his generation doesn’t think you should have had to; therefore, we have the #timesup movement. Made sense. I liked it. I learned something. – Be open and be honest with your children. – People can’t recover from what has not been uncovered. – The difference between a victim and a survivor is a victim still has an open wound, a survivor has healed and carries the scar. No shame in carrying a scar-Jesus didn’t hide his and neither should we. Scars show trauma has healed. – If child abuse prevention is a subject you simply cannot talk about with your children, talk with someone about your own experiences. We must break the cycle. – If not now, when. If you keep putting off these discussions, they will never happen. Adult survivors of sexual abuse are as high as 20% of the general population. Be mindful how you discuss child sexual abuse when in the general public, you are likely to be within ear shot of someone who has suffered and survived one of the most devastating offenses to ones mental, social, sexual and spiritual development. “To help heal the world, start with your own family.” – St. Mother Teresa (Reba J. McMellon, M.S. is a licensed professional counselor with 35 years of experience. She continues to work in the ﬁeld of mental health as a consultant and is available for public speaking. Reba can be reached at rebaj@bellsouth.net.)

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Rescued statues embody our Catholic faith those was Our Lady of Fatima, which now graces the columbarium at St. Richard Church in Jackson. I have to say it is one of the most beautiful statues I have encountered in my statue relief work. Although, she showed the signs of decades of outdoor Delta life, she had a serene presence that enveloped me in her strength and love. The other two – Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Francis of Assisi – reside in the Bishop’s Cemetery on the grounds of the Cathedral in Downtown Jackson. Last year during Bishop Joseph Latino’s funeral preparations, the Sacred Heart statue had to be moved to get the vault into the burial plot. The vault man moved it in such a way that the Sacred Heart seems to be consoling St. Francis. We have not moved it back yet because it is rather sweet and because it is rather heavy. When St. Mary Church in Jackson closed, we found homes for all the statues in that beautiful space. The large Marian statue above the main entrance now stands at Locus Benedictus Retreat Center outside Greenwood as Our Lady, Mother of the Delta. The Our Lady of Fatima Statue in front of the elementary school was dedicated to Father Peter Quinn, the founding pastor. It now stands in the priests’ section of the cemetery at St. Joseph Church in Gluckstadt where Father Quinn is buried. St. Jude in Pearl now houses two of the interior wooden statues of St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother. St. Anthony School in Madison received a statue of its patron from the church as well. St. Richard Church placed a Sacred Heart statue in one of its prayer gardens. Finding homes for these faith family members is quite edifying. There is something about passing on our faith traditions in this unique way that gives joy to all involved. I liken it to providing hospitality for the saints as they continually transcend our lives. So, the next time you light a candle in front of a statue or pass by that niche JACKSON – Jesus “consoles” St. Francis in the Bishop’s Cemetery on the grounds of Cathedral of St. Peter. The statues were moved while preparing for Bishop Jo- in your church, stop and say a prayer with your faith family. You no doubt will ﬁnd some peace in that moment as you are enveloped in the strength and love seph Latino’s funeral in 2021. (Photos courtesy of archives) of the communion of saints.

FROM THE ARCHIVES BY MARY WOODWARD JACKSON – Statues of the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph and other saints are a wonderful part of our church’s tradition. Unfortunately, we Catholics often are accused of worshipping statues. The way I normally explain it to those making the accusation is having statues in churches and our homes is the same as having photos of our beloved family members adorning our wallets and walls. They are visual images of members of our family in faith. Praying in front of a statue of St. Peter and lighting a candle sends our prayers heavenward carried through the intercession of that faith family member. Similarly, I have asked for the intercession of my deceased loved ones since they hopefully are closer to the Lord in the next life. Usually that explanation enlightens the person for the most part. Sadly, there are times when churches close and the statues inside need to be rescued. I recently met a 100-year-old statue of the Blessed Mother rescued by a priest friend from a church that had been damaged by Hurricane Katrina and ultimately had to be closed. The statue is now used for Marian celebrations in his diocese. What a lovely new life for that statue! As chancellor, I have rescued several statues from several of our diocesan parishes. I wrote recently about the damaged statue from Greenwood Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. That statue currently is being painstakingly repaired, because rightly so, the parish would rather have that antique, beloved image back scarred, than replace it with a new one. Three other rescued statues came from St. Francis Church in Yazoo City. One of

Our Lady of Fatima sat in the Bishop’s Cemetery before finding a permanent home at St. Richard parish in the columbarium.

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

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PLEASE, GIVE GENEROUSLY! MAY 7 & 8, 2022

ne hundred percent of this collection is for the Diocese of Jackson vocations/seminarians. It costs more than $34,000 per year to educate each college seminarian, and more than $50,000 for each graduate theology student. The blessing of more seminarians also brings a tremendous ﬁnancial challenge. Though critically important, the Easter season special collection provides only a small portion of the vocations budget. If you are interested in making a large donation, bequest or setting up an annuity, please contact: nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org.

HELP THE

HELPING Education

HANDS

of Future Priests For more information contact Father Nick Adam 601-960-4020

nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org

jacksonpriests.org

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC APRIL 29, 2022

YOUTH 15

Easter around the diocese You can always find more pictures online at www.mississippicatholic.com.

SOUTHAVEN – The last of the stations as acted out by our eighth grade students for the student body before going home for Easter break. Jack Hicks acted as Jesus. (Photo by Sister Margareth Sue Broker)

COLUMBUS – Annunciation middle school students, Isabel Keith, Mary Beth Waggoner, Kelsey and Kennedy Perkins, Amy Williams and Lola Sullivan (8th grade) act as the women of Jerusalem weeping over Jesus during Living Stations of Cross on April 13. (Photo by Katie Fenstermacher) YAZOO CITY – The children of St. Mary’s CLINTON – Right: Anna Kate Yentzen made Easter baskets for shut-ins in the participates in Holy Savior's egg hunt. community. (Photo by Babs McMaster) (Photo by Trish Ballard)

VICKSBURG – The Pre-K3 class at the Sisters of Mercy ELC released butterflies after learning about the their life cycle. They watched them grow from small caterpillars into beautiful butter- MAGEE – Parish youth participated in an egg hunt at St. Stephen parish. (Photo courtesy of St. Stephen parish) flies. (Photo by Lindsey Bradley)

APRIL 29, 2022 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

16 DIOCESE

Jenkins heart for service helps protect children, vulnerable adults Editor's note: In 1981, April was declared Child Abuse Awareness month, then in 1983 April was declared National Child Abuse Prevention month and in 1989 the color blue was declared the Child Abuse Awareness ribbon color. So, Mississippi Catholic is "going blue" to raise public awareness of child abuse and to promote prevention efforts.

BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING

AND

BERTA MEXIDOR

CLEVELAND – Jenifer Jenkins has always had a special place in her heart for helping others. Coming from back to her hometown of Cleveland after a stint in Oregon as a disaster coordinator for the Red Cross, preparing operating procedures for emergencies such as hurricanes, nuclear accidents and terrorist attacks and earning a degree in social work, Jenkins was a natural ﬁt for the Safe Environment Coordinator position for the Diocese of Jackson when the position came open last year. Jenkins took the place of long-time diocese employee, Vickie Carollo, who spent 17 years developing the Protection of Children program for the diocese before her retirement in 2021. But Jenkins was no stranger to the program as she had acted as a site administrator for the program at Our Lady of Victories Cleveland, in addition to many other duties at the Delta parish before taking over for Carollo last summer. “I knew that this would be something that I would love to do,” said Jenkins. “My degree is in social work and has always held a special place In 2008 the pinwheel was introduced as the national symbol for child abuse prevention. A prayer service from the USCCB includes the following on pinwheels: "We gather with in my heart.” Over the past year, Jenkins has been working out of her home parish of pinwheels, created by our children, to symbolize the innocence of youth and to express Our Lady of Victories, as the Safe Environment Coordinator, and working our desire that every child be safe wherever they are. All too often, many children and to make sure that all sites in the diocese are teens in our culture suffer abuse. Physical, verbal and sexual abuse can rob a child of compliant with the Charter for the Protection their innocence and threaten their human dignity.The pinwheels we plant symbolize all of Children and that employees are up to date of those children who have been, or are at risk of, being hurt by adults in their life. We with the Virtus, a program and service of The pray that, as the wind turns the pinwheels that we hold, that our prayer, united with the freeflowing Spirit of God, will help reassure all children that we will support them in their National Catholic Risk Retention Group. Virtus is an awareness training program that healing. We promise to continue working to ensure that every child will be safe, loved is designed to educate adults on how to recog- and cared for in a way that affirms their dignity as a child made in the image and likeness nize the warning signs of child sexual abuse of God." (Photo from Bigstock) and what to do when they suspect a child is being victimized. As a part of the ongoing efforts for the diocese’s Protection of Children program, all volunteers and Jenifer Jenkins employees complete monthly training bulletins, in addition to an initial training session, and completing a background check. The Diocese of Jackson is committed to ensuring that no one being served by "With Virtus everybody can stay up-to-date on the latest research and information on fostering safe environments. Things are always changing, and we want to the church be (is) at risk of sexual abuse or exploitation by clergy, religious or lay stay on top of things to keep our children and vulnerable adults safe," said Jenkins. church personnel. The spiritual well-being of all the victims, their families and The diocese also uses Virtus for safety training geared to children, that includes others in the community is of particular concern to the church. In accordance material that is developmentally appropriate for each age group and includes conwith our policy, all victims are offered counseling and pastoral care. tent and activities that reinforce the message. Some of the topics include what to do and how to react when someone’s touch is confusing, scary, or makes the child Anyone who has been a victim of abuse or exploitation by clergy, religious or lay feel uncomfortable; learning about personal boundaries and giving the self-assurchurch personnel and has not yet reported it is encouraged to do so. Our victim ance needed to speak up; learning about who to tell assistance coordinator, Erika Rojas, a licensed social worker, is available to assist when something or someone makes them feel uncomin making a report. Please contact her at (601) 326-3736. fortable or confused; and how to recognize grooming by an abuser. For more information about diocesan policies and procedures and to learn what Additionally, the Protection of Children program the diocese is doing to create a safe environment for everyone, please visit the at the diocese goes through an onsite audit process diocesan website at www.jacksondiocese.org and click on “Protection of Chilevery three years, of which the diocese has been in dren.” compliance with every year. The next onsite audit is set for July of this year and Jenkins is ready, saying she is To report an allegation of abuse or mishandling of allegations of sexual abuse by "crossing all the 't's' and dotting the 'i's.'" a bishop, please visit https://reportbishopabuse.org. "Some of our sites got behind on training bulletins from Virtus during COVID since there were little to no activities for quite a while," said Jenkins. In addition to the audit, Jenkins says she is also working on updating vulnerable adult training and will soon implement a system in schools to identify volunteers more easily, making sure each are Virtus compliant. +Joseph R. Kopacz D.D., Ph.D. Jenkins says, "I am helping to bring more awareness of sexual abuse and abuse of vulnerable adults to all. I Bishop of Jackson continue to look forward to meeting new people across the diocese and protecting all of God's children."

Protection of

CHILDREN