APRIL 15, 2022
mississippicatholic.com
Catholic pro-life heroes recognized at Her PLAN event BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING
JACKSON – Nearly 30 honorees across at least eight denominations were recognized as pro-life heroes by Her PLAN (Pregnancy and Life Assistance Network) on Thursday, March 17 at Fondren Church in Jackson. Ranging from sidewalk advocates of Mississippi’s only abortion facility, adoption leaders, pregnancy center leaders and policy champions, these heroes have been at work in the pro-life movement for decades making strides against abortion. Those leaders included several Catholics from around the diocese: Dr. Beverly McMillan of St. Richard Jackson, Tanya Britton of St. James Tupelo, Monica Walton of St. Paul Flowood, Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth, OP of St. Dominic Health Services and Charlene Bearden of Holy Family Jackson and coordinator of the office of family ministry for the Diocese of Jackson. Anja Baker, Mississippi state coordinator for Her PLAN and parishioner of St. Jude Pearl, said that her reason for having a “Mississippi Moment” with pro-life heroes was two-fold. The first being to reflect
and acknowledge all of the hard work that has been done to save the lives of the unborn, but also to talk about preparing for a pivotal moment in history – the possibility of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision legalizing abortion nationwide, with Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, set for a decision in June. “Regardless of what happens this summer, regardless of what changes in policy, we know that a larger safety net of support is needed,” said Baker. Born in 1994, Baker got her start in the pro-life movement at age 15 when she saw a “40 Days for Life” flyer in the back of church. This led to attending pro-life banquets and getting involved in Students for Life before eventually working as a coordinator for Her PLAN. A project of Susan B. Anthony List, Her PLAN also operates in Georgia, Virginia and West Virginia, and facilitates collaboration between assistance providers and their comJACKSON – Charlene Bearden and Dr. Corinne Anderson, parishioners of Holy Family munities to empower women and Jackson, speak to Erin Kate Goode, executive director of the Center for Pregnancy families through comprehensive Choices Metro area at a luncheon held by Her PLAN recognizing Mississippi pro-life medical, social and material support. heroes on Thursday, March 17 at Fondren Church. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King) – Continued on page 9 –
As three feasts converge, Holy Land Christians hope for peace, tourism BY JUDITH SUDILOVSKY
JERUSALEM (CNS) – With pandemic restrictions almost fully lifted, churches and shopkeepers alike are hopeful that the streets of Jerusalem will fill up once again as Easter, Passover and Ramadan converge. Joseph Hazboun, regional director of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association-Pontifical Mission in Jerusalem, noted that the pandemic has left its mark not only on people in the tourism industry but also on some monasteries and convents that depend on the sales of their homemade products. Though there are signs of returning pilgrims, he said, it is still a long way off from the high numbers of three years ago. And with the continuing unchecked vandalism attacks on church property, especially but not only in Jerusalem, INSIDE THIS WEEK Christians feel threatened, he said. In addition to vandalism, in March, Israelis and Palestinians saw an increase in violence. In early March, seven Palestinians were killed in separate clashes with Israeli forces, and in late March three terrorist attacks that killed 11 people left Israelis reeling. On April 2, the patriarchs and heads of local churches of Jerusalem condemned the violence and called on Christians, Muslims and Jews to show mutual respect for one another at the rare confluence of the three major reliCalled by name gious holidays. They called on government authorities to Meet new seminarian "exercise policies of religious tolerance, restraint of force, and de-escalation of conflict." Martin
"In these coming weeks that are sacred to our respective religious traditions, we encourage all people of good faith to walk in the pathway of peace that is so central to the symbolism of Jerusalem, the City of Peace. In this way, we can be true witnesses to the world of the common vision of peace/shalom/salaam that is enshrined within the heart of our separate but intertwined religious beliefs," they said. This is not the first cycle of violence the Holy Land has experienced, said Sami El-Yousef, chief executive officer of the Latin Patriarchate, and the region has always found a way to rise above it all during religious celebrations. "If we are faithful to our religion – regardless whether Muslim, Jewish, or Christian – Continued on page 9 –
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From the archives 8 First state Mass dates back to Easter 340 years ago
Youth 14 Youth and school happenings around the diocese
