Parish youth groups reflect on summer service

Youth groups from across the diocese spent time this summer doing service work. Mississippi Catholic asked for reflections and photos from these trips. Following are excerpts from reflections submitted by members of Natchez St. Mary Basilica and Tupelo St. James. All three groups worked with Catholic Heart Work Camps, taking trips to Florida and Tennessee.

On July 17, myself and 26 other teens and seven chaperones from St. Mary Basilica youth group  traveled to Pensacola, Fla., to experience Catholic Heart Work Camp (CHWC).
I had the pleasure of working with young children at a summer day camp in Pensacola playing water games, reading books, learning about science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) and enjoying being with the children. I also learned enough sign language in order to communicate with a hearing impaired little girl. Her brother was proud to teach me their language.
Our group did some work outside at homes. We cut grass, powered washed and painted homes and trimmed bushes; doing anything that needed to be done. The owners were appreciative of the work we did and we were happy to help them even though it was very hot outside. Some of my friends worked at the local food bank sorting, organizing and preparing boxes for distribution.
Elizabeth Smith
Senior at Cathedral High School

I attended Catholic Heart Work Camp this past summer and it proved to be a very inspiring week for me and our entire group. I particularly enjoyed meeting other kids my age and getting a chance to know them and work with them in service of others.
We worked with Habitat for Humanity to help those in need. One part of my week that was most inspiring was helping an elderly lady with a chronic disease. Her story was so touching because she and her husband had worked hard all their lives but had fallen on hard times. Her husband was in a nursing home because she was unable to care for him after he had a stroke.
She suffered from COPD and had been in and out of the hospital and unable to pay her bills. She had lost one home and her current home needed to have grass cut and to be cleaned. Our group helped her clean her home inside and out. She was so proud and thankful. I think we were most inspired by her attitude. Despite all her hardships, she managed such a positive attitude and continued to give to those she considered less fortunate than all she could manage.
Caroline Kaiser
Junior Cathedral School

This year’s camp was a big change for me. A large majority of the people who usually go to CHWC decided not to go this year, so I kind of felt like I was going alone. But thankfully, this gave me a chance to grow close to other members of my youth group who I don’t normally talk to.
The other members of my team were also some of the friendliest, coolest people I’ve ever met and I was blessed to serve the community of Pensacola with them. On a more spiritual level, this year’s Catholic Heart has made me more appreciative of my Catholic faith and the church’s practices.
It also has strengthened my relationship with God and has given me a hopeful attitude of my future with Him. I learned that prayer is such a powerful tool that needs to be used every day of my life. With this being my fifth CHWC, I feel that this year has also convinced me to apply for a staff position when I’m old enough in the next two years.
Randle Haggerty
member of Tupelo St. James Parish

Parish This year for CHWC we went to Pensacola, Fla. Upon arriving at the school we would be staying at, I did not think I would enjoy most of the week. Ending the first day there, I was proven wrong. I found myself opening up to new people and having experiences that I’d never thought I would have with these people.
The community work we did brought us closer to God. It opened my eyes to a whole new meaning of Christ. God brought me closer to people from my own parish that I would have never talked to on my own. I made friendships that will hopefully last a lifetime. Overall this trip has made me more outgoing, understanding and closer to God. I can’t wait to go back again next year.
Julianna Vaughn
member of Tupelo St. James

I loved the entire week at Catholic Heart, but one of my favorite parts about the week was getting to meet new friends from all around the United States. Everyone that I met was really nice and encouraging, and it was cool to meet other Catholic teenagers. I also really liked the Four Corners experience that we had Wednesday evening. I think it was a great way to spend time with God through prayer, talking with others about our faith, and receiving the sacrament of reconciliation.
One thing I learned at Catholic Heart Work Camp was that when you help others with a good attitude, you get more blessings out of your work than the person that you even helped. I know that when we finished working each day, I had such a good feeling inside of me and I wanted to keep serving. I feel like now I am more eager to serve here in our community because it makes me feel so good.
Allison Hanby
member of Tupelo St. James Parish

Seminarians gather for convocation before school starts

By Aaron Williams
Eight of the nine seminarians studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Jackson gathered at Chatawa St. Mary of the Pines retreat center recently for our inaugural convocation. The seniors, Nick Adam, Mark Shoffner and myself organized the event.
The theme of the retreat was “Take courage, it is I,” taken from Matthew 14:27.
There were four conferences. I spoke about the particular virtues seminarians for Jackson need to foster, using figures from our diocesan history as a reference. Shoffner talked about the benefits of our summer pastoral assignments to our overall formation. Adam spoke about building fraternity amongst ourselves in preparation for being a part of the fraternity of priests.
Father Augustine Pattimalam, a native of India serving in Philadelphia, spoke about his perspective and difficulties of entering the diocese as an outsider.
(Editor’s note: During the weekend Bishop Joseph Kopacz accepted Schoffner into candidacy for ordination. The three seniors will be ordained to the transitional diaconate in the spring of 2017.)

Jackson pilgrims reflect on World Youth Day experience

By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – “My favorite part had to be being feet away and in the presence of the most holy Father, Pope Francis,” said Rodney Self, one of 18 young people from the Diocese of Jackson who made the trip to Poland for World Youth Day.
Fellow traveler Perry Leffler agreed. “My favorite part of the World Youth Day pilgrimage was definitely seeing the pope. He is just so inspiring. Everybody cheered and there was such a feeling of excitement and joy when he was there,” said Leffler.
Amelia Rizor, youth minister for Jackson St. Richard Parish, who helped organize and lead the trip, said all the teenagers were thrilled to see the pontiff. “To see the joy on all those faces made it all worthwhile. Kids who never dance were dancing,” said Rizor. She went on to say she planned the trip to be a true pilgrimage, with thoughtful stops along the way.
In addition to touring the Auschwitz Concentration camp, the group visited Krakow’s Jewish Ghetto and the factory where Oskar Schindler saved more than a thousand Jews during World War II.
“We watched the movie Schindler’s List together before the trip, so seeing the factory brought it all home. Seeing that it (the Holocaust) wasn’t just some distant history, but that it really happened and it could happen again was powerful for everyone,” said Rizor.
The young people attended catechetical sessions sponsored by World Youth Day. Andre deGruy and his wife went on the trip with their two daughters. “Every time we had Mass on the trip it was amazing. The groups of people were just so huge. Priests would just appear in the crowd and start distributing Communion. I imagine that’s what it was like to try and feed the five thousand out of a few wicker baskets,” he said. “The Polish people were so welcoming. It was hard to connect the history with that. People were so kind and helpful and you had to think – their parents lived through the horrors of communism and the Holocaust, but they were amazing,” said DeGruy.
Rizor said she wanted the members of the group to get a sense of how large and active the Catholic Church is in the world. The members of the group got the message. “I did not expect the energy the people at the large events showed. It made me want to show the same amount of energy for my faith. It made me feel proud and not nervous about showing my faith,” said Self.
Dena Kinzey, a teacher at Madison St. Joseph School, posted her reflections to a blog on the school website during the trip. During one leg of the trip, the group had to split up. Luggage was lost, and it rained during several of the outdoor events.
“In the struggles of a difficult flight situation, tired people away from home, schedule changes, no air conditioning (this is big), the moment I saw these young people tremble and cry because they were so excited to be with the man who joyfully leads our church, I knew it was all worth it,” wrote Kinzey on her blog.
“It was in that moment that I felt the Holy Spirit working. The path to God is never easy, but the rewards are great. I’m blessed to be able to do this with them,” she continued.
“I got a deeper understanding out my Catholic faith. Through different tours and discussions, I learned about my Catholic faith to a level I never could have imagined. Not only did I strengthen my faith, I also strengthened my relationship with God,” said Self, a member of Jackson Holy Family Parish.
“Being on my first pilgrimage was incredible. You’re there to grow closer to God, to grow in your faith. Touring places like Auschwitz, seeing the Jewish Ghetto, and experiencing the Sanctuary of Pope John Paul II really puts your own life in perspective,” said Leffler.
Rizor believes she will be processing the trip with the youth group for a while to come. “I really want to sit down and talk more about the experience,” she said. The tour group will host a Timely Topics discussion sometime in September at St. Richard Parish. Check the parish website for exact scheduling. The next World Youth Day will be in Panama in 2019.

Marian Servants celebrate jubilee with retreat

By Melisa Preuss Muñoz
The Marian Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus from McComb hosted its ninth Annual “Speak Lord I’m Listening” retreat in Chatawa July 29-31. The group is part of a national movement based out of Clearwater, Fla., and hopes to build its Mississippi membership through retreats and word-of-mouth.
The founding association, the Marian Servants of Our Lady of Divine Providence, model the life of Mary as servant. As Marian Servants, members emulate the life of the Blessed Mother, who is always obedient to the words of her son and who freely and humbly accepts God’s will.
The mission of the Marian Servants is to bring Catholics to a deeper understanding of their mission in Christ, the church and in the world. It follows a rule of life established by the parent organization. The rule consists of the call to holiness, obedience and service.
The lay apostolate of the Marian Servants is beginning to grow throughout Mississippi.  In 2013, the Diocese of Jackson established the Marian Servants of Jesus the Lamb of God at Jackson St. Therese Parish and has since added members at several other parishes. The ‘Speak Lord, I’m Listening’ retreats are a way for all the members to gather and strengthen their bonds.
Charlene Brown, assistant director of the Marian Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, said the theme of this year’s retreat was taken from Ephesians 2:3-5, “Rich in Mercy” to mark the Jubilee Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis.
Using the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the retreatants pondered scriptures after placing themselves in the presence of God, while praying for the graces to allow God to act freely in them, to see themselves as God sees them, and to give God their whole beings: mind, heart, soul and body. After prayer and contemplation, the retreatants met in small groups to share their prayer experiences.
Tom Edwards, a lay minister of evangelization, presented the idea that we are living stones with Jesus as the Corner Stone. Using the example of the building of Solomon’s Temple, he said that we, here on earth, are in a quarry being chiseled into beautiful and perfect stones which will eventually be used in God’s kingdom. He noted that according to biblical tradition, laborers prepared the temple stones in quarries underneath the city – representing earth – to respect the silence and holiness of the temple – representing heaven.
Saturday night, participants adored Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and took part in a healing service led by Father Bill Henry, the spiritual advisor of the Marian Servants in Mississippi.
Next year, ‘Speak Lord I’m Listening’ retreat will be held in Chatawa July 28-30, 2017. “I would like to extend an invitation to all, especially those in the Jackson diocese,” said Brown.
Anyone seeking more information about the Marian Servants should contact Mike or Charlene Brown at McComb St. Alphonsus Parish, Teresa Preuss at Jackson St. Therese Parish, or Maureen Roberts at Magee St. Stephen Parish.
(Melisa Preuss-Muñoz is the Administrative Assistant in the Office of Vocations for the Diocese of Jackson and member of St. Jude Parish in Pearl. She holds a Masters of Education from Dominican University in Chicago, Illinois.)

Maturing into healthy fear

IN EXILE
By Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI
Unless you are already a full saint or a mystic, you will always live in some fear of death and the afterlife. That’s simply part of being human. But we can and must, move beyond our fear of God.
As a child, I lived with a lot of fear. I had a very active imagination and too-frequently imagined murderers under my bed, poisonous snakes slithering up my leg, deadly germs in my food, playground bullies looking for a victim, a hundred ways in which I could meet an accidental death and threats of every kind lurking in the dark. As a child, I was often afraid: afraid of the dark, afraid of death, afraid of the afterlife and afraid of God.
As I matured, so too did my imagination; it no longer pictured snakes hiding everywhere or murderers under my bed. I began to feel strong, in control, imagining the unknown, with its dark corners, more as opportunity for growth than as threat to life. But it was one thing to block out fear of snakes, murderers and the dark. Not so easily did I overcome my fear of death, fear of the afterlife and fear of God.
These fears are the last demons to be exorcised and that exorcism is never final, never completely done with. Jesus, himself, trembled in fear before death, before the unknown that faces us in death. But he didn’t tremble in fear before God, the opposite in fact. As he faced death and the unknown, he was able give himself over to God, in childlike trust, like a child clinging to a loving parent and that gave him the strength and courage to undergo an anonymous, lonely and misunderstood death with dignity, grace and forgiveness.
We need never be afraid of God. God can be trusted. But trust in God does include a healthy fear of God because one particular fear is part of the anatomy of love itself. Scripture says: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. But that fear, healthy fear, must be understood as a reverence, a loving awe, a love that fears disappointing. Healthy fear is love’s fear, a fear of betraying, of not being faithful to what love asks of us in return for its gratuity.
We aren’t afraid of someone we trust, fearing that he or she will suddenly turn arbitrary, unfair, cruel, incomprehensible, vicious, unloving. Rather we are afraid about our own being worthy of the trust that’s given us, not least from God.
But we must trust that God understands our humanity: God doesn’t demand that we give him our conscious attention all of the time. God accepts the natural wanderings of our hearts. God accepts our tiredness and fatigue. God accepts our need for distraction and escape. God accepts that we usually find it easier to immerse ourselves in entertainment than to pray. And God even accepts our resistances to him and our need to assert, with pride, our own independence.
Like a loving mother embracing a child that’s kicking and screaming but needs to be picked up and held, God can handle our anger, self-pity and resistance. God understands our humanity, but we struggle to understand what it means to be human before God.
For many years, I feared that I was too immersed in the things of this world to consider myself a spiritual person, always fearing that God wanted more from me. I felt that I should be spending more time in prayer, but, too often, I’d end up too tired to pray, more interested in watching a sports event on television or more interested in sitting around with family, colleagues, or friends, talking about everything except spiritual things. For years, I feared that God wanted me to be more explicitly spiritual. He probably did! But, as I’ve aged, I’ve come to realize that being with God in prayer and being with God in heart is like being with a trusted friend. In an easeful friendship, friends don’t spend most of their time talking about their mutual friendship.
Rather they talk about everything: local gossip, the weather, their work, their children, their headaches, their heartaches, their tiredness, what they saw on television the night before, their favorite sports teams, what’s happening in politics and the jokes they’ve heard recently – though they occasionally lament that they should ideally be talking more about deeper things. Should they?
John of the Cross teaches that, in any longer-term friendship, eventually the important things begin to happen under the surface and surface conversation becomes secondary. Togetherness, ease with each other, comfort and the sense of being at home, is what we give each other then.
That’s also true for our relationship with God. God made us to be human and God wants us, with all of our wandering weaknesses, to be in his presence, with ease, with comfort and with the feeling that we are at home. Our fear of God can be reverence or timidity; the former is healthy, the latter is neurotic.
(Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser, theologian, teacher and award-winning author, is President of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX.)

Catechist Companion updated, improved

By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – The diocesan Department of Faith Formation has begun distributing the new edition of The Catechist Companion to parishes and schools. The companion is a curriculum guide for catechesis from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Each section of the book contains expectations for teachers of what students should grasp at the end of each year. There is also a section with the Catholic High School curriculum in it.
“We recognized the need to have this document updated and published as it is a vital tool for making sure our young people are learning about their faith in an age appropriate, consistent manner,” said Fran Lavelle, director of faith formation for the diocese. “We also recognize however, that there are many nuances in a diocese like ours with both rural and urban populations. The book should be used as a tool that aides in creating benchmarks for catechist.”
Lavelle worked with Contyna McNealy, coordinator for creative services for the diocese, to reformat the companion. It was printed in sections in a three-ring binder to make it easy for directors/coordinators of religious education to make copies for catechists by grade.
“We listened to the DRE/CREs and delivered a product that best suited their needs. A large review and editing committee worked very hard to get the document revised,” said Lavelle.
The books will be distributed to parishes and schools during the coming weeks and will also be available online on the Faith Formation page of the diocesan website, www.jacksondiocese.org for download.

V Encuentro planning update: parish meetings coming soon

By Elsa Baughman
WINONA – Members of the V National Hispanic Encuentro’s diocesan team met recently at Sacred Heart Parish to continue planning their participation in this event which will be held Sept. 20-23, 2018, in Grapevine, Texas.
This diocesan team is responsible for the promotion and implementation of the V Encuentro goals in the Diocese of Jackson. Sister María Elena Méndez, of the Office of Hispanic Ministry, is leading the training.
Danna Johnson, a member of Pontotoc St. Christopher Parish, opened the meeting with a prayer and reflection and presented an introduction and guidance on what the V Encuentro means. During the all-day meeting, four other members of the team presented topics on leadership training, experience of an Encuentro and a theological reflection. Sister Josefina García offered a  Lectio Divina reflection.
Each of the four previous Encuentros has led to continued growth in Hispanic minitry in the United States and each has grown exponentially.
The first National Hispanic Encuentro was held in 1972, resulting in the creation of the National Office for Hispanic Affairs in the United States. It was held at Trinity College, Washington, D.C. More than 250 people participated.
The II Encuentro, in 1977, drew 1,200 participants. Fifty bishops attended the event. There were 26 workshops and more than half of the them were on Evangelization, which was the main theme of that gathering.
More than 2,000 people attended III Encuentro Nacional Hispano de Pastoral at The Catholic University of America on Aug. 15-18, 1985. Fifty-six bishops were in attendance. This third meeting led to the creation of the USCCB Committee on Hispanic Affairs and the promulgation of the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry.
The IV Encuentro held in Los Angeles, Calif., in July 2000. More than 5,000 participants from 150 countries attended this meeting, including 82 U.S. bishops and several from Latin America.
Then Bishop William Houck, Mary Woodward, then director of the Department of Evangelization; Joyce Hart, then director of the Office of Black Ministry attended IV Encuentro along with Elsa Baughman from Mississippi Catholic and Aurelia Gibson, a member of New Albany St. Francis of Assisi Parish.
This V Encuentro is more than just the meeting itself. Discerning ways in which the church in the United States can best respond to the presence of Hispanics/Latinos is a critical part of the process. Participants are also trying to articulate how they respond as missionary disciples to the call of the New Evangelization, to serve the whole church.
In preparation for the gathering in 2018 there will be five parish meetings at the diocesan level from January to June 2017, followed by regional meetings. The culmination of this process happens when three thousand delegates from dioceses and other catholic organizations meet in Texas to participate in the V Encuentro. For more details visit www.vencuentro.org. Look for a schedule of parish meetings in future issues of Mississippi Catholic. .

Peregrinaje ofrece encuentro de gratitud, hospitalidad

Por Obispo Joseph Kopacz
La semana pasada tuve la oportunidad, a través de la invitación y generosidad de los Servicios Católicos de Socorro (Catholic Relief Services, CRS) de viajar a Honduras  en una visita de encuentro personal con otras cinco personas de los Estados Unidos. Esta misión ha ampliado mi experiencia directa de América Central que es bastante limitada. Como ustedes saben, he visitado nuestra misión en Saltillo, México, durante los últimos dos años y anteriormente viajé en peregrinación con los Misioneros de Maryknoll a los santuarios de los mártires de El Salvador y Guatemala, incluyendo el santuario del Arzobispo Oscar Romero, cuya causa de canonización está avanzando.
Esta peregrinación a Honduras fue única en la que he experimentado los frutos de algunos de los proyectos de desarrollo de CRS en uno de los países más pobres del hemisferio occidental, y me permitió un encuentro con segmentos de la población hondureña que estuvieron muy agradecidos y hospitalarios por nuestra visita.
La labor de los Servicios Católicos de Socorro se entiende mejor a la luz de la declaración de su misión, la esencia de lo cual sigue. “Los Servicios Católicos de Socorro (CRS) cumple el compromiso que los obispos católicos de los Estados Unidos han asumido de ayudar a los pobres y vulnerables en el extranjero. El Evangelio de Jesucristo nos motiva a valorar y defender la naturaleza sagrada y la dignidad de la vida humana, además de impulsar la caridad y la justicia y encarnar la doctrina social y moral de la Iglesia”.
Junto con la asistencia en casos de desastre, como el terremoto en Haití y el tifón Haiyan en Filipinas, el personal dedicado de CRS está comprometido al desarrollo sostenible que se suele llevar a cabo en colaboración con otras entidades católicas como Caritas Internacional, y con las entidades locales, nacionales y funcionarios internacionales.
En nuestras visitas hemos aprendido acerca de la participación del gobierno de Honduras, del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos y el Banco Mundial, para nombrar unos pocos. Pero lo que es más importante es que en los tres principales proyectos en nuestro viaje notamos que las poblaciones locales  participan plenamente como socios activos y agentes de cambio. Este es el principio católico preciado de subsidiariedad, es decir, que nada que una organización más grande y compleja pueda realizar, no pueda ser realizado por una organización más pequeña y sencilla a nivel local.
La primera de tres visitas, las cuales fueron todas al noroeste de Tegucigalpa, la capital de Honduras, fue a un programa de Alimentos por la Educación que pretende aumentar la asistencia al colegio y la alfabetización entre los niños en edad escolar, proporcionando comidas nutritivas diarias, capacitación para profesores y maestros substitutos, para salud e higiene y para transporte y suministros escolares, todo lo cual reduce las barreras de acceso. Se les pide a los miembros de la familia y la comunidad a estar totalmente conectados a través del voluntariado y la supervisión.
La segunda de tres paradas fue a un proyecto agrícola inteligente de servicio de agua (Water Smart Agricultural, WSA) para pequeñas fincas familiares productores de café. WSA “fomenta la gestión sostenible del suelo y su fertilidad para ayudar a asegurar la adecuada disponibilidad de humedad para reducir los efectos de la sequía … para positivamente transformar la seguridad alimentaria y de agua de una masa crítica de agricultores en la región”.
El espíritu de colaboración fue evidente entre los agricultores locales y el personal de CRS y fue mi primera experiencia caminando entre árboles de café y de plátanos. En medio de esta visita la imagen del Papa Francisco sonriendo vino a mi mente. ¿Por qué? Su profundas y clarividentes palabras por una ecología integral en su Exhortación Apostólica profética, Laudato Si, eran muy evidentes en las pequeñas fincas de Honduras.
La liberación del paradigma tecnocrático dominante sucede a veces, por ejemplo, cuando las cooperativas de pequeños productores adoptan medios de producción con menos contaminantes, y optan por un modelo de vida no consumista, de recreación y comunidad. O cuando la tecnología se dirige fundamentalmente a la solución de los problemas concretos de la gente, realmente ayudándolos a vivir con más dignidad y menos sufrimiento (Laudato Si).
Esto toma la voluntad, el compromiso, la experiencia y la astucia de muchos, porque como el Papa Francisco señala que, aparte de la propiedad de la tierra, los campesinos deben tener acceso a los medios de educación técnica, crédito, seguros, y el acceso a los mercados. Esta es la visión de CRS y de muchos en el campo para los pequeños agricultores productores de café en Honduras y en muchas zonas de nuestro mundo.
La tercera de nuestras visitas fue a un proyecto de abastecimiento de agua que se desarrolló a lo largo de casi 20 años en la ladera de una montaña (de los cuales hay muchas en Honduras) que es bastante complejo, pero elegante en su simplicidad. Funciona por gravedad y mecanismos y sirve a toda una comunidad de más de 10.000 personas de sus necesidades de agua y alcantarillado.
Toda la comunidad ha estado y sigue participando en el proceso de toma de decisiones de este  proyecto durante estos 20 años, y las personas que viven alrededor de las cuatro millas de esta planta reciben incentivos para mantener sus tierras de una forma que salvaguarde el suministro de agua. Es una historia asombrosa, e incluso durante la sequía del largo verano, es raro que el agua tenga que ser racionada. Desde el principio, el CRS ha estado orgulloso de su papel como socio en este proyecto.
Las visitas a estos tres proyectos fue el motivo del viaje, como se pueden imaginar, pero también hubo muchos otros momentos agradables e inspiradores. Tuvimos oración y liturgia cada día, disfrutamos las conversaciones entre los peregrinos, con el personal del CRS y con el pueblo hondureño, la visión del omnipresente terreno montañoso, y los amplios valles y las imágenes demasiado numerosas para contar del pueblo hondureño en su tarea diaria.
Tuve una conversación muy agradable durante una cena con el Obispo Darwin, de la diócesis de Santa Rosa de Copán, que abarca todo el occidente de Honduras. Sé que la Diócesis de Jackson no es una pequeña parcela de tierra, pero cuando me dijo que había un millón y cuarto de católicos diseminados por las montañas del occidente de Honduras, me sentí bendecido por mi familia diocesana en Mississippi.
En general, estoy agradecido de haber tenido la oportunidad de visitar Honduras, uno de nuestros países vecinos en Centro América, una región de donde muchos inmigrantes y migrantes han llegado a nuestro estado y nación y han enriquecido nuestras comunidades y parroquias en nuestra diócesis. Para concluir, cito las palabras del Papa Francisco de ‘Laudato Si’ que capturan la esperanza engendrada por mi experiencia al sur de la frontera, y el ardiente deseo del Santo Padre, del personal de CRS, y de muchos en todo el mundo o en una ecología integral.
Miremos a San Francisco a quien tomé como guía e inspiración cuando fui elegido Obispo de Roma. Creo que San Francisco es el ejemplo por excelencia de la atención a los grupos vulnerables y a una ecología integral vivida con alegría y autenticidad. Él es el patrono de todos los que estudian y trabajan en el área de ecología y también es muy querido por los no cristianos. Estaba particularmente preocupado por la creación de Dios y por los pobres y los marginados.
Él amó y fue profundamente amado por su alegría, su entrega generosa y su consagración. Fue un místico y un peregrino que vivió en la sencillez y en la maravillosa armonía con Dios, con los demás, con la naturaleza y consigo mismo. Nos muestra que tan inseparable es el vínculo entre la preocupación por la naturaleza, la justicia para los pobres, el compromiso con la sociedad y la paz interior.

Pilgrimage offers encounters of gratitude, hospitality

By Bishop Joseph Kopacz
For several days last week, I had the opportunity through the invitation and generosity of Catholic Relief Services, to travel on encuentro (a visit of personal encounter) to Honduras with five others from across the United States. This mission broadened my direct experience of Central America, which is rather limited.
As you know, I have visited our mission in Saltillo, Mexico, and previously traveled on pilgrimage with the Maryknoll Missioners to the shrines of the martyrs of El Salvador and Guatemala, including the shrine of Archbishop Oscar Romero.
This pilgrimage to Honduras was unique in that I experienced the fruits of some of CRS’s developmental projects in one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, allowing me to encounter segments of the Honduran population who were grateful and hospitable.
The work of Catholic Relief Services is best understood in the light of its Mission Statement, the essence of which follows. “Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable oversees. We are motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cherish, preserve and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity and justice, and embody Catholic social and moral teaching.”
Along with disaster relief, such as the earthquake in Haiti, and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the dedicated staff of CRS is committed to sustainable development that is often accomplished in collaboration with other Catholic entities such as Caritas International, and with local, national and international officials. In our site visits we learned about the involvement of the government of Honduras, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the World Bank, to name a few.
But most importantly, in the three major projects on our journey the local populations are fully engaged as active partners and agents for change. This is the cherished Catholic principle of subsidiarity, i.e., that nothing should be done by a larger and more complex organization which can be done as well by a smaller and simpler organization at the local level.
The first of three visits, all of which were to the northwest of the Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, was at a Food for Education program which seeks to improve school attendance and literacy among school age children by providing daily nutritious meals, training for teachers, health and hygiene trainin, and transportation and school supplies, all of which reduces access barriers. Family and community members are encouraged to be fully engaged through volunteering and oversight.
The second of three stops was to a Water Smart Agriculture project in service to small family farms of coffee producers. WSA “promotes the sustainable management of soils and their fertility to help insure adequate availability of moisture to reduce the effects of drought…to positively transform the food and water security of a critical mass of farmers in the region.”
The spirit of collaboration was evident between the local farmers and the staff of CRS and it was my first experience meandering among coffee plants and banana trees. In the midst of this visit the image of a smiling Pope Francis came to mind. Why? His profound and insightful words for an integral ecology from his prophetic Apostolic Exhortation, Laudato Si, were much in evidence on the fincas (small farms) of Honduras. Liberation from the dominant technocratic paradigm does in fact happen sometimes, for example, when cooperatives of small producers adopt less polluting means of production, and opt for a non-consumerist model of life, recreation and community.
Or when technology is directed primarily to resolving people’s concrete problems, truly helping them live with more dignity and less suffering. (Laudato Si) This takes the will, commitment, expertise, and the savvy of many, because as Pope Francis further points out, that apart from the ownership of property, rural people must have access to means of technical education, credit, insurance and access to markets. This is the vision of CRS and many in the field for the small coffee producing farmer in Honduras and in many areas of our world.
The third of our site visits was to a Water Project that was developed over nearly twenty years on the side of a mountain, (of which there are many in Honduras) that is quite complex, yet elegant in its simplicity. It functions by gravity and mechanical expertise and serves an entire community of more than 10,000 people with their water and sewage needs.
The entire town has been and continues to be involved in the decision making process of this 20 year in the making project, and the people who live in the four-mile watershed table above the plant are given incentives to maintain their land in ways that will safeguard the water supply. It’s an amazing story, and even during the long dry summer season, it’s a rarity that the water has to be rationed. CRS rightly takes pride in their role as a partner from the outset in this project.
The three projects were focused visits, as you can imagine, but there were also many other enjoyable and inspiring moments. Prayerful and spirited liturgies each day, engaging conversations among the sojourners, with CRS staff, and the Honduran people, the sight of the pervasive mountainous terrain, and expansive valleys, and the images too numerous to count of the Honduran people going about their day. I had a very enjoyable dinner conversation with Bishop Darwin of the Diocese of Santa Rosa de Copan, which encompasses all of western Honduras. I know that the Diocese of Jackson is no small parcel of land, but when he told me that he had a million and a quarter Catholics spread throughout the mountains of western Honduras, I felt blessed for my diocesan family in Mississippi.
Overall, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to visit Honduras, one of our neighboring countries in Central America, a region from where many immigrants and migrants have come to our state and nation, and have enriched our communities and parishes across our diocese.
In conclusion I cite the words of Pope Francis from Laudato Si which captures the hope engendered from my experience south of the border, and the burning desire of the Holy Father, the staff of CRS, and of many throughout the world or an integral ecology.
Let us look to Saint Francis whom I took as my guide and inspiration when I was elected Bishop of Rome. I believe that Saint Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically. He is the patron saint of all who study and work in the area of ecology and he is also much loved by non Christians.
He was particularly concerned for God’s creation and for the poor and the outcast. He loved, and was deeply loved for his joy, his generous self giving and his open heartedness. He was a mystic and a pilgrim who lived in simplicity and in wonderful harmony with God, with others, with nature and with himself. He shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
AMORY St. Helen Parish, book discussion group of “The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto” by Mitch Albom,   Monday, Sept. 12, at noon in the parish hall.
JACKSON St. Peter Parish, adult faith formation class, “The Joy of Love,” Sundays, Sept. 11-Oct. 9, from 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. in the Cathedral Center.
JACKSON St. Richard Parish, “Old Testament” class, Sept. 6-Oct. 11, from 9:30 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. in the Chichester Room. Led by Mary Louise Jones. Cost is $20.
MADISON St. Francis of Assisi Parish, “St. Francis,” Wednesdays, Aug. 24-Oct. 12, from 9:15 – 11:15 a.m. Led by Sister Michele Doyle. Details: parish office, 601-856-5556.
METAIRIE, La. – Married Couples retreat Sept. 17-18 at the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center. The theme is “Mercy AND Love.” Speaker couples include Deacon John and Linda Pippenger, Kat and Paul Metzler, Kim and David Lukinovich along with Aly and Willie Leonard as the prayer couple. Suggested donation of $275 is requested but not required. Pre-registration deposit, which is part of the donation, is $50. Details: Jason Angelette, 504-830-3716, www.faithandmarriage.org.
LEXINGTON St. Thomas Parish, “Prayer and Spirituality,” Thursdays, Aug. 25-Oct. 13, from 7 – 8 p.m. Led by Sister Michele Doyle. Details: parish office, 662-686-7352.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, 24-week Bible Timeline  series, a journey from Genesis to the Book of Revelation, Sundays at 8:30 a.m. beginning Sept. 11 in the Family Life Center. Details: Karen Verucchi, 601-870-5388.
TUPELO St. James Parish, review of the book, “Bonhoeffer: Priest, Prophet, Martyr, Spy,” by Dr. Frances Sheffield Sunday, Sept 11, at 2:30 p.m. in Mary’s Room.  It is not necessary to have read the book.

PARISH, SCHOOL & FAMILY EVENTS
BROOKHAVEN St. Francis Parish, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 6, Mass will be celebrated at 12:10 p.m.
CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth Parish fair, Tuesday, Sept. 20. Volunteers needed. Details: Lisa Chicorelli, 662-645-0398.
COLUMBUS annual Friends of the Poor 5K walk/run to benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Saturday, Sept. 17, beginning at 9 a.m.. at the Stennis East Bank Recreation area. Details: Mike Cancellare, 703-597-3498, ljones8873@aol.com, www.svdpusa.net/walk/1575.
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph Parish, GermanFest, Sunday, Sept. 25, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Advance meal tickets are $6. Details: parish office, 601-856-2054.
GREENVILLE 50th anniversary celebration of Father Tom Mullally, SVD, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, as a member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), Saturday, Sept. 10, at 10:30 a.m. A reception follows at the Washington County Convention Center on Raceway Road.
GREENVILLE St. Joseph parish, fair events: cake/candy contest, Sunday, Sept. 11; live auction dinner, Tuesday, Sept. 13; fair night, Tuesday, Sept. 20.
GRENADA St. Peter Parish, morning for catechists and assistants, Sunday, Sept 11, at  10 a.m.
HERNANDO Holy Spirit Parish, fun night for adults, Friday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. Bring your own games. Details: Liz Brown, 901-331-3419.
– Annual bazaar, Saturday, Sept. 10, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Donations and volunteers are needed. Details: Barbara Smith, 662-429-4833 or 901-413-8102.
–  Knights of Columbus, annual soccer challenge in conjunction with the parish bazaar. Competition will be by age groups, boys and girls. Winners will be eligible to advance to district, regional, and state competition.
JACKSON St. Dominic Hospital, “Refuse to be a victim,” Thursday, Aug. 25, from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at St. Dominic Center Complex-Toulouse. A free workshop to learn how to create layers of safety to protect yourself and your family from today’s criminal. To register call 601-200-6698.
JACKSON St. Therese Parish, beginning Sunday, Sept. 4, the English Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m.  The Spanish Mass will continue at 12:30 p.m.
JACKSON Catholic Charities’ Therapeutic Foster Care presents “All you need to know about foster care, Tuesday, Aug. 30, at 6 p.m. at the Brandon Library.
MERIDIAN St. Patrick Parish, Merciful Mufflers meet on Mondays from 2 – 4 p.m. for prayer and fellowship while working together to make scarves for the homeless. No experience or supplies required.
MOUND BAYOU St. Gabriel Mercy Center toy drive  for its Harvest Festival and the Christmas season. Ship toys to 503 MLK Road, Mound Bayou, MS 38762, or bring them to the center. The center needs toys, board games, small electronic games, gadgets, etc. from birth to 15 years of age. Details: 662-741-3255, www.stgabrielmc.org.
TUPELO St. James Parish, new daily Mass schedule  beginning Tuesday, Sept, 6. Mass on Tuesday will be at 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday at 8 a.m. and on Friday at 12:10 p.m. The Sunday schedule is unchanged.
– Bilingual Year of Mercy Mass with Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Thursday, Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m. St. James Church is a pilgrimage sites with a Holy Door.
SHAW St. Francis of Assisi Parish, last summer social, Sunday, Aug. 28, at noon.

Dedication of shrine
GREENWOOD –  Bishop Joseph Kopacz will preside over the dedication and blessing of the shrine of Mary, Mother of the Delta, Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 6 p.m. at the Locus Benedictus Retreat Center. RSVP by Monday, Aug. 29, by calling Father Ted Dorsey, 662-451-7980, or teddorsey@yahoo.com.