Updates

Father Frank Cosgrove marks 60 years of priesthood with love, laughter and legacy

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By Joe Lee
MADISON – Ed Donohoe didn’t fly nearly as far as Father Frank Cosgrove’s family members from Ireland to see the beloved priest celebrate Mass and mark the 60th anniversary of his ordination, an event which took place June 2 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Madison.

But 1,200 miles was a long way for Donohoe to travel, and not an inexpensive trip. Why was it so important for him to join the celebration across the country?

“Because Father Frank was like family,” said Donohoe, a Colorado resident who had just reported for duty at the Meridian Naval Air Station in 2008 when they met. Father Frank, then pastor of St. Patrick Church, would drive half an hour to the base chapel to celebrate Mass. It wasn’t long before he and Donohoe grew close.

MADISON – From left, Deacon John McGregor, Keith Comish, Father Frank Cosgrove, Cathy Comish, and Deacon Denzil Lobo listen to the Mass readings during the 60th anniversary celebration of Father Cosgrove’s ordination to the priesthood at St. Francis in Madison, Monday, June 2, 2025. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

Cosgrove family members, including Father Frank’s brother Eamonn, his sister Ruth, and great nephews who were making their first trip to the U.S., flew over 4,000 miles to take part in the service and enjoy the reception. More than 50 priests from all over the Catholic Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi came to support him, and Catholics from all over Mississippi (and a surprising number of non-Catholics) packed the St. Francis sanctuary.

They heard a homily that drew from his brand-new memoir, “Sir, Do You Know Where You Are Going?” and touched often on unity.

“The celebration means a great deal to me,” said Ralph Eubanks, who has known Father Frank since he was a student at Ole Miss two generations ago, back when Father Frank pastored at St. John Church. “He was devoted to the truth, he called out the sin of racism, and he believes in bringing people together.”

“He married my parents (Ed and Cindy Hannan) 48 years ago,” said St. Francis parishioner Anabeth Hannan Duncan. “He baptized me 31 years ago and married me three years ago. We have Christmas Eve with him every single year. When I think of God, I see Father Frank, imagining him a few feet taller.”

“Father Frank and I go back to 1969, when he was associate pastor at St. Peter,” said Charlene Bearden. “He made a way for me to have an audience with Pope St. John Paul II in 1987 when he was in New Orleans. This was through the National Black Catholic Leadership. He’s touched so many lives in so many ways.”

ROME – Father Frank Cosgrove, right, stands with now-Deacon Denzil Lobo on the rooftop of the Pontifical North American College in 2002. Lobo and his wife, Gina, surprised Cosgrove with a visit while he was on sabbatical in Rome. Both attended Cosgrove’s 60th ordination anniversary celebration where they reminisced about the special trip. (Photo courtesy Gina Lobo)

“I’ve known him since I was a teenager when he was our parish priest at Ole Miss,” said Mary Johnson Coyle. “I’ve stayed friends with him my entire adult life. You wanted to be a better Catholic around him. He’s a lovely, great man who brings everyone together.”

“My husband John and I were charter members at St. Francis,” said Mary Kraft. “Father Frank has been wonderful to our family. Our daughter and another little girl started CYO at St. Francis under him. He asked us to be eucharistic ministers, but I told him we would like to be altar servers, and we were the first adult altar servers.”

At the reception in the St. Francis family life center, Father Frank made time for everyone who wanted a hug, a selfie, or a minute or two to say thanks. The celebration lasted well into the night. Father Frank, now in his mid-eighties and slowed by Parkinson’s, was still on his feet with a big smile on his face.

The memoir was a huge hit, selling almost 200 copies at the event. It’s available for $20 while supplies last at parish offices at St. Patrick in Meridian, St. John in Oxford, St. Paul in Flowood, and St. Francis of Assisi in Madison.

Click here to view more photos

(Joe Lee is the Editor-in-Chief of Dogwood Press, and member of St. Francis of Assisi, Madison.)

Father Cosgrove is pictured with his new memoir – “Sir, Do You Know Where You Are Going? An Irishman’s Mission to America.”
Father Cosgrove receives a huge hug from Anabeth Hannan Duncan at his 60th anniversary celebration.
Mary Kraft poses for a photo with her one time pastor Father Cosgrove.
Father Frank Cosgrove receives the gifts during his 60th ordination anniversary celebration from his Irish family: Eamonn McGauran, left, and wine from his brother, Eamonn Cosgrove. (Photos by Tereza Ma) See more photos at jacksondiocese.zenfoliosite.com.

CSA feature: Prison Ministry

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At a place often defined by steel bars and silence, a different kind of transformation is taking place – one built on hope, faith and the enduring light of Christ. Michael Shaw, an inmate and the first officially recognized “Catholic Minister” within his facility, is helping lead that transformation through his involvement in Prison Ministry alongside Father Lincoln Dall.

“I began attending Mass with Father Lincoln back in 2017,” Shaw recalled. “At the time, we were lucky to be allowed to attend twice a month. The calendar often changed due to guard shortages, but for us, that calendar was a flicker of flame leading us out of the darkness – if only for an hour a week. What an incredible hour that was. Through our darkness shines the light of the Lord.”

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought an even deeper understanding of what faith and community meant to Shaw and his fellow inmates. “When we were not able to have Mass, I truly understood the gravity of that darkness,” he said. “Jesus is the only light we have inside these cold and desolate walls, and Father Lincoln was the lightbulb for the true light of Jesus.”

“I no longer just attend Mass,” he shared. “We are now an official church. That title – St. Michael – means the world to us.”

Michael Shaw, the first officially recognized “Catholic Minister” at his correctional facility, stands with his mother in this undated photo. Shaw leads a growing Prison Ministry rooted in faith, healing and the light of Christ – made possible in part through generous support of the CSA. (Photo courtesy of Michael Shaw)

Shaw’s ministry extends far beyond his own personal faith journey. He has mentored dozens of men through RCIA, confirmation and baptism – earning the affectionate title of “Godfather” to many. “I often receive random notes and letters thanking me for what I’ve done,” he said. “These men have become my strength. Prison Ministry has given me a chance to help others, and that has been a gift.”

The Catholic Service Appeal (CSA) has played a vital role in supporting Shaw’s mission. Its donors help fund the programs that make these spiritual transformations possible. Shaw offered both his gratitude and a heartfelt plea.

“To those who have given to the Catholic Service Appeal – thank you,” he said. “You have played a massive role in actively changing the lives and hearts of so many men. Because of your support, we now have over 500 men participating in Catholic-based programs. You’ve helped create opportunities for lost men to feel the love of Christ – and feel found again.”

With continued support, Shaw hopes to reach even more men with the message of hope and healing.
“Thank you for the opportunity you’ve given us,” he added. “And to anyone considering giving to the CSA – know that your gift truly brings the light of Christ into the darkest of places.”

Click here to DONATE to the CSA in support of Prison Ministry

Bishop Gerow’s memories shed light on Roman seminary

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From the Archives
By Mary Woodward
While I was in the diocesan archive vault a few days ago searching for an original copy of an agreement established with one of the religious orders serving in our diocese, I came across another historical document of great interest.

The archive vault is a small room on the ground level of our chancery building. It houses most of the permanent and historic paper records of our diocese. Inside the vault is a floor safe that holds these original contracts and agreements mentioned above along with the papal bulls of appointments of our bishops and their wills.

Bishop Richard Gerow is pictured in his seminarian days at the North American College in Rome.

In the safe I found the document for which I was looking, but I also discovered Bishop Richard Gerow’s (1924-1966) ordination certificate from June 5, 1909. It is a large parchment with all the information from that Saturday in June 116 years ago. He was ordained at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome by Pietro Cardinal Respighi, whom the certificate identifies as the Vicar General of the Diocese of Rome.

Bishop Gerow studied at the North American College in Rome. In his recollections about his early years, he talks about coming home to Mobile in 1904 after graduating from St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Discerning God’s call for him, he approached his bishop and spiritual father, Edward Patrick Allen, about entering the seminary.

In the recollection, Bishop Gerow states he was expecting to be sent back to “the Mount” as they called St. Mary’s, but Bishop Allen had other plans. The good bishop told young Richard he would be going to Rome to complete his seminary training.

The North American College (NAC) was founded in 1859 as a place for seminarians from the United States. At that time [and now] Rome housed seminaries from countries all over the world. One could identify the seminary by the uniform of the student. Bishop Gerow describes the NAC uniform as a black double-breasted cassock with blue buttons and blue piping off center down the right.

The idea for the NAC came from the U.S. bishops of the 1850s. They wanted to establish a seminary in Rome where students could experience all that the Eternal City had to offer – history, art, churches, spirituality, and opportunities to learn about the church from countries around the world.

The bishops approached the pope of that time, Blessed Pope Pius IX, with the idea and pledged to provide support and funding from all over the U.S. Blessed Pius agreed and procured a stately building for the endeavor in the center of Rome on the Via dell’Umilitá. Bishop William Henry Elder, our bishop in 1859, was able to raise almost $2,500 for the establishment of the seminary, which was not a small sum of money in those days.

So, 45 years later, young Richard Gerow found himself on a ship to Rome to begin his journey to the priesthood. In those days when a young man went off to the NAC, he most likely would not come home until his studies were completed. So off he went for five years. After eight days at sea, he first landed in Ireland, the birthplace of his mother, where he spent several days touring around including kissing the Blarney Stone, before making his way down through the continent to Rome.

He describes arriving at Via dell’Umilitá where he was met and carted off to the summer residence for NAC students at the Ville Santa Catarina outside Rome near Castel Gandolfo. The Villa was purchased by the American bishops in the 1890s to give seminarians a place outside of Rome to rest from their studies, nurture their vocation in quiet prayer, and develop fraternal bonds that would last a lifetime. While at the Villa, Gerow was fitted for his NAC “uniform.” He received a hand-me-down cassock for daily use and the tailor fitted him for a new cassock to wear on special occasions.

“Alfredo, the shoemaker, was called to take my measure for a pair of shoes such as were worn by students in Rome,” Gerow writes in his reminiscence.

Pictured is Bishop Richard Gerow’s ordination certificate from June 5, 1909. The document can be found in the diocesan archives among other historical documents and photos. (Photos courtesy of archives)

After his 10 days at the Villa, Gerow and the other NAC seminarians returned to Rome to settle in and begin their studies for the semester. He writes: “Soon the summer vacation at the Villa came to an end and the student body returned to the city of Rome to be ready for the opening of classes. New camaratas [cohorts] were organized and assigned to their quarters.”

“I was assigned to a camarata composed entirely of new arrivals except for the Prefect in charge and the Beadle, the assistant Prefect. Our Prefect … was Bill Farrell – one of the older seminarians who was to be to us as a father of the family. Our Beadle … was John Hardeman of Tennessee. John knew every nook and corner in Rome.”

Bishop Gerow’s story gets more and more fascinating so I will end here and pick up with more next time. Ci vediamo dopo …

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

The Spirit speaks: From Peter to Pope Leo XIV

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By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
On the first Pentecost Sunday, the Holy Spirit raised up Peter and the 11 apostles from the midst of the other disciples including the Blessed Mother – all who were ablaze with the fire of God’s love.
From the heart of the Church of the New Covenant Peter addressed the crowds assembled in Jerusalem with the first proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen.

Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.

Nearly 2,000 years later on a far different stage, the successor of Peter – Pope Leo XIV, raised up by the Holy Spirit from the heart of the church and surrounded by many successors of the apostles, his brother cardinals and bishops, addressed the crowds not only assembled in Rome, but also the hundreds of millions throughout the world with the words of the crucified and risen Lord. “Peace be with you.”

What other Head of State has such a hope-filled impact at the outset of their public office?

The next morning in the Sistine Chapel – where the Holy Spirit led cardinals had elected Leo XIV – the day-old Holy Father celebrated Mass and shared his initial reflections on his vision for the church, the Body of Christ. It is often out of sync with the enigma of the world’s resistance to the Good News, while at the same time straining under the weight of the irrepressible yearning for what the world cannot give.

Pope Leo preached the following in his first homily: “In a particular way, God has called me by your election to succeed the Prince of the Apostles, and has entrusted this treasure to me so that, with his help, I may be its faithful administrator (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:2) for the sake of the entire mystical Body of the Church. He has done so in order that she may be ever more fully a city set on a hill (cf. Revelation 21:10), an ark of salvation sailing through the waters of history and a beacon that illumines the dark nights of this world.

“And this, not so much through the magnificence of her structures or the grandeur of her buildings – like the monuments among which we find ourselves – but rather through the holiness of her members. For we are the people whom God has chosen as his own, so that we may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (cf. 1 Peter 2:9)

Indeed, all of the baptized who are temples of the Holy Spirit, brothers and sister of the Lord Jesus, and children of God share in this mission.

Gazing soberly upon the world that he has profoundly loved, Pope Leo XIV further reflected: “There are contexts where it is not easy to preach the Gospel and bear witness to its truth, where believers are mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied. Yet, precisely for this reason, they are the places where our missionary outreach is desperately needed. A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society.”

Pope Leo’s words resonated throughout the Sistine Chapel on that first morning and will continue to echo in the church and in the world during his papacy. They are caught up in the spirit of this wonderful Jubilee Year of Hope – a hope that does not disappoint because “the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 5:5)

At Pentecost and always, Pope Leo reminds us that “the more we let ourselves be convinced and transformed by the Gospel, allowing the power of the Spirit to purify our heart, to make our words straightforward, our desires honest and clear, and our actions generous – the more capable we are of proclaiming and living its message.”

May the Holy Spirit continue to surprise the church and the world with the hope and peace that the world cannot give.

Called by Name

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All of our seminarians have begun their summer assignments. It is always exciting to see our guys get to be in parishes and I know how much parishioners from these parishes enjoy getting to know our men. Our seminarians look forward to their summer assignments each year because they get to come out of the classroom and serve the people that they are called to serve!

This year Will Foggo and Francisco Maldonado will have a unique experience as they are assigned together at St. Elizabeth in Clarksdale. You may know that the rectory at St. Elizabeth is quite large, and so I wanted to give those two an opportunity to serve together and I am grateful to Father Raju Macherla for being willing to supervise two men. Grayson Foley is with Father Mark Shoffner in Oxford; Joshua Statham is with Father Rusty Vincent in Vicksburg; and Joe Pearson will be with Father Kent Bowlds in Cleveland after he completes the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha, Nebraska in early July. EJ Martin and Wilson Locke are in Mexico for the summer studying Spanish.

Before the summer Father Tristan Stovall and I met with all the pastors who will be serving as supervisors to help them prepare. It is important that our guys are guided through the summer as these assignments really help them discern whether they are called to serve as priests in our diocese. I try to give them varied experiences so they can understand what it will be like if they are called to serve in a suburban parish in the Jackson metro, in a country parish in the Delta, or in a college town.

I also have some exciting information about an upcoming ordination. Will Foggo will be ordained to the transitional diaconate on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Jackson. Please save the date and join us! The Egg Bowl, gratefully, is on Friday, Nov. 28, so please enjoy your time over Thanksgiving with your family and watch some good football, then come to pray for Will and support him that Saturday morning. Will’s priestly ordination will be on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral.

The reason that Will’s ordinations are close together is because the recommendations of the U.S. Bishops recently changed with regard to when men should be ordained to the diaconate. It was suggested that dioceses wait until the candidate is completely done with their academic work so that they can be in the diocese full-time as a deacon. Will’s class was the second class to experience this trial, but after this year we are all reverting back to the old schedule, so he’s getting a unique experience for sure! I am very excited for Will, and I know that he will be a great asset to whichever parishes he gets assigned to.

Thus far we will have three new seminarians joining the fold this August. There are still a couple of applications in process, so I’ll keep you all updated as we go along. Thank you for your prayers and support for our program, they are working! Thanks to all who have given to our Spring Vocations Appeal which is really helping us continue to accompany any young man who is open to a call to the seminary.

Father Nick Adam, vocation director

(For more information on vocations, visit jacksonvocations.com or contact Father Nick at nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org.)

Remember Christ’s compassion, show compassion to others, pope says

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By Cindy Wooden
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Being religious does not automatically mean someone is compassionate, and yet for a Christian compassion is a clear sign of following Christ, Pope Leo XIV said.

“Before being a religious matter, compassion is a question of humanity! Before being believers, we are called to be human,” the pope said May 28 as he held his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square.
At the end of the audience, Pope Leo again pleaded for peace in Gaza and in Ukraine.

“From the Gaza Strip there rises to heaven ever more intensely the cry of mothers and fathers who, clutching the lifeless bodies of their children, are continually forced to move in search of some food and safer shelter from the shelling,” the pope said. “To the leaders, I renew my appeal: Cease firing; free all the hostages; fully respect humanitarian law.”

And after days of Russia increasing its attacks on Ukraine, killing civilians and destroying infrastructure, the pope assured the Ukrainian people of his “closeness and my prayers for all the victims, especially the children and families.”

Pope Leo XIV smiles as he talks to visitors during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican May 28, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

“I strongly renew my appeal to stop the war and support every initiative of dialogue and peace,” he said. “I ask everyone to join in prayers for peace in Ukraine and wherever people suffer because of war.”

The pope’s main talk at the audience focused on the Gospel parable of the good Samaritan, a story the pope said offered important lessons for Christians but also was a source of hope.

“The lack of hope, at times, is due to the fact that we fixate on a certain rigid and closed way of seeing things, and the parables help us to look at them from another point of view,” Pope Leo said.

The parable of the good Samaritan is an obvious lesson in being compassionate and recognizing all men and women as neighbors, he said. But it also says something about the compassion of Jesus.

“We can also see ourselves in the man who fell into the hands of robbers, for we have all experienced the difficulties of life and the pain brought about by sin,” he said in his English summary. “In our frailty, we discover that Christ himself is the Good Samaritan who heals our wounds and restores our hope.”

“Let us turn, then, to the Sacred Heart, model of true humanity, and ask him to make our heart ever more like his,” the pope said.

The wounded man on the side of the road “represents each one of us,” he said, and remembering “all the times that Jesus stopped to take care of us will make us more capable of compassion.”

Being compassionate, he said, is not just a feeling; it means taking action.

“If you want to help someone, you cannot think of keeping your distance, you have to get involved, get dirty, perhaps be contaminated,” the pope said, noting that in the parable, the good Samaritan cleans and bandages the man’s wounds and takes him to safety.

Scrutinizing our motives

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IN EXILE
By Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI
The main character in T.S. Eliot’s play “Murder in the Cathedral” is Thomas Becket, a bishop, who from every outward appearance is saint. He is scrupulously honest, generous to a fault and a defender of the faith who dies as a martyr. Yet, at a certain point in his life, prior to his martyrdom, he recognizes that he might not be distinguishing between temptation and grace.
Many of us are familiar with how he famously expressed this:

The last temptation is the greatest treason:
To do the right deed for the wrong reason. …
For those who serve the greater cause
May make the cause serve them.

What’s the temptation here that can look like grace?

Simply put, we can be doing a lot of good for the wrong reasons. Moreover, this can be enormously subtle; not least in those of us who serve the greater cause, because, as T.S. Eliot points out, it is easy to make the cause serve us.

How can we make the cause serve us? How can we be doing good for the wrong reasons?
Here’s an example: I can be doing a lot of good things that help others and serve God’s purpose here on earth. I can be generous to the point of martyrdom. However, what if I am doing this (serving the greater cause) mainly because it makes me look good, makes me feel moral and righteous, draws respect, earns me praise and admiration, and will leave behind me a good name?

Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI

These questions probe the difference between temptation and grace. I can be doing the right things and, while not doing them for a bad reason, I can still, for the most part, be doing them for myself. I can be making the cause serve me more so than I am serving the cause.

The late Jesuit Michael J. Buckley (one of the major spiritual mentors in my life) pushes us to make a painful examination of conscience on this. Am I doing things to serve God and others or am I doing them to make myself look and feel good?

In his book “What Do You Seek? The Questions of Jesus as Challenge and Promise,” Buckley writes this: “For, in a thousand ways, those who serve the greater cause may make the cause serve them. This can be enormously subtle. Sometimes a nuance at the initial formulation of an action or of a life can work the unexpected twist, the unrealized but profound reorientation so that zeal masks a hidden but vicious ambition; it is hidden because ambition and zeal, however profoundly contradictory, can look initially so much alike. The desire to get something achieved can mix the intrinsic worth of a project with the reflected glory of the accomplishment.”

As a priest, in ministry for more than fifty years, I find this a particularly challenging prism through which to examine myself and my fifty plus years of ministry. How much have I served the greater cause and how much have I, blind to self, made it serve me? Who is the bigger winner here: God and the church or me and my good name?

Granted, motivation is tricky to discern, and this side of eternity is rarely pure. We are a bundle of mixed motivations, some which serve others and some which serve ourselves; and, as Buckley astutely points out, initially they can look very much alike. Moreover, certain sayings of Jesus seem to suggest that sometimes explicit motivation is less important than actually doing the right thing.

For example, Jesus says that it is not necessarily those who say Lord, Lord who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but it is those who in fact do the will of the Father on earth who will enter the kingdom. (Matthew 7:21) As well, in teaching that we will ultimately be judged on the basis of how we treated the poor (whatsoever you do to the poor, you do to me), notice that neither group, those who did it right and those who did it wrong, knew explicitly what they were doing. They were rewarded or punished solely on the basis of their actions. (Matthew 25)

So, can we be doing the right things for the wrong reasons? And, indeed, if we are doing them for less than purely altruistic reasons (approval, respect, a good name, good feelings about ourselves) how bad is this? Does it denigrate or destroy the good we are doing? Is the desire for respect, a good name, and good feelings about ourselves genuinely at odds with altruism? Might the two befriend each other? Is God judging us more by our motivation than by our actions?

Am I serving the greater cause or am I having it serve me? That is a critical question for self-reflection. Why? Because it is easy to be blind to our own hypocrisy, even as it is just as easy to be too hard on ourselves.

(Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser is a theologian, teacher and award-winning author. He can be contacted through his website www.ronrolheiser.com.)

Supreme Court rules in favor of Wisconsin Catholic agency over religious exemption

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By Kate Scanlon
(OSV News) — The U.S. Supreme Court on June 5 unanimously ruled in favor of the Catholic Charities Bureau of the Diocese of Superior, Wisconsin, which had asked the high court to overturn a decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court the agency argued discounted its religious identity.

The group previously appealed a ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court that Catholic Charities is not exempt from paying into the state’s unemployment insurance system because its operations aren’t primarily religious under the definition in the statute requiring certain employers to do so.

Wisconsin law states religious employers in the Badger State are eligible for an exemption from paying into its unemployment benefit program if they operate primarily for religious purposes. The state argued, however, that the Catholic Charities Bureau does not meet that standard since it employs non-Catholics and does not make its service to the less fortunate contingent on Catholic religious practice, and the Wisconsin Supreme Court previously sided with the state, drawing a distinction between its mission or purpose and its “activities.”

However, in an opinion written by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously found the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s ruling violated the First Amendment by creating a preference for some religious practices over others.

“It is fundamental to our constitutional order that the government maintain ‘neutrality between religion and religion,’” Sotomayor wrote, quoting previous Supreme Court precedent in Epperson v. Arkansas. “There may be hard calls to make in policing that rule, but this is not one.”

At oral arguments in the case in March, the justices appeared to note that the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s interpretation of the law would appear to favor religions that would limit their hiring or services to co-religionists.

Justice Elena Kagan said at that time that it might be a “matter of religious doctrine” that some religions “don’t require people to say the Lord’s Prayer with us before we give them soup.”

“I thought it was pretty fundamental that we don’t treat some religions better than other religions, and we certainly don’t do it based on the content of the religious doctrine that those religions preach,” she said.

Bishop James P. Powers of Superior celebrated the ruling in a statement.

“At the heart of Catholic Charities’ ministry is Christ’s call to care for the least of our brothers and sisters, without condition and without exception,” Bishop Powers said. “We’re grateful the Court unanimously recognized that improving the human condition by serving the poor is part of our religious exercise and has allowed us to continue serving those in need throughout our diocese and beyond.”

Eric Rassbach, vice president and senior counsel at Becket, a religious liberty law firm that represented the Catholic Charities bureau, said, “Wisconsin shouldn’t have picked this fight in the first place.”

“It was always absurd to claim that Catholic Charities wasn’t religious because it helps everyone, no matter their religion,” Rassbach said. “Today, the Court resoundingly reaffirmed a fundamental truth of our constitutional order: the First Amendment protects all religious beliefs, not just those the government favors.”

(Kate Scanlon is a national reporter for OSV News covering Washington. Follow her on X @kgscanlon.)

Parish scholars shine: Honoring our Valedictorians and Salutatorians

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Editor’s note: As another school year comes to a close, we offer our heartfelt congratulations to the graduates of the Class of 2025. Whether you are stepping into college, a career, or new adventures, know that your parish community is proud of your achievements and prays for your continued growth in wisdom, faith and service. May the foundation you’ve built carry you confidently into the future. Well done, graduates!

BAYOU ACADEMY

VALEDICTORIAN:
AVA COSUE
GPA: 4.483 – ACT: 30

From her speech: As I look out at my classmates tonight, I don’t just see graduates.
I see God’s handiwork. Each person designed for a special purpose that they don’t even know about yet.
I see athletes, future doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, entrepreneurs, artists and leaders. I see people who will go out and change lives – not because of who they are on their own, but because of who they are in Christ. And I’m so proud to have been able to know each and every one of them.

Church: Our Lady of Victories, Cleveland

Favorite service project: My favorite service project has been the “Tutus and Dancing Shoes” project that the seniors of Leslie’s Dance Company came up with and executed. The seven of us did a donation drive for old dance costumes and shoes, and afterwards, we donated them to the Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland. Not only did we make a donation, but we also spent time with them by hosting a dance class. This has been my favorite service project because it felt so heartwarming to see my old dance shoes – objects that held the memories of my growing love for dance – be repurposed and passed down to younger girls. I not only got to help foster the love for this art for girls who had never gotten to experience it, but most importantly, I got to make them feel special. Dance, choreographing, kids and teaching are all things I love, and this service project perfectly encompassed them all.

Plans to attend: University of Mississippi

Plans to study: Double major in Biology and Psychology (Pre-Med Track)

Awards/honors: Faculty Scholar Award; 4-year Math Award; 4-year English Award; 4-year Science Award; 4-year History Award; Hall of Fame; Kossman Outstanding Junior Award; Dr. James Robinson Award; Dr. Granville Scholarship; Chamber of Commerce Finalist Award; Exchange Club Student of the Month Award; Junior Auxiliary Scholarship; Forever Colt Award; MAIS All-Star Cross Country Runner; Outstanding Senior Leadership Cross Country Award; 2x All-American Cheerleader; Rookie of the Year Cheer Award; Most Dedicated Cheer Award; 2x Lead Soloist in local production of The Nutcracker; “Step-Up” Dance Award; 11x Highest Average Award in different subjects; Eminent Scholar; and Delta Honor Graduate

Activities: Community Service Club (president); Future Medical Professionals Club (vice president); Leslie’s Dance Company (captain of Elite Troupe); Fellowship of Christian Athletes (devotion leader); Internship with nonprofit organization (The RISE League); Bayou Academy Ambassador; Catholic Youth Organization; Cross Country Team; Cheerleading Squad; National Honors Society; Mu Alpha Theta; Mock Trial Team; Decorating Committee; Finance Club; Cleveland Cotillion Club; ACT 25 and Above Club; and Bolivar County Relay for Life Team

Favorite subject: Science

CLEVELAND CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

VALEDICTORIAN:
RACHEL TIBBS
GPA: 4.0 – ACT: 35

From her speech: Another piece of advice I want to give you all comes from my Dad. Whenever I’m having a particularly bad day, he always leaves me with these words: “let the rough edge drag.” I never really understood exactly what he meant by this, but I always interpreted it as to simply go on about your life, and the difficulties of your journeys will pass on.

Let your hardships run their course, and don’t spend all your time dwelling on them. Live your life day by day, and everything will come together in the end, as Romans 8:28 reads: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”

Church: Our Lady of Victories, Cleveland

Favorite service project: My favorite service project is Teddy Bear Tea with the Cleveland Junior Auxiliary. I loved being able to interact with all the kids and help make their Christmas special.

Plans to attend: University of Mississippi

Plans to study: Business and then advance to dental school

Awards/honors: Valedictorian; and Star Student

Activities: Working at La Michoacana; Beta Club; National Honor Society; and Mu Alpha Theta

Favorite subject: Math

Happy Ordination Anniversary – Thank you for answering the call!

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June 11
Msgr. Patrick Farrell
Retired

Father Thomas Lalor
Retired

June 12
Father Kent Bowlds
Our Lady of Victories, Cleveland

Father Frank Cosgrove
Retired

Father Gerry Hurley
St. Paul, Flowood

June 13
Father Mike O’Brien
Retired

Father Mario Solorzano
St. James the Less, Corinth


June 14
Msgr. Mike Flannery
Retired

Father Tom McGing
Retired

Father David O’Connor
Retired

June 15
Father David Szatkowski, SCJ
Catholic Parishes of Northwest MS

June 16
Father Jeffrey Waldrep
Annunciation, Columbus

June 18
Father Anthony Quyet
Retired

June 26
Deacon David Gruseck
Annunciation, Columbus

June 27
Father Andrew Nguyen
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Greenwood

Father Cesar Sanchez
St. Jude, Pearl

Father Marco Sanchez, ST
St. Anne, Carthage & St. Therese, Kosciusko

June 28
Father Stephen Okojie
St. Stephen Magee & St. Therese Jackson

July 16
Deacon Mark Bowden
St. Jude, Pearl

Deacon Dien Hoang
Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson

Deacon Wesley Lindsay
Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson

Deacon John Pham
St. Michael, Forest

Deacon David Rouch
St. Michael, Vicksburg

Deacon Tony Schmidt
St. Paul, Flowood

August 5
Msgr. Elvin Sunds
Retired

August 14
Father AnthonyClaret Onyeocha
St. Joseph, Woodville & Holy Family, Gloster