Vocation week starts with pair of breakfast gatherings

By Maureen Smith
JACKSON / OXFORD – To kick off National Vocations Week, two parishes hosted brunches to raise money for seminary education. Oxford St. John Parish hosted the final Seminarian Education Challenge brunch.
Supporters gathered Saturday, Nov. 4, for Mass and brunch where Deacon Aaron Williams shared his vocation journey and thanked attendees for their support.
Proceeds from the Oxford brunch will go towards the Catholic Extension Challenge to raise $100,000 by the end of the year in order to earn a partial matching grant of $25,000.
The following day, St. Richard Parish welcomed Deacon Nick Adam back for the annual Msgr. Glynn Seminarian Brunch. Andrew Nguyen, who is also supported by the parish, attended as well. Deacon Nick thanked the parish for their support. The Knights of Columbus and the vocations committee at St. Richard have hosted this brunch for many years as a way to raise awareness of the need for local vocations and money to support those studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Jackson.
Its not too late to support the Seminarian Education Challenge. The effort is only $18,000 shy of its goal and every gift will count.
Contact Rebecca Harris at 601-960-8477, rebecca.harris@jacksondiocese.org or download the app Givelify to make a donation.

Seminarian Andrew Nugyen, who is supported by St. Richard, listens to the speaker at the Msgr. Glynn brunch.

Deacon Nick Adam chats with attendees before his speech.

Deacon Aaron Williams shares his vocation story at the Seminarian Education Challenge brunch as Bishop Joseph Kopacz and parishioners of St. John the Evangelist parish listen.

Joel Schultz, lay ecclesial minister for Ripley St. Matthew mission laughs as he chats with seminarian César Sánchez Fermín at the brunch at St. John the Evangelist parish on Saturday, Nov. 4. (Photos by Maureen Smith)