Monthly Archives: May 2014

Educators attend convention

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PITTSBURGH – Educators from Catholic schools across America browse the vendor area at the NCEA convention in April. (CNS photo/Chuck Fazio, courtesy NCEA)

By John Franko
PITTSBURGH (CNS) – The new evangelization is not a new Gospel, but refocuses the faithful on the good news of Jesus and involves the renewal of faith and the willingness to share it, Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington told the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA).

“We bring a fuller vision,” Cardinal Wuerl said of the Catholic faith during his keynote address at NCEA’s annual convention. “We need to admit that and be proud of it.”
Hosted by the Diocese of Pittsburgh in partnership with the NCEA, Catholic Library Association and the National Association of Parish and Catechetical Directors, the convention drew about 6,000 participants during its April 22-24 run at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, including four representatives from the Diocese of Jackson.

Karla Luke, operations and support services coordinator for the Office of Education in the diocese, said the conference was a wonderful opportunity.
“The sessions I attended included Joy in the Vocation of the Educator, which focused on the demands of teaching and how to bring joy to our vocations by contemplating Christ,” she said. “I also attended two sessions on Advancing the National Standards for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools. There was robust discussion among school administrators, teachers and diocesan administrators using self-assessment as a means to school improvement and strategic planning,” Luke added.

As a bonus, the conference introduced a smartphone app allowing attendees to bring resources and some presentations to their home dioceses.
Cardinal Wuerl, a native son and former bishop of Pittsburgh, presented his remarks in light of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, “The Joy of the Gospel” (“Evangelii Gaudium”) and the pontiff’s call for a new evangelization within the church and around the world. In the exhortation, the cardinal noted, the pope invites people to focus on the blessing that is the love of God in their lives.

“His energy is a bright ray breaking through the secular darkness,” Cardinal Wuerl added. While the church is the home of the new evangelization, he said, Catholic education is an instrument of it.

The cardinal explained that it can involve “ordinary” areas of evangelization, something as simple as teaching a child the sign of the cross and that it can focus on outreach to those who have fallen away from the church.

“The church brings to our world today an invitation to faith, an encounter with the Lord Jesus and a whole way of living,” he said. But the secular world is often overwhelming, Cardinal Wuerl noted, and many markers of the faith have been taken away. He expressed concern that secularism has also diminished appreciation of the faith.

Passing on the faith highlights the importance of Catholic schools and religious education programs, he said, explaining that if the new evangelization is to be successful, children must be firmly grounded in an authentic faith. Only then will children be able to live their faith and daily existence with Christ, he added.

Expressing his belief that Catholic education must present a real vision of what it means to be created in the image and likeness of God, Cardinal Wuerl said the authentic proclamation of Christ begins with a clear declaration of who God is. The faithful, he noted, must understand how essential the church is in their lives. The work of building the kingdom as just the beginning, he said.

Cardinal Wuerl said that evangelization involves the work of disciples who share the good news. It involves a bold new courage, a connectedness to the church and a sense of urgency that reminds people it is their time to pass on the message of Jesus.
“Our message should be one that inspires people to follow us,” he said.
(Franko is a staff writer for the Pittsburgh Catholic Review, newspaper of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.)Maureen Smith contributed to this article)

‘Jesus feeds’ Hernando

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051614hernando

HERNANDO – Earlier in May, members from all over the Hernando community gathered at First Presbyterian Church for the “Jesus Feeds” food-packaging event. First Presbyterian Church Pastor Chip Hatcher coordinated this event in conjunction with Outreach Inc. to provide high nutrition, easy-to-prepare meals for families in need. The generosity of the First Presbyterian congregation paid for all of the supplies and Sacred Heart Southern Missions (SHSM) food pantry was the designated recipient. (Photo courtesy of Laura Grisham)

Summer Institute focuses on Pope Francis

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MOBILE – The Department of Theology & Ministry at Spring Hill College will offer an opportunity to learn more about the Jesuit spirituality of Pope Francis during the 2014 Summer Institute of Christian Spirituality.
The Summer Institute is a program designed for adults interested in both academic challenge and spiritual enrichment. This year the event will look at some of the iconic expressions and themes of Pope Francis and ask where they come from.
In Mobile, the event is hosted on the Spring Hill College campus, over the two-week period, June 1-13.  Courses may be taken for graduate or undergraduate credit, or merely for enrichment and enjoyment. Discounted rates are available for those who do not want to earn credit.
In Atlanta, the events are hosted at Ignatius House Retreat Center, and will feature a variety of courses offered either in an intensive weekend or weeklong format. Dates range from June 16-29.This year’s faculty line-up includes Matthew Bagot, a theologian specializing in moral topics; Matthew Baugh, SJ, a Jesuit scholastic with degrees in law and political science; Timothy Carmody, a biblical scholar and author; Father Mark Lewis, SJ, the provincial of the New Orleans Province of Jesuits, Rev. Jayme Stayer, an English professor specializing in poetry visiting from John Carroll University, and Father Christopher Viscardi, SJ, chair of the department of theology at Spring Hill.
In Mobile five- or eight- day silent directed retreats are also available following the Institute June 14-22.
For more information visit www.shc.edu/sics, call, 251-380-4458 or email, theology@shc.edu.

RCIA workshop features rural focus

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By Jeanne Howard
MADISON – “In a culture where ‘bigger is better’ is a way of life, the notion of ‘small is beautiful’ may appear quaint,” begins Msgr. Michael Clay in his book “A Harvest for God.” Father Clay will lead a workshop on the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) for the Diocese of Jackson in June. 051614bookcover

Msgr. Clay continues with an explanation that rural, small town and Southern culture would beg to differ. In our culture people really want to know how you feel and will take time to listen, relationships are central. We don’t befriend someone for utilitarian purposes, but rather because we care deeply about others and life. A sense of belonging is essential to our way of life.

The RCIA is concerned with these same values: relationships with God and his people as well as a sense of belonging. Initiation catechesis should then be relational and conversational, embracing the candidate into a community of faith. This approach is more than religious education, the model most catechists rely on as they accompany these adults on their journey of faith.

Msgr. Clay, a priest of the Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina, will present his workshop on Saturday, June 28,  from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Madison St. Francis of Assisi Parish. This workshop will explore what this initiatory model of formation looks like so that catechists may be better equipped in the formation of future Catholics.
The cost is $25 per person or $20 per person for three or more attending from same parish. To register, contact Fabvienen Taylor, 601-960-8470, Fabvienen.taylor@jacksondiocese.org.

Bishop’s Ball honors couples

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JACKSON – Tickets are still available for the 9th annual Bishop’s Ball to benefit Catholic Charities, Jackson. The ball is set for Friday, June 27, at the Jackson Country Club. The annual tradition features live and silent auctions, dinner, dancing and fellowship as well as an opportunity to honor some outstanding supporters of Catholic Charities.
This year the organization will honor Bishop Joseph Kopacz and welcome him to the diocese. The Good Samaritan Award honorees this year are Alex and Pat Malouf of Greenwood Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and James and Carol Cooper of Jackson Holy Ghost Parish.
The Malouf’s support their church through service on parish and community committees, support of St. Francis of Assisi School, financial and furniture donations to charities and churches alike as well as through their work in the secular business community. Mr. Malouf started a foundation to encourage business development in his area. The Malouf’s will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this year.
The Coopers have been involved in Catholic Charities for more than 30 years, offering service of all kinds to the agency and their parish, Jackson Holy Ghost. Mr. Cooper also serves on a number of diocesan committees. “God has called us to serve and what we do on a regular basis reflects our beliefs and his love for all his people,” Cooper told Catholic Charities. They are two-years shy of their 50th wedding anniversary as well.
Auction items available this year include furniture, art and an all-expense paid trip to Italy, the Holy Land or a European trip including Lourdes, Fatima and Medjugore valued at $6,000.
The Red Hots will provide the dancing music on the ballroom floor. Proceeds from the ball benefit Catholic Charities’ programs.
Sponsorships are also still available for the event. Tickets to the ball are $75 each. Contact Jennifer Kelemen, 601-326-3758, Jennifer.kelemen@catholiccharitiesjackson.org.

Survivors, volunteers honor rape crisis center

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – J. White credits the Rape Crisis Center of Jackson with saving her life. White, a survivor of sexual assault, said she didn’t know where to turn after her attack. Even when she did get a referral to a Catholic Charities’ counselor she hesitated. “The day of my appointment I sat over there on a bench and cried for an hour,” said White, now a volunteer for the Rape Crisis Center. She spoke at the 30th anniversary event for the organization held in Smith Park on Thursday, May 1, in downtown Jackson across from the Catholic Charities office.


“In the first 30 days after my rape, I experienced a despair that I thought I could never recover from. The compassion, patience and care I received from Catholic Charities Rape Crisis Center, restored my faith in humanity and in turn gave me the tools to rediscover my dignity and esteem. It was there that I realized that I was bruised and not broken and through the combination of faith and works, restoration was possible,” White said later.

The center started with a crisis line and 10-15 volunteers. After the celebration Gwen Bouie-Haynes, the director of adult services for Catholic Charities detailed the operation now. “Today, the Center has 35 volunteers a volunteer coordinator, clinical coordinator, court liaison, and director.  The program has formed mall watch programs, self defense classes, speak out, counseling, advocacy court liaison and empowerment groups,” said Bouie-Haynes.

“Some of our services include hospital intervention, crisis, individual and family counseling, support groups and advocacy,” said Nadia Gaynor, clinical coordinator at the center. “We also provide community education and prevention awareness to the community.  We serve the counties of Hinds, Rankin, Madison, Warren, Simpson, Sharkey, Issaquena and Yazoo,” she added.

She went on to explain that the mission of the center is unique. “This anniversary is significant because we have been the only crisis center in the capital city for the last 30 years providing services to those in need. We help individuals who have been victimized to realize they are not a victim, but survivor. Our goal is to help them regain their sense of power and control over their life and future,” said Gaynor.

At the event Bishop Ronnie Crudup, Sr., pastor at New Horizon Church International detailed the next initiative the agency is launching, called Engaging Men for the Future, which seeks to educate men and boys about respect for women, the roots of violence and what it takes to stop sexual assault.
Court liaison Deborah Alford challenged the crowd to take an active stand against violence. State Senator Hillman Frazier read a proclamation from the legislature congratulating the rape crisis center. Bouie-Haynes, director, thanked the staff and volunteers for their many years of service while volunteers distributed teal balloons to the crowd and the program closed with a balloon release.

According to Bouie-Haynes, someone is sexually assaulted every two minutes. Girls, aged 14-34 are the most common targets, but men make up about 10 percent of all the cases. The Rape Crisis Center still operates a confidential 24-hour crisis hotline, 601-982-7273.

Tres diáconos serán ordenados al sacerdocio el 31 de mayo

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JACKSON – Los diáconos (izq.-der.) Rusty Vincent, José de Jesús Sánchez y Binh Nguen, serán ordenados al sacerdocio el sábado 31 de mayo a las 10:30 a.m. en la Catedral de San Pedro. (Foto de Maureen Smith.

JACKSON – Tres diáconos, Rusty Vincent, José de Jesús Sánchez, y Binh Nguyen, serán ordenados sacerdotes de la Diócesis de Jackson por el Obispo Joseph Kopacz el sábado 31 de mayo a las 10:30 a.m. en la Catedral de San Pedro.
Este es el primer año en varios que la diócesis ordenará a más de un hombre al sacerdocio. Es también la clase más diversa que se ordenará en decadas. Nguyen es de Vietnam, Sánchez de México y Vincent   de Mississippi.
Los tres jóvenes se han preparado durantes años de estudios en el Seminario San José en St. Benedict, La., y en el Seminario de Notre Dame en New Orleans. Nguyen y Sánchez comenzaron sus estudios en sus países y vinieron a estudiar inglés y filosofía en el seminario San José. Vincent nació en Baton Rouge y luego se mudó a Pearl, Miss.
Durante los veranos de sus años en el seminario sirvieron en diferentes parroquias de la diócesis y recibieron entrenamiento pastoral y también recibieron entrenamiento en el ministerio de hospitales.
El día después de la ordenación, 1 de junio, los tres nuevos sacerdotes celebrarán su primera misa. Sánchez la celebrará en la Iglesia Santa María en Jackson a las 11 a.m. y luego ofrecerán una recepción en la Iglesia Cristo Rey, .
Una vez ordenados, los sacerdotes serán asignados como pastores asociados en parroquias donde obtendrán una valiosa experiencia de los sacerdotes mentores. Este período del sacerdocio dura usualmente unos pocos años y luego serán nombrados pastores de una parroquia de la diócesis.
En la edición del 13 de junio Mississippi Catholic y su edición en español serán dedicadas a esta ordenación.
El Obispo Kopacz invita a todos los fieles a participar en la ordenación a través de la oración y si es posible con su presencia en la misa.

Dos santos proclamados en histórica misa

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ROMA – Fieles sostienen un banner que muestra a los nuevos santos, Juan Pablo II y Juan XXIII y a Jesús el 28 de abril durante la misa de acción de gracias por la canonización de los nuevos santos en la Plaza de San Pedro en el Vaticano. (CNS foto de Paul Haring)

CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) – Durante la canonización de los dos recientes papas el pasado 27 de abril, el Papa Francisco elogió a los nuevos Santos, Juan XXIII y Juan Pablo II, como hombres de coraje y misericordia, que respondieron a los desafíos de su tiempo   modernizando a la Iglesia Católica en fidelidad a sus tradiciones ancestrales.
“Ellos fueron sacerdotes, obispos y papas del siglo 20,” dijo el papa en su homilía durante la Santa Misa en la Plaza de San Pedro. “Vivieron a través de los trágicos acontecimientos del siglo, pero no fueron abrumados por ellos. Para ellos, Dios era más potente”.

“Juan XXIII y Juan Pablo II cooperaron con el Espíritu Santo en la renovación y actualización de la iglesia manteniendo sus características originales, esas características que los santos le ha dado a lo largo de los siglos”, dijo.
Hablando ante una multitud de medio millón que incluía al Papa Benedicto XVI, el Papa Francisco elogió a San Juan por el mas conocido de sus logros, el llamado al Concilio Vaticano Segundo, el cual dijo “mostró una exquisita apertura al Espíritu Santo”.
“Se dejó guiar, y fue para la iglesia un pastor, un siervo-líder”, dijo el papa de San Juan. “Este fue su gran servicio a la iglesia. Me gusta pensar de él como el papa de apertura al Espíritu.”

El Papa Francisco caracterizó a San Juan Pablo como el “papa de la familia ”, un título por el cual el papa había deseado de ser recordado. El Papa Francisco dijo que estaba seguro que San Juan Pablo estaba guiando a la iglesia en su camino a los dos próximos sínodos de los obispos sobre la familia, que se celebrarán en el Vaticano en octubre próximo, y en octubre de 2015.

El papa invocó la ayuda de los dos nuevos santos papas por el éxito de los sínodos y oró, “porque ambos nos enseñen a no escandalizarnos por las heridas de Cristo y a entrar aún más profundamente en el misterio de la misericordia divina,  que siempre espera y siempre perdona,  porque siempre ama.”
El Papa Francisco ha dicho que el programa para los sínodos de la familia  incluirán enseñanzas y práctica de la iglesia sobre el matrimonio, áreas que él ha dicho ejemplifican una particular necesidad de misericordia en la iglesia de hoy.

El papa repetidamente mencionó la misericordia en su homilía, el Domingo de la Divina Misericordia, una observancia que San Juan Pablo puso en el calendario universal de la iglesia en el año 2000. El papa polaco murió en la vigilia de la fiesta en el 2005 y fue beatificado el Domingo de la Divina Misericordia en el año 2011.
El lugar donde se celebró la misa, concelebrada por 150 cardenales y 700 obispos, estaba decorado con 30,000 rosas y otras flores donadas por Ecuador.

Durante la ceremonia de canonización dos devotos llevaron  reliquias de los nuevos santos en relicarios de plata que el Papa Francisco besó antes de que se colocaran en una pequeña mesa para que fueran venerados por   la congregación.
La reliquia de San Juan era un trozo de la piel del difunto papa que fue removido cuando su cuerpo fue trasladado a su actual sepulcro en el santuario principal de la Basílica de San Pedro.
Floribeth Mora Diaz, una mujer costarricense cuya recuperación de un aneurisma cerebral fue reconocida por la iglesia como un milagro atribuido a la intercesión de san Juan Pablo, llevó un relicario de plata que contenía sangre del santo que fue tomada de él como prueba médica poco antes de su muerte en el 2005.

Noventa y tres países enviaron delegaciones oficiales a la misa y más de 30 de las delegaciones estuvieron encabezadas por el presidente o el primer ministro.
La canonización de los dos papas se llevó a cabo debido a las medidas extraordinarias realizadas por sus sucesores para acelerar el proceso. El Papa Benedicto XVI descartó el usual período de espera de cinco años antes del inicio de la causa de canonización de Juan Pablo poco después de su muerte cuando fue llorado por multitudes que gritaban ¡“Santo subito!” (“santo de una vez!”).

En el caso de San Juan, el Papa Francisco renunció al requisito habitual de un segundo milagro antes de que un bendito puede ser añadido al canon de los santos de la iglesia.

Invitación a congreso en Los Angeles

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JACKSON – Son pocas las oportunidades que se nos presentan para asistir a eventos nacionales que nos ayudan a profundizar nuestra vida espiritual y a la vez aumentar nuestros conocimientos en las áreas en las cuales servimos en nuestra comunidad de fe.
Por eso cuando Elizabeth Garibay, de la Parroquia San Miguel en Forest, se enteró del Congreso de Educación Religiosa que se realiza todos los años en Los Angeles, Calif., pensó, “¿Por qué no intentar hacer lo posible por ir?
Durante la clase de la Escuela de Ministerios en Jackson, en la cual está participando, le mencionó al grupo que tan pronto decidió ir al congreso comenzó a planear todo con la Hermana Lourdes González de Forest, quién la apoyó para realizar ventas de comida, de libros, rifas, y otras actividades para juntar el dinero que se necesitaba para sufragar los gastos del viaje y del congreso. Y ella ahora comenta que “valió la pena”.
“Cuando llegamos al congreso quedé impresionada al ver a unos 40 mil católicos reunidos en el centro de convenciones.
“Lo que más me impresiono del congreso fue ver a tantas religiosas, sacerdotes, monjes y personas de la tercera edad, espacios sagrados y un impresionante Vía Crucis del migrante”, explicó.
El congreso también ofrece una  sala de exhibiciones donde se puede adquirir material didáctico para la catequesis de niños y adultos, libros, CDs, DVDs, etc.
Garibay está considerando ir nuevamente al congreso en el 2015. Si alguien está interesado en asistir puede contactarla al 769-274-2707.

Residents face months-long recovery

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By Mary Woodward & Maureen Smith
TUPELO – Rebuilding and recovery efforts are well underway in several Mississippi communities after 23 tornadoes ripped across the state on Monday, April 28. Catholic Charities has set up several ways to give, including a link on its website, a gift registry at Walmart and a special collection at the parishes.


One of the hardest hit communities was Tupelo, where Father Lincoln Dall had a tree for an office mate at St. James Parish, where he serves as pastor. St. James Church along with its parish life center sits on a hill overlooking North Gloster Street where a tornado travelled devastating homes, hotels, restaurants, gas stations and just about anything in its path. The church and center sustained roof damage. All parish facilities were without power for several days.
Elquin González, who helps with Hispanic ministry at St. James lost his business and rode out the storm in his car. He described it as “the most terrible experience of my life.” González was on his way to his business, a gas station and store, when the storm struck. He was trying to get to his wife and three children who were inside.
“I was in my car and the wind pushed me off the road. I was trying to get to my store because my family was still there.  I was 300, maybe 500 feet from the store.
“The wind pushed my car off the road into the hotel parking lot. I put my head down on the passenger seat and pulled the back of the seat down over my head,” he said.
“I remember hearing something like many voices – when many people are angry – like the devil’s voice. Maybe it was many things. All the metal coming down. I saw many things flying, but you could not see more than 5-10 feet and everything was a white color, not really clear,” he said. When the tornado was gone, González said he stood outside his car in the rain for a minute or two in shock before he ran to the store. He could not find his family, who had taken shelter inside the cooler in the store, and thought for a few terrible minutes that everyone had died. When interviewed later in the week of the storm he said his children still don’t want to be far from their parents, but everyone was physically fine.
Although he did not suffer any visible injuries, González said he did not sleep for days after the storm. “Every time I close my eyes it’s like a video (of the storm) plays in my head,” he explained. He also had to be treated for back pain in the days following the storm. Despite his losses, González is thankful. He and his family plan to rebuild, but know it will take time. “The most important thing is your prayers, keep us in your prayers,” he said.
González worried for the Hispanic members of his community so he called the Mexican consulate and the agency sent a representative to Tupelo to help.
“We were set to host a deanery confirmation celebration this Saturday [May 3], but we are postponing that until the end of the month or early June,” said Father Dall.
“Many of our families have lost homes and property and they need to get their lives back together,” Father Dall continued. He remarked that Oxford St. John volunteered to host the confirmation for those in other parts of the deanery who would have come to St. James. About 40 young men and women were confirmed in Oxford.
Fourteen people died in Winston County, mostly in and around Louisville, home to Sacred Heart Parish. Lay Ecclesial Minister Barbara Sturbaum said the church structure is fine, but several parish members lost their homes or suffered major damage. “I was here in the church. I got into a closet and I heard the tornado go by. When it got quiet I got out, but I heard it again so I got back in.” she said. She spent the day following the storm, checking on parishioners and surveying the damage.
Aid agencies reported within hours, including the Red Cross, Salvation Army and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Knights of Columbus and Catholic Charities were there too. As so-called “second responders,” they support and continue the mission of first-responder agencies. Colby Mitchell, a student at Mississippi State in Starkville and a Louisville native, drove home Tuesday to check on family and friends and to volunteer with fellow knights at a volunteer response center, where they interviewed and screened volunteers to help place them in the best spot for their skills.
“I came in from the north and there was already damage, power lines down and debris. It was hard for me to get into town. Then I got to the south side of town and nothing was there anymore,” he described. “I went to find a friend of mine who lost his home to see if I could help and I could not even recognize a street I have passed almost every day.”
Mitchell said he and the knights expect to be on-site for about a month and while he is still stunned at the destruction, he did find hope on one ruined street. “One thing that made me happy was seeing the faith of the community of Louisville. When I went to try and find my friend even though I could not recognize the street, I found a whole group of people together, laughing and literally praising God among the rubble-filled streets,” said Mitchell. The Knights are working with a veteran-led organization called Team Rubicon which allows vets to use their military skills to assist in disaster recovery and cleanup efforts.
Catholic Charities will be operating in Warren, Lee, Issaquena and Rankin Counties for even longer. Monique Davis, director of parish based ministries for Catholic Charities, led one of several teams that went out to survey damage and assess the needs of the community. She said Catholic Charities leaves the immediate need fulfillment to national and federal agencies. Catholic Charities is there for the longer recovery. “We want to make them as whole as they were before the storm,” she explained. The agency has set up a wish list on www.walmart.com or the Catholic Charities facebook page where people can order supplies which will be delivered to a Catholic Charities distribution point. Use “help” as the first name and “ms tornado” as the second name. Catholic Charities Jackson is also accepting donations online at www.catholiccharitiesjackson.org or at its Jackson headquarters at 200 North Congress Street, Jackson, Miss, 39201. Finally, Bishop Joseph Kopacz has authorized a second collection to be taken up any time a parish can include it to benefit the Catholic Charities’ effort.
(Editor’s note: The Tupelo confirmation celebration is now set for June 1, 3 p.m.)