Monthly Archives: October 2014

Diocese offers update on effort to canonize Father Tolton

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JACKSON – Brother A. Gerard Jordan, O.Praem, will tell the story of Father Augustus Tolton, one of the first and most influential African American priests, at  St. Mary Parish on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m.
101714toltonFather Tolton was born a slave, but he and his family escaped to freedom and he eventually studied and was ordained in Rome. He founded St. Monica, one of the first black Catholic parishes in Chicago. His pioneering influence had a profound impact on church history.
The Diocese of Chicago is sponsoring a sainthood cause for Father Tolton. Part of that cause is spreading his story and asking for prayers. Brother Jordan is on the team seeking to have Father Tolton canonized.
The Office of Black Catholic Ministry in the Diocese of Jackson is sponsoring this presentation. It is free and open to all. Call Will Jemison, director, for more information, 601-948-8867.

Catholic school identity rooted in joy of gospel

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Forming our future
By Karla Luke
The word “joy,” when considered in a spiritual sense,  is a lasting contentment that is strongly rooted in our faith, God’s grace and inner peace. Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel, is the first apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis written in 2013. It is a practical outline or roadmap to lead the church on the path for a new evangelization. Pope Francis intends for us to purposefully examine our vocation as missionary disciples and more importantly, to embrace that mission with joy.
It is for this reason that our schools have chosen to study The Joy of the Gospel as part of our Annual Catholic Identity Study for the ongoing religious formation of our educators.
Pope Francis is known for his humility and straightforwardness in speaking about the mission of our church. In many of his talks we often hear “encounter, mercy, unity and go forth.” These words govern how we should be in relationship with others. It is through our encounter with others that we are able to encounter Christ. He explains how important it is for our church to seek others as Christ sought us, to show mercy to others as Christ has shown us, to live joyfully in community and to go out and spread the good news of the Gospel to everyone we meet.
Sometimes these concepts stand in direct conflict with what society represents. He calls the Catholic Church to contradict the polarized world view and to represent the true joy of being a follower of Christ. We used Pope Francis’ choice words to develop our four Catholic Identity Units this year: Joy in: Encounter, Joy in Mercy, Joy in Solidarity and Joy in Going Forth.
Joy in Encounter – Every day when we meet others, we encounter the person of Jesus Christ. Whether it is a student, parent, or colleague, we have an opportunity to demonstrate our love for Christ by our interactions with others. We show students that we are not meant to travel this Christian journey alone. We were created to be in community with each other. Sure, we often confront challenges but we cannot let those challenges be obstacles to our salvation. Our Catholic schools are “mini societies” where challenges are faced every day. However they are also ideal communities where we can teach/model love, joy, kindness, acceptance and self-control. We demonstrate daily in our schools, “We love others because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
Joy in Mercy – As God showed mercy to us by sending Jesus His Only Son, we must show mercy to each other. In Matthew 5:7 we are told, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.” Christ, Himself, is telling us to show mercy to one another. Again, in the Pope’s exhortation, he acknowledges there are worldly temptations that may serve as obstacles to our salvation; but he urges us, as the church, to resist those temptations.
We must show mercy and compassion for those who have fallen victim to the economy and unbalanced financial system, to those who are culturally marginalized. The students in our Catholic schools eagerly welcome opportunities to help the poor. Our students from Pre-K through high school, live out the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy.
Solidarity – The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that solidarity is a “direct demand of human brotherhood.” With varying demographics of gender, culture, race, religion and economic status, we must work harder than ever to achieve solidarity.
It is fitting that solidarity is encouraged in our Catholic schools because we are able to learn more from our differences than our similarities. Our need to be unified as one human family is beautifully illustrated in St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians “As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ.” Our church models, by our existence, the beautiful, diverse Body of Christ.
Joy in Going Forth – A memorable quote from Pope Francis is “Jesus teaches us another way: Go out. Go out and share your testimony, go out and interact with your brothers, go out and share, go out and ask. Become the Word in body as well as spirit.” Pope Francis advises us to venture out, not only into our communities, but also past the invisible walls of our own insecurities, prejudices and intolerance. He wants us to find the lasting contentment and peace in being with others for this is how we express our love for God.
“The Joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ, joy is constantly born anew.
When we allow ourselves to encounter Christ in others, show mercy and compassion, be unified with each other and go forth and make disciples of all nations, we insure our salvation and experience a lasting contentment, God’s unfailing grace and inner peace which is true, unending joy!
(Karla Luke is the Coordinator of Operations and Support Services for the Office of Catholic Education in the Jackson Diocese. She will continue this series on the Joy of the Gospel on page 3 in future editions of Mississippi Catholic.)

Catholic Charities seeks new shelter facility

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Catholic Charities Jackson is looking for a new home for its domestic violence shelter. Advocates announced the need during a rally at the Jackson  Medical Mall Wednesday, Oct. 1, to mark the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Bishop Joseph Kopacz led the gathering in prayer. The keynote speaker, Shirley Smith, a survivor-turned-advocate, endured violence at the hands of her husband for 25 years. She has since written a book and helps others see their way out of abusive situations. Smith spoke about the potential to help more women with a new shelter. “When I drive around Jackson, I see empty apartment complexes and abandoned homes. When I see that I visualize serenity homes,” she said.
Other advocates, including the City of Jackson’s new police chief, spoke at the rally about the important role Catholic Charities has played in turning victims into survivors. At the end of the rally, attendees released purple balloons to symbolize freedom from violence.
The current Shelter for Battered Women has eight bedrooms, each of which has two beds and a crib so a woman can bring her baby or children with her. It houses a daycare and has a kitchen where the staff prepares meals. What it lacks, said Gwen Bouie-Haynes, division director for adult services for Catholic Charities, is offices, meeting and counseling spaces.
The operation has been in its current location for 29 years. Bouie-Haynes said they have outgrown the space, plus it is in need of a great number of repairs.
Arteria Puckett is the program manager. She said the shelter is much more than just a place to stay. “We ask that each person, after they get settled, start to look for employment and housing,” she said. “We do case management and assessment for them and we meet two-to-three times a week to check on their progress,” she added. Clients can take advantage of on-site counseling, parenting classes and support group meetings. The daycare helps mothers seek employment. Clients can eat three meals and one snack a day at the shelter and get referrals for necessities such as clothing and groceries.
Puckett said the shelter has very limited storage space so while she can keep a few toiletries she cannot even keep donated clothes on-site. Many women and children have to leave their situation with literally the clothes on their backs and nothing else. Puckett has to send them to another agency to get clothes.
Clients are allowed to stay for 30 days initially. Near the end of that time, a case worker will see where they are in the job and housing search and come up with a longer-term plan for living independently. Even after a family leaves, shelter employees make follow-up appointments to make sure families have access to the resources they need to continue to live free of violence.
Puckett told the story of one woman who was able to go from having no transportation, childcare, job or apartment to being independent in just a little more than a month. A case worker was able to work with a landlord on the deposit and with dedication and a good attitude, the client hopes to continue to turn her life around. The client still uses the daycare and has hope of continuing to turn her life around.
Bouie-Haynes said she would like to expand the program’s services with a new facility. “We would like to partner more with stakeholders, such as law enforcement, have round table discussions, things like that,” she said. The lack of meeting space makes these partnerships and other potential program offerings difficult.
An ideal new shelter would include at least 12 rooms for families as well as rooms for a house manager and overnight weekend staff, a commercial kitchen, daycare facilities including a playground area for children, storage and office space for staff, meeting and conference rooms. It has to be on a bus line, close to employment and retail opportunities and, of course, be a secure facility.
“If we had a facility to offer those components, we really could reach significantly more people in our nine-county service area,” said Bouie-Haynes. They currently serve 250 people a year, 150 of whom are children. The program has some money that could be used for renovating an existing facility and her dream would be that someone would donate a property.
In the meantime, a search and fund raising continues. The shelter can always use volunteers. Bouie-Haynes said they need a nurse to help with intake screenings. People are also welcome to come host birthday or holiday parties for the children who are staying in the shelter.
The daycare can also use volunteers to read to the children. Potential volunteers will have to go through a background check and child protection training. Contact Catholic Charities at 601-355-8634 to volunteer.

Holy Rosary marks 70 years of service ; 130 years of mission

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By Maureen Smith
TUCKER – Almost 150 people, many in native Choctaw attire, packed into Holy Rosary Church to celebrate dual anniversaries on Saturday, Oct. 4. The mission is celebrating 130 years of history while also honoring 70 years of service from the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity. Bishop Joseph Kopacz celebrated the Mass while pastor, Father Bob Goodyear, ST, delivered the homily.
The second reading was in Choctaw as were some of the songs used in the liturgy. Chief Phyllis Anderson of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians attended with this year’s Choctaw Princess, Meshay Jimmie.  A Knights of Columbus honor guard from Meridian and Philadelphia was on hand as well.
Most Choctaw Indians were forced out of Mississippi in the 1830s when the federal government forcibly relocated Native Americans to reservations out west in what became known as the Trail of Tears. Holy Rosary Indian Mission started when the few Choctaw who decided to stay in Mississippi had no rights, no identity and very little hope of surviving as a people. A Dutch priest, Father Bartholomew Bekkers, started buying land in Tucker and offering a place for those Choctaw families to live. Father Bekkers offered each family land, a house, seeds and farm tools, a school for their children and a church where they could worship.
“That was the beginning, the foundation of what is now the Choctaw reservation. The seed of self-determination was planted here on this mission land, in this church,” said Father Goodyear in his homily. Even when the federal government tried to cut off education funds to Indian children, the mission stepped in, offering a Catholic education with no government support.
The reservation now boasts a casino and resort, one of the best schools in the county and a thriving community dedicated to continuing to support native Choctaw culture. The mission also thrives, thanks to support from the current generation of Catholics along with the Missionary Servants. The missionary Servants are an order of priests and brothers founded in Alabama. They first came to Holy Rosary in 1944.
Before Mass ended, Chief Anderson presented two tribal resolutions, one honoring the dedication of the diocese, a second honoring the Missionary Servants. Then, Bea Carson and Sherri Ferguson, members of the tribe presented the bishop with a handmade beaded necklace of the symbol of the Choctaw Indians. Tribe member Gloria White made the medallion using a tradition of ornate beadwork.
After Mass the community offered a potluck dinner featuring local favorites including hominy, fry bread and fried apple pies. After dinner the community had religious bingo, in which the prizes were specific to the Catholic faith, such as rosary beads and images of Mary.
Father Goodyear has served a total of 44 years at the mission, first coming as a young priest. He designed the mission logo, a combination of symbols, a thunderbird to represent the Holy Spirit, a triangle for the Trinity and the Missionary Servants and an arrowhead for the Choctaw.
Father Goodyear spoke of the many changes he has seen during his tenure, but he also spoke of a bright future for the community. “And now Holy Rosary is ours – ours to build, ours to share, ours to pass on to the next generation who will find Christ and receive His Body and Blood in this church; who will come here to find strength and forgiveness, love and support, hope and comfort,” said Father Goodyear.
As a follow up to the celebration, Bishop Kopacz will.lead a mission for Holy Rosary in December.

Bishop installs lectors, acolytes at New Orleans’ seminary

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By Mary Woodward
NEW ORLEANS – On Sunday, Oct. 12, Bishop Joseph Kopacz conferred the ministries of lector and acolyte on 46 young men studying for the priesthood at Notre Dame Seminary. From the Diocese of Jackson, five of our seminarians – Nick Adam, Cesar Sánchez, Mark Shoffner, Adolfo Suarez and Aaron Williams – were installed as lectors.

Bishop Joseph Kopacz blesses seminarians being instituted as acolytes in the chapel at Notre Dame Seminary as part of a joint ceremony instituting lectors and acolytes for young men preparing for priesthood. The seminary asks bishops from dioceses with students at Notre Dame to confer ministries throughout the year. (Photos by Julia Williams)

Bishop Joseph Kopacz blesses seminarians being instituted as acolytes in the chapel at Notre Dame Seminary as part of a joint ceremony instituting lectors and acolytes for young men preparing for priesthood. The seminary asks bishops from dioceses with students at Notre Dame to confer ministries throughout the year. (Photos by Julia Williams)

In “Lumen Gentium,” the dogmatic constitution on the Church from the Second Vatican Council the church fathers write: “For the nurturing and constant growth of the People of God, Christ the Lord instituted in His Church a variety of ministries, which work for the good of the whole body. For those ministers, who are endowed with sacred power, serve their brethren, so that all who are of the People of God, and therefore enjoy a true Christian dignity, working toward a common goal freely and in an orderly way, may arrive at salvation.” (LG#18)
Thus there are several ministries given to those preparing for diaconate and priesthood so that they may be better prepared to carry out their vocation in the church.
The ministry of lector calls men to be servants of the Living Word of God. In proclaiming the readings at liturgy, the reader does more than simply read. Those who exercise the ministry of lector must be truly suited and carefully prepared, so that the faithful may develop a warm and living love for Sacred Scripture from listening to the sacred readings.
Acolytes are appointed to aid the deacon and to minister to the priest. It is his duty to attend to the service of the altar and to assist the deacon and the priest in liturgical celebrations, especially in the celebration of Mass. He may also distribute communion as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion when appropriate.
In parishes throughout the world lay people who serve at the altar and proclaim God’s word are often called lectors and acolytes, but in the technical sense the terms “lector” and “acolyte” are reserved as official ministries for men preparing for the diaconate and priesthood. Though not yet members of the clergy and still considered members of the laity, the church emphasizes the stages of the journey to Holy Orders through these ministries.

Seminarian Jason Johnston of Vicksburg prepares to lead in those who will receive the ministry of lectors. He is set to be ordained a deacon in 2015.

Seminarian Jason Johnston of Vicksburg prepares to lead in those who will receive the ministry of lectors. He is set to be ordained a deacon in 2015.

During the ceremony on Sunday, Father James Wehner, rector of the seminary, announced each candidate and his diocese. When he reached the five seminarians from our diocese he referred to them as being from the “Great Diocese of Jackson.”  Of course this most likely had nothing to do with the fact that the bishop of Jackson was in the room as celebrant.
In his homily, Bishop Kopacz reminisced about his recent trip to Rome for the meeting of newly ordained bishops. He spoke of how at the audience of the more than 130 bishops with the Holy Father, Pope Francis’ face lit up when he saw his new brother bishops from Argentina.
Bishop Kopacz remarked that “seeing the guys from Jackson makes my face light up in the same way because while I am happy for everyone, I am proud to say that these belong to Jackson.” He used this to transition to a discussion of the love a diocese has for its seminarians and how this relationship should teach seminarians to love the church as priests.

Diocesan seminarians (l-r) Aaron Williams, Mark Shoffner and Nick Adam listen to homily as part of the Rite of Instituting Lectors at Notre Dame Seminary on Sunday, Oct. 12.

Diocesan seminarians (l-r) Aaron Williams, Mark Shoffner and Nick Adam listen to homily as part of the Rite of Instituting Lectors at Notre Dame Seminary on Sunday, Oct. 12.

During the homily, a short exhortation on the importance of proclaiming God’s word to the faithful is given to the candidates from the Roman Pontifical.
“You will bring the message of salvation to those who have not  yet received it. Thus with your help men and women will come to know God our Father and his Son Jesus Christ, whom he sent, and so be able to reach eternal life.” (© ICEL 2010).
After the homily, the bishop then offered a prayer of blessing over the candidates and each one came forward to receive the Bible.
The bishop handed them the Sacred Scriptures saying: “Take this book of holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people.” (© ICEL 2010).
The Jackson diocese currently has seven men studying at Notre Dame. In addition to Adam, Sánchez, Shoffner, Suarez and Williams, Jason Johnston and Joseph Lee  are in their final studies and anticipating being ordained transitional deacons in 2015.
Our three other seminarians Andrew Bowden of Pearl St. Jude and Andrew Nguyen and Peter Nguyen both of Vietnam are studying at St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, La. See page 10 for a related story on this seminary.

Artist offers hands-on path to Holy Spirit

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Celeste Zepponi (front, left) guides the 18 women who participated in the art session of a workshop to paint an angel. The focus of the morning session was the Holy Spirit and God’s dreams for us. (Photo by Jessica Sullivan)

Celeste Zepponi (front, left) guides the 18 women who participated in the art session of a workshop to paint an angel. The focus of the morning session was the Holy Spirit and God’s dreams for us. (Photo by Jessica Sullivan)

 

By Elsa Baughman
PEARL – If you are alive, the Lord has work for you to do, says Celeste Zepponi, Clarksdale St. Elizabeth parishioner. And she means it too. According to this housewife, mom, teacher and self-proclaimed ‘little person with no degree in theology,’ “every one of us, every baptized Christian, has been given a specific ministry, natural and spiritual gifts, whether we know it or not, to build up the Body of Christ, by being messengers,” she said recently at a morning retreat at St. Jude Parish.
Zepponi, who is also a retreat speaker, an artist and singer with two recorded Christian albums, shared some of the songs she has written with the participants who attended her spiritual journey workshop.

Before the morning workshop participants glanced at Zepponi’s art which included angels with different themes. Zepponi, a member of Clarksdale St. Elizabeth Parish, offers her workshop in Mississippi, her home, and around the United States. (Photos by Elsa Baughman)

Before the morning workshop participants glanced at Zepponi’s art which included angels with different themes. Zepponi, a member of Clarksdale St. Elizabeth Parish, offers her workshop in Mississippi, her home, and around the United States. (Photos by Elsa Baughman)

The focus of the first of two presentations, “Jesus Waits for You, Holding your Gifts,” emphasized that we can’t do anything except by the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Our prayer is for us, as the body of Christ, to be baptized, drenched, immersed, filled in the Holy Spirit because only then are we able to be messengers of the Good News of Jesus Christ,” she explained.” “Jesus wants us to share our ordinary, every day lives with other people,” she said, adding that the little things are really the important ones, they are the ones we minister about. “We all have Jesus in us and we can bring Jesus to other people.” She said for those who can’t get out, they can be calling people, praying or talking with them.  “If you hear one word or one sentence I give you today that resonates in you and changes or enriches your life, then you know good and well it didn’t come from me, it came to you by the Holy Spirit.
“I wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t believe that so strongly. I feel God has given me the grace to understand that and is what gives me the courage to do this (talk) because otherwise I really don’t have anything to say that could impact your life,” she said.
Zepponi is best known for her angel paintings. Before she started painting angels, Zepponi taught art at an after school program for children. She liked the way the children painted, so freely, so easily, she noted. And she really wanted the talent they have.  One day after class, she asked an eight-year-old to teach her to paint like a child. After asking her age, the boy responded, ‘Miss Zepponi, pretend you are eight-years-old and paint what you want.’

During a break, Zepponi signs one of her paintings for participants, Elena Buno (center) and Riza Caskey.

During a break, Zepponi signs one of her paintings for participants, Elena Buno (center) and Riza Caskey.

“At that moment the Holy Spirit took me out of that room, literally,” she remembers. “I knew in my heart that God talked to me through that child, and I began to paint as an eight-year-old,” she said. “It has brought lots of joy to my life.” Today, she includes the painting of an angel in all her workshops.
Her second talk, “God’s Dream for You,” she used her personal experiences to talk about how Jesus desires to be in relationship with each person and actively participate in our lives. However, she said we often don’t acknowledge this.
She said people are surrounded by gifts, so, she encourages retreatants to become more aware of their surroundings, sounds and smells. “Enjoy more fully God’s gifts moment by moment. Stop and smell the roses, hear the birds sing, feel the cool water run across your hands when you wash them.”
“And how should we do all this,” she pondered? By keeping our prayer life interesting and spending time in prayer. Zepponi mentioned since she started going to Mass daily she has come to know the Lord better. “If you spend time with someone, you get to know that person better,” she said. “The same happens when you spend more time with the Lord.” Set your alarm for a specific time with him, if necessary.
About her music ministry, Zepponi acknowledges she is a lazy singer but enjoys writing songs and singing them.
The workshop included an afternoon art session in which 18 participants painted an angel with guidance from Zepponi.
In a post on her website she notes, “ My ministry is about celebrating our faith and praising God with our creative gifts, and about encountering God’s love in daily, ordinary life.”
To know more about her ministry visit, celestezepponi.com. Her website includes her personal “Prayerful Notes,” her artwork and music profile.

Dwelling Place cookbook raises money, honors staff

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BROOKSVILLE – The Dwelling Place Prayer and Retreat Center just received its new, one-of-a-kind cookbook, “The Fruit of the Spirit,” which contains more than 400 recipes – everything from appetizers to desserts. Each recipe includes the contributor’s name, so it’s easy to find the recipes of that favorite cook or loved one. The recipes were compiled by the staff of the Dwelling Place, associates and friends.101714cookbook
Special features contain recipes by Sister Maggie Kosse, initial staff member, and Mary Ann Dee, long-time associate, in memory of her and her culinary gifts. According to a member of the Dwelling Place, both were known for their delicious food made from simple ingredients.
Founded in 1985 by Clare Van Lent on the grounds of a former Trappist Monastery, the Dwelling Place is a small retreat center in east central Mississippi about 20 minutes southeast of Columbus. Situated about two miles down a gravel road, the property is quiet and evokes a sense of peace and contemplation. One awakens to the pastoral and poetic sounds of bovine melodies from the nearby pasture.
According to its website – dwellingplace.com – the original monastery consisted of a small chapel/library building. A 1960’s triple-wide trailer and lean-to served as monastery, kitchen/laundry, and carport. A second trailer served as a guesthouse.
Now after several years of planning and building the center can accommodate up to 14 people at a time for overnight retreats in a group facility and three hermitages. There is a communal dining hall, library and chapel.
Between 1998 and 2003, a staff house was erected, a sacred path with Stations of the Cross was created, and a beautiful gazebo was donated and assembled on the banks of a pond. A new administration building, Assisi Center, became a reality in 2009.
Another aspect to the center is an active associates program, which allows the many friends of the center to remain active in its ministry. On-site staff in addition to retreat director Van Lent, include Mary Horrell, facilities manager, and Sheila Avery, administrative assistant. Prescheduled retreats are listed on their website and are open to individuals, couples, and small-groups of all denominations.
Cookbooks can be purchased at The Dwelling Place, 2851 Dwelling Place Rd., Brooksville, MS 39739; on its website, www.dwellingplace.com; or by calling Avery, at 662-738-5348. Cost is $20 plus $5 shipping and handling. If purchased on the website, PayPal is available.
This is the third edition of the cookbook which was printed by Morris Press Cookbooks of Kearney, NE. Profits will benefit the ministry at The Dwelling Place.

Celebrating St. Francis’ love for creation

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SOUTHAVEN – Father Thi Pham, SCJ, blesses Joe Baker’s poodle at Christ the King Parish on Wednesday, Oct 2. There were also blessings in Olive Branch and Hernando. (Photo by Donna Williams)

SOUTHAVEN – Father Thi Pham, SCJ, blesses Joe Baker’s poodle at Christ the King Parish on Wednesday, Oct 2. There were also blessings in Olive Branch and Hernando. (Photo by Donna Williams)

MADISON – Msgr. Michael Flannery, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, blesses a family pet at St. Anthony School. The church has a tradition of blessing pets on the feast of St. Francis, who loved animals. (Photo by Jennifer Kelemen)

MADISON – Msgr. Michael Flannery, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, blesses a family pet at St. Anthony School. The church has a tradition of blessing pets on the feast of St. Francis, who loved animals. (Photo by Jennifer Kelemen)

Youth invited to search retreat

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JACKSON – “Search” a retreat weekend designed to help high school juniors and seniors experience their Catholic faith with friends is set for Friday-Sunday, Nov. 14-16, at Camp Wesley Pines in Gallman.
Why should youth attend? According to Kathy Curtis, diocesan director of the Office of Youth Ministry, the retreat is a great gift to youth, to get away from all the “things,” to clear their mind and take a fresh look at their life, and to make new, healthy friendships.
Secondly, she tells the youth, “if your life is like a lot of young people, you have some questions concerning yourself, relationships that you are in, questions about ‘what am I going to do with my life’, and questions about your faith.
She advices the youth of the Diocese of Jackson to give themselves “an opportunity to focus on these questions and maybe SEARCH and find your solutions.”Lastly, she added, “maybe God wants you to be there, so he can have a chance to spend a little time with you. God loves you and wants to light the fire in your heart and fill your heart with his love and maybe even shed light on his unique purpose for you.  Who knows – this invitation may have found you for some heavenly reasons!!”
Curtis said participants will have a lot of fun and  will hear some talks by youth and go through the weekend with a small group. “The weekend is a journey and everyone goes on the journey together,” she said.
Participants are asked to bring bath supplies, bedding (pillow, towel, blanket or sleeping bag) and enough comfortable clothes for the weekend. Food and snacks are provided. Curtis asks participants not to bring an MP3 player, CD player or any other distractions of this sort.
Jackson St. Richard parishioners, Ann and Jeff Cook, will help facilitate the retreat along with Randy Hamilton, seminarians, married couples and young adult volunteers. For more details visit search at jacksonsearch.com.

Youth Briefs & Gallery

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GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph Parish youth will host a movie and popcorn night in the new trailer in Canton on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 6 – 8 p.m.  Get info on direct Gospel Service Hours opportunities. Details: patti@stjosephgluckstadt.com, 601-540-7635.
MADISON The St. Joseph School junior class is raffling a Weber grill. Tickets are $10 each and are available through any 11th grade student and also can be purchased at home football games. The drawing will be on Oct. 30, the last home football game. Proceeds will fund the junior/senior prom on April 18, 2015.
– The Parent Association is hosting a fall used uniform sale Saturday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the school library. Gently used uniforms can be left at the school office labeled “Used Uniform.” Details: henryandpaula@bellsouth.net.

MERIDIAN St. Patrick Parish, CYM Halloween party on Sunday, Oct. 19, from 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. in the Family Life Center.

NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, multi-parish Youth Day, Sunday Oct. 26. Events start at 1 p.m. concluding with Mass at 4 p.m. followed by a light supper, music, praise, worship and testimonial by Jason Romero of Source and Summit Ministries. Cost is $8 per person.
RIDGELAND Holmes Community College will offer ACT workshops in Jan. 31 and April 11, 2015. Details: Katrina Myricks, 601-605-3339, kmyricks@holmescc.edu.

SOUTHAVEN Christ the King Parish, Halloween party with a haunted house for children, Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 – 8 p.m. Games are free. Haunted House cost 25¢. Volunteers, adults, youth (grades 6th-12th) needed to run games. Details: 601-445-5616, stmaryyouth@cableone.net

VICKSBURG School will name the field house at Farrell Stadium, Friday, Nov. 7, at halftime of the football game against Greenville St. Joseph. The field house will be named  after Coach Jimmy Salmon honoring him for his almost 40 years of instructing and coaching at St. Aloysius School.