Monthly Archives: October 2014

Synod explores family life in today’s world

Posted on by
Reply

By Nancy Frazier O’Brien
WASHINGTON (CNS) – Study after study has confirmed that those who are involved in religion and those who are married are healthier, physically and mentally happier and live longer than those who are not.
“The health benefits of marriage are so strong that a married man with heart disease can be expected to live, on average, 1,400 days (nearly four years) longer than an unmarried man with a healthy heart,” said Dr. Scott Haltzman, a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
“This longer life expectancy is even longer for a married man who has cancer or is 20 pounds overweight compared to his healthy but unmarried counterpart,” Haltzman added. “The advantages for women are similar.”

A family is pictured on a field in 2013 outside their home in Nashville, Kan. The family and how it has changed in the last several decades will be under discussion when the extraordinary Synod of Bishops convenes at the Vatican Oct. 5. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)

A family is pictured on a field in 2013 outside their home in Nashville, Kan. The family and how it has changed in the last several decades will be under discussion when the extraordinary Synod of Bishops convenes at the Vatican Oct. 5. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)

Couples with higher levels of religiosity “tend to enjoy greater marital satisfaction, fidelity and stability, with less likelihood of domestic violence,” according to a compilation of studies by the Heritage Foundation, a Washington-based think tank.
Religious belief and practice are also associated with lower divorce rates, lower levels of teen sexual activity, less abuse of alcohol and drugs, lower levels of many infectious diseases, less juvenile crime and less violent crime, the foundation said.

“Marriage and religion influence various dimensions of life, including physical health and longevity, mental health, happiness, economic well-being and the raising of children,” wrote sociologist Linda J. Waite and economist Evelyn J. Lehrer in a paper published in 2009 by the National Institutes of Health.
“We argue that both marriage and religiosity generally have far-reaching positive effects; that they influence similar domains of life; and that there are important parallels through which each achieves these outcomes,” they added.
In a 2012 interview, the late psychiatry professor Robert Coombs, from the University of California at Los Angeles, concurred on the positive effects of marriage. “Virtually every study of mortality and marital status shows the unmarried of both sexes have higher death rates, whether by accident, disease or self-inflicted wounds, and this is found in every country that maintains accurate health statistics,” he said.
As the extraordinary world Synod of Bishops on the family begins its work Oct. 5 at the Vatican, one of the challenges facing it will be raising awareness of the positive benefits of marriage on individuals, families and society as a whole.
“We know the numbers don’t lie about the impact divorce has on children,” Randall Woodard, an associate professor of theology/religion at St. Leo University in Florida, told Catholic News Service. “Nearly every social indicator is a lot lower (for those) raising children in a single-parent household, and I say that as a single father of three. A traditional family is not the only way to live, but it is the best way, generally speaking.”
Woodard said religious institutions may be uniquely suited to help families deal with their challenges.
“Churches provide tremendous support groups that can provide spiritual, financial and psychological help,” he said. “Being surrounded by people who share many of the same ideals can help reinforce others who may be struggling.
“Another way churches can help familial health is by knowing their own limitations,” Woodard added. “Many times people will come to the church with problems such as depression or other issues that are better resolved by medical professionals. Being that first point of contact can be very vital by encouraging them to seek medical help when necessary.”
(Copyright © 2014 Catholic News Service/United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news services may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to, such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method in whole or in part, without prior written authority of Catholic News Service.)

Despite 50-year ‘War on Poverty,’ prosperity for many seems elusive

Posted on by
Reply

By Mark Pattison
WASHINGTON (CNS) – According to the Census Bureau’s new statistics, released Sept. 16, poverty in the United States is down, but only slightly.
The actual number of people living in poverty in 2013 is unchanged at 45.3 million, but because of continued population growth in the United States, the percentage of Americans living in poverty is down 0.5 percentage points, from 15.0 percent to 14.5 percent.
“We’d expect poverty to drop now that we’re in the fifth year of an economic recovery, right?” asked Gregory Acs, director of the Income and Benefits Policy Center at the Urban Institute, a Washington think tank.100314poverty
Acs’ comment alludes to the intractability of poverty and the long, tough slog it is trying to get tens of millions out of poverty, given that 50 years ago, then-President Lyndon Johnson declared a “War on Poverty.”
While some skirmishes were won in that war – senior citizens, for instance, are far from the brink of economic disaster as they had been two generations ago – poverty persists across all demographic groups.
Even among non-Hispanic whites, the most affluent of demographic groups, the poverty rate is 9.6 percent.
Here’s a snapshot of some states and their struggles with poverty:
— In Texas, 4.5 million still live below the poverty line, although the poverty rate dropped to 17.5 percent, except in the Rio Grande Valley, where the rate is double that. In the valley, median family income is $33,219, or 64 percent that of the state median of $51,563. Hidalgo County set a new minimum wage for county workers of $10.10 an hour, but Hidalgo is just one of 254 counties in Texas.
— Tennessee’s poverty rate dipped from 17.9 percent to 17.8 percent, but that’s of little comfort to 1.1 million Tennesseans living below the poverty line. “No matter how you measure it, Tennessee remains in the bottom 10 percent of people making ends meet,” Linda O’Neal, executive director of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, told Public News Service. “More than one in four Tennessee children lives in a family experiencing economic stress.”
— In neighboring Kentucky, the poverty rate took a pronounced slide, from 19.4 percent to 18.8 percent. But while child poverty nationwide slid from 22 percent in 2012 to 20 percent last year, Kentucky’s child poverty rate is 25.3 percent. Some in Kentucky are pressing the state to OK a statewide earned income tax credit for its poor; the U.S. bishops have backed the EITC at the national level.
The Urban Institute’s Acs said the new poverty figures don’t take into account pre-tax cash income, food assistance and rental subsidies as well as tax-based assistance like EITC. An alternative Census Bureau poverty measure, called the Supplemental Poverty Measure, includes these types of assistance, but Acs said it doesn’t substantively change the poverty rate.
On the other hand, the federal poverty line remains unchanged — and probably unrealistic — at $23,550 for a family of four. That would mean living on $452.88 a week.
“While we can debate what kind of success the war on poverty has been, we haven’t eliminated poverty. We haven’t eliminated racial discrimination. We haven’t – we still have issues, I guess, to drop any pretense of eloquence,” Acs told Catholic News Service. “It’s useful to see where we are, where we’ve come from, and how we’ve changed. But if you looked through a more pessimistic lens, we haven’t made a lot of progress,” he added.
“One of the things that has probably worked against progress is the way the criminal justice system has differently impacted African-American families — the high levels of incarceration among less-educated African-American men,” Acs said.
“You can’t blithely say that ‘if we just don’t put people in jail things would be much better,’ because crime-ridden neighborhoods are a problem,” he continued, adding the question has to be asked whether “the types of crimes people were arrested for and jailed for long periods of time warrants the disruption the removal of large number of people from the economy, from their families.
“With a prison record, it’s much harder finding a job — not nearly as economically viable as it was before. … and probably contributes the seeming lack of progress.”
What would happen to poverty if the nation didn’t do anything to fight it? “The overall trend in the labor market, the effects of technology and globalization, an increase in inequality, stagnation of wages, more benefits accruing to capital than to labor, without active anti-poverty programs one could reasonably expect that poverty would have grown worse, Acs said. “The counter-argument is that people would have worked harder if they didn’t have the safety net.”
(Copyright © 2014 Catholic News Service/United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news services may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to, such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method in whole or in part, without prior written authority of Catholic News Service.)

Cursillo retreat registration deadline approaches

Posted on by
Reply

The Cursillo Movement of the Diocese of Jackson strives to empower its members to become leaders in the work of Christian renewal and to encourage and sustain them in the daily life of Christian discipleship.  To that end, a Cursillo retreat is being offered at the Duncan Gray Conference Center in Canton Oct. 24-26.
The retreat is open to all who have made a Cursillo weekend and their spouses. Singles and couples are welcome. It will begin Friday  with registration at 6 p.m. and conclude Sunday at 2 p.m.100314cursillo
This inspiring two-day retreat will have a more relaxed atmosphere than the three-day Cursillo weekend with plenty of time for reflection, sharing and question and answer sessions. The group will have Ultreya Saturday evening.
This will be an opportunity to strengthen and renew friendships, make new friends and learn from each other’s Fourth Day experiences in discipleship and leadership, particularly regarding the three encounters – with self, Christ and others.
Make the decision today to attend the retreat and allow the charism of Cursillo to form you, inform you and transform you. Christ is still counting on you! DeColores!
The cost is $175 per person in a double occupancy or $200 for a single room.
To secure a slot, submit a completed registration form along with a $75 deposit made payable to Cursillo Movement to Sue Anne Booth, Catholic Diocese of Jackson, P.O. Box 2248, Jackson, MS  39225-2248.
Scholarships are available. The deadline for registration is Friday, Oct. 17. To request a registration form send an e-mail to jacksoncursillo@comcast.net or call Jerry Perez, 601-968-7766.

Agency clarifies immigration information

Posted on by
Reply

By Elsa Baughman
JACKSON – A question. Can the national of a country who has been granted a non-immigrant visa, automatically enter the United States for a visit? No, said Merrilyn Onisko, community relations officer of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). She said the visa only allows the individual to apply for entry to the U.S.
This question and many more were answered at an information session sponsored by Catholic Charities Migrant Support Center and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Friday, Sept. 19, at Catholic Charities.

Merrilyn Onisko, a community relations officer for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, gave a spirited presentation on citizenship and immigration regulations at Catholic Charities on Friday, Sept. 19. (Photo by Elsa Baughman)

Merrilyn Onisko, a community relations officer for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, gave a spirited presentation on citizenship and immigration regulations at Catholic Charities on Friday, Sept. 19. (Photo by Elsa Baughman)

In an effort to keep religious, lay leaders and volunteers current with immigration issues, Catholic Charities Migrant Support Center offers this type of seminar every year so those who have immigrant parishioners can help them with their questions or to guide them in the right direction.
“Immigration 101, an overview of the Green Card, Naturalization process, the Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law (UPIL) and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA),” was led by Onisko whose office is based in New Orleans.
Among those present for the first time this year were personnel from the Jackson Police Department who are trying to get more familiar with immigration issues so they can address problems or crimes against immigrants when they occur.
Onisko shared basic information on the above mentioned subjects and included other details such as how to check someone’s case status online and how to make an appointment with the USCIS.
She said sometimes people complain about the time it takes to process a case. To illustrate her answer, she noted each day the government processes seventy thousand green cards, nationalizes twenty-six hundred people and handles forty-thousand calls customer service calls.
The USCIS website has a link with information about how to avoid scams.  Onisko noted the site can help immigrants to avoid immigration services scams. The site advises to “… remember: Know the facts when it comes to immigration assistance, because the Wrong Help Can Hurt.”
She also mentioned many immigrants are charged for forms. “Never, never pay for a form. They are free and can be downloaded from our website,” she said.  The agency charges for processing the form but not for the form.
Also very helpful, she said, is a link in the website for InfoPass, a free service that lets people schedule an appointment with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Immigration Officer by using the Internet at any time of day or night.
For more information visit the USCIS website, www.uscis.gov/outreach.

Showing respect for life takes many forms

Posted on by
Reply

October is Respect Life Month, a time for Catholics to rededicate themselves to the concept that all life is sacred from conception to natural death. The Diocese of Jackson and parishes offer a variety of ways to show respect for life including education, prayer and advocacy.
The Knights of Columbus, known for their work in the respect life arena, sponsored silver rose prayer services across the state. The rose is a symbol of Our Lady of Guadalupe, sometimes called the protectress of the unborn. There are actually 12 silver roses that travel from Canada, across the U.S. and Mexico until the bouquet ends up at the basilica in Monterrey, Mexico on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec. 12.

The Knights of Columbus hosted the Silver Rose, a symbol of respect for life, at St. Richard Parish in Jackson. (Photo by Leila De Gruy)

The Knights of Columbus hosted the Silver Rose, a symbol of respect for life, at St. Richard Parish in Jackson. (Photo by Leila De Gruy)


The knights use the Silver Roses as reminders of Catholic unity and the sanctity of human life. When a rose visits a parish the knights host a prayer service.
Teenagers can show some ‘selfie-respect’ through a national photo contest sponsored by March for Life. According to the group’s website students in sixth – 12th grade can participate. “Submit a ‘selfie’ or picture of yourself, a family member, friend or person you admire capturing an event or accomplishment that in some way helps to build a culture of life in your local community,” state the instructions on the website.
“Possible activities to photograph might include praying in front of an abortion clinic, volunteering at a pregnancy resource center, working at a fundraiser for moms in need, involvement with a school pro-life club, or any number of activities which further a culture of life in your community,” it adds. The prizes include gift cards for iTunes, donations to the respect life cause of the winner’s choice and recognition at the March for Life in Washington DC in January. Enter online at https://marchforlife.org/march-for-life-2015/student-contest/.
The diocese is again sending a bus to the March this year. Youth groups have until Oct. 17 to sign up for spots on the bus using the website www.jacksonmarchforlife.org. Those who wish to speak up locally can sign up for 40 days for life, a program of prayer, fasting and advocacy. A group kicked off a prayer vigil at the last abortion clinic in Mississippi on Wednesday, Sept. 24. Those who wish to join the effort can sign up at www.40daysforlife.com. Search for the Mississippi event.
A prayer rally kicked off 40 days of prayer, fasting and advocacy at the Women’s Health Clinic in Jackson, the last abortion clinic in the state. (Photo by Maureen Smith)

A prayer rally kicked off 40 days of prayer, fasting and advocacy at the Women’s Health Clinic in Jackson, the last abortion clinic in the state. (Photo by Maureen Smith)

Respect for life also includes taking a stand against violence. Runners and walkers can make a statement by joining in the Purple Dress Run dedicated to raising money and awareness for domestic violence survivors. Grab your running shoes and favorite purple “dress” for a sunset 5K Run/Walk through downtown Jackson Thursday, Oct. 23, at Jaco’s Tacos, 318 South State Street.
The event, set to kick off with registration at 5 p.m. and race start at 6 p.m., is sponsored by the Domestic Violence Services Center of Catholic Charities and Jaco’s Tacos. At the end, participants are invited for a celebration at Jaco’s Tacos.
The entry fee is $35 for individual runners and $100 for a team of four. Walk-up registrations will be accepted as well on race day. Prizes will be awarded for top male/female participants and best male/female costume.
To register online www.catholiccharitiesjackson.org.
Parish events may include crisis pregnancy center fund-raisers, life chains or prayer vigils. A number of events are featured on page 2 of this edition of Mississpppi Catholic.

Obispos viajan al corazón de la iglesia

Posted on by
Reply

Por Obispo Joseph Kopacz
Estoy escribiendo esta columna desde por encima de la tierra, en vuelo de regreso a Jackson y a la diócesis y el ministerio que me espera. Para aquellos de ustedes que no saben, participé en una conferencia en Roma, Italia, diseñada para todos los obispos recién ordenados de todo el mundo. Alrededor de 250 obispos estuvieron presente para escuchar una serie de charlas sobre las múltiples dimensiones de la vida de un obispo. Los cardenales, que son los jefes de los distintos departamentos dentro de la Ciudad del Vaticano que sirven a la Iglesia Católica en todo el mundo, dieron la mayoría de las presentaciones.
Una de las ventajas a largo plazo de la conferencia es la nueva relación que surgió con mis compañeros obispos de los Estados Unidos. Todos estamos en el mismo barco, por así decirlo, como obispos recién ordenados, y es enriquecedor empezar a conocer sus historias y algo de las diócesis donde ahora sirven. Por supuesto, ninguna diócesis es tan interesante como la de Jackson. Ademas, obtener una mejor perspectiva de los obispos que están sirviendo en otras partes del mundo es siempre valioso. Algunos están sirviendo bajo extrema coacción debido a la pobreza y a los disturbios.
Cada día, aparte de asistir a cuatro conferencias, celebrar la Eucaristía junto con la oración de la mañana y de la tarde y comer tres comidas importantes, ¿qué más occurió para crear recuerdos duraderos?
Para empezar, todos los obispos tuvieron la oportunidad de celebrar la santa misa en la Basílica de San Pedro sobre la tumba de San Pedro. Después de la misa, reverentemente pausamos en su lugar de enterramiento, un momento muy conmovedor.
Al día siguiente, domingo, me subí en el autobús y viajé a Asís como un buen peregrino para pasar un día en el ambiente del gran San Francisco por quien nuestro Santo Padre es llamado. Celebramos la santa misa con los padres franciscanos en el horario regular de domingo en la Basílica de San Francisco.
Los visitantes de Asís y los feligreses de la parroquia estaban un poco aturdidos al mirar hacia arriba y ver la comitiva de obispos que procesaban durante el himno de apertura. Esa tarde visitamos la iglesia dedicada a nuestra Madre Santísima, Santa Maria degli Angeli, yo “tweeted” (mensaje por email) desde la amplia plaza que desemboca en la iglesia donde la tradición marca el lugar donde murió San Francisco.
El momento culminante del viaje a Roma fue la audiencia con el Papa Francisco en una de las espaciosas y acogedoras salas del Vaticano que acomodó fácilmente a nuestros acompañantes.
Fue excelente poder verlo de cerca y en persona, escuchar sus palabras de aliento y saludarlo personalmente. Fue una sensación surrealista de toda la experiencia, sin embargo, también fue una hora de conexión con amplio tiempo para saborear el encuentro con mis hermanos en el episcopado.
Veinte de ellos eran de Argentina y el Papa realmente se emocionó cuando reconoció a muchos de ellos en el saludo personal. Esos fueron momentos conmovedores de observar.
He seleccionado algunas de las reflexiones que el Papa Francisco nos dio en su charla. Comenzó diciendo que estaba feliz de conocernos y rápidamente nos alentó diciendo que somos “el fruto del arduo trabajo y oración incansable de la Iglesia que, cuando elige a su pastores, recuerda toda esa noche que el Señor pasó en la montaña en presencia del Padre, antes de nombrar a los que él quiso que se quedaran con él y que fueran por el mundo”. En compañía de los obispos de todo el mundo, las palabras del Papa resonaron de una manera apremiante.
Como un buen padre tiene que hacer, a continuación nos retó a abrazar el ministerio, el regalo que nos ha sido encomendado. “Ahora que ya han superado sus temores iniciales y el entusiasmo de su consagración, nunca den por hecho el ministerio que se les ha encomendado, nunca pierdan su asombro ante el plan de Dios, ni el temor reverente de caminar consciente de su presencia y la presencia de la iglesia, que es, en primer lugar suya”.
Continuando con este sentimiento procedió a destacar la estrecha relación entre el obispo y los fieles de su diócesis. “Hay un vínculo inseparable entre la presencia estable del obispo y el crecimiento de la congregación”. Esto toca el corazón de la visión del Papa Francisco de anunciar y de vivir el Evangelio que expuso en su Exhortación Apostólica, “La Alegría del Evangelio” (Evangelii Guadium), es decir, tenemos que encontrarnos el uno al otro y acompañarnos a la luz del Evangelio en nuestro servicio al Señor en nuestra vida diaria.
En este sentido, el Santo Padre nos aconsejó a imitar la paciencia de Moisés mientras dirigía a su pueblo como “no hay nada más importante que introducir a la gente a Dios!
Hacia el final de su alocución, poéticamente nos estimuló a estar especialmente atentos a dos grupos de personas. Queridos hermanos, “comiencen con los jóvenes y los ancianos, porque los primeros son nuestras alas y los segundos son nuestras raíces; alas y raíces, sin las cuales no sabemos lo que somos ni mucho menos adonde vamos”.
Estoy feliz de poder compartir con ustedes algo de mi experiencia de esta visita especial a Roma, la ciudad eterna, e incluso estoy aún más contento de estar en tierra firme, en mi hogar una vez más en Jackson, la encrucijada del Sur.

Bishops journey to heart of church

Posted on by
Reply

By Bishop Joseph Kopacz
I am writing this column from way above the earth, in flight back to Jackson, and to the diocese and ministry that await me. For those of you who may not know, I participated in a conference in Rome, Italy for all newly ordained bishops throughout the world. About 250 bishops were on hand to listen to a series of talks that touched upon the many dimensions of a bishop’s life. The Cardinals, who are the heads of various departments within the Vatican that serve the Catholic Church throughout the world, gave most of the talks.
One of the lasting benefits of the conference is the new relationships that emerged with my fellow bishops from around the United States. We are all in the same boat, so to speak, as recently ordained and appointed bishops, and it is enriching to begin to know their stories, and something of the dioceses where they now serve.
Of course, no diocese is as interesting as Jackson. In addition, getting a better perspective of the bishops who serve throughout the world is always worthwhile. Some are serving under extreme duress due to poverty and unrest.
Apart from sitting in four conferences per day, celebrating the Eucharist along with morning and evening prayer each day while eating three substantial meals, what else occurred to create lasting memories?
For starters, all of the bishops had the opportunity to celebrate Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica above the tomb of Saint Peter. As we processed out after Mass, we reverently paused at his place of burial, a very stirring moment.
On Sunday, the following day, I hopped on the bus and journeyed to Assisi like a good pilgrim to spend a day in the ambience of the great Saint Francis after whom our Holy Father is named. We celebrated Mass with the Franciscan priests at a regularly scheduled Sunday service in the Basilica of Saint Francis. The visitors to Assisi and the parishioners of the parish were a bit stunned to look up and see the entourage of bishops who processed in during the opening hymn. Later in the day we visited the Church dedicated to our Blessed Mother, Santa Maria degli Angeli, I tweeted from the expansive piazza, leading into the church where tradition marks the location of the death of Saint Francis.
The culminating moment of the journey to Rome was our audience with Pope Francis in one of the spacious, yet cozy Vatican halls that easily accommodated our entourage. It was super to be able to see him up close and personal, to hear his encouraging words and to personally greet him.
There was a surreal feeling to the whole experience, yet it was also a well-grounded hour with plenty of time to savor the encounter with my brother bishops. Twenty of them were from Argentina and the Pope really lit up when he recognized many of them at the personal greeting. Those were endearing moments to observe.
I have selected a few of Pope Francis’ reflections from the talk that he gave us. He began by saying that he was happy to meet us, and quickly encouraged us by saying that we are “the fruit of the arduous work and tireless prayer of the Church who, when she chooses her pastors, recalls that entire night the Lord spent on the mount, in the presence of the Father, before naming those He wanted to stay with him and to go forth into the world.” In the company of bishops from all over the world, the Pope’s words resonated in a compelling manner.
As a good father ought to do he then proceeded to challenge us to embrace the ministry, the gift, entrusted to us. “Now that you have overcome your initial fears and excitement of your consecration, never take for granted the ministry entrusted to you, never to lose your wonder before God’s plan, nor the awe of walking aware of His presence and the presence of the Church who is, first and foremost, His.”
Continuing with this sentiment he proceeded to highlight the close relationship between a bishop and the people of his diocese. “There is an inseparable bond between the stable presence of the bishop and the growth of the flock”. This touches the heart of Pope Francis’ vision in proclaiming and living the Gospel which he articulated in “Evangelii Guadium,” his Apostolic Exhortation, i.e., we are to encounter one another, and accompany one another in the light of the Gospel as we serve the Lord in our daily lives. Along these lines, the Holy Father advised us to imitate Moses’ patience in leading his people, as “nothing is more important than introducing people to God!”
Toward the end of his address he poetically urged us to be especially solicitous of two groups of people. Dear brothers, “begin with the young and the elderly, because the first are our wings, and the second are our roots; wings and roots without which we do not know what we are, much less where we are going”.
I am happy to be able to share some of my experience with you from this unique trek to Rome, the eternal city, and I am even more content to be on terra firma, at home once again in Jackson, the crossroads of the South.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Posted on by
Reply

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

  • CORINTH St. James Parish, adult classes, Sundays at 10:30 a.m., reflecting on the book, “Bible Blue Print: A Catholic Guide to Understanding and  Embracing God’s Word.”
  • – Study of the book, “La Morenita: Evangelizer of the Americas,” by Virgilio P. Elizond, Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 3 p.m.
  • JACKSON St. Richard Parish “Contemplative Outreach Day of Renewal,” Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. – noon in Chichester Room. Focus of the day is the Welcoming Prayer, a practice of “letting go” in routines of daily life. Led by Sister Therese Jacobs and Kris Mink, St. Columb Church, Ridgeland. Details: Sister Therese Jacobs, 601 366 2335, jacobs@saintrichard.org.
  • – Small Faith Communities study on “The Joy of the Gospel” begins Sunday, Oct. 5. Details: Debbie Tubertini, 601-366-2335, ext. 107, tubertini@saintrichard.com.
  • MADISON St. Francis Parish mission, Sunday-Wednesday, Oct. 4-8. Father Brian Kaskie, former associate pastor of the parish and pastor of McComb St. Alphonsus Parish, will lead the mission. He will preach at all the weekend Masses and will give a presentation Monday-Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at St. Clare Hall.
  • NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica retreat, Friday-Sunday, Nov. 7-9, in the O’Connor Family Life Center. There will be time for individual discernment and reconciliation. Only the first 50 to apply will be accepted. Cost is $75 per person and includes a dinner and two lunches.Details: Hedy Boelte, hedyboelte@gmail.com.
  • NATCHEZ Assumption Parish, Bible study on the Gospel of Matthew on Fridays after the 8 a.m. service in Tuite Hall, beginning Oct. 10. Facilitated by Roseminette Gaude.
  • OXFORD St. John Parish, Dr. Steven Justice will talk about the Opus Dei and the search for holiness in everyday life, Sunday, Oct. 5, at 9:45 a.m. in the parish hall. Dr. Justice taught for 25 years at the University of California, Berkeley.
  • – Women’s  discussion of the book “A Prayer Journal” by Flannery O’Connor, Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in the Community Room. Details:  Renee’ Moore, reneecmoore63@gmail.com.
  • SOUTHAVEN Christ the King Parish, Life Chain, a peaceful, prayerful public witness of pro-life, Sunday, Oct. 5, from 2 – 3 p.m.
  • STARKVILLE St. Joseph Parish, Lectio Divina workshop, Saturday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • VICKSBURG St. Paul Parish Bible study on the Psalms on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. in Glynn Hall.
  • – Presentation about the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe by Msgr. Michael Flannery, pastor of Madison St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. in Farrell Hall.

PARISH AND FAMILY EVENTS

  • BATESVILLE St. Mary Parish window blessing and brunch Sunday, Oct. 5, after the 10:30 a.m. Mass.
  • BOONEVILLE St. Francis Parish potluck, Sunday, Oct. 12.
  • CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth School, Mass with Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Monday, Oct. 6, at 1p.m.
  • CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories Parish, blessing of pets, Sunday, Oct. 5, at 3 p.m.
  • – Parish feast day celebration, Tuesday, Oct. 7, beginning with the rosary at 6 p.m. A catfish dinner will follow in the parish center.
  • – Volunteers are needed to prepare meatballs at Shelby St. Mary Parish on Sundays, Oct. 12, 19 and 26, at 9 a.m. The meatballs are for the annual spaghetti dinner which is set for Jan. 18, 2015. Details: Mary Jean Pendleton, 662-721-6018.
  • CLINTON Holy Savior Parish annual chicken barbecue dinner sale, Saturday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Dinners are $8 and include 1/2 chicken, beans, slaw and bread. Dine in or carry out.
  • COLUMBUS Annunciation Parish, newcomers picnic, Sunday, Oct. 5, from 3 – 6 p.m. at Graham Farm. Details: Eileen Ackerman, 662-244-0022.
  • – Parish picnic, Sunday, Oct. 19. Only one Mass at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch at noon. The parish will provide grilled chicken and drinks. Bring a dish to share.
  • FLOWOOD     St. Paul Parish Women’s Guild shower for Birthright of Jackson, Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Needed items include maternity clothes of all sizes, diaper bags and diapers for newborns and size 1. Refreshments will be served. Those who cannot attend can send a donation.
  • JACKSON St. Richard Parish monthly bereavement support group meeting, Thursday, Oct. 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the Mercy Room. Linda Lalor and Margaret Dykes are the guest speakers. Details: Suzie Cranston 601-982-5464, or email ncmcghee@bellsouth.net.
  • – Special Kids Golf Tournament, Thursday, Oct. 16, at Deerfield Golf Club. Proceeds will go toward the building of a new house, “Farrell House,” for the older children.
  • – St. Richard’s “Young at Heart” group, “Creative Birdhouses, my Perspective,” Thursday, Oct. 16, at 11:30 a.m. in Foley Hall. Led by Doug Turner.
  • JACKSON St. Therese Parish, Grillin’ For Life barbecue cook off, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3-4. Proceeds benefit respect for life efforts of the Knights of Columbus.
  • – Parish feast day celebration on Sunday, Oct. 5, bilingual Mass at 10:30 a.m. followed by a potluck lunch.
  • – Planning meeting for the annual Fall Festival, Saturday, Oct. 11, at 2 p.m. in the parish hall.
  • JACKSON Catholic Charities Domestic Violence Shelter purple balloon release and rally Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 10:30 a.m. on Bailey Avenue, outside the Jackson Medical Mall. A survivor will tell her story and Mayor Tony Yarber will read a proclamation recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
  • MADISON St. Francis of Assisi Parish, blessing of pets, Saturday, Oct. 4, at 3 p.m. in the courtyard.
  • – “Taste of St. Francis,” Sunday, Oct. 5, after the 10:30 a.m. Mass.
  • MERIDIAN St. Joseph Parish, October Festival and blessing of animals Saturday, Oct. 4, at 11a.m. The festival will be held until 2 p.m.
  • MORTON Excel Learning Center, four-week sampler course on “learning conversational Japanese” beginning Friday, Oct. 10, from 6 – 8 p.m. Led by Masa Yamada of Morton. Cost is $30. Details: 601-732-1800.
  • NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica children’s Mass, Sunday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. All children PreK3-sixth grade are invited to participate. Details: Katherine Callon,  601 807-9692, kecestia@yahoo.com.
  • OXFORD St. John Parish Knights of Columbus chicken barbecue lunch,  Sunday, Oct. 5, after the 11a.m. Mass. There is no charge for lunch but donations for Sav A Life will be taken.
  • – Knights of Columbus raffle of two tickets for two guided deer hunts on Nov. 22 and Dec. 27. Tickets are $10 each or three for $25. Details: Burke Nichols, 662-292-1402 and Ricky Berry, 662-607-3035.
  • SHAW St. Francis of Assisi Parish day celebration, Saturday, Oct. 4, beginning with Mass at 10 a.m. at Grady Robinson’s home followed by the blessing of the pets.
  • YAZOO CITY St. Mary Parish, Old Testament Class on Mondays from 3 – 5 p.m. in the parish office. Led by Sister Michele Doyle.