Monthly Archives: December 2014

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

  • CHATAWA St. Mary of the Pines Retreat Center, married couples retreat, Feb. 13-15, 2015. Led by spiritual directors, Robin and Easton Hebert. Details: Sister Helen Roper, 601-783-0801, hroper@ssndcp.org.
  • COLUMBUS Annunciation Parish, Bible study of Richard Rohr’s DVD series, “Priest, Prophet, King” will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, from 10 – 11:30 a.m. in the activities center.
  • JACKSON St. Richard Parish mission, Jan. 12-14, 2015. Led by Deacons Eddie Ensley and Robert Herrmann of Columbus, Ga.
  • MADISON St. Francis of Assisi Parish, “Prayer and Spirituality” class, Jan. 10, 24, 31, Feb. 7, at St. Francis from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Details: Annette Stevenson, 601-969-2742.
  • MERIDIAN St. Patrick Parish, women’s afternoon of reflection, “Women in the Acts of the Apostles,” Sunday, Jan. 25, from 1 – 4 p.m. in the parish center. Led by Sister Marilyn Winkel, pastoral associate. Lunch will be available from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. for $10. Details: Janet Bunker, 601-513-1242.
  • NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, grief and loss support group, every Monday at 6 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Details: Donna Martello, 601 442-7554, ddmartello@yahoo.com or Abby Goldblatt, 352-281-5617, abznest78@juno.com.
  • PEARL St. Jude, video presentation of Father Robert Baron’s series, “Priest, Prophet and King,” Sundays at 9:45 a.m. Group discussion follows.
  • SOUTHAVEN Christ the King, parish mission, Jan. 11-13, 2015. Led by Father Bruce Neili, CSP. Participants are asked to have the document, “The Joy of the Gospel,” by Pope Francis. After the mission, all parish groups will study the document in depth at their regular meetings.

PARISH & FAMILY EVENTS

  • CHATAWA St. Teresa Parish, annual egg nog social, Wednesday, Dec. 24, after the 7 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass in Caroline Hall. Bring your favorite finger food.
  • IUKA St. Mary Parish, Epiphany potluck party on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in the parish hall at noon. Bring your favorite dish.
    – Starting in January 2015 confessions will be on the third Saturday of the month at 4 p.m.
  • JACKSON St. Peter Cathedral, “Interfaith Celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015 at 3 p.m. Keynote speaker, Benjamin Crump, civil rights attorney and activist. Special award presentations to faith community leaders. Free and open to the public. Reception will follow.
  • JACKSON Christ the King Parish, anniversary T-shirt orders are $10 each. Shirts will be worn for the kick-off of the year-long anniversary celebration on Sunday, Jan. 18. To order contact Aline Graham or John Robinson.
    – Place photos for the anniversary display in the basket in the gathering space. Include name and contact information so it can be returned.
  • JACKSON St. Dominic Hospital, Methodist Rehabilitation Center, Baptist Health Systems and University of Mississippi Medical Center, city-wide stroke connection meeting, Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, at 2 p.m. at Methodist Specialty Care Center (One Layfair Drive Suite 500, Flowood)
    This is a new monthly support group for stroke survivors, family members and caregivers. The topic will be “Heart Healthy Diet” presented by Samantha Harrison. The event is free to the public with no RSVP required. Refreshments will be served. Details: 601-936-8888. Check out St. Dominic’s Facebook page before each meeting date for more information.
  • MADISON St. Joseph School 2015 “Jeans, Jazz & Bruin Blues” draw-down, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015. Tickets are $125 and admit two; second chance insurance is $15. Details: 601-898-4803, www.stjoebruins.com. To be a sponsor or donate an auction item, contact Becky Adkins, 601-898-4803.
    – Informational meeting on Sunday, Jan. 11, at 2 p.m. in the library for anyone who was not able to attend the open house or would like more information about St. Joseph School.
    – Next placement exam, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in the library. Details: Kristi Garrard, 601- 898-4812.
  • NATCHEZ Christmas artwork by students of the art classes at Cathedral School are on display in St. Mary Basilica during the Christmas season, including “O Holy Night” by Kayla Cauthen, “We Three Kings of Orient Are” by Dee Fleming, “Mary Did You Know” by Maggie Kelley and “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” by Marty Lewis.
    – Blessing of the restored Holy Family Church, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, at 3 p.m. Bishop Joseph Kopacz will attend the celebration. A reception will follow.
  • PEARL St. Jude Parish, youth Mass followed by fun night, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015. Parents are invited and encourage to attend to assist in planning for the Mardi Gras Ball, Abbey Youth Festival in March and Why Not Now Service Project.
    – Baptismal preparation class, Sunday, Jan. 18, at 3 p.m. in the Level III Atrium. This class is designed for expecting parents, new parents, or any parent baptizing a child in the Catholic faith for the first time. Godpar-ents are encouraged to attend as well. Details: in the parish office. Registration is required.
    SHAW St. Francis of Assisi Parish, renewing of married couples vows followed by a family blessing, Sunday, Dec. 28, during the 9 a.m. Mass.
  • YAZOO CITY St. Mary Parish is planning an overnight Lenten pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament and EWTN in Birmingham. If interested call Janet Whittington, 662-755-2308.

SPECIAL EVENTS

  • JACKSON – “Women & Spirit; Catholic Sisters in America,” Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, at St. Richard Parish from 1 – 4 p.m. in Foley Hall. This program is in honor of the sisters who serve and have served in Mississippi. Sister Helen Harvey, BVM, will offer a presentation.
    Details: Sister Therese Jacobs, pastoral minister at St. Therese Parish, 601-366-2335.
  • JACKSON – World Marriage Day 2015 will be held Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 at 12:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. There will be Mass with a reception immediately following.
    The Mass honors all married couples, but invites those celebrating their 25th, 50th, 60th or any significant anniversary. Those interested in attending are asked submit their name, address and wedding date to their parish secretary by Dec. 27, 2014.
    Invitations will be mailed in late January. Details: Jennifer Eidt at the Office of Family Ministry at 601-960-8487, Jennifer.eidt@jacksondiocese.org.

Celebración del Día Mundial del Matrimonio fijada para el 22 de febrero

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JACKSON –  La Diócesis de Jackson está invitando a todas las parejas que están celebrando 25, 50, 60 y más años de vida matrimonial y al público en general a participar en la misa y agazajo del Día Mundial del Matrimonio que se realizará el domingo 22 de febrero de 2015 en la Catedral de San Pedro.

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El Obispo Joseph Kopacz le entrega el certificado a Manuel y Rosa García Galabiz, miembros de la Parroquia Santa María en Shelby, durante la celebración del Día Mundial del Matrimonio celebrado en la Catedral de San Pedro el 9 de febrero de este año. Esta celebración está fijada para el domingo 22 de febrero de 2015 a las 12:30 p.m. en la catedral con una Misa y un agazajo. (Foto archivo de Mississippi Católico)

El Obispo Joseph Kopacz celebrará la misa a las 12:30 p.m. Durante la misa, las parejas renovarán sus votos matrimoniales y recibirán un certificado firmado por el obispo conmemorando su aniversario de vida matrimonial y emitido por la oficina diocesana del Ministerio Familiar.
Este año participaron 36 parejas, entre ellas tres matrimonios hispanos, y en el 2013 también participaron tres parejas de Tupelo, Kosciusko y Jackson.
En su homilía, el Obispo Kopacz señaló que el éxito del matrimonio se logra por medio de la perseverancia y el estar juntos durante las experiencias estresantes y los momentos de alegría. “El sentido del humor es un componente clave”, dijo mientras comentaba sobre la vida matrimonial de sus padres. “La reflexión sobre las acciones de sus padres pueden llevarlos al éxito con sus hijos y familia”, le aconsejó a las parejas.
La celebración honra a todas las parejas casadas pero invita a los que están celebrando los mencionados aniversarios a participar en el evento. Las parejas interesadas en asistir deben dar su nombre, dirección y fecha de matrimonio a la secretaria de su parroquia o a su párroco para el 27 de diciembre.
Las invitaciones se enviarán por correo a finales de enero de 2015. Para más información contactar a Jennifer Eidt de la Oficina de Ministerio Familiar, 601-960-8487, jennifer.eidt@jacksondiocese.org.

Celebraciones y costumbres de Adviento y Navidad alrededor del mundo

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JACKSON – Dilan Sánchez y Jordaine Piernas hicieron el papel de José y María en la presentación de las Posadas en la Parroquia Santa Teresa el 24 de diciembre del 2013. Este año será realizada el 24 de diciembre a las 4 p.m. (Foto archivo de Mississippi Católico)

 

Por Norma Montenegro Flynn
La Navidad es una de las principales celebraciones en todo el mundo, cuando los cristianos de distintas culturas se unen para celebrar el nacimiento de Jesús. Dios y Rey, tan humilde que su destino fue nacer en un pesebre. Sin embargo, con las compras, listas de regalos y ofertas que incitan al consumidor a gastar más dinero, es difícil mantenerse enfocado en el verdadero significado del Adviento y la Navidad y la oportunidad que nos ofrece para preparar nuestros corazones para la llegada de Jesús, de realizar obras de caridad para el necesitado, y compartir con nuestros familiares y amigos.
Una manera divertida de disfrutar esta temporada de Adviento es aprendiendo sobre las costumbres y celebraciones de otros países durante el Adviento. Aquí menciono algunas:
La fiesta de San Nicolás se celebra el 6 de diciembre. Los niños dejan sus zapatos afuera de sus dormitorios la noche antes y al despertar ese día encuentran la sorpresa de un pequeño regalo en sus zapatos. San Nicolás fue un obispo durante el siglo IV en Licia, una provincia de Turquía. Fue conocido por su generosidad, también se le considera el santo patrón de las novias y de los niños, y es el precursor de Santa Claus.
La fiesta de Santa Lucía se celebra el 13 de diciembre en Italia, Suecia, Escandinavia y Croacia. Su nombre significa luz. En Italia, los niños dejan tazones con leche y zanahorias para atraer al burrito hambriento en el que viaja Santa Lucía y asegurarse que ella se detiene en su casa para dejarles algunos regalos. En Suecia, el día de fiesta es llamado Luciadagen. La niña mayor de la familia viste un vestido blanco con una cinta roja como señal de sufrimiento y una corona de velas blancas en la cabeza. Otras niñas también vestidas como Lucia caminan en procesión, cantando canciones tradicionales y llevando galletas y panecillos que luego son compartidos con todos los presentes.
La fiesta de la Virgen de Guadalupe: el 12 de diciembre es el día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Esta tradición mexicana también ha sido adoptada por muchos devotos de Centro y Sur América que viven en los Estados Unidos, y es una de las fiestas religiosas más populares entre los hispanos en este país. Muchas parroquias celebran esta fiesta con representaciones de las apariciones de la Virgen de Guadalupe a San Juan Diego, rezando un rosario mañanero y llevándole las tradicionales “Mañanitas” al son de mariachis. Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe también es considerada patrona de los bebes por nacer.
Las Posadas se celebran en México, Guatemala, El Salvador y otros países de América Latina. Generalmente los vecindarios se organizan y hacen recreaciones de la peregrinación de José y María antes del nacimiento de Jesús, como una forma de ayudarles a preparar sus corazones para el nacimiento de nuestro Señor. Van de casa en casa cantando villancicos navideños tradicionales y tocando a la puerta de cada casa, pero nadie les da posada hasta que encuentran una casa que finalmente los acoge. Algunas parroquias en los Estados Unidos también celebran esta tradición para compartirla con las nuevas generaciones. Las posadas se celebran a partir del 16 de diciembre.
Simbang Gabi o Misa de Gallo es una novena de Misas que se celebra en las Filipinas al amanecer, comenzando el 16 de diciembre hasta la Noche Buena. Comunidades filipinas en los Estados Unidos también celebran esta tradición del 15 al 23 de diciembre. Se le considera una manera de preparar los corazones con fervor, alegría y agradecimiento por la llegada de Jesús, y esta se expresa en la piedad para asistir a la novena de Misas cada día. Luego de cada Misa, las familias comparten postres tradicionales de la temporada navideña.
La fiesta de la Epifanía se celebra el 5 de enero en muchos países del mundo, como México, España, Perú y la isla de Puerto Rico, donde se le llama “Día de Reyes”. En Puerto Rico por ejemplo, el alcalde de las municipalidades visita barrios pobres y lleva juguetes a los niños quienes reciben los juguetes de personas vestidas como los Reyes Magos. La noche previa a la Epifanía, los niños dejan bocadillos para los Reyes Magos y sus camellos y el siguiente día encuentran regalos o dulces que les llegaron mientras dormían.
Todas estas celebraciones pueden ser muy distintas en sus costumbres, pero el centro continúa siendo el mismo: nos recuerdan del bello milagro de que Jesús vino al mundo por nosotros.
(Norma Montenegro Flynn es asistente al director de la oficina de enlace de prensa de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos, USCCB)

Clases sobre planificación natural de la familia dictan en Jackson

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JACKSON – La Diócesis de Jackson facilitará por primera vez en español clases sobre Planificación Natural de la Familia (PNF) usando el Método Sintotérmico. Las clases se dictarán en la Catedral de San Pedro los sábados 17 de enero y 28 de febrero de 2015, de 8 a.m. (registración) a 4 p.m.  Estas clases son patrocinadas por la Liga de Pareja a Pareja, una organización de voluntarios fundada en 1971 y dedicados a promover y enseñar sobre la planificación natural de la familia.
Durante la clase las parejas  aprenderán sobre la fertilidad del hombre y la mujer, sobre la teología del cuerpo según Juan Pablo II y recibirán información de como aprender a reconocer los síntomas del cuerpo con respecto a la fertilidad y a interpretarlos. Para más información y para pre-registrarse llamar a Angelica Mazy, 601-259-0452 o al 601-925-4570.

Honran a legisladores en el Día Católico en el Capitolio

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JACKSON – Los legisladores católicos de Mississippi serán honrados durante un almuerzo como parte de la celebración del Día Católico en el Capitolio el miércoles 4 de febrero de 2015 en Jackson.
Los organizadores han rediseñado el evento enfocándose en la relación con los legisladores católicos y en educar a la gente para que aboguen122614dayatcapital en su propio distrito. El Obispo Joseph Kopacz ofrecerá la oración de apertura en la Legislatura la mañana del evento. Se celebrará una misa en la Catedral de San Pedro a las 12:05 p.m. a la cual asistirán los participantes del Día Católico en el Capitolio. A continuación se obsequiará un almuerzo.
Todos los católicos de Mississippi están invitados a participar y por eso los organizadores necesitan saber cuántas personas van a asistir al evento por lo tanto se requiere que se registren. En la edición de enero de 2015 ofreceremos más información sobre el evento. Por los momentos, aparten el día para asistir.

Ofrecerán restablecimiento de refugiados para niños de tres países

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WASHINGTON – A partir de diciembre de 2014, ciertos padres o una madres que están legalmente presente en Estados Unidos podrán presentar el formulario DS-7699 del Departamento de Estado solicitando una entrevista de restablecimiento de refugiados para los niños solteros menores de 21 años en El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras.
Bajo ciertas circunstancias, si el segundo padre/madre vive con el niño en el país de origen y se encuentra actualmente casado o casada con el padre legalmente presente en Estados Unidos, el segundo de los padres puede ser añadido a la petición del niño y ser considerado para estado de refugiado, y si se le niega el estado como refugiado, para la admisión condicional.

NEW MEXICO – Jocelyn Lara, en el lado de New Mexico en la frontera de los Estados Unidos, besa a su madre, Trinidad Acahua, el 22 de noviembre antes de la Misa celebrada por obispos de los Estados Unidos y México en el Parque Sunland, N.M. Joselyn y su hermana, Yoryet, fueron separadas de su madre cuando ésta fue deportada hace siete años por falta de pruebas de que estaba trabajando en los Estados Unidos legalmente. (CNS foto de Bob Roller)

NEW MEXICO – Jocelyn Lara, en el lado de New Mexico en la frontera de los Estados Unidos, besa a su madre, Trinidad Acahua, el 22 de noviembre antes de la Misa celebrada por obispos de los Estados Unidos y México en el Parque Sunland, N.M. Joselyn y su hermana, Yoryet, fueron separadas de su madre cuando ésta fue deportada hace siete años por falta de pruebas de que estaba trabajando en los Estados Unidos legalmente. (CNS foto de Bob Roller)

El formulario DS-7699 debe presentarse con la asistencia de una agencia de restablecimiento designada que trabaja con la Oficina de Población, Refugiados y Migración del Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos para ayudar a restablecer a los refugiados en Estados Unidos. El formulario no estará disponible en el sitio web del Departamento de Estado para el público general y no se puede completar sin la ayuda de una agencia de restablecimiento financiada por el Departamento de Estado.
Estas agencias de restablecimiento se encuentran en más de 180 comunidades en todo Estados Unidos. Cuando inicie el programa, el Departamento de Estado proporcionará información sobre cómo comunicarse con una de estas agencias para iniciar una aplicación.
Una vez que se haya presentado el formulario DS-7699, el niño en su país de origen contará con asistencia a través del programa de la Organización Internacional para las Migraciones (OIM), que administra el Centro de Asistencia de Restablecimiento de EE.UU. (RSC por sus siglas en inglés) en Latinoamérica.
El personal de la OIM se comunicará con cada niño directamente e invitará a los niños a asistir a entrevistas de pre-selección en sus países de origen con el fin de prepararlos para una entrevista de refugiados con el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS). Se requerirá prueba de relación de ADN para confirmar la relación biológica entre el padre en Estados Unidos y el niño en el país. Después de la entrevista de pre-selección de la OIM, pero antes de la entrevista del DHS, el padre presente legalmente en Estados Unidos será notificado por la OIM a través de la agencia de restablecimiento sobre la forma de presentar las pruebas de ADN de la relación con su niño declarado en El Salvador, Guatemala u Honduras. Si las pruebas de relación de ADN confirman las relaciones reclamadas, la OIM programará la entrevista de refugiados con el DHS.
El DHS llevará a cabo entrevistas con cada niño para determinar si él o ella son elegibles para el estado de refugiado y admisibles a Estados Unidos. Todos los solicitantes deben completar todas las revisiones de seguridad requeridas y obtener una autorización médica antes de su aprobación para viajar como refugiado a Estados Unidos.
La OIM se encargará de organizar los viajes para los refugiados a Estados Unidos. El padre del niño firmará un pagaré acordando pagar el costo del viaje a Estados Unidos.
(Derechos de autor © 2014 Servicio de Noticias Católicas (CNS)/ Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos. Los servicio de noticias de CNS no pueden ser publicados, transmitidos, reescritos o de ninguna otra forma distribuidos, incluyendo pero no limitado a, medios tales como formación o  copia digital o método de distribución en su totalidad o en parte, sin autorización previa y por escrito del Servicio de Noticias Católicas)

Two Catholic schools battle for championship

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By Mary Woodward
STARKVILLE – On a damp, blustery Friday, Dec. 5, two Catholic schools took to the gridiron for a state championship football game. The title game was played on a grand scale – Scott Field at Davis-Wade Stadium on the campus of Mississippi State University (MSU).
Natchez Cathedral Green Wave and Vicksburg St. Aloysius Flashes met in what was dubbed the “Fish Bowl” by many pundents of the day because of our Catholic tradition of eating fish on Friday.
Cathedral ultimately won the spirited and hard-fought game, 49-14, under the leadership of Coach Ron Rushing and four touchdowns by senior quaterback Wyatt Boothe. Juniors Jardarius Carpenter and Dee Fleming also scored for the Green Wave.
According to MaxPreps statistics, a CBS sports system, Fleming finished the 2014 season as the scoring leader in Division 1A south with 146 points. He amassed 875 yards rushing. Boothe finished the season with more than 1,400 yards passing. Carpenter hauled in 559 yards in receptions.
St. Aloysius quarterback, Senior Connor Smith, led the Flashes to two long scoring drives as Coach Bobby Smithhart and a section of vocal fans cheered vociferously. The Flashes put together several scoring opportunities but were not able to capitalize as often as they would have liked.
MaxPreps has Connor passing for 1109 yards, rushing for 1288 yards and scoring 102 points. DeMichael Harris, wide receiver and defensive back, led Division 1A North in total points at 164 and an amazing 2062 yards rushing.
Including this championship game, the two teams have met on the field 52 times. The schools are now even in wins at 26 each in their competitions.
Catherine Cook, diocesan superintendent of schools, who was present at the game, remarked that Catholic schools use sports as a way to develop leadership skills and build character among young people. “Our schools provide quality academic programs to students. We also use athletics to inspire and motivate young people to work hard to reach their full potential,” Cook said.
“This is an exciting day for all involved in educating and forming our young people through Catholic schools. It shows teamwork and dedication can lead to great things,” Cook added.
The game began with the traditional coin toss and introduction of team members. Each team was led by its mascot and cheerleaders in a stampede to the bench area.
Father Tom Lalor, pastor of Vicksburg St. Paul Parish, offered the invocation. In his prayer Father Lalor prayed for the safety of all the players, coaches and fans. He gave thanks for the gift of Catholic education and then asked the Lord to send down his Spirit to guide the competitors to be vigiliant and exhibit good sportsmanship. After the prayer all joined in the singing of the national anthem and then the players took to the field.
Cathedral received the opening kickoff and Carpenter returned it to the seven yard line of St. Aloysius. The Green Wave scored two plays later. St. Aloysius evened the score on an ensuing first quarter drive.
Late in the first half, MSU Head Coach Dan Mullen came out and visited with fans on both sidelines. The Bulldogs coach signed hats and programs and posed for photos and “selfies” with young fans and some not so young. Mullen was recently named 2014 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Coach of the Year.
Mullen is a Catholic School graduate, having attended St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary and Trinity High School in Pennsylvania and New Hampshire. In 1988, he led Trinity to the state championship.
During halftime the Green Wave cheerleaders and drill team entertained the Natchez fans. Then the St. Aloysius band and drill team took the field and wowed the Vicksburg crowd.
Both teams exhibited skill and finesse but in the end Cathedral came away with the victory. St. Aloysius finished the year with a 15-3 record overall and an 8-0 record in their division. Cathedral finished the season at 16-1 overall and 8-0 in their division.
At the end of the game, teams and coaches lined up and shook hands. St. Aloysius players and coaches were awarded silver medals and a trophy by MHSAA officials. Cathedral coaches and players received a game ball, gold medals and the coveted gold ball trophy. It was the first state football final for Natchez Cathedral in its history.
In some circles, football is considered the state religion. Mississippi families are often torn when it comes to team loyalty and bragging rights.
The Catholic Church defines mixed marriages as marriages between a Catholic and a non-Catholic. In Mississippi, a mixed marriage is a household with an Ole Miss and MSU graduate. These marriages can lead to some very contentious Thanksgiving holiday weekends.
In 2014, our state was treated to some unfamiliar territory on the football field. Both MSU and Ole Miss had stellar seasons and have finished ranked in the nation’s top 10 as seventh and ninth respectively. Even football fans who weren’t affiliated with either school joined in the weekly viewing parties.
On the high school level, football powerhouses exist in towns throughout the state including South Panola, Meridian, Madison, Clinton, etc. Division 6A schools get most of the press coverage for the fall season as smaller schools line up across from each other every week throughout the season working hard to make it to the “big dance” as they say.
Indeed, it is a rare day in Mississippi when two Catholic schools vie for a state title in any sport. Therefore it was a momentous occasion when both schools won their respective districts in the Mississippi High School Activities Association’s (MHSAA) Division 1A. St. Aloysius captured the State North title with a victory over Coffeeville; and Cathedral beat Nanih Waiya to win the State South crown.
In a new format all state title games will alternate between MSU’s stadium complex at Scott Field, which is marking its centennial in 2014, and Ole Miss’ Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Games were previously played in Jackson at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Though the crowd of more than 1500 was dwarfed by the 61,000+ capacity venue, fans cheered loudly for their teams and relished the fact that the two schools had made it to the big stage of SEC football.

Pope’s historic visit to Turkey takes on ecumenical theme

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By Francis X. Rocca
ISTANBUL (CNS) – A day after hearing Turkish leaders demand the West show more respect for Islam, Pope Francis prayed alongside a Muslim cleric inside Istanbul’s most famous mosque.
At the Blue Mosque, Istanbul’s grand mufti Rahmi Yaran led Pope Francis to the mosque’s “mihrab,” a niche indicating the direction to the holy city Mecca. He explained that the name is related to that of Jesus’s mother, Mary, who is revered by Muslims.
Then, as the grand mufti continued speaking, the pope fell silent and remained so for several minutes, with head bowed, eyes closed and hands clasped in front of him. A Vatican statement later described this as a “moment of silent adoration.”
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, an early 17th-century structure, is known as the Blue Mosque for the predominant color of the 21,000 tiles decorating its interior.
The pope’s Nov. 29 visit had been scheduled for later in the morning but was moved up, out of concern that it would interfere with noon prayers.
The event recalled the last papal visit to Turkey, in 2006, when Pope Benedict XVI’s prayer in the same mosque went far to ease an international furor over his speech in Regensburg, Germany, which had quoted a medieval description of the teachings of Islam’s prophet Muhammad as “evil and inhuman.”
For Pope Francis, the prayer was only the latest dramatic sign of a desire for closer relations with Islam, including his washing the feet of two Muslims during a Holy Thursday liturgy in 2013, and his invitation to Muslim and Jewish leaders to pray for peace in the Vatican Gardens the following year.
After his arrival in Turkey Nov. 28, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue of prejudice and intolerance against Muslims in other countries, saying that “Islamophobia is a serious and rapidly rising problem in the West” and lamenting that “attempts to identify Islam with terrorism hurt millions.”
Later, during a visit to the Presidency of Religious Affairs, its president, Mehmet Gormez, decried what he called the “dissemination of terror scenarios by the global media through anti-Muslim expressions, which is a form of racism and which has now turned into a crime of hatred.”
After visiting the Blue Mosque, Pope Francis walked to the nearby Hagia Sofia, a sixth-century basilica converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest in 1453, then turned into a museum in the 20th century. The interior decoration today includes gigantic calligraphy of Quranic verses as well as medieval mosaics of Jesus and Mary. As the pope toured the museum, it was filled with the sound of the noon call to prayer from the minaret of a nearby mosque.
In the afternoon, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at Istanbul’s 19th-century Catholic cathedral. It was the first event during his visit to Turkey – a country whose population is less than 0.2 percent Christian – that recalled the enthusiastic crowds who ordinarily greet him on his travels.
The congregation included Catholics of the Armenian, Syriac, Chaldean and Latin rites and prayers in several languages, including Turkish, Aramaic and English. The varied music included African drumming.
Pope Francis’ homily, which acknowledged the presence of several Orthodox and Protestant leaders, focused on the challenge of Christian unity, which he distinguished from mere uniformity.
“When we try to create unity through our own human designs, we end up with uniformity and homogenization. If we let ourselves be led by the Spirit, however, richness, variety and diversity will never create conflict, because the Spirit spurs us to experience variety in the communion of the church,” he said.
The pope’s last public event of the day was an evening prayer service with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the patriarchal Church of St. George.
Like his predecessors Blessed Paul VI, St. John Paul II and retired Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis timed his visit to Turkey to include Nov. 30, the feast of St. Andrew, patron saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, in what is today Istanbul. As it was for the earlier popes, his primary reason for visiting was to strengthen ties with the ecumenical patriarch, considered first among equals by Orthodox bishops.
A 1964 meeting between Blessed Paul and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras opened the modern period of ecumenical dialogue by lifting mutual excommunications that started the East-West schism in 1054.
Pope Francis already has a strong relationship with Patriarch Bartholomew, having met with him both at the Vatican and in Jerusalem. At the prayer service, the pope and the patriarch prayed the Our Father together in Latin, then each offered a separate blessing, respectively in Latin and Greek.
In a brief address, Patriarch Bartholomew noted that the church contains relics of St. Gregory the Theologian and St. John Chrysostom, taken by crusaders during the 1204 sack of Constantinople and returned eight centuries later by St. John Paul II.
“May these holy fathers, on whose teaching our common faith of the first millennium was founded, intercede for us to the Lord so that we rediscover the full union of our churches, thereby fulfilling his divine will in crucial times for humanity and the world,” the patriarch said.
At the end of the service, in a typically spontaneous gesture, the pope asked the patriarch to bless him and the church of Rome.
(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.)

Msgr. Flannery reflects on return to Saltillo

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Msgr. Michael Flannery visits with one of the children in the mission.

By Msgr. Michael Flannery
Bishop Joseph Kopacz and I went to visit the Saltillo Mission over the Thanksgiving holidays. Bishop Kopacz was fulfilling a promise he made to Father Benjamin Piovan, the pastor of San Miguel Mission who passed away last August and was buried in La Place, Louisiana. It was the first visit of the bishop to our mission south of the border. He did not know what to expect. He asked me to accompany him on the visit since I had been assigned to the Saltillo Mission from 1971 to 1974. I had kept in touch with the mission over the years and had returned to visit it more than 30 times.
We left Jackson on Thanksgiving day and we spent five wonderful days at San Miguel. During our time there we visited the seven churches within the city of Saltillo which are part of the mission. We visited two ranchos or villages. The villages assigned to Bishop Kopacz to visit were La Rosa (The Rose) and Sabanilla (The Little Cloth). La Rosa was one hour and a half from Saltillo. It had a paved road all the way. Sabanilla was 45 minutes by highway and two hours and fifteen minutes off the highway on a dirt road. We traveled in a wagon each time.
Friday was spent getting to know the senior citizens of San Miguel. We had a delightful meal with them. In Mexico, old age is not regarded as being a cross but rather a blessing. The elderly are revered and put on a pedestal as being wise and knowledgeable. That afternoon we spent at St. William’s Church and enjoyed a presentation on the birth of the Lord.
The first thing on the agenda for Saturday morning was the blessing of a catechetical center at Maria Auxiliadora. The children of Madison St. Anthony School built two catechetical class rooms as a Lenten project last year. The cost of the project was $4,000. The children of St. Anthony sacrificed for the entire Lenten Season to make it a reality. For the blessing of the catechetical center Bishop Kopacz was joined by the Bishop Emeritus Francisco Villalobos.
The highlight for me was the visit to La Rosa on Saturday. It was a village where I served more than 40 years ago. Father David Martinez, the present acting pastor of San Miguel, had arranged for members of five other villages to congregate there. They were all villages I had served in and most of the elderly people knew me. It was like a homecoming.

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Bishop Kopacz celebrated Mass at the main church on the mission, San Miguel Arcangel. He also conferred the sacrament of confirmation on the youth at the church.

For Bishop Kopacz, the highlight was the visit to Sabanilla (one of the ranchos) on Sunday morning. We were met by the villagers on the dirt road about a mile from the village requesting that we process from there by foot. They wrapped a Mexican flag around Bishop Kopacz’s shoulders and told him he was now truly Mexican. We processed singing: “Juntos como hermanos, miembros de una iglesia, vamos caminando al templo del Señor.” (Together as brothers and sisters, members of one church,  we go together walking, to the temple of the Lord.)
The bishop was duly impressed by the faith of the people. He remarked to me that this is what the gospel is all about. He recalled the life of Pope Francis who, as cardinal of Buenos Aires,  went with regularity by bus to a giant slum, in the district of Baracas known as “21-24.” Pope Francis challenges all of us to a new evangelization and to have a sensitivity for the poor of the world. The Lord looked after all the poor, the lonely, the crippled, blind and lame. No one was excluded from his ministry.
Another highlight for Bishop Kopacz was the visit to Perpetual Help Church and the tomb of Father Patrick Quinn, the founder of the mission. He remarked: “We should make every effort to keep alive the vision of Father Quinn.”
For Bishop Kopacz ‘seeing is believing’. Every place we went the people spoke with enthusiasm of the ministry of Father Quinn and his dedication to the poor of the ranchos. We stood in Father Quinn’s bedroom, which was his home for 30 years. We knew we were standing on holy ground.
The final night of our visit to Saltillo, we were invited to participate in a new project in honor of the memory of Father Quinn. A friend of the founding pastor had donated a strip of land within the city of Saltillo measuring 24 acres in size. It is most unusual to find a strip of property that size within city limits. The Bishop of Saltillo, Don Raul Vera joined us for the blessing of the corner stone of the project to be called Divine Mercy. It will contain a church in the round capable of seating 500 people, a home for unwed mothers and a dormitory for students from the ranchos who wish to pursue a university education but cannot afford to pay rent while attending classes. The compound has other possibilities for future growth.

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Bishop Joseph Kopacz celebrates Mass at the main church. Below he blesses a center, to be called Divine Mercy, in Saltillo, Mexico. (Photos courtesy of John Chevis)

After the ceremony we shared a delightful meal with Bishop Raul Vera, Bishop Kopacz, Father David Martinez, acting pastor, Father Evelio Casarrubias associate pastor of San Miguel and myself. At 10 p.m. we adjourned to pack our bags in preparation for our return journey to Jackson.
Every place Bishop Kopacz went everyone wanted a personal photo with him. As a result the photo op took approximately 30 minutes at each visit. In conclusion we both felt that the faith is alive and strong at San Miguel Mission. We agreed with Bishop Raul Vera that the continuance of the financial support was good so that the vision of Father Quinn would continue long into the future.
The Diocese of Jackson has a special collection for Saltillo scheduled for Jan. 10 and 11, 2015.
(Msgr. Flannery is the pastor of Madison St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Read Bishop Joseph Kopacz’s reflection on the journey on page 3.)