JACKSON – The diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry is inviting Hispanic youth and adults and anyone interested to a Year of Mercy retreat. “God calls us, heal us and sends us to proclaim his mercy” is the theme of the retreat, set for Saturday, April 30, at the Leflore County Civic Center in Greenwood.
The event will open at 8:30 a.m. with registration and refreshments and will end at 5 p.m. with Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz and several attending priests.
Juan Pablo Chávez, from Florida, will lead the adult retreat and Verónica López, coordinator of the diocesan Hispanic young adult ministry, will meet with the youth 13 and older.
Hispanics are encouraged to invite their friends and family members to participate in this retreat which will take the place of the traditional annual “Encuentro Hispano.” Sister María Elena Méndez, in a personal invitation to the event, said that this retreat “will give us the opportunity to experience the mercy of God and inner healing to then apply it to our daily living.”
Sister Méndez said that one of the benefits of participating is to meet other Hispanics from the diocese and “realize that they are not walking alone in their Catholic faith, that there are others walking with them.” Citing Pope Francis in her invitation she wrote, “a little mercy makes the world less cold and more just … that our parishes and communities become islands of mercy in this sea of indifference.”
Details: Brother Ted Dausch, 601-949-6931.

DALLAS –  Meagan Harkey, who grew up as a member of Jackson St. Richard Parish, received the Bishop’s Award for Service in Dallas, where she now serves as a member of the Catholic campus ministry team for Southern Methodist University (SMU). Bishop Kevin Farrell presented the award at a late January ceremony in Dallas.
Her pastor described her as a “dedicated servant leader to SMU Catholic Community.”
“Megan is committed to using her gifts in any capacity the Church needs while she continues her dedication to SMU Catholic. Meagan also serves the Youth Ministry Program at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church,” he added.

Meagan Harkey accepts the Bishop’s Award from Bishop Kevin Farrell, Bishop of Dallas. Harkey grew up in Jackson. (Photo by Ron Heflin)

“I have been involved in the ministry throughout my four years at SMU. I started my freshman year in our first year small groups, FYSH, which I lead as a sophomore. Junior year I coordinated our Mustang Awakening VII retreat, which is our yearly campus wide outreach retreat,” Harkey wrote in an email to Mississippi Catholic.
“This year as student campus minister I have been able to help grow our servant leadership team through retreats, prayer, and individual mentoring to help them develop their relationship with Christ and be better suited to serve the students at SMU. I have also been able to develop a new mission and structure for our ministry alongside the ministry staff,” she added.
Matt Harkey, Meagan’s father, credits her commitment to service to her Catholic education from St. Richard and Madison St. Joseph Schools. She graduated from St. Joseph in 2012, also earning a bishop’s award from the school.
Harkey is set to graduate with a degree in civil engineering this year. “This award is incredibly meaningful to me because this campus ministry has given me so much love, joy, and support in my four years at SMU. I am so blessed that I could give back to this ministry through my time and service,” said Harkey. After graduation she hopes to continue her work in ministry in Texas.

NEW ORLEANS – One of the seminarians set to be ordained this summer, Deacon Jason Johnston, has taken the next step on his journey at Notre Dame Seminary.
During the spring semester each year, the seminary community gears up and prepares for the ordination of seminarians to the priesthood and the diaconate. In preparation for those ordinations, each seminarian participates in an evaluation with the faculty usually including the vocation director.

Deacon Jason Johnston accepts congratulations from Notre Dame Seminary Rector Father James Wehner after his profession of faith. (Photo courtesy of Notre Dame Seminary)

The rector then conducts a canonical interview with each candidate to determine if the seminarian is properly motivated, free to enter into Orders, and is ready to embrace life-long commitments. The seminarian then handwrites a petition to his bishop asking for ordination.
Before the seminary community, the rector leads the community in Vespers at which time each seminarian makes a Profession of Faith and then makes an Oath of Fidelity to uphold and teach the Gospel.
Following this prayer, the rector sends all documentation to the bishop for his review. Recently, candidates for ordination to the priesthood and diaconate participated in the ceremony for the Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity. Let us pray for our future clergy.
Deacon Johnston and Deacon Joseph Le will be ordained Saturday, May 14, at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson.
(Story submitted by Notre Dame Seminary)

By Elsa Baughman
JACKSON – Dr. Dean Ornish, nationally recognized  for his program to reverse heart disease by making comprehensive lifestyle changes, was invited by St. Dominic Hospital on Tuesday, Feb. 23, to talk about the power of lifestyle changes and lifestyle medicine.
St. Dominic’s began to offer his nine-week program, “undo it with Ornish,” in 2014 and since then has helped more than 100 patients, many of whom have significantly improved their lifestyle profiles.
Dr. Ornish, a clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, noted that instead of trying to motivate his patients with the ‘fear of dying,’ he inspires in them a new vision of the ‘joy of living,’ convincing them they can feel better, not just live longer.
He mentioned how in 1977 when he was in his second year of medical school learning how to do bypass surgery, he realized that patients were sent home with the idea they were cured, so they continued doing the same things that had harmed their hearts, eating junk food, smoking, living sedentary, stressful lives. Many ended up back in surgery, sometimes two and three times.
“For me that became a metaphor of an incomplete approach. Literally we were bypassing the problem,” he said. He thought that there was a simpler, more compassionate path back to wellness.
He decided to take a year off to study the problem. Dr. Ornish said his research was not well received. Doctors thought he was crazy. When he graduated he did a second study which showed the same results.
His program has been proven to undo heart disease by dealing with the root causes and not just its effects. It has four elements: nutrition, stress management, fitness and love and support.
Susan and Larry Marquez attended the presentation. Larry followed Dr. Ornish’s program at St. Dominic’s.  His wife, Susan, said she has seen a tremendous change in her husband’s heath since he finished the nine-week program. “His energy level and his overall sense of well being has given us a new lease on life,” she said.
Now, she said, they focus more in what they can eat; an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains, legumes, soy products, nonfat dairy, etc., than what they should not eat, red meat, egg yolks, fried foods, butter, cream, etc.
Even though she didn’t participate in the program, Susan was encouraged by Larry’s doctor to attend the orientation for it. The doctor explained that if patients have a person go through the program with them, they are more successful. “I knew health wise that if this program was going to help Larry, I wanted to be part of it,” she noted.
At the end of the nine weeks, Larry’s total cholesterol was down to 125 from 285, he was 53 pounds lighter, and his blood pressure was normal for the first time in years, said Susan.
She indicated that both of them have gotten healthier. Before the program she had borderline type 2 diabetes and was taking medication. She is off the medicine now. Both have decided to make it a permanent life style change.
The program includes 18 sessions of four hours each for a total of 72 hours during the nine weeks. At each session participants practice and focus on the four elements of the program, learning about what foods to eat and how to prepare them at home; practice a range of techniques to relax, release stress and react in healthier ways, giving and receiving emotional support to help unlock the healing power of community and experience the vitality that comes from daily moderate activity.
Dr. Ornish’s 35 years of research have proved that comprehensive lifestyle changes can also help slow, stop, or even reverse early-stage prostate cancer and can lengthen telomeres, the ends of chromosomes that control aging.
Dr. Ornish said that during his first research in 1977, Michael DeBakey, a cardiac surgeon known as a pioneer in the field, gave him a ‘really hard time.’ “He called me few years ago, right before his death at the age of 99, and told me, ‘I want to thank you because you were right. This approach actually kept me alive so much longer that I would have.’ So that was like a validation to me. It was a good moment.”
In 2011, Medicare joined several private health insurers in covering this program under the specially created category of Intensive Cardiovascular Rehabilitation, (ICR).
David Dzielak, executive director of the Mississippi Division of Medicaid, attended the presentation. He said he was interested in hearing about  the great things that are going on with diets and heart decease because his office was trying to implement a program like the one designed by Dr. Ornish.
For more information visit www.stdom.com and search for ornish.

By Celeste Zepponi
In my previous column, I wrote about opportunities in our daily lives that can help us embrace this wonderful Year of Mercy. It is exciting to realize we can receive extra mercies during this year. We can also, by the power of the Holy Spirit, become vessels delivering God’s mercies in extraordinary ways during this year dedicated by Pope Francis as the Extraordinary Year of Mercy!
Having examined in my last post the Corporal Works of Mercy which primarily affect the body, this post looks deeper into the Spiritual Works of Mercy which deal primarily with the spirit and the mind.
Juggling the idea of Spiritual Works of Mercy can be overwhelming so, as in my last post, once again, I find clarity in the words of Mother Teresa.  Her words are immensely comforting, freeing and inspiring. But most importantly, her words are motivating!
“God has not called me to be successful. He called me to be faithful.” Unbound by obscure definitions of success, we are completely free to spend our energies on something we can actually accomplish. We can be faithful. We can administer the gifts, resting the outcomes completely in God’s hands.
Armed with Mother Teresa’s commission to be faithful, let us clothe ourselves with Christ’s LOVE as we approach our commission to participate in the Spiritual Works of Mercy.

1. Correct the Sinner:
St. Paul reminds us to “speak the truth in love,” (Eph 4:15). Actions speak louder than words. First and foremost, by example, we have opportunities to “speak the truth in love.” Do we encourage others to avoid occasions of sin by steering clear of situations, conversations, and habits that lead to sin? We ourselves are in constant need of healing and forgiveness. We experience bountiful opportunities to demonstrate the healing power of confession, the Holy Mass, and the consolations of time spent in prayer.
Let’s ask ourselves:
Do I know someone living in serious sin? Have I prayed that they turn from sin? Have I asked God to give me the grace of words and actions that will bless and encourage them?
Love calls us to care, to correct the sinner because we love, not because we condemn. Jesus never condemns, but invites us into repentance and healing. How can I be a vessel of this Heavenly mercy?
How can I help someone to desire the healing touch of Jesus? What one step can I take today, this week, that will demonstrate my commitment toward the Spiritual Works of Mercy?

2. Instruct the Uninformed:
We best share our faith by understanding and appreciating the truths and teachings of our faith. Knowing about God’s love creates hope and brings deeper meaning into our lives. Especially with today’s technology, there is an abundance of educational materials available covering endless topics about the Catholic faith. Studying the traditions of our church, the lives of the saints, the role of our church in today’s culture, and researching why we believe what we believe is exciting and inviting to others.
Let’s ask ourselves:
Have I given any thought of my responsibilities to talk about my faith in the most ordinary circumstances of my daily life?
Do my actions and speech reflect the values and truths of what I profess to believe?
Does my life mirror joy and holiness in a way that would encourage someone to want to know more about my faith?

3 & 4 counsel the doubtful and comfort the sorrowful
There are times when we all experience confusion and sorrow in our lives. During these times we greatly benefit from the gift of someone who shares God’s love by being with us. Sometimes our presence is enough, words are not necessary. Other times we need to talk and have someone help us process our fears, doubts and sorrows. A counselor, loved one or trusted friend willing to listen and pray with us allows us to find peace through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Let’s ask ourselves:
• Do I really listen to others and genuinely care about their sorrows and concerns?
• Am I willing to spend the gift of time with someone who is in need of comfort?
• Do I believe my prayers for this person make a difference?
5 & 6  Bear wrongs Patiently & Forgive all Injuries
When someone has hurt us, especially if we feel the hurt was intentional, it can be very hard to forgive. Each time we recite the Lord’s Prayer, we pray these words: “…And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Jesus himself taught us this prayer. Jesus asks us to forgive others as completely as He forgives all our sins. Forgiveness protects us from bitterness and unhappiness. Forgiveness is a spiritual act of mercy. It is the decision of our will to forgive that pleases God and He in turn provides the grace we need to let go and truly forgive.
Let’s ask ourselves:
• Have I allowed myself to grow bitter or better?
• Do I turn to the Lord and ask for the grace I need to truly forgive when I have been offended?
• Am I willing to receive Christ’s healing and accept His gift of peace?
7.  To pray for the living and the dead
Prayer is a powerful act of spiritual mercy. Daily prayer is an act of worship, an acknowledgment of God’s presence and worthiness of our time and attention. It is also a time of petitioning God’s mercy for ourselves and others. God hears and answers our prayers. The greatest prayer is the Holy Mass. During the Holy Mass we pray for all those living as well as all those who have died. God is not bound by time and space and it is not too late to pray for those who have gone before us as they, too, pray for us. Though we may be physically separated from our brothers and sisters in Christ through death of the body, we believe in eternal life and that we will all be united as members of the communion of saints. In the book of Maccabees, we are reminded “It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” 2 Maccabees 12:46 (DRA).
Let’s ask ourselves:
• Do I give thanks and praise for answered prayers?
• Do I take time to be alone with God in silence and remember the needs of others, presenting their needs to the Lord?
• Do I pray for the souls in purgatory?
Let us Pray to the Holy Spirit to give us the grace to cherish these Spiritual Works of Mercy!
Let us memorize this quote:  “God has not called me to be successful. He called me to be faithful.” Mother Teresa
(Celeste Zepponi is an artist, blogger for Catholicmom.com and member of Clarksdale St. Elizabeth Parish.)

JEFF ARTIGUES – St. Joseph, Starkville
“Jeff selflessly gives of his time, often behind the scenes, without recognition and simply for the joy of serving others. He works tirelessly with an inspirational level of dedication, heading everything from our most difficult to our most menial tasks, all while maintaining a sense of humor.” (faith formation, youth ministry, candidate for diaconate)

LUIS BORRELL – St. Joseph, Meridian
“Dr. Borrell is the cornerstone of our Hispanic ministry and does so in a humble and unassuming fashion.” (liturgical ministry, service, pastoral council, Knights of Columbus)

ELIZABETH CARROLL – St. John, Sardis
“Her leadership in, love for and participation in the liturgies is the glue that holds this parish mission church together. She is the concrete of St. John the Baptist, mission of St. Mary. She is totally dedicated to keeping St. John the Baptist in Sardis a viable community.” (liturgical ministries, prayer leader, flower ministry)

TALMADGE CARTER – St. Joseph, Woodville
“Talmadge’s faithful and dedicated witness to her ministerial and pastoral duties has inspired new parishioners at St. Joseph to offer their stewardship of time, talent and treasure as a ‘vounteeristic thank you’ for her ministerial spirit.” (liturgical ministries)

JOAN CLEARY – St. John, Oxford
“Joan is a stellar figure in the parish and I believe the diocese. Most of the parish thinks of her as the ‘church lady’ … (she exhibits) tireless devotion; gives and does not count the cost, as I’m reminded in the Ignatian prayer.” (sacristan, liturgical ministries, hospitality)

DAVID and MONA COBB – St. Joseph, Gluckstadt
“Their care and respect for the youth, who are often misunderstood and overlooked, has been a tremendous blessing to our parish. David and Mona listen to these young people, they respect their ideas, struggles, successes, failures and attempts. They guide with a wisdom few possess.” (finance council, education, youth ministry)

MICHAEL CRANDALL – St. Francis of Assisi, Madison
“At a time when the parish was struggling to build its own sanctuary and Family Life Center … he was instrumental in making that a reality … He is one man who demonstrates a great love for his parish and he takes his faith seriously.” (Knights of Columbus, parish council, finance council)

GIRARD and PAULINE GAUTHIER
St. Alphonsus, McComb
“Both Pauline and Gerard have an infectious and generous voluntary zest. They love to greet new parishioners and help them assimilate into the church family, assisting their ease into the Gloster community at large. Catholics and non-Catholics alike know their generous hearts.” (pastoral and finance councils, church maintenance, service projects)

JULIE HARKINS – Holy Savior, Clinton
“She goes beyond the call of duty (and paid hours) to travel from home to parish events. She helps generously in a quiet way to meet the needs of parishioners, shut-ins … for most of her adult life she has been dedicated to the work of the church at parish and diocesan level.” (parish secretary, Catholic Foundation, youth ministry, parish activities)

KERMIT and DAISY HARNESS – Holy Family, Jackson
“When one drives onto the grounds and sees the blooming rose bushes or flowering shrubs or goes into a classroom and sees the whiteboards on each wall or looks on the floor to see the age-appropriate religious-themed rugs or sees the kitchen cabinets or sees other projects completed, one sees can see how their service has made a difference in the parish.” (beautification, music ministry, projects as needed)

JEFFREY and CHRISTI HOUIN – St. James, Tupelo
“Jeff and Christi bring a great deal of enthusiasm and joy to our parish community. They are always reaching out to new families who come to the parish … as a priest I know they are always there for me and always giving me a kind, encouraging word.”
(Knights of Columbus, music ministry, liturgical ministries, marriage preparation)

BENNY and AMANDA JEANSONNE
St. Mary Basilica, Natchez
“Both offer their service, support and insight for projects they consider important in the parish and the community. Amanda spends countless hours each week as director of the Stewpot… I don’t think either Benny or Amanda see the use of their time/education/expertise as a sacrifice, rather they see it as the right thing to do.” (pastoral and finance councils, community service, liturgical service)

THOMAS EDWARD LEWIS – St. Richard, Jackson
“Since almost the moment Tom was confirmed via RCIA in 1991, he has taken an active role in service to St. Richard Parish and to the community. He has spent untold hours working at the parish in various ministries. Tom is available for his parish whenever he is called upon and very often, Tom is the one that identifies the need and volunteers his service. (RCIA, computer work, Christian Service Committee)

CHRISTINE McDANIEL
Immaculate Conception, Clarksdale
“I am not afraid to say that a lot of Mrs. McDaniel’s work around Immaculate Conception has helped keep the parish alive … she has helped keep the doors to the parish open as well as bring many people back into the church.” (business manager, service outreach, hospitality)

DAVID and KARLA McHAN
St. Michael, Vicksburg
“Because they are serious about their ministries, they take advantage of most every opportunity to further their own faith and spiritual development. They participate in parish, diocesan and regional faith formation opportunities for catechists and lay ministers.” (faith formation, music ministry, youth ministry)

LEONARD ROBINSON
Sacred Heart, Camden
“He faithfully visits the shut-ins and brings them Communion, even as his own health was failing… It’s hard to find people willing to go and visit the shut-ins on a consistent regular basis. The shut-ins really feel connected to the parish community and the community to them.” (Eucharistic ministry, hospitality, cursillo)

ROLAND STEWART – St. Patrick, Meridian
“He is a true servant of God in our Catholic Community of St. Joseph and St. Patrick, in our diocese and in the city of Meridian and surrounding areas.” (evangelization, faith formation, Knights of Columbus, Knights of Peter Claver)

TENY TUMINELLO – St. Alphonsus, McComb
“She is our parish historian. She breathes life and stories into the names listed in our history. She is a direct link to the earliest beginnings of our parish. (parish council, liturgical ministries, parish historian)

MARY HELEN WALLER
Our Lady of Victories, Cleveland
“Mary Helen is one of those people in a parish who stays in the background, but who is instrumental in the success of many parish activities, from liturgy to non-liturgical gatherings.” (liturgical ministry, hospitality)

JUNE WICHERS – St. James, Magnolia
“She deserves this award because she does everything, prepares the church for Mass, rosary, Stations of the Cross, arranges books, marks the readings. She sacrifices her time, work and money for her church. (liturgical ministry, pastoral and finance councils)

Youth honorees
BRANDI GROTHMAN – St. Joseph, Greenville
“Brandi is passionately Catholic, a strong leader and an evangelist. She turns every struggle into an opportunity to grow closer to Christ.”

MARY GRACE HUDSON – St. James, Tupelo
“Mace values her faith and is always wanting to learn more. Her qualities include a heart for service, a willingness to help when needed and she is a strong leader.”

BRIAN McHAN – St. Michael, Vicksburg, senior
“Brian is a kind, generous, loving and quietly unassuming faith-filled young man. However, he has never been afraid to say how important his faith is to him or to speak of the many blessings that God has bestowed upon him.”

SARAH ORR – Holy Savior, Clinton
“Sarah is not only faithful, but she exhibits reverence through leading fellow students in prayer and worship.”

MEGAN MARIE PATTERSON
St. Richard, Jackson, senior
“Megan’s faith has been a light for her and others around her. When she is surrounded by others who have faiths different from hers or no faith at all, she continues to faithfully express her Catholic religion in word and example.”

JOHN CHARLES WOLFE, JR.
Holy Family, Jackson
“John ‘Jay’ is deserving of the award because of his willingness to help others… three qualities that exemplify him are patience, grace and dignity and leadership ability.”

AREN ELAINE WORRELL
St. Joseph, Gluckstadt
“Aren is an extremely responsible, dependable and driven individual. She is a natural leader by her example of excellence in all she does.”