Monthly Archives: June 2016

Class of 2016

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By Catherine Cook
JACKSON – The four Catholic high schools within the Diocese of Jackson graduated 177 young men and women this year. The history of these schools dates back to the mid-1800s,  so, the graduates of 2016 join a long list of persons formed in faith and educated for the world in the Catholic schools of Mississippi.
Our graduates collectively earned $13.4 million in scholarships based on their academic and athletic performances, as well as their leadership and community service. Our 2016 graduating class is a diverse group – racially, economically, and yes, religiously. Seventy-one percent are Caucasian and the remaining 29 percent are African- American and other ethnic backgrounds. Fifty percent are from other faith traditions. Our students are diverse, too, in their talents and interests. As Superintendent I am proud of the teachers, administrators and students who work hard to form the students who will go on to become our leaders, educators and the future of the Church. Thank you to all parents, alumni, and patrons who support the ministry of Catholic education in our schools. Congratulations to the class of 2016!
(Catherine Cook is the diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools.)

GREENVILLE ST. JOSEPH
VALEDICTORIAN: Virginia French Virden
GPA: : 4.3538 – ACT: 29

From her speech: The memories that fill my mind when I think of St. Joe will forever be filled with this class. You are the people who have inspired me the most, and I can not thank you all enough for that.062416grad01
… I ultimately decided on being myself and trying my best to put into words the unconditional love I have for the school that built me and the people that surround me. I wanted my class to know how much they mean to me and how highly I think of each and every one of them. I wanted them to know the joy I have when seeing their smiling faces and the sadness I will feel when we will all go our separate ways. But ultimately, I wanted them to know the huge impact they have had on my life and on me becoming the person I am today. I cannot describe in enough words the life-changing impact you all have had on me but it will forever be in my heart. … It is finally our time, let’s make the most of it.
Member of St. Joseph Catholic Parish
Scholarships: Southern Methodist University, Francis P. and Annie C. Unkel Trust Scholarship, National Honor Society Semi-Finalist. Virden was offered an additional $259,980 in scholarship funds to seven universities in the Southeast.

Awards/honors: STAR Student; National Honor Society (president), Wendy’s Heisman School Winner, Class Officer (9-12), SJS Ambassador, Mayor’s Youth Council, Youth Retreat Team Leader (9-12), Mu Alpha Theta, The Society of Torch and Laurel, Delta Democrat Times Star Scholar, Guaranty Bank Guaranteed Achiever, Principal’s List, Homecoming Court,  Mississippi HOBY representative, Girls’ State (elected Chancery Court Clerk),  Tennis – Girls’ State Singles Champ (2015), Doubles Champ (2013), Named St. Joseph Outstanding Senior Female Athlete.
Activities: tennis, soccer, cheering
Favorite subject: History
Favorite service project: Mayor’s Youth Council where she completed numerous service projects around the community while working with students from all area schools.
Plans to attend: Southern Methodist University to study political science.

SALUTATORIAN: Adrian Thomas Azar
GPA: 4.3196 – ACT:  33

From his speech: Going to St. Joseph’s has made a tremendous impact on my life, as I know it has on us all. St. Joe has given us the opportunity to excel and to be who we are. Throughout my years here, I have built life­long friendships and have become very close with so many of you. Being here has allowed me to find a true love for the game of 062416grad02basketball and further enhance my education. The most important characteristic that Saint Joseph has to offer is its diversity. We are different in so many ways but still we have become so united. The bonds we have made will never be broken. We will always be like a family.
As we now prepare to venture on and take the next step in our lives, let’s reflect upon not only the great memories we have shared but also recognize those regrets we may have.
So my fellow graduates, we must make a commitment to never take anything for granted as we go our own separate ways. We all have a great purpose in our lives that with God’s help we can discover. We will accomplish great and daunting tasks.
Go out into the world and crave that success, because we never know when our time will run out. Going to St. Joe was the best thing that could have happened to me, so while we are on our individual journeys, we must keep one thing in mind: Don’t ever forget where we came from and who we came with, because we would not have gotten to this point in our lives without each other.
Member of St. Joseph Catholic Parish
Scholarships: University of Mississippi Academic Excellence, UM Bledsoe Scholarship, UM Salutatorian Scholarship, UM Competitive Edge Scholarship, UM Academic Excel Tech Award, Betty & Hodding Carter Family Foundation Scholarship, Washington County Ole Miss Scholarship, Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant.

Awards/honors: Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, Principal’s List, Mississippi Governor’s School Achievement Award, Scholars Bowl Championship Team (10th), Wendy’s High School Heisman School Winner, Winter Fest Court, Selected to compete in Academic Hoop Group Elite Program, Basketball MVP  (2015 & 2016).
Activities: Basketball, golf
Favorite subject: History
Favorite service project: Delta Soul celebrity golf and charity event
Plans to attend: University of Mississippi to study biology/pre-medicine.

MADISON ST. JOSEPH
VALEDICTORIAN: JOSEPH COLLINS
GPA: 4.37 – ACT: 35

From his speech: By his graduation speech, Joseph Collins showed his fascination with heroes and told why stories about super heroes appeal to us. “I think it is because we know these outlandish stories are not too far from the truth . . . Why is it important to understand our relationship to our super powered fantasies? As we transition from high school to the next step in our lives we are undergoing an experience that parallels a hero’s first true victory.062416grad03
… However, as any comic fan knows, in the words of Uncle Ben, ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ We cannot leave and forget the lessons we have learned. We must strive to develop our skills further, to continue to learn. We cannot stop helping others just because we do not have to turn in service hours anymore. We do not have to be able to fly or run faster than a speeding bullet in order to make a difference. We are graduating from a Catholic school after all. Our beliefs and our knowledge give us the power to affect real change, by setting examples, by caring for others. We will have to make sacrifices, to forgo comfort in favor of the right thing. It was Albus Dumbledore who said, “We must choose between what is easy and what is right.” So trust in us, you have taught us well. We may falter, but we will not abandon the path.
Member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish
Scholarships: University Scholar from Notre Dame, Presidential Scholar from Stevens Institute of Technology, Gustav Mesmer Scholarship from Washington University in St. Louis, Presidential Scholarship from Rhodes College, Blitz 16-BankPlus Scholar Athlete Scholarship, BankPlus 360 Scholarship.

Awards/honors: Elected Lt. Governor of American Legion Mississippi Boys State, alternate to American Legion Boys Nation, selected as counselor to American Legion Boys State, Scholar Athlete Award from St. Joe, Wendy’s Heisman winner, National Honor Society, President Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society,
National Junior Classical League, State officer, swimming state champion: 100 freestyle, 400 freestyle relay, Most Valuable Swimmer, swim team captain, Most Valuable Bowler, Academic Excellence Awards, Service Award.
Activities: Band, orchestra for musical, swimming, bowling, reading.
Favorite service project: Dance Marathon “Bruinthon” for Children’s Hospital.
Plans to attend: University of Notre Dame to study mechanical engineering.

SALUTARORIAN: William Doherty
GPA: 4.24 – ACT: 31

From his speech: Both St. Joseph Catholic School and our families have given us a strong foundation for us as we venture into the next chapter of our lives. It is now up to us to take that foundation and build upon it. If we do not build upon this solid foundation, then we wasted our education. This will not be easy. There will be times when the going gets tough and you fall. The odds will be against you. You will want to give up because it is difficult. However, Bruce Wayne’s butler, Alfred, in “Batman Begins” tells us that we fall “So that we learn to pick ourselves up.”062416grad04
It is through failure that we find out who we are and what our purpose on this world is. So go out and try new things and do not worry about falling. Go be an underdog and beat the odds like Leicester City, who won the British Premier League with five thousand to one odds.
… Do not be afraid to fail, because if we have the courage to continue despite our failures, we will find success in each of our future endeavors.
Member of St. Richard Catholic Parish
Scholarships: Vice Presidential Scholarship at St. Louis University (SLU), Higher Purpose Scholarship at SLU, Merit Scholar from Millsaps, Merit Scholar from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala.

Awards/honors: Delegate to American Legion Mississippi Boys State, Sportsmanship Award from St. Joseph, Principal’s Honor Roll, National Honor Society, Treasurer; Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Junior Classical League, Basketball tournament sportsmanship award, and Academic Excellence Awards.
Activities: Cross country, track, basketball, faith life youth group, Retreat Team.
Favorite subject: History
Favorite service project: Alive in You Project in Mobile.
Plans to attend: St. Louis University.

NATCHEZ CATHEDRAL SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN:  DEJA HARRIS
GPA: 4.357 – ACT: 29

From her speech: In her speech, Harris shared three Major Key Alerts: First, prepare to fail. We are all going to fail at something in life. As cliché as it is, failure is a part of life; we all have to fail so that we know what not to do on our journey to success and happiness. In order to achieve success and happiness, we have to learn from our failures and not dwell on them.062416grad05
Second Major Key Alert: Be loud and proud of what you believe in… Do not change or smother your views on an issue in order to please others. Most of my classmates have never had an issue with voicing his/her opinion. You have to remain true to yourself although, there will be situations in which doing so seems difficult. We should never be afraid to express how you feel; however, you should respect those whose opinion may differ from yours.
(Third) Major Key Alert: Spread your blessings. Remain open to helping and serving others… We all have a mission in life that is not quantified by the amount of money we make, the status or position we hold, or the materials we possess, but by the difference we make in other people’s lives, our imprint on society, and how well we serve God.
Member of Spiritual Filled Life Christian Church
Scholarships: Scholarship to Loyola Marymount University, $172,000, over 4 years.

Awards/honors:
Activities: Voted Most Likely to Succeed, state winner at Science Olympiad Competition, president of the Key Club.
Favorite service project: Kids Against Hunger meal packing project.
Plans to attend: Tougaloo College to study art and minor in psychology.

SALUTARORIAN: Addie Netterville
GPA: 4.259  – ACT: 27

From her speech:  When I was just a baby, I almost lost my life — I was born prematurely. However, through fluent prayer, I survived the near fatal experience. Throughout my younger years, I was diagnosed with a speech and language disability.062416grad06
Tonight, Class of 2016, I challenge you to dare the “impossible.” I challenge you to not be bound by your limitations, to not accept the “diagnosis,” and to not accept what others believe about you. My parents and I refused to accept that I was “disabled.” We chose, and believed, that I was “healed,” because the “Holy One,” God the Father, says that I am “healed.”
Each of us was appointed by God for a specific mission — to serve Him, to love Him, to spread the Word of God, and to live life for His Glory. Let no man discourage you, be discouraged by no one. In life, we are born. In life, we die. We each have limitations, which, through God, we overcome and are healed. All we have to do is ask God for help, which we may not receive instantly, or verbally. However, through another person’s kind words, actions, and over time, we shall receive God’s confirmation — we received the victory.
Prepare, Class of 2016, because tonight, you become young men and women — it’s time to grow, to put aside foolishness, because the choices you make will affect you for the rest of your life.
Member of Church of God
Scholarships: Millsaps College, $26,000, per semester for 4 years.

Awards/honors: Inducted into the National Honor Society, A average all 4 years Science National.
Activities: Writing, poetry, devoting time to God, soccer and writing music.
Favorite subject: college algebra, trigonometry and speech:
Favorite service project: Natchez Children’s Home
Plans to attend: Grand Canyon University to study bio-medical engineering.

VICKSBURG ST. ALOYSIUS
VALEDICTORIAN:  KATIE MARTIN
GPA: 4.76 – ACT: 34

From her speech: I am honored to be the valedictorian of the Class of 2016. To all of our dedicated teachers and coaches, thank you for teaching us, inspiring us, and encouraging us to be better than we thought we could be.
… Growth and improvement are part of the expectations for the St. Al swim team. My St. Al swim coach, Coach Bruce Ebersole, always reminds the swim team to “Make the little things count.” The only way to improve in swimming is to make small consistent 062416grad07improvements. In a sport where milliseconds separate the medalists, those little things make all the difference.
Focusing on little things also applies to life. Whether it is spending 10 minutes developing a relationship or a moment throwing away a piece of trash, those little things will accumulate into a stronger relationship and a healthier environment.
We are what we do often and since we live one second at a time, the only way to change anything is through the little things. Focus on the little things – those small choices will determine how you change the world.
I have always liked the Irish blessing the priests use, so I will close with this:
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warmly upon your face,
The rains fall softly upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Member of The Church of the
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
Scholarships: Accepted: Knights of Columbus Essay Scholarship, Purdue University Alumni Association and Presidential Scholarships, United Way Teen Help Bruce Alan Ebersole Jr. Scholarship. Others: William Carey University, Belhaven University, Mississippi College, Mississippi College Science and Mathematics Academic Scholarship, University of Rochester Xerox, University of Mississippi Academic Scholarship, Mississippi State University Academic Scholarship, University Illinois Academic Scholarship, U.S. Military Academy Scholarship.

Awards/honors: Mississippi Economic Council Star Student, Bronze Presidential Service Award, Math and Science Team, Academic Quiz Bowl, English, Social Studies, Science, Theology Awards, Gold A Award, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, 4.0 Presidential Award, Honor Graduate with Special Distinction.

Favorite subjects: math, science and English
Favorite service project: Camp Silvercloud with the Junior Auxiliary
Plans to attend: Purdue University to study engineering

SALUTATORIAN: Katelyn Brock
GPA: 4.65  – ACT: 28

From her speech: My classmates and I are excited to stand before you today as the St. Aloysius Class of 2016. During our time at St. Al, we have had special experiences with people that have helped us to grow into the men and women we are today.062416grad08
One word that I could use to sum up this class is determined. There isn’t a task we decide to do that we won’t try our hardest on. We are a class that takes the phrase “all or nothing” quite literally. The results may not be what we wanted them to be, but no one can ever say that we didn’t give our best efforts. As we move forward, I hope that we will keep this sense of determination with us and utilize it in whatever we may do.
At the beginning of senior year, Dr. Strickland gave us a challenge, and today I give you the same one. I dare you all to be great. In these next years, we won’t all be together, but I want to hear of all the wonderful things the Class of 2016 is doing. I dare you to be the absolute best version of you by giving everything you have to be great. Never give up and always keep fighting. We have learned many things at St. Aloysius and now I dare you to utilize those things to further you to greatness.

Member of Crawford Street United Methodist Church
Scholarships: Accepted: Merit Health River Region Joe and Feeney Elliot Scholarship, Mississippi College Science and Mathematics Academic Scholarship, Mississippi College Dean’s Scholarship.
Others: Louisiana Technical University Outstanding Student Bulldog Scholarship.
Awards/honors: ”I Dare You Award,” Gold Service Award, Gold A Award, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and an Honor Graduate with Special Distinction, 4.0 Presidential Award.
Activities: Member of Swim Team, Retreat Team, Key Club, Mu Alpha Theta, NHS, President of Church Youth Group, Conference Council of Youth Ministry, Math and Science Team.
Favorite Subjects: Biology, all sciences.
Plans to attend: Mississippi College to study biology, pre-medicine to become a pediatrician.
Favorite service project: Good Shepherd Senior Service Project.

Bear witness to authentic freedom in Christ

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WASHINGTON (CNS) – “Witnesses to Freedom” is the theme of the U.S. bishops’ fifth annual Fortnight for Freedom, which opened June 21, the vigil of the feast of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, and closes on Independence Day, July 4.
The opening Mass was celebrated at 7 p.m. in Baltimore at the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with Baltimore Archbishop William Lori as principal celebrant and homilist. Archbishop Lori is chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty.
The closing Mass will be celebrated at noon at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington will be the principal celebrant, and Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik will be the homilist.
“Zubik” is the name given to the court case brought by many Catholic and other religious entities, including the Pittsburgh Diocese, to challenge the federal requirement that all employers, including most religious employers, provide employee health coverage of contraceptives and abortifacients, even if they are morally opposed to such coverage.
The legal challenge, which the U.S. Supreme Court sent back to the lower courts May 16, has been a flashpoint in the U.S. church’s fight on religious liberty issues.
The Fortnight for Freedom is “based on love of country and of liberty,” according to the USCCB. The aim is to “encourage Catholics, other Christians and all people of goodwill to set aside two weeks to reflect on religious freedom,” it said.
The annual observance also gets to the heart of what Pope Francis said during his visit last September to the United States, the USCCB said, noting the pope “encouraged us to nurture, promote and defend the precious gift of religious freedom.”
This year the USCCB, along with Jesuit-run Stonyhurst College in the Diocese of Lancashire, England, is coordinating a U.S. tour of relics of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher to promote respect for religious liberty. Both were executed during the Protestant Reformation by King Henry VIII for their Catholic beliefs.
The relics will go to Miami, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Denver, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Washington.
In addition, the USCCB is highlighting the Christian witness of 14 women and men – one each day of the fortnight observance, including:
– Blessed Oscar Romero, the slain archbishop of San Salvador.
– The Little Sisters of the Poor, the order at the forefront of the court fight against the contraceptive mandate.
– The Martyrs of Compiegne, France. The 16 Carmelites were guillotined during the French Revolution for defying the government’s suppression of their monastery.
– The Coptic Christians who were killed by Islamic State militants last year.
“Reflecting on the lives of these great men and women can show us how we might serve as witnesses to freedom today,” said the USCCB statement on the 2016 Fortnight for Freedom.
“It is remarkable to see the witness of so many martyrs throughout the history of the church who love the land and people of their birth, even as they are being persecuted,” it said. “We can emulate this in our work today to promote religious freedom in the U.S., as it is a piece of our efforts to contribute to the good of all Americans.”
Information about the fortnight and various resources to help plan local observances are available online at www.Fortnight4Freedom.com.
The USCCB suggests several ways parishes can celebrate the fortnight, including by holding a prayer vigil for religious freedom, organizing a study group on religious freedom issues and hosting a parish picnic to celebrate religious freedom.

We must struggle to love our neighbor

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IN EXILE
By Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI
“The most damaging idolatry is not the golden calf but enmity against the other.” The renowned anthropologist, Rene Girard, wrote that and its truth is not easily admitted.  Most of us like to believe that we are mature and big-hearted and that we do love our neighbors and are free of enmity towards others. But is this so?
In our more honest — more accurately perhaps, in our more humble moments — I think that all of us admit that we don’t really love others in the way that Jesus asked. We don’t turn the other cheek. We don’t really love our enemies. We don’t wish good to those who wish us harm. We don’t bless those who curse us.
And we don’t genuinely forgive those who murder our loved ones. We are decent, good-hearted persons, but persons whose heaven is still too-predicated on needing an emotional vindication in the face of anyone or anything that opposes us. We can be fair, we can be just, but we don’t yet love the way Jesus asked us to; that is, so that our love goes out to both those who love us and to those who hate us. We still struggle, mightily, mostly unsuccessfully, to wish our enemies well.
But for most of us who like to believe ourselves mature that battle remains hidden, mostly from ourselves. We tend to feel that we are loving and forgiving because, essentially, we are well-intentioned, sincere, and able to believe and say all the right things; but there’s another part of us that isn’t nearly so noble.
The Irish Jesuit, Michael Paul Gallagher, (who died recently and will be dearly missed) puts this well when he writes (In Extra Time): “You probably don’t hate anyone, but you can be paralyzed by daily negatives. Mini-prejudices and knee-jerk judgements can produce a mood of undeclared war. Across barbed wire fences, invisible bullets fly.”  Loving the other as oneself, he submits, is for most of us an impossible uphill climb.
So where does that leave us? Serving out a life-sentence of mediocrity and hypocrisy? Professing to loving our enemies but not doing it? How can we profess to be Christians when, if we are honest, we have to admit that we are not measuring up to the litmus-test of Christian discipleship, namely, loving and forgiving our enemies?
Perhaps we are not as bad as we think we are. If we are still struggling, we are still healthy.  In making us, it seems, God factored in human complexity, human weakness and how growing into deeper love is a life-long journey. What can look like hypocrisy from the outside can in fact be a pilgrimage, a Camino walk, when seen within a fuller light of patience and understanding.
Thomas Aquinas, in speaking about union and intimacy, makes this important distinction. He distinguishes between being in union with something or somebody in actuality and being in union with that someone or something through desire.
This has many applications but, applied in this case; it means that sometimes the heart can only go somewhere through desire rather than in actuality. We can believe in the right things and want the right things and still not be able to bring our hearts onside.
One example of this is what the old catechisms (in their unique wisdom) used to call “imperfect contrition,” that is, the notion that if you have done something wrong that you know is wrong and that you know that you should feel sorry for, but you can’t in fact feel sorry for, then if you can wish that you could feel sorry, that’s contrition enough — not perfect, but enough.
It’s the best you can do and it puts you at the right place at the level of desire, not a perfect place, but one better than its alternative.
And that “imperfect” place does more for us than simply providing the minimal standard of contrition needed for forgiveness. More importantly it accords rightful dignity to whom and to what we have hurt.
Reflecting on our inability to genuinely love our neighbor, Marilynne Robinson submits that, even in our failure to live up to what Jesus asks of us, if we are struggling honestly, there is some virtue.
She argues this way: Freud said that we cannot love our neighbor as ourselves, and no doubt this is true. But since we accept the reality that lies behind the commandment, that our neighbor is as worthy of love as ourselves, then in our very attempt to act on Jesus’ demand we are acknowledging that our neighbor is worthy of love, even if at this point in our lives we are too weak to provide it.
And that’s the crucial point: In continuing to struggle, despite our failures, to live up to Jesus’ great commandment of love, we acknowledge the dignity inherent in our enemies, acknowledge that they are worthy of love, and acknowledge our own shortcoming. That’s “imperfect” of course, but, I suspect, Thomas Aquinas would say it’s a start!
(Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser, theologian, teacher and award-winning author, is President of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX.)

Rogation Days still part of rural Mississippi faith

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By Father Scott Thomas
May 24 marked the one-year anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical Laudato Si, in which he spoke to humanity about its relationship with creation. In rural Mississippi, especially in the Delta, people still depend on the yield of the land. So many jobs are based on farming, so naturally the Holy Father’s encyclical is very relevant to our diocese and state. Towards the end, the Holy Father says, “The rich heritage of Christian spirituality, the fruit of twenty centuries of personal and communal experience, has a precious contribution to make to the renewal of humanity.” One of those contributions is the celebration of Rogation Days in the month of May.

Father Thomas blesses St. Elizabeth parishioner, Mark Agostinelli's field in Clarksdale. In rural Mississippi, especially in the Delta, people still depend on the yield of the land.

Father Thomas blesses St. Elizabeth parishioner, Mark Agostinelli’s field in Clarksdale. In rural Mississippi, especially in the Delta, people still depend on the yield of the land.

Rogation Days within the Christian church can be traced back to the days of St. Mamertius (d. 475). His diocese suffered different natural disasters so he recommended the faithful to turn to fasting in asking for divine assistance and protection over the course of the three days before the Ascension. This continues today, but unfortunately with less participation since the reform of the Roman Calendar following the Second Vatican Council.
During that reform, Pope Bl. Paul VI asked that during Rogation Days prayers for vocations to the priesthood be added. After all, the flock of Christ is seen as a harvest in Sacred Scripture (Luke 10:2), and many laborers are needed to work this harvest. Paul VI’s interest in these days shows that he himself intended for Rogation Days to still be celebrated in some fashion because he saw the value in them.
The church teaches us through her social doctrine that our work can be a participation in the creation of the world. Pope Francis recently said that Jesus “sanctified human labor and endowed it with a special significance for our development.” Thus, as St. John Paul II stated, through our work humanity “in a way collaborates with the Son of God for the redemption of humanity.” God blesses our work in a number of ways, most visibly through the church and her priests as farmers take their pastor into the fields during the Rogation Days.
St. Elizabeth parishioner, Richard Noe, has farmed in the Clarksdale area for 55 years. These days he farms with his son Richard and is joined by his grandson Zachary during the summers. According to Noe, during the days of Msgr. McKenna, one or two retired farmers would pick up the priest and take him around to all of the farms in the parish boundaries. But today each individual farmer meets the priest or picks him up and escorts him to a patch of fledgling crops. This way more are involved and the pastor greets his flock on their turf, in their “natural habitats” away from the parish rectory.
Jude Watts, also a parishioner of St Elizabeth who farms with his son Thad, says that the farmer learns very quickly to trust in God’s providence. “Farming is good proof that God is in control. We can’t control the rain so of course God’s blessing on our crops is needed,” said Watts. There is a lot that farmers have to contend with, whether it be a lack of rain, high winds blowing sand on the crops, a scorching sun, or pests such as wild hogs.
While we can till the ground more efficiently, improve seeds, and have access to beneficial chemicals, even as technology grows, we are still dependent upon God and His grace for us. Rogation days are a marvelous reminder of this as we fast and pray for God’s blessing on our farms and gardens. Of course, we in no way should limit these prayers to just three or four days. Rather, we should always pray to God for favorable weather and a good harvest for the benefit of the farmers, their community and beyond.
(Father Scott Thomas is the pastor of Clarksdale St. Elizabeth Parish)

Making a difference in MS gleaning a generous harvest

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According to the USDA, 27 percent of all the food produced each year in the U.S. is lost (or wasted) at the retail, consumer and food service levels. That turns out to be nearly 1.5 tons of food per year for every man, woman and child in the United States who faces hunger. To put it another way, we throw away about 263 million pounds of food every single day! And much of what is wasted actually is just surplus food. It is perfectly edible. And that doesn’t even count the food left in the fields or discarded before delivery.
Meanwhile, there are more than 40 million Americans who struggle daily to get enough to eat. Nearly half of these people are children. A large number are elderly. But no matter who they are, or where they live, or why they are impoverished, there is no excuse for anyone to go hungry in America when so much food goes to waste.
One major area of food waste in America is in farmers’ fields, where crops that don’t meet top-grade quality are left to rot or be plowed under. The Society of St. Andrew (SOSA) found a way to put that un-harvested produce into the hands and homes of the hungry by using a technique that is thousands of years old – gleaning. Gleaning is a practice that goes back to biblical times of gathering the remainder of a crop that has been left in the fields. In the Book of Ruth, Ruth was allowed to go after the harvesters and pick up wheat that was left behind. In the same way, since 1979, the Society of St. Andrew has salvaged fresh, nutritious produce from American farms – produce that otherwise would have gone to waste – and delivered it to agencies across the nation that serve the poor.
St. Andrew’s Gleaning Network coordinates volunteers, growers and distribution agencies. Tens of thousands of volunteers from churches, synagogues, scout troops, college campuses, senior citizen groups and other organizations participate each year in Society of St. Andrew gleaning activities, including volunteers right here in Mississippi. Each year, tens of millions of pounds of produce are salvaged and given to those in need at no cost to them or to the food pantry or kitchen that feeds them.
The regional office of SOSA serving Mississippi and Arkansas is located in Jackson. With the help of countless volunteers, it has delivered more than 21 million pounds of salvaged potatoes and other food in these states through its Potato and Produce Project. This has resulted in almost 62 million servings of food going to hungry families in Mississippi and Arkansas.
Heading the Mississippi/Arkansas office of SOSA is Andy Lemmon, Program Coordinator of the Mississippi Gleaning Network. Although he is new to his post, he has a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and commitment to the program. Andy describes his opportunity to serve the SOSA as a leap of faith and an answer to a divine calling.
“I was in church one Sunday and the sermon really hit me,” recalls Lemmon. “The minister said ‘when are you going to quit dating your calling and get serious and make a commitment?’ That struck me because I liked my job, but I didn’t feel like I was doing anything that would make a real difference. So I prayed about it and out of the blue a friend told me about a job opening with the Society of St. Andrew. It was funny, he said the notice didn’t sound like a job description, it sounded like me. I talked to my wife about it and after thought and prayer, we decided I should go for it.”
According to Lemmon, the process is very simple. It is just a matter of coordinating all of the different elements. He has found that it is just incredible to see how much good can come of a few people that are willing to give of themselves.
“It takes everybody in the process to make this work, from the farmers who donate the produce, to the volunteers who glean, to the agencies that pick it up and distribute it and the individuals and organizations that contribute to SOSA financially,” Lemmon explains.
“Not only is providing food for the hungry a worthy cause, but an effective one. Imagine this example, a few weeks ago we gleaned in a turnip field near Brandon on a Saturday, and many of those turnips were already in the hands of people who needed them by the end of the day.
The most amazing thing was that we had postponed the gleaning twice already because of bad weather, so we lost some potential gleaners because of scheduling. We had gotten the number of pounds of turnips that each agency, church or organization could accommodate, and at the end of the day, we had just enough to fill every single order.”
To find out more about how you can volunteer, offer surplus produce to be gleaned, or donate financially to The Society of St. Andrew, contact Andy Lemmon at 769-233-0887 or visit gleanms@endhunger.org.
(This article was reprinted with permission from Well-Being Magazine, May/June 2016. For more from Well-Being visit www.wellbeingmag.com.)

TOME NOTA

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BOONEVILLE – Parroquia San Francisco de Asís, reunión de jóvenes de 12 a 18 años los viernes a las 5 p.m. en el salón parroquial. Detalles: Ms. Shannon.
– Clases de vacaciones Bíblicas de verano, del 18-22 de julio. Los voluntarios deben hablar con Ken, o dejar mensaje en su oficina, 662-728-2131.
– Las Damas Auxiliares de los Caballeros de Colón están recolectando artículos de cuidado personal – pasta de dientes, jabón, shampoo, etc. – para donarlas a los ministerios en Booneville y Corinth. Coloquen sus donaciones en las canastas en la mesa a la entrada de la iglesia.
CORINTH – Parroquia St. James, clases de vacaciones Bíblicas de verano, el primer grupo asistirá el 12-13 de julio. El segundo grupo el 14-15 de julio de 9 de la mañana a las 12 del mediodía. Las vacaciones Bíblicas serán para niños que están cursando desde Kínder a 4to grado. Registren a sus hijos lo antes posible ya que el cupo  es limitado. Contacten a la Señora Peggy o a Luis Rosales.
– La parroquia necesita voluntarios para remodelar y hacer arreglos a la nueva rectoría donde residirá el Padre Mario Solorzano. Se necesitan personas que sepan trabajar pegando tabiques, pintura, pisos, paredes, todo lo relacionado con construcción. Las personas que puedan ayudar deben comunicarse con el Padre Solorzano o registrarse con Thomas Lara.
JACKSON – Parroquia Santa Teresa, personal del Hope Credit Union estará disponible el 17 de julio después de la misa en español para ayudar a los feligreses a abrir cuentas de banco. Los interesados traigan su tarjeta consular y una foto.
TUPELO – El personal de la Oficina del Ministerio Hispano ofrecerá un taller de liderazgo en la Parroquia St. James el sábado 27 de agosto.

Solamente se puede compartir con otras personas una fe viva, dice el Papa

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By Cindy Wooden
CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) — Una fe cristiana debe ser visible en la forma en la que una persona vive su vida, en la forma como trata a su prójimo y en la forma en la que se comunica con el medio ambiente, les dijo el papa Francisco a unos visitantes del grupo Comunión de Iglesias Reformadas del Mundo.
“La fe no se puede compartir si se practica en forma separada de la vida que se vive, si se practica aisladamente en forma irreal y si se practica en comunidades centradas en sí mismas que se resisten al cambio”, dijo el Papa, el 10 de junio, durante una reunión con representantes de la organización “Comunión” que cobija a varias denominaciones eclesiales, como Congregacionales, Presbiterianos, Reformados, Unidos, Unificadores y Waldensianos de todo el mundo.
“Nuestra fe en Jesús nos empuja a vivir la caridad por medio de acciones concretas, capaces de tener buen efecto en nuestro modo de vivir, efecto en nuestras relaciones con otros y con el mundo que existe a nuestro alrededor”, dijo el papa Francisco.
El reverendo Jerry Pillay, presidente del grupo “Comunión” dijo que con el papa Francisco, “creo que nos encontramos en un nuevo lugar” dentro del diálogo ecuménico. “Sentimos una gran oportunidad para el diálogo e invitación hacia él”, tanto en asuntos teológicos como también en la manera en la que los cristianos podemos trabajar juntos siendo testigos de Cristo y de los valores cristianos en el mundo.
El reverendo Chris Ferguson, secretario general del grupo “Comunión” y que es, además, ministro de la Iglesia Unida del Canadá, dijo que los miembros de las iglesias reformadas insisten en que “uno no puede conocer a Dios ni amarlo sin buscar la justicia”, que en el mundo de hoy significa trabajar a favor de la igualdad económica, el derecho de las mujeres y la paz.
Las iglesias reformadas, que cuentan con una cifra combinada de unos 80 millones de fieles, no son descendientes directos de Martín Lutero ni de la Reforma Protestante del año 1517; pues, por ejemplo, los Waldensianos se agruparon desde el siglo XII y muchos otros miembros de la “Comunión” trazan sus orígenes desde John Calvin. Sin embargo, la “Comunión de Iglesias Reformadas del Mundo” adoptaron en el año 1999 la declaración católico-luterana de la justificación, asunto prominente en la protesta de Lutero y de vital importancia para Calvino. Mediante el acuerdo del 1999, se reconoció que “por la gracia sola, en la fe del trabajo salvador de Cristo y no debido a nuestros méritos propios, somos aceptados por Dios y recibimos el Espíritu Santo, que renueva nuestro corazón, al tiempo que nos da los medios necesarios para ejecutar buenas obras y nos hace un llamado hacia ellas”.
“En base al acuerdo sobre la doctrina de la justificación”, dijo el papa Francisco, “existen muchos aspectos en los que los miembros de las iglesias reformadas y los católicos pueden trabajar juntos, dando testimonio del amor misericordioso de Dios, que es el verdadero remedio contra la confusión y la indiferencia que nos rodean”.
Parece ser que van en aumento los desiertos espirituales modernos, dijo. “Especialmente en lugares en donde la gente vive como si Dios no existiera, nuestras comunidades cristianas están hechas para ser la fuente de agua viva que calma la sed con esperanza, una presencia capaz de invitar al encuentro, a la solidaridad y al amor. Esas comunidades cristianas han sido llamadas para recibir y para reavivar la gracia de Dios, para vencer el egoísmo y para mantenerse abiertas para la misión”.

La espiritualidad del V Encuentro

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Por Hna. María Elena, MGSpS
(Segundo artículo de tres
LA MÍSTICA DEL V ENCUENTRO
Inspirados por la práctica de Jesús plasmada en los evangelios y por el llamado del Papa Francisco a salir con alegría y esperanza a la periferia, nuestro proceso saldrá al encuentro de quienes viven alejados, de quienes caminan entristecidos, de quienes viven en la pobreza, de quienes se encuentran heridos al lado del camino y necesitan la ayuda misericordiosa y el tierno abrazo del cuerpo de Cristo hoy. Desde ahí se podrá discernir mejor la respuesta pastoral y evangelizadora de la iglesia en parroquias, diócesis, movimientos eclesiales, y a nivel regional y nacional. Los adolescentes y jóvenes hispanos/latinos, y los que se encuentran en la periferia serán una opción preferencial en este alegre caminar.
Este proceso está animado por una espiritualidad de discípulos misioneros que saben salir con alegría al encuentro de las personas y acompañarlas en su vida cotidiana y de fe. Jesús nos llama ser buenos samaritanos que reconocen en el sufrimiento humano la invitación urgente a responder con misericordia y generosidad. También nos enseña cómo salir al encuentro de quienes viven la angustia de la perdida, la desesperanza y la confusión en camino a Emaús, para que recuperen el sentido de sus vidas en Jesús Resucitado y su misión de hacer realidad el Reino de Dios entre nosotros.
Encuentro es salir a los ambientes cotidianos donde viven las personas. Es observar con ojos de discípulo y hacer conciencia de la realidad concreta donde viven las personas, sobre todo aquellas que más sufren y que más necesitan las buenas nuevas de Jesús. Es dejarnos despertar por esa realidad. Acercarnos un poco a las personas para escuchar lo que dicen, captar sus sentimientos, percibir lo que les apremia y preocupa. Es dejarnos mover por la ternura que invita a la cercanía.
Encuentro es preguntar a las personas sobre sus vidas, sus preocupaciones, sus esperanzas, sus ideas, sus necesidades, sus sueños. Es también invitar a que hablen de su realidad desde su perspectiva, que compartan su experiencia, sus sentimientos, sus ideas. Es escuchar profundamente y crear un espacio de confianza y seguridad que permita el desahogo y ofrezca el bálsamo sanador de sentirse escuchado.
Encuentro es comunicar el gesto que ayuda a salir del desconsuelo y estar listos para suscitar la esperanza y la alegría. Es compartir la Palabra de Dios y la sabiduría del Espíritu Santo en la Iglesia para poder entender, ver y sentir nuestra realidad desde la perspectiva de la fe en Jesús Resucitado y en las promesas de su reino de justicia, amor y verdad.
Encuentro es recibir agradecidos la confianza y el cuidado de las personas que, aún sin reconocernos todavía, nos invitan diciendo Quédate con nosotros.
Encuentro es aceptar la invitación a quedarnos con ellos: ir a sus casas, comer con ellos, seguir la conversación iniciada en el camino, tener una experiencia más íntima del compartir y de hacer amistad.
Encuentro es compartir el pan con profundo agradecimiento a Dios-por-quien-se-vive. Es también buscar la cercanía del amor de Dios y abrir los ojos, la mente y el corazón a su presencia entre nosotros, en lo cotidiano y en la Eucaristía. Es un modo distinto de pensar, sentir y actuar en lo personal y lo pastoral.
Encuentro es confiar en los procesos de fe de cada persona y motivarlos a ser discípulos misioneros llenos del Espíritu Santo en sus hogares, comunidades, parroquias, grupos eclesiales y diócesis. Es saber que su actividad en la vida cotidiana se convierte en fuerza transformadora de todos sus ambientes sociales.
Encuentro es reconocer que nuestros corazones arden de amor y esperanza cuando escuchamos o compartimos la Palabra de Dios entre nosotros, sobre todo, con quien tiene más necesidad de escucharla y de ser escuchado.
Encuentro es tomar la decisión de ponerse en marcha y salir alegres al encuentro de los demás. Es regresar a la ciudad y a los campos, es ver la Pasión de Jesús en los cuerpos heridos y maltratados de tantas personas que, como la persona herida al lado de camino, necesitan que una buena samaritana, que un buen samaritano le salga al encuentro, sane sus heridas y cuide de aquella persona sin juzgarla, simplemente porque es una persona en necesidad.
Encuentro es compartir en comunidad nuestra experiencia de encuentro con Jesús Resucitado, y animarnos a continuar la misión de vivir y construir la comunidad y una ciudad que no se acaba, sin penas ni tristezas, ciudad de eternidad.
En la diócesis tendremos un equipo diocesano para el V Encuentro. Este equipo estará a cargo de llevar el proceso junto con el ministerio hispano en la diócesis y luego a las parroquias. Después lo viviremos como región V y XIV con la coordinación de SEPI (Instituto Pastoral del Sureste) y finalmente, el Encuentro en el 2018 en Grapevine, Texas.

Historia de la iglesia llena de diáconos ejemplares

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Por Obispo Joseph Kopacz
Esta es la homilia que ofreció el Obispo Joseph Kopacz durante la misa de ordenación de los diáconos.
La Diócesis de Jackson por primera vez en una generación celebró la ordenación al diaconado permanente de seis hombres, que con sus esposas, han estado en formación durante los últimos cinco años. Los diáconos: Jeff, Rich, Denzel, John, John y Ted ya han comenzado a servir en sus parroquias. El texto que sigue es una parte de la homilía proporcionada por la Iglesia durante la liturgia de la ordenación y a continuación, un resumen conciso de seis destacados diáconos en la tradición de la Iglesia que nos ofrecen una comprensión más profunda de esta antigua orden, ahora siempre nueva.
Queridos hermanos y hermanas: ya que estos nuestros hijos, que son sus parientes y amigos, van a ser avanzados a la orden de los diáconos, consideren cuidadosamente la naturaleza de la jerarquía de la iglesia a la que están a punto de ser elevados.
Fortalecidos por el don del Espíritu Santo ayudarán al obispo y a sus sacerdotes en el ministerio de la palabra, del altar y de la caridad, mostrándose ser siervos de todos. Como ministros del altar, proclamarán el Evangelio, prepararán el sacrificio, y distribuirán el Cuerpo y la Sangre del Señor a los fieles.
Además, será su deber, bajo la dirección del obispo, exhortar a los creyentes y no creyentes e instruirlos en la sagrada doctrina. Ellos presidirán la oración pública, administrarán el bautismo, asistirán y bendecirán los matrimonios, llevarán el viático a los moribundos y presidirán los ritos funerarios.
Consagrados por la imposición de manos que llega hasta nosotros desde los Apóstoles y vinculados más estrechamente al servicio del altar, realizarán obras de caridad en nombre del obispo o del pastor. Con la ayuda de Dios realizarán todas estas funciones de manera tal que serán reconocidos como discípulos de aquel que no vino a ser servido sino a servir.
Ahora, queridos hijos, van a ser elevados al orden del diaconado. El Señor ha dado un ejemplo que así como él mismo lo ha hecho, ustedes también deberían hacerlo.
Como diáconos, es decir, como ministros de Jesucristo, que vino entre sus discípulos como uno que sirve, hagan la voluntad de Dios desde el corazón: sirvan a la gente con amor y alegría como lo harían al Señor. Puesto que nadie puede servir a dos amos, miren a la deshonra y la avaricia como sirviendo a dioses falsos.

Diáconos del Nuevo Testamento
De los siete originales, dos aparecen en el Nuevo Testamento: Esteban y Felipe que encontramos en los Hechos de los Apóstoles, no sirviendo en la mesa sino sirviendo en la Mesa de la Palabra. Esta realidad nos revela que san Lucas en los Hechos de los Apóstoles ve la diaconía como obra de evangelización, predicando y edificando la Iglesia.
Esteban:
Esteban fue un profeta, un hombre lleno de fe y también lleno de gracia y de poder. Su valiente predicación lo condujo a su martirio por lapidación, y como el Señor, encomendó su espíritu a Dios, pidiendo perdón por los que lo estaban matando, para que ellos pudieran encontrar paz como la había encontrado él en Cristo Jesús. San Esteban es el patrono de los diáconos y el protomártir.
Felipe:
Fue el primero en anunciar el Evangelio en Samaria, y dos de sus notables conversos fueron Simón el Mago y el etíope Eunuch cuyo Chariot corrió a lo largo del lateral, y después lo bautizó en un charco de agua. Como el Señor, Felipe predicó la Palabra, expulsó demonios, y se acercó a los marginados. Fue dirigido por el Espíritu Santo hacia la gente en necesidad y así siguió siendo diácono de diáconos a través de la predicación y el cuidado de los marginados.
Período Patrístico – San Lorenzo 200-258
Más de 200 años más tarde San Lorenzo fue uno de los siete diáconos de Roma, quien también sufrió el martirio. Ningún otro santo, salvo en el caso de Pedro y Pablo, fue más honrado por el pueblo de Roma que San Lorenzo. San Ambrosio elogia a Lorenzo como un ejemplo a su clero que recuerda que el prefecto de Roma le pidió a Lorenzo revelar el paradero de los tesoros de la Iglesia, porque los diáconos eran confiados con recursos para atender a los pobres. Así que Lorenzo reunió a los pobres y a los enfermos y se los presentó al prefecto diciendo, “Estos son los tesoros de la Iglesia”. Esto le costó su cabeza, pero revela el corazón y la mente del ministerio del diácono como alguien que conoce bien a los pobres y los cuida. En su ministerio de caridad Lorenzo es un diácono de diáconos.
Efrén de Nisibi 306-373
Se convirtió en un Doctor de la Iglesia y escribió teología en forma de poesía en un dialecto del arameo. Efrén veía la teología no tanto como “la fe en busca de entendimiento” sino como “la fe adorando el misterio” ya que él estaba muy consciente de las limitaciones del entendimiento humano.
Un pedacito de la poesía de Efrén dice, “Si alguien busca tu oculta naturaleza, mirad, está en el cielo en el gran seno de la divinidad. Y si alguien busca tu cuerpo, mirad descansa y se asoma desde el pequeño seno de María”. Efrén le enseña a los diáconos modernos la importancia y la belleza de las palabras y las imágenes, especialmente en la homilía. En su ministerio de la Palabra, Efrén es un diácono de diáconos.

Edad Media –
Alcuin de York: 735-804
Colaboró estrechamente con el emperador Carlomagno para lograr una reforma integral en la Iglesia alrededor de los años 800 D.C. Fue un maestro por excelencia. Instruyó a sus alumnos en las escrituras, actualizando  la Vulgata en latín de san Jerónimo, en la literatura antigua, la lógica, la gramática y la astronomía. Y aún más interesante, estuvo a la vanguardia de la reforma litúrgica cuyo fervor se manifiesta en las siguientes palabras: “examinen a los sacerdotes (y obispos) en cuanto a su manera de bautizar y celebrar la Misa para ver que mantienen la verdadera fe, para averiguar si entienden las oraciones de la misa bien, si cantan los salmos devotamente, si ellos mismos entienden la oración del Señor y se la explican a todos para que todos puedan entender lo que le están pidiendo a Dios”.
Alcuin le enseña a los diáconos modernos la importancia y belleza de servir bien en la Liturgia, y como un verdadero administrador de los misterios de Dios, Alcuin es un diácono de diáconos.
San Francisco de Asís, 1181-1226
Fue ordenado diácono y permaneció así hasta el final de su vida. Era una persona sin educación formal de inteligencia media, pero un visionario que vio toda la creación llena de vida divina. Después de él miramos con ojos diferentes la naturaleza, los animales y a las personas.
Su amor por la creación de Dios y su compartir de aquel amor con personas que tienen ojos para ver y oídos para oír, revela la armonía de la iglesia en el mundo. La simpleza espiritual de Francisco por Cristo, su sentido de libertad interior, y su fervor evangélico y misionero (se cansó de convertir al sultán de Egipto durante la Quinta Cruzada) revelan el corazón de un diácono. Al recibir las estigmas, él nos inspira a abrazar la lucha, el sacrificio y el sufrimiento en el poder de la cruz y al hacerlo es un diácono de diáconos.
A través de su intercesión y la intercesión de todos los santos que Dios, que ha comenzado la buena obra en nuestros recién ordenados diáconos, lo lleve a cumplimiento en el día de Cristo Jesús.

Continua proceso del plan pastoral

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GLUCKSTADT – Doce miembros del equipo de “visión compartida” del plan pastoral diocesano y el Obispo Joseph Kopacz se reunieron por primera vez en la Parroquia San José el jueves 2 de junio para comenzar a trabajar en el plan pastoral. Su primera tarea fue la de definir la finalidad, los objetivos, las responsabilidades y los demás elementos de este equipo. Este es el primer paso en el proceso de planificación pastoral que comenzó a principio de este año con las sesiones de escucha que se realizaron alrededor del territorio de la diócesis.
Tres hispanos, Lorenzo Aju, Danna Johnson y Angelica Mazy, están representando a la comunidad hispana en este plan de visión compartida. La responsabilidad principal del equipo será la de revisar y analizar los datos de las sesiones de escucha y las prioridades que guiarán a la diócesis y las parroquias los próximos años. El equipo estará asistido por el personal del Instituto de Liderazgo Católico (CLI).
Barbara Eckert, consultora de liderazgo de CLI, dijo que se sentía complacida por la diversidad del grupo y los roles y la experiencia que cada miembro va aportar a este equipo. “Parece ser un grupo muy dinámico, unidos en su amor y su deseo de servir a la iglesia”, señaló.
Los miembros del equipo y las parroquias que representan son: Lorezo Aju, Inmaculado Corazón de María, Houston; Terry Cassreino, profesor de periodismo y e inglés en el Colegio San José, Madison; Marvin Edwards, ministro laico de la Misión Sagrado Corazon, Winona; Thomas Harris, Parroquia San Pablo, Flowood; Joyce Hart, Catedral de San Pedro, Jackson; Kris Ivancic, St. James, Tupelo; Danna Johnson, San Cristóbal, Pontotoc; Jane Letchworth, Santa María, Shelby; Angélica Mazy, Catedral de San Pedro, Jackson; David Phillips, San Francisco, Brookhaven; Mons. Elvin Sunds, Santa Teresa, Jackson; Cathy Watson, Sagrada Familia, Jackson; Dr. Thomas Welsh, St. Patrick, Meridian; y el Obispo Kopacz.
Aju, uno de los tres ministros que representan a la comunidad hispana en el equipo, dijo que se siente bendecido por tener la oportunidad de servir en este proceso. “Este es un momento especial para la comunidad hispana porque vamos a ser capaces de responder a la realidad de la diócesis”, señaló. Dijo que está muy emocionado de ver cómo los elementos de la comunidad hispana pueden ser integrados en una visión general de la diócesis.
Danna Johnson, de Pontotoc, dijo que la tarea de este proceso es como un descubrimiento, un explorar, y que llama a los miembros del equipo a un compromiso para analizar y planear el futuro de la diócesis. “Me siento con mucho deseo de servir a la diócesis en la mejor forma que Dios me llama a hacerlo” indicó.
Por su parte, Angélica Mazy dijo que se sentía muy agradecida por haber sido invitada a ser parte del equipo, “no por mí”, dijo, “sino por ser un instrumento para traer la voz de los más necesitado, la voz de las ovejas que a veces no llega a donde tiene que llegar y que aquí las voy a hacer conocer”.
El grupo se reunirá cuatro veces más entre agosto y noviembre en Gluckstadt y en Granada. Al final, la propuesta será presentada al obispo Kopacz. Él está planeando darla a conocer en una carta pastoral a principios de 2017.