Author Archives: Mississippi Catholic

Christmas invitation: open celebration to all

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By Bishop Joseph Kopacz
In the fullness of time the Word became flesh, full of grace and truth, and the darkness then, now and for nearly two millennia could not overcome Him. On this Christmas night and day and throughout this Christmas season two weeks in duration, may we, like Mary, deepen our ‘yes’ to God and, like Joseph, awake to God’s faithful presence and action in our lives.
Mary and Joseph expended considerable labor to give birth to the Christ child, the light of the world, at peace in their sojourn to Bethlehem but anxious on the road, trusting in their God through the assurance of the angel, but fearful for the wellbeing of their unborn child. We can only imagine that this exceptional refugee family, after the birth of their first-born son, the child of the promise, collapsed from exhaustion in their earthy home away from home, that stable out back maintained warm and temporarily safe by the attending animals. “All you beasts wild and tame, bless the Lord. Praise and exult him forever!” (Daniel 3,81)
The prophecy fulfilled pierced the clouds and returned to earth so that those dwelling in the heavens and on the earth, could be the heralds of the Good News. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9,6). “From heaven, Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2,14)
And who hears the message, but of course those who are compelled to work the night shift, the shepherds keeping watch over their vulnerable charges. Pope Francis cites them as the first cluster of those living on the margins of society, the dregs who smell like the animals they safeguard. Like King David who slew Goliath with an accurately slung stone, these hill people could take down a mountain lion, or wolf, or two-legged night crawler in the same manner if need be. These are not the typical folks that any one of us is likely to invite to visit a new born family member. With no disrespect intended, they might be likened to the fringe bikers of Hell’s Angels in our modern society. Yet, they represent the sinners, prostitutes, lepers, outcasts and tax collectors that received so much attention from Jesus in his public ministry. They were evangelized by the angels on that first Christmas night and after their encounter with Jesus Christ in his mother Mary’s arms with Joseph nearby, they became the first evangelizers. “The shepherds hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2,16-20)
In all our Christmas celebrations, we with the Church throughout the world, also give glory to God through inspiring liturgies with hearts and minds open to God’s loving and saving mercy for our families, parishes, communities, nation and world. And with the angels and shepherds may no physical structures contain our joy and zeal to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to our world, often shaped by darkness and the shadow of death. The Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, recently concluded, but ever ancient and ever new, is a constant reminder that after receiving God’s mercy through faith in Jesus Christ, we are empowered and sent into our world, as living signs of hope, justice and peace. We recall that King Herod, whom the Magi recognized for what he was, has many faces in our world and the lust for power, wealth and domination still corrupts God’s creation and the Lord’s dreams for human life. The world needs the glory of God shining on the face of Jesus Christ. (2Cor 4,6)
How do we labor to make our God’s dreams for our world a living reality? There is much to be done beyond our shores and in our country. The world needs to experience our faith in the Lord through our merciful, just and loving service to the most vulnerable. “He has told you, O people, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6,8) Charity does begin at home, but the destitute, the oppressed, the victims of abortion, human trafficking, war and terrorism, refugees, the unjustly incarcerated, the abandoned and neglected, immigrants, the unemployed, underinsured, mentally ill and our fragile planet all cry out for justice and mercy. Christmas reminds us that spiritually as the Lord’s disciples, we will never be unemployed or underemployed. Once the gift of the Christ child has been received we do not live by fear and hopelessness, but rather by faith in the Son of God.
May our God of encouragement and endurance (Romans 15,5) strengthen our faith, hope and love to know that fear is useless. (Mark 5,38) What is needed is trust and prayer and the conviction that God has given us his Spirit of power, love and self-control. (2Timothy 1,7) Merry Christmas to all and to all a good life in service to the Light who shines in the darkness.

Baughman bids farewell, honored for 20 years of service

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Mississippi Catholic says goodbye this month to one of its most loyal and longest-standing employees, Elsa Baughman, editor of Mississippi Catolico. elsa-baughman-2016
Baughman celebrated her 20th anniversary with the Chancery earlier this year. She was hired part-time in 1996 as the office manager for the paper, but that soon changed. In the fall of 1997, Baughman helped put together the first edition of the paper in Spanish.
Then, it was called Mensajero, which loosely translates to ‘the message.’ The effort was supported through a grant from the Catholic Foundation and only published once-a-quarter.
Baughman, a native of Venezuela, was perfect for the role as shepherd of the new venture. She holds a master of communication and taught Spanish, making her bilingual in both speech and print. She is a co-founder of the Mississippi Hispanic Association.
Baughman helped bring the first Spanish Masses to the Diocese of Jackson and continues to be an advocate for the Hispanic community here.
She moved to the Magnolia state to study at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg where she met her husband, Brian. The two raised two daughters and are now enjoying a pair of grandchildren.
Mississippi Catholic will continue to publish a Spanish language insert once a month, but will now depend on freelance and parishioner submissions for content. Baughman will continue to be a freelance member of this team.
On a personal note, I will miss her boundless energy and creativity. She was a great help to me when I first arrived in this office and was not quite sure what I had gotten myself into. I hope you will join me in wishing her a long and adventurous retirement.
(Maureen Smith is the Communications Director for the Catholic Diocese of Jackson.)

Charities’ office offers National Migration Week celebrations

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By Amelia McGowan
VARDAMAN – The Northeast Mississippi office of Catholic Charities of Jackson is preparing for its third annual National Migration Week celebration, “Creating a Culture of Encounter,” which will take place in locations throughout northeastern Mississippi during Jan. 8-14, 2017. The events will include Eucharistic celebrations, cultural expressions and legal workshops conducted by Catholic Charities’ Migrant Support Center.
With this celebration, the Diocese of Jackson joins dioceses throughout the country in reflecting upon the circumstances confronting migrants in the country, including immigrants, refugees, children and victims and survivors of violent crimes and human trafficking.  The theme for National Migration Week 2017 draws attention to Pope Francis’ call to create a culture of encounter, and in doing so to look beyond our own needs and wants to those of others around us.
In the homily given at his first Pentecost as pope, he emphasized the importance of encounter in the Christian faith: “For me this word is very important. Encounter with others. Why? Because faith is an encounter with Jesus, and we must do what Jesus does: encounter others.”
While Mississippi’s immigrant population is not as large as more populous states, it is growing rapidly. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that Mississippi’s foreign-born population rose from 0.8 percent of the total statewide population in 1990, to 1.4 percent in 2000, and to 2.1 percent in 2013.
The kickoff for National Migration Week is Sunday, January 8, at Tupelo St. James with a bilingual screening of the film “The Invisibles” from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, Jan. 10, I will provide an immigration workshop and legal consultations at Ripley St. Matthew Parish from 6 – 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, will feature Eucharistic celebrations commemorating National Migration Week throughout the area. I will provide a second immigration workshop at Corinth St. James Parish on Thursday, Jan. 12, from 6 – 8 p.m.
The week concludes with a Night of Cultural Expression on Friday, Jan. 13, from 6 – 8 p.m. at a location to be determined, and a closing ceremony at St. James Parish on Saturday, Jan. 14, which will feature Sister Gabriela Ramirez from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Birmingham, Ala., from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
All are welcome to join in the National Migration Week festivities as we celebrate the diversity of our towns and parishes. For more information about the week’s events call 662-682-9992.

(Amelia McGowan is the Program Director and an Immigration Attorney for Catholic Charities’ Migrant Support Center.)

Deacon Miller brings Mississippi connection to MLK celebration

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Deacon Art Miller of the Archdiocese of Hartford, Conn., is the homilist for this year’s diocesan Martin Luther King, Jr., memorial celebration and Mass, sponsored by the Office of Black Catholic Ministry, set for Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle.
miller-art-staff106Deacon Miller believes in thoughtful action, not just words. “The whole idea of celebrating Dr. King’s birthday is celebrating peace and justice and righteousness,” said Deacon Miller. “The prophet Micah said ‘do justice,’ he didn’t say form a committee,” he added.
He is a nationally known revivalist, preacher and radio host. He calls on people to embrace what he calls radical love. He has been active in the Black Lives Matter movement and is the former head of the Office of Black Catholic Ministries in his home diocese.
“Deacon Art is an everyday kind of guy who leverages his life experiences to make the Gospel relevant and impactful to all, regardless of their knowledge of scripture. Considering the times we are living in, his message will leave you wanting to improve your relationship with God,” said Will Jemison, coordinator for the Office of Black Catholic Ministry.
Deacon Miller said most Catholics need a reminder to take what they get out of Mass and put it into practice in their daily lives. “Do you know what I wish we said at the end of Mass? ‘The Mass has ended, now the work begins,’” he said. He calls Mass just the start of the conversation with God.  “We need to apply what we do Sunday morning to the rest of the week,” he explained.
“Deacon Art Miller is not only an engaging speaker, he is also an effective motivator. He genuinely has walked the walk, not just talked the talk,” said Fran Lavelle, director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Jackson. “He gently calls us to our most noble calling, that of Catholic Christian disciple and does in an affirming way,” she continued.
Deacon Miller has a long-standing connection to Mississippi. He was a friend of Emmitt Till, the 14-year-old Chicago native who was beaten and lynched in Mississippi 50 years ago. Deacon Miller wrote a book, “The Journey to Chatham,” about the impact the killing had on his community hundreds of miles away. He said it woke him up to what the Civil Rights Movement was all about. “It was personal. It no longer became a faded black and white picture in a history book,” he said.
Deacon Miller went on to become an activist for justice and racial reconciliation. Mississippi plays an important role in that effort. “The borders of Mississippi are the U.S. borders in terms of who we are as a people,” he said. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Deacon Miller spent time in Bay St. Louis helping people clean out and repair their homes. “When someone you love dies, you have a kind of joyous sorrow. That’s my relationship with Mississippi.”
In addition to speaking at the MLK celebration, Deacon Miller plans to visit several schools in the diocese.
All are welcome at the event, but larger groups should notify the Office of Black Catholic Ministry, 601- 949-6935.

Fatima centennial brings replica statue to Mississippi

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The International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima, venerated around the United States and the world since 1947, is making several stops in the Diocese of Jackson.
The statue’s principal custodian, Patrick L. Sabat gave the following interview to Peter Finney, Jr., of the Clarion Herald, the newspaper for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, before an exhibition there.

The traveling pilgrimage statue of Our Lady of Fatima is illumined Aug. 21 at St. Paul Church in Sellersburg, Ind. The statue, a duplicate of the one at the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal, was commissioned in 1947 to travel the world, sharing the message of Our Lady of Fatima, who appeared six times to three shepherd children in 1917. (CNS photo/Natalie Hoefer, The Criterion ) See FATIMA-PILGRIMAGE-STATUE Sept. 21, 2016.

The traveling pilgrimage statue of Our Lady of Fatima is illumined Aug. 21 at St. Paul Church in Sellersburg, Ind. The statue, a duplicate of the one at the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal, was commissioned in 1947 to travel the world, sharing the message of Our Lady of Fatima, who appeared six times to three shepherd children in 1917. (CNS photo/Natalie Hoefer, The Criterion ) See FATIMA-PILGRIMAGE-STATUE Sept. 21, 2016.

“It’s been great, not only in the numbers of people who are coming but also hearing from the individuals who are so excited and joyful and have told me they have gone back to confession after so many years,” said Sabat, who is taking the three-and-half foot mahogany image of the Blessed Mother, carved by artist José Thedim, on a tour of more than 100 U.S. Catholic dioceses to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 1917 apparitions of Mary in Fatima, Portugal.
“People ask me, ‘Look, does the statue make everybody cry?’” Sabat said. “Many people are moved to tears.”
In honor of the Fatima centennial, Sabat began traversing the United States in a figure-8 pattern in March, traveling with the statue in an RV festooned with images of the “Fatima Centennial: U.S. Tour for Peace.”
Not that the Blessed Mother has been a stumbling block to anyone, Sabat said. Recently in Chicago, which has been beset by gun violence, a church held a candlelight procession in the neighborhood, and a man who was drinking heavily in a bar came out to see the commotion caused by the police lights and the candles.
“He was ready to drink his life away, and he walked out of the bar because he thought it was another uprising,” Sabat said. “He was moved to tears when he saw the people with the candles and saying the rosary. The next day he went to confession. How do I know this? The priest who heard his confession related what had happened.”
In Ohio, a parishioner who had invited him to stay in her home during the statue’s visit expressed her sadness about being estranged from two of her five children. During the meal, the woman’s phone rang, and she excused herself to answer it.
“She had been praying for Our Lady to heal the parish during the time window of when the statue was there,” Sabat said. “She came back and told me, ‘That was my son. He’s never called me in a year.’”
The next morning, the woman told Sabat about another phone call she had received at 2 a.m.
“She said, ‘My daughter called and told me she would have ended her life if I had not answered the phone,’” Sabat said. “Our Lady Queen of Peace brought two of her children back to her. Those are the kinds of things people tell me.”
Sabat said despite what might be considered a growing coarsening of society and a decrease in people practicing the faith, he has never been harassed by anyone as he travels the U.S. with the pilgrim statue. On the contrary, he said, people with questions have been very respectful and open to hearing Our Lady’s message of peace.
“I’ve never experienced anything rude or mean, even from non-Catholics,” Sabat said. “When I fly, I open her bag so people can see her. A lot of times the captain will say, ‘We’re going to have a good flight because we have a very special passenger today.’ When I go through security, they know exactly who she is, and a conversation gets started.”
The RV has already logged 21,000 miles. “It’s about time for an oil change,” he said.
All are welcome to see the statue at these Mississippi stops: Tuesday, Jan. 3, Grenada St. Peter Paris; Wednesday, Jan. 4, Gluckstadt St. Joseph Parish; Thursday, Jan. 5, McComb St. Alphonsus Parish.
Contact the indivdual parish for details on the visit. To learn more about the tour and the statue at www.fatimatourforpeace.com.

Parish News

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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
AMORY St. Helen Parish, discussion of the book “Devil in the White City” by Eric Larson on Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, at noon.
VICKSBURG St. Paul Parish, “Discovering Christ,” a seven-week experience, Tuesdays, Jan. 10-Feb. 21,   2017, at night in Farrell Hall. Details: Parish office: 601-636-0140.
VICKSBURG St. Michael Parish, eight-week adult faith formation class on Sacraments and Worship, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 24-March 21, 2017, from 7- 9 p.m. in the Adult Education Building. Cost is $20 plus the cost of the book. Details: Anita Hossley, 601-638-3871.

PARISH, SCHOOL & FAMILY EVENTS
BATESVILLE St. Mary Parish, the Knights of Columbus float won third-place in this year’s Batesville Christmas Parade.
– Food drive of non-perishable goods and monetary donations now until the end of the year for the parish’s food pantry.
CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth Parish, special prayer service held by the youth of the parish, Sunday, Jan. 8, at 5:30 p.m. in honor and memory of the persons for whom luminaries were purchased.
CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories Parish, free walking workout exercise classes led by Gloria Brister, Dec. 26-29 from 4 – 5 p.m. Details: Brister, 662-719-7371.
– Parish mission, “Surge of the Heart,” Jan. 22-24, featuring nationally known speaker Jon Leonetti.
COLUMBUS As part of Catholic Schools Week, Annunciation School will devote Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, to honoring the military. All members of the military both active and veterans are invited to the celebration. Details: acsmarketing@cableone.net.
GREENWOOD St. Francis School, annual Mardi Gras celebration, Saturday, Feb. 18, from 7 p.m. – midnight, featuring Steve Azar in concert and the Sensation Band of Memphis. Cost is $35, adults only. Details or to purchase tickets, 662-453-0623.
JACKSON St. Richard School Annual Krewe de Cardinal Ball fund-raiser, Feb. 24, 2017, at the Old Capitol Inn in downtown Jackson. This event will feature both a silent and live auction along with New Orleans-style cocktails and cuisine and the Southern Komfort Brass Band.
JACKSON Holy Family Parish, celebration of the feast of the Holy Family, Friday, Dec. 30.  There will be some Kwanzaa  activities as well.
JACKSON Dr. Martin Luther King anniversary Mass, Saturday, Jan. 7, at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. (See pag. 6 for more details)
MADISON Applications are now being accepted at St. Joseph School for the 2017-2018 school year. Application are at the school or visit, www.stjoebruins.com,  under the Admissions tab. Registration begins Feb. 1, 2017. Parents have to go through the admissions process before they can register. Details: Kristi Garrard at 601-898-4812.
– “Jeans, Jazz, and Bruin Blues,” St. Joseph School’s 24th Annual Draw Down, Feb. 18, 2017, from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $130 and admit two adults. Each ticket includes a chance to win $10,000 plus gourmet food, assorted desserts, an open bar and live entertainment. Second chance insurance may be added for $20.To sponsor or purchase tickets, visit stjoebruins.com or call the school office at 601-898-4800.
OXFORD St. John Parish, children’s musical, Saturday, Dec. 24, at 5:15 p.m.
– Gift certificates are available for the annual retreat at Our Lady Queen of Peace Retreat Center on Feb. 10-12. Participants will carpool. Details: Lucienne Savell, lucienne.savell@att.net.
SHELBY St. Mary Parish, annual spaghetti dinner, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. Tickets are $10. Dine-in or take-out. Raffle tickets are also available for $1 each, with a chance to win $500.
VICKSBURG St. Michael Parish, annual Nativity play, Saturday, Dec. 24, during the 5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass.
VICKSBURG St. Paul Parish, Saturday, Dec. 24, at 6:30 p.m. a special choir “Cantata,” a program of Christmas music featuring a variety of old and new carols          and some arrangement of old favorites.
YAZOO CITY St. Mary Parish, children’s Christmas party, Thursday, Dec. 29, at 6 p.m. in the parish hall.

Fatima centennial tour
The World Apostolate of Fatima Centennial US Tour for Peace will be passing through the Diocese of Jackson on Jan. 3-5, 2017. The tour is marking the 100th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady at Fatima. The international Virgin statue has traveled worldwide for 70 years visiting more than 100 countries, including Russia and China.
The statue will visit the following locations in the Jackson diocese:
– Tuesday, Jan. 3, Grenada, St. Peter the Apostle, from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
– Wednesday, Jan. 4, Gluckstadt St. Joseph
– Thursday, Jan. 5, McComb St. Alphonsus

World Marriage Day 2016
JACKSON – World Marriage Day 2017, Sunday, Feb. 12, at 3 p.m. Mass and reception at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. The celebration honors all married couples, but those celebrating their 25th, 50th or 60th anniversaries or any significant anniversary are invited to participate. Submit your name, address and wedding date to your pastor or parish secretary by Friday, Dec. 30.

Mass for deceased Irish priests
PASCAGOULA – The annual Mass for deceased Irish priest will be celebrated Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, at 6 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church. Father Enda McKenna of  St. Antonio, Texas, will be the homilist.
A reception will follow. This Mass honors all those priests who came from Ireland to serve in Mississippi, especially those who have died in the last year.

Our Churches as Sanctuaries

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IN EXILE
By Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI
Whenever we have been at our best, as Christians, we have opened our churches as sanctuaries to the poor and the endangered. We have a long, proud history wherein refugees, homeless persons, immigrants facing deportation, and others who are endangered, take shelter inside our churches. If we believe what Jesus tells us about the Last Judgment in the 25th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, this should serve us well when we stand before God at the end.
Unfortunately, our churches have not always provided that same kind of sanctuary (safety and shelter) to those who are refugees, immigrants and homeless in their relationship to God and our churches. There are millions of persons, today perhaps the majority within our nations, who are looking for a safe harbor in terms of sorting out their faith and their relationship to the church. Sadly, too often our rigid paradigms of orthodoxy, ecclesiology, ecumenism, liturgy, sacramental practice and canon law, however well-intentioned, have made our churches places where no such sanctuary is offered and where the wide embrace practiced by Jesus is not mirrored. Instead, our churches are often harbors only for persons who are already safe, already comforted, already church-observing, already solid ecclesial citizens.
That was hardly the situation within Jesus’ own ministry. He was a safe sanctuary for everyone, religious and non-religious alike. While he didn’t ignore the committed religious persons around him, the Scribes and Pharisees, his ministry always reached out and included those whose religious practice was weak or non-existent. Moreover, he reached out especially to those whose moral lives where not in formal harmony with the religious practices of the time, those deemed as sinners. Significantly too, he did not ask for repentance from those deemed as sinners before he sat down at table with them. He set out no moral or ecclesial conditions as a prerequisite to meet or dine with him. Many repented after meeting and dining with him, but that repentance was never a pre-condition. In his person and in his ministry, Jesus did not discriminate. He offered a safe sanctuary for everyone.
We need today in our churches to challenge ourselves on this. From pastors, to parish councils, to pastoral teams, to diocesan regulators, to bishops’ conferences, to those responsible for applying canon and church law, to our own personal attitudes, we all need to ask: Are our churches places of sanctuary for those who are refugees, homeless, and poor ecclesially? Do our pastoral practices mirror Jesus? Is our embrace as wide as that of Jesus?
These are not fanciful ideals. This is the gospel which we can easily lose sight of, for seemingly all the right reasons. I remember a diocesan synod within which I participated some 20 years ago. At one stage in the process we were divided in small groups and each group was given the question: What, before all else, should the church be saying to the world today?
The groups returned with their answers and everyone, every single group, proposed as its first priority apposite what the church should be saying to the world some moral or ecclesial challenge: We need to challenge the world in terms of justice! We need to challenge people to pray more!
We need to speak again of sin! We need to challenge people about the importance of going to church! We need to stop the evil of abortion! All of these suggestions are good and important. But none of the groups dared say: We need to comfort the world!
Handel’s Messiah begins with that wonderful line from Isaiah 40: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” That, I believe, is first task of religion. Challenge follows after that, but may not precede it. A mother first comforts her child by assuring the baby of her love and stilling its chaos. Only after that, in the safe shelter produced by that comfort, can she begin to offer it some hard challenges to grow beyond its own instinctual struggles.
People are swayed a lot by the perception they have of things. Within our churches today we can protest that we are being perceived unfairly by our culture, that is, as narrow, judgmental, hypocritical and hateful. No doubt this is unfair, but we must have the courage to ask ourselves why this perception abounds, in the academy, in the media and in the popular culture. Why aren’t we being perceived more as “a field hospital” for the wounded, as is the ideal of Pope Francis?
Why are we not flinging our churches doors open much more widely? What lies at the root of our reticence? Fear of being too generous with God’s grace? Fear of contamination? Of scandal?
One wonders whether more people, especially the young and the estranged, would grace our churches today if we were perceived in the popular mind precisely as being sanctuaries for searchers, for the confused, the wounded, the broken and the non-religious, rather than as places only for those who are already religiously solid and whose religious search is already completed.
(Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser, theologian, teacher, and award-winning author, is President of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas)

Cathechist Certification classes for Winter 2017 announced

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catechetical-sunday-2016-clip-art-print-07As we continue to focus on the church’s catechetical theme for the year, Prayer, the Faith Prayed, the Office of Faith Formation invites you to participate in the following classes. To register or for more information contact Annette Stevenson at 601-960-8470 or annette.stevenson@jacksondiocese.org.

Onsite classes are offered in a traditional classroom format and are 16 hours in length. The cost is $20 per class plus the cost of books. Depending on the instructor and needs of the students, scheduling of onsite classes is specific to locations as listed above.

ONSITE Level II

Deanery I
Sacraments & Worship:
Celebration of the Christian Mystery
Instructor:  Jill Hisaw
Location:  Pearl, St. Jude Parish
Dates: Jan. 15, 29; Feb. 12, 26; March 12, 19; April 9, 23.
Time:Sundays: 3- 5 p.m.
Text: Doors to the Sacred, Joseph Martos

Sacraments & Worship:
Celebration of the Christian Mystery
Instructor:  Anita Hossley
Location:  Vicksburg St. Michael Parish
Dates: Jan. 24, 31; Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28; March 7, 14, 21
Time:Tuesdays: 7- 9 p.m.
Text: Sacraments: A New Understanding for a New Generation, Ray R. Noll

Mary and the Saints, Companions on the Journey
Instructor: Sister Michele Doyle
Location: Jackson Holy Family Parish
Dates: Jan., 11, 18, 25; Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22; March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; April 5, 12
Time: Wednesdays: 6:15  – 7:30 p.m.
Texts:  All Generations will call me Blessed, McManus; All Saints, Robert Ellsberg

Christology:  Jesus of the Gospels and History
Instructor: Sister Michele Doyle
Location:  Yazoo City St. Mary Parish
Dates: Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26; Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22
Time: Thursdays: 12:45 – 2:45 p.m.
Text:  An Introduction to Christology: In the Gospels & the Early Church, Luttenberger

Deanery II

New Testament:  Revelation in Christ
Instructor: Valencia Hall
Location: Natchez, Holy Family Parish
Dates: Jan., 23, 30;  Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27; March 6, 13
Time: Mondays 5- 7 p.m.
Text: Reading the New Testament, An Introduction Third Edition Revised& Updated, Pheme Perkins

 

ONLINE classes: Level I

Catholic Understanding of Scripture
Sunday, Jan. 8 – Jan. 29

Faith and Moral Development
Feb. 12 –  March 5

Catechist Certification Introductory and Level I courses are offered online and take 5-8 hours total to complete. Do the coursework at your convenience during the weeks specified for each course.
Level I Courses are FREE.

To register, email your request for a registration form to: annette.stevenson@jacksondiocese.org.

The course facilitator, Fran Lavelle, will communicate with you through email, with information & directions needed to login to the course.

Please register at least one week before the start of the course.

Mass, meal and history lesson converge at Christ the King anniversary

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Bishop Joseph Kopacz celebrated Mass for the 50th anniversary of Christ the King Parish.

Bishop Joseph Kopacz celebrated Mass for the 50th anniversary of Christ the King Parish.

By Laura Grisham

SOUTHAVEN – On Saturday, Nov. 26, the feast of Christ the King, the parish of the same name celebrated its 50th anniversary. Christ the King is one of several parishes in the northern part of the Diocese of Jackson served by the Priests of the Sacred Heart as part of Sacred Heart Southern Missions.
Bishop Joseph Kopacz celebrated a Mass along with Father Ed Kilianski, CSJ, provincial superior for the U.S. province for the Priests of the Sacred Heart and many of the Sacred Heart priests who have served the parish.
After Mass, parishioners enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal featuring their own dishes as well as 21 turkeys prepared by Father Thi Pham, SCJ, moderator of the community.
Christ the King was established March 13, 1966, as a mission of Sacred Heart Church. Seventeen Catholics from Horn Lake and Southaven gathered with Father Michael Maloney to celebrate a Mass at Dealers Auto Sales, a car auction barn. Each weekend, parishioners moved the cars out of the barn before Mass.
Construction on the first parish church started in 1969. The first Mass was celebrated in July and the church was dedicated in October. The parish has only grown since then. The parish started on the current structure in 2002. Christ the King is the largest parish in the diocese, according to the 2016 Status Animarum, an annual census of the diocese. The pastoral team includes Fathers Pham, Zbgniew Morawiec and Greg Schill, all SCJ.
(This story was reprinted with permission from the newsletter for Sacred Heart Southern Missions, From the Heart.)

A young member of Christ the King looks at the history display at Christ the King's anniversary celebration.

A young member of Christ the King looks at the history display at Christ the King’s anniversary celebration.

Bishop Joseph Kopacz posed with Hispanic dancers after he celebrated Mass for the 50th anniversary of Christ the King Parish.

Bishop Joseph Kopacz posed with Hispanic dancers after he celebrated Mass for the 50th anniversary of Christ the King Parish.

Bishop Joseph Kopacz celebrated Mass for the 50th anniversary of Christ the King Parish.

Bishop Joseph Kopacz celebrated Mass for the 50th anniversary of Christ the King Parish.

SOUTHAVEN - Christ the King members gathered for a feast after the Mass.

SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King members gathered for a feast after the Mass.

SOUTHAVEN - Christ the King members gathered for a feast after the Mass.

SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King members gathered for a feast after the Mass.

Feast of Gudalupe: ‘This is a day of joy and faith’

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Participants in the Guadalupe Procession wait for the bishop outside the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle.

Participants in the Guadalupe Procession wait for the bishop outside the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle.

MADISON – Pilar Terrazas (left) and Michelle McLean carry the banner with the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe in procession toward St. Francis of Assisi while the congregation sings Sunday, Dec. 11. This is the first time the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been celebrated at the parish. Fathers Albeenreddy Vatti, pastor, Jason Johnston and Msgr. Michael Flannery celebrated the Eucharist at 7 p.m.

MADISON – Pilar Terrazas (left) and Michelle McLean carry the banner with the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe in procession toward St. Francis of Assisi while the congregation sings Sunday, Dec. 11. This is the first time the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been celebrated at the parish. Fathers Albeenreddy Vatti, pastor, Jason Johnston and Msgr. Michael Flannery celebrated the Eucharist at 7 p.m.

Jackson St. Therese and Holy Family parishes joined together for a celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The dancers from St. Therese brought their gifts to Holy Family.

Jackson St. Therese and Holy Family parishes joined together for a celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The dancers from St. Therese brought their gifts to Holy Family.

A baby reaches for the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe during the celebration at St. Christopher in Pontotoc.

A baby reaches for the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe during the celebration at St. Christopher in Pontotoc.

JACKSON – Jesüs Galindo, representing Juan Diego, presents the flowers to Bishop Joseph Kopacz at the beginning of the celebration at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. (Photo by Elsa Baughman)

JACKSON – Jesüs Galindo, representing Juan Diego, presents the flowers to Bishop Joseph Kopacz at the beginning of the celebration at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. (Photo by Elsa Baughman)

JACKSON – Members of St. Peter Parish, accompanied by Father Anthony Quyet (center) walk around the downtown area in procession praying the rosary Sunday, Dec. 11, for the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. (Photo by Elsa Baughman)

JACKSON – Members of St. Peter Parish, accompanied by Father Anthony Quyet (center) walk around the downtown area in procession praying the rosary Sunday, Dec. 11, for the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. (Photo by Elsa Baughman)

CARTHAGE – Members of St. Anne Parish band process around the church’s grounds playing songs to the Virgin of Guadalupe during her feast celebration Saturday, Dec. 10, at 9 a.m. Mass was celebrated after the procession. (Photo by Sister María Elena Méndez)

CARTHAGE – Members of St. Anne Parish band process around the church’s grounds playing songs to the Virgin of Guadalupe during her feast celebration Saturday, Dec. 10, at 9 a.m. Mass was celebrated after the procession. (Photo by Sister María Elena Méndez)

BOONEVILLE – St. Francis of Assisi Parish children gather in front of a newly blessed image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to adorn it with roses Sunday, Dec. 11, during the celebration of her feast day. After Mass parishioners enjoyed a feast of Mexican food and other items during a potluck dinner. (Photo by Sheila Przesmicki)

BOONEVILLE – St. Francis of Assisi Parish children gather in front of a newly blessed image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to adorn it with roses Sunday, Dec. 11, during the celebration of her feast day. After Mass parishioners enjoyed a feast of Mexican food and other items during a potluck dinner. (Photo by Sheila Przesmicki)