Author Archives: Joanna King

Father Robert Dore remembered for quiet kindness and 37 years of priestly service

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By Joanna Puddister King
VICKSBURG – Mourners filled St. Michael Church beyond capacity Oct. 1, gathering in side rooms and standing wherever space remained to bid farewell to Father Robert Hayden Dore, a priest whose 37 years of ministry touched parish communities across the Diocese of Jackson.
Father Dore, 71, died Sept. 24 at his home in Vicksburg following a brief battle with cancer. He had served as pastor of St. Michael since 2017.
Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial and delivered the homily, joined by priests of the diocese and Father Dore’s priest friends. Family members, current and past parishioners and members of the Vicksburg Catholic School community, including students from the senior class, gathered to pray for the priest they had known as a pastor, friend and steady presence.

VICKSBURG – Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz and concelebrating priests gather around the altar during the funeral Mass for Father Robert Dore at St. Michael Church Oct. 1, 2026. Mourners filled the church beyond capacity to honor Father Dore, who served the Diocese of Jackson for 37 years and had been pastor of St. Michael since 2017. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King)

In his homily, Bishop Kopacz reflected on the Scripture readings and the Christian hope that sustained Father Dore’s life and ministry. Before entering the priesthood, Father Dore worked as a nurse. His vocation continued that work of caring for others through the sacraments and accompanying people in illness, sorrow and the everyday life of faith.
The bishop recalled phone calls, as well as visiting and praying with Father Dore during the final weeks of his life. Even as his illness progressed, Father Dore remained grateful for the prayers offered on his behalf and sought to keep his parish family informed through his sister, Lorraine.
“He was so grateful for your prayers,” Bishop Kopacz said.
The bishop connected Father Dore’s final days with the prayers priests offer each evening in the Liturgy of the Hours, entrusting themselves to God and asking for a restful night and a peaceful death.
“What a great gift our faith is for all of us,” he said. “We walk by faith, not by sight.”
Born Oct. 16, 1954, in Jacksonville, Florida, Father Dore was the son of Noel Hayden Dore Jr. and Louise Ann May Dore. His family, originally from Natchez, was living in Jacksonville while his father served in the Marine Corps. They later returned to Natchez, where Father Dore grew up.
He graduated from Cathedral School in 1973 and earned a nursing degree at Hinds Junior College in Raymond. He later entered the pre-theology program at St. Pius X Seminary in Erlanger, Kentucky, before continuing his formation at the University of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree.
Father Dore was ordained June 10, 1989, and celebrated his first Mass the following day at St. Mary Church in Natchez, now St. Mary Basilica.
His ministry included service as associate pastor at St. Joseph in Greenville and St. Paul in Vicksburg. He served as pastor at St. Therese in Chatawa, St. James in Magnolia and Annunciation in Columbus before returning to Vicksburg as pastor of St. Michael.
His other responsibilities included serving as dean of Deanery II, chaplain to the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Chatawa and auxiliary chaplain at Columbus Air Force Base. He also served as state chaplain for the Knights of Columbus and, at the time of his death, as chaplain for Council 898.
In reflections shared with the Vicksburg Post, parishioners and school leaders remembered Father Dore’s quiet manner, kindness and attentiveness to others.
Dean Andrews described him as “a happy, friendly priest” who made people feel good. His wife, Kelly Andrews, said Father Dore had been like a member of their family.
Mary Arledge, principal of St. Francis Xavier Elementary School, recalled his calming presence and support for the school’s faculty and students.

“He was very quiet and calming and a humble man,” Arledge told the Vicksburg Post.
The farewell continued Oct. 2 in Father Dore’s hometown of Natchez. At St. Mary Basilica, mourners gathered for Lauds, or Morning Prayer, from the Office of the Dead. Father Aaron Williams sang much of the service, and Father Alex Waraksa, a friend from seminary days, delivered the homily. The Rite of Committal followed at Greenlawn Memorial Park.
Father Dore was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his sisters, Lorraine Dore Arnold and Rhonda Dore, and his nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnephews and cousins.
At the conclusion of the funeral Mass, Bishop Kopacz commended Father Dore to God’s mercy and prayed for those left to mourn him: “Help us who remain, to comfort one another with assurances of faith.”

St. Francis parish celebrates 75 years of faith, service and welcome

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GREENWOOD – Deacon Henry Fulmer, OFM, and Father Aloys Jost, OFM, deliver a bilingual homily during the Mass celebrating St. Francis of Assisi Parish’s 75th anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 4. (Photos by Joanna Puddister King)

By Joanna Puddister King
GREENWOOD – With prayers in English and Spanish and a congregation answering the refrain “Rooted in faith, growing in grace,” St. Francis of Assisi Parish celebrated 75 years of a mission that has brought faith, education and a spirit of welcome to generations in the Mississippi Delta.
The church was filled with parishioners and guests for the anniversary celebration. After Mass, the gathering continued with a festive reception in the former St. Francis School cafeteria, where an abundant spread of food welcomed those celebrating the parish’s milestone.
Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz presided at the anniversary Mass Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The celebration also marked 25 years of Hispanic ministry at the parish, bringing together its African American heritage and the faith and traditions of its Latino parishioners.
The anniversary theme, “Rooted in Faith, Growing in Grace,” drawn from Colossians 2:6-7, connected the day’s remembrance of the parish’s beginnings with a call to continue its mission.
Jackie Lewis, former principal of St. Francis School and chairperson of the anniversary celebration, welcomed those gathered by honoring the founders, religious and parishioners whose prayers and service sustained the community. She invited the parish to give thanks for its history while looking forward with faith to what God would continue to accomplish through its members.
In his homily, Deacon Henry Fulmer, OFM, a provincial councilor of the Franciscan Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, made the anniversary theme a response shared by the congregation. One side answered, “Rooted in faith,” and the other, “Growing in grace.”

Members of the choir lead music during the Mass celebrating St. Francis of Assisi Parish’s 75th anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 4. (More photos on https://jacksondiocese.zenfoliosite.com)

Fulmer connected the parish’s story to St. Francis’ encounter with a man with leprosy, explaining how the saint came to recognize Christ in someone he had once rejected.
“And in finding Christ in this leper, Francis found himself,” Fulmer said.
He traced that same call to recognize the dignity of others through the friars’ ministry among African Americans in Greenwood. They learned the community’s culture, shared its joys and sorrows and stood alongside people facing racism and exclusion.
Today, he said, that welcome embraces Latino families and all who enter the church. The community’s ability to worship together across racial and cultural differences offers a witness beyond its walls.
“You changed Greenwood,” Fulmer told the congregation.
That witness began decades before the anniversary gathering. According to the parish’s history, Franciscan friars from Wisconsin came to the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson in 1948 at Bishop R. O. Gerow’s invitation. Property for a church and school was purchased in Greenwood in 1950, and St. Francis was formally established as a parish Aug. 15, 1951.
The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis opened St. Francis School that September with kindergarten and two elementary grades. Classes began in a building formerly known as the Blue Moon, and the school expanded over time to serve generations of families.
The parish’s commitment to its neighbors also took shape through the Pax Christi Franciscans, founded in 1952. Their St. Francis Center offered classes, recreation and community services and became a hub of the Greenwood Movement during the civil rights era.
Father Nathaniel Machesky, OFM, helped lead that movement’s work for racial equality. In March 1968, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. visited St. Francis School, just weeks before his assassination. The ministry endured threats and violence as it stood with the African American community.
The anniversary celebration was dedicated to the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph and the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, honoring their work as educators, mentors and spiritual guides.
During a memorial led by Edith Spells, candles were lit in remembrance of deceased friars, sisters, Pax Christi members and parishioners. Their contributions were recalled through the children they taught, families they strengthened and neighbors they served.
Guest speaker John E. White returned to the parish where he grew up to reflect on that enduring influence. A former senior vice president at Sodexo and a longtime Catholic lay leader, White described how the parish shaped his faith during the 1970s and 1980s and gave him a sense of belonging that traveled with him throughout his life.
He acknowledged the sorrow of St. Francis School’s closure while emphasizing that its legacy continues in the people formed by its teachers and religious sisters. He urged the parish to carry that legacy forward through prayer, care for young people, service to neighbors and a continued commitment to justice and human dignity.
“Let us listen to our children and our young people, teach them, encourage them, make room for their gifts, and show how by our lives, that they have a home in this church,” White said.
Bishop Kopacz offered a closing reflection on the unity expressed throughout the celebration, recalling Pope Leo XIV’s motto, “In the One, we are one.”
“We have celebrated that here today,” the bishop said. “It was such a joy to be here and celebrate as one.”

El Padre Robert Dore recordado por su silenciosa bondad y 37 anos de servicio sacerdotal

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Por Joanna Puddister King
VICKSBURG – Los dolientes llenaron la iglesia de St. Michael más allá de su capacidad el 1 de octubre, ocupando salas laterales y permaneciendo de pie donde hubiera espacio, para despedir al padre Robert Hayden Dore, un sacerdote cuyos 37 años de ministerio tocaron comunidades parroquiales en toda la Diócesis de Jackson.
El padre Dore, de 71 años, murió el 24 de septiembre en su hogar en Vicksburg tras una breve batalla contra el cáncer. Había servido como párroco de St. Michael desde 2017.

El obispo Joseph R. Kopacz celebró la Misa de Exequias y pronunció la homilía, acompañado por sacerdotes de la diócesis y amigos sacerdotes del padre Dore. Miembros de su familia, feligreses actuales y anteriores, y miembros de la comunidad de la escuela católica de Vicksburg —incluyendo estudiantes del último año— se reunieron para orar por el sacerdote a quien habían conocido como pastor, amigo y presencia constante.
En su homilía, el obispo Kopacz reflexionó sobre las lecturas bíblicas y la esperanza cristiana que sostuvo la vida y el ministerio del padre Dore. Antes de entrar al sacerdocio, el padre Dore trabajó como enfermero. Su vocación continuó esa labor de cuidar a los demás a través de los sacramentos y acompañando a las personas en la enfermedad, el dolor la vida cotidiana y su fe.
El obispo recordó llamadas telefónicas, así como visitas y momentos de oración con el padre Dore durante las últimas semanas de su vida. Incluso mientras su enfermedad avanzaba, el padre Dore permaneció agradecido por las oraciones ofrecidas por él y procuró mantener informada a su familia parroquial a través de su hermana, Lorraine.
“Él estaba tan agradecido por sus oraciones,” dijo el obispo Kopacz.
El obispo relacionó los últimos días del padre Dore con las oraciones que los sacerdotes ofrecen cada noche en la Liturgia de las Horas, confiándose a Dios y pidiendo una noche tranquila y una muerte en paz.
“Qué gran regalo es nuestra fe para todos nosotros,” dijo. “Caminamos por fe, no por vista.”
Nacido el 16 de octubre de 1954 en Jacksonville, Florida, el padre Dore era hijo de Noel Hayden Dore Jr. y Louise Ann May Dore. Su familia, originaria de Natchez, vivía en Jacksonville mientras su padre servía en el Cuerpo de Marines. Más tarde regresaron a Natchez, donde el padre Dore creció.
Se graduó de Cathedral School en 1973 y obtuvo un título en enfermería en Hinds Junior College en Raymond. Posteriormente ingresó al programa de pre-teología en el Seminario St. Pius X en Erlanger, Kentucky, antes de continuar su formación en el Seminario de la Universidad de St. Mary en el lago de Mundelein, Illinois, donde obtuvo una Maestría en Divinidad.
El padre Dore fue ordenado el 10 de junio de 1989 y celebró su primera misa al día siguiente en la iglesia de St. Mary en Natchez, ahora Basílica de St. Mary.
Su ministerio incluyó servicio como vicario parroquial en St. Joseph en Greenville y St. Paul en Vicksburg. Sirvió como párroco en St. Therese en Chatawa, St. James en Magnolia y Annunciation en Columbus antes de regresar a Vicksburg como párroco de St. Michael.
Otras responsabilidades incluyeron servir como decano del Decanato II, capellán de las Hermanas Escolares de Notre Dame en Chatawa y capellán auxiliar en la Base Aérea de Columbus. También fue capellán estatal de los Caballeros de Colón y, al momento de su muerte, capellán del Consejo 898.
En reflexiones compartidas con el Vicksburg Post, feligreses y líderes escolares recordaron el carácter tranquilo del padre Dore, su bondad y su atención hacia los demás.
Dean Andrews lo describió como “un sacerdote feliz y amigable” que hacía sentir bien a la gente. Su esposa, Kelly Andrews, dijo que el padre Dore había sido como un miembro de su familia.
Mary Arledge, directora de St. Francis Xavier Elementary School, recordó su presencia calmada y su apoyo al personal y a los estudiantes.
“Era muy callado, calmado y un hombre humilde,” dijo Arledge al Vicksburg Post.
La despedida continuó el 2 de octubre en la ciudad natal del padre Dore, Natchez. En la Basílica de St. Mary, los dolientes se reunieron para Laudes, o la Oración de la Mañana, del Oficio de Difuntos. El padre Aaron Williams cantó gran parte del servicio y el padre Alex Waraksa pronunció la homilía. El Rito de Sepultura siguió en Greenlawn Memorial Park.
El padre Dore fue precedido en la muerte por sus padres. Le sobreviven sus hermanas, Lorraine Dore Arnold y Rhonda Dore, así como sus sobrinas, sobrinos, sobrinas nietas, sobrinos nietos, tatarasobrinos y primos.
Al concluir la Misa de funeral, el obispo Kopacz encomendó al padre Dore a la misericordia de Dios y oró por quienes quedaron para llorarlo:
“Ayúdanos a quienes permanecemos, a consolarnos unos a otros con las promesas de la fe.”

VICKSBURG – El obispo Joseph R. Kopacz y los sacerdotes concelebrantes se reúnen alrededor del altar durante la misa fúnebre del padre Robert Dore en la iglesia de San Miguel el 1 de octubre de 2026. Los dolientes llenaron la iglesia por encima de su capacidad para honrar al padre Dore, quien sirvió a la Diócesis de Jackson durante 37 años y había sido párroco de San Miguel desde 2017. (Foto de Joanna Puddister King)

San Francis celebra 75 años de fe, servicio y bienvenida

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Por Joanna Puddister King
GREENWOOD – Con oraciones en inglés y español y una congregación respondiendo a la el estribillo “Enraizados en la fe, creciendo en la gracia,” la parroquia de San Francisco de Asís celebró 75 años de una misión que ha llevado fe, educación y un espíritu de bienvenida a generaciones en el Delta de Mississippi.
La iglesia se llenó de feligreses e invitados para la celebración del aniversario. Después de la Misa, la reunión continuó con una recepción festiva en San Francis, en la antigua cafetería de la Escuela donde una abundante variedad de alimentos dio la bienvenida a quienes celebraban este hito parroquial.
El obispo Joseph R. Kopacz presidió la Misa de aniversario el 4 de octubre, la fiesta de San Francisco de Asís. La celebración también marcó 25 años de ministerio hispano en la parroquia, reuniendo su herencia afroamericana con la fe y las tradiciones de sus feligreses latinos.
La temática del aniversario, “Enraizados en la fe, creciendo en la gracia,” tomado de Colosenses 2:6-7, conectó el recuerdo de los inicios de la parroquia con un llamado a continuar su misión.
Jackie Lewis, la exdirectora de la Escuela St. Francis y presidenta de la celebración del aniversario, dio la bienvenida a los presentes honrando a los fundadores, religiosos y feligreses cuyas oraciones y servicio sostuvieron a la comunidad. Invitó a la parroquia a dar gracias por su historia mientras mira con fe hacia lo que Dios seguirá realizando a través de sus miembros.
En su homilía, el diácono Henry Fulmer, consejero provincial de la Provincia Franciscana de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, convirtió el tema del aniversario en una respuesta compartida por la congregación. Un lado respondía: “Enraizados en la fe,” y el otro: “Creciendo en la gracia.”
Fulmer conectó la historia de la parroquia con el encuentro de San Francisco con un hombre con lepra, explicando cómo el santo llegó a reconocer a Cristo en alguien a quien antes había rechazado.
“Y al encontrar a Cristo en este leproso, Francisco se encontró a sí mismo,” dijo Fulmer.
tras ese mismo llamado a reconocer la dignidad de los demás a través del ministerio de los religiosos entre los afroamericanos en Greenwood. Aprendieron la cultura de la comunidad, compartieron sus alegrías y tristezas y se mantuvieron al lado de personas que enfrentaban racismo y exclusión.
Hoy, dijo, ese acogimiento abraza a las familias latinas y a todos los que entran en la iglesia. La capacidad de la comunidad para adorar juntos a través de diferencias raciales y culturales ofrece un testimonio más allá de sus muros.
“Ustedes cambiaron Greenwood,” dijo Fulmer a la congregación.
Ese testimonio comenzó décadas antes de la celebración del aniversario. Según la historia de la parroquia, frailes franciscanos de Wisconsin llegaron a la Diócesis de Natchez-Jackson en 1948 por invitación del obispo R. O. Gerow. Se compró propiedad para una iglesia y una escuela en Greenwood en 1950, y San Francisco fue establecido formalmente como parroquia el 15 de agosto de 1951.
Las Hermanas de San José de la Tercera Orden de San Francisco abrieron la Escuela St. Francis ese septiembre con kindergarten y dos grados de primaria. Las clases comenzaron en un edificio conocido anteriormente como el Blue Moon, y la escuela se expandió con el tiempo para servir a generaciones de familias.
El compromiso de la parroquia con sus vecinos también tomó forma a través de los Franciscanos Pax Christi, fundados en 1952. Su Centro St. Francis ofrecía clases, recreación y servicios comunitarios y se convirtió en un centro del Movimiento de Greenwood durante la era de los derechos civiles.
El padre Nathaniel Machesky, OFM, ayudó a liderar el trabajo del movimiento por la igualdad racial. En marzo de 1968, el Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. visitó la Escuela St. Francis, solo semanas antes de su asesinato. El ministerio soportó amenazas y violencia mientras se mantenía junto a la comunidad afroamericana.
La celebración del aniversario fue dedicada a las Hermanas Franciscanas de San José y a las Hermanas Franciscanas de la Caridad Cristiana, honrando su labor como educadoras, mentoras y guías espirituales.
Durante un memorial dirigido por Edith Spells, se encendieron velas en recuerdo de frailes, hermanas, miembros de Christi Pax y feligreses fallecidos. Sus contribuciones fueron recordadas a través de los niños que enseñaron, las familias que fortalecieron y los vecinos a quienes sirvieron.
El invitado para la oración John E. White regresó a la parroquia donde creció para reflexionar sobre esa influencia perdurable. Exvicepresidente senior de Sodexo y líder laico católico de larga trayectoria, White describió cómo la parroquia moldeó su fe durante las décadas de 1970 y 1980 y le dio un sentido de pertenencia quien lo a acompañó toda su vida.
Reconoció la tristeza por el cierre de la Escuela St. Francis, pero enfatizó que su legado continúa en las personas formadas por sus maestras y hermanas religiosas. Invito a la parroquia a llevar ese legado adelante mediante la oración, el cuidado de los jóvenes, el servicio a los vecinos y un compromiso continuo con la justicia y la dignidad humana
“Escuchemos a nuestros niños y jóvenes, enseñémosles, animémoslos, hagamos espacio para sus dones y mostremos, con nuestras vidas, que tienen un hogar en esta iglesia,” dijo White.
El obispo Kopacz ofreció una reflexión final sobre la unidad expresada durante la celebración, recordando el llamado del papa León XIV: “En Cristo somos uno.”
“Lo hemos celebrado aquí hoy,” dijo el obispo. “Fue una gran alegría estar aquí y celebrar como uno solo.

GREENWOOD – El diácono Henry Fulmer, OFM, y el padre Aloys Jost, OFM, pronuncian una homilía bilingüe durante la misa celebrada con motivo del 75.º aniversario de la parroquia de San Francisco de Asís el domingo 4 de octubre. (Fotos de Joanna Puddister King)
Los miembros del coro dirigieron la música durante la misa celebrada con motivo del 75.º aniversario de la parroquia de San Francisco de Asís el domingo 4 de octubre. (Más fotos en jacksondiocese.zenfoliosite.com)

Father Tom Mullally, SVD: Six decades of a missionary ‘yes’

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By Joanna Puddister King
GREENVILLE – For Father Thomas Mullally, SVD, 60 years of religious life can be measured in dates and places – from a small Michigan community to parishes across Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi.

But perhaps a better measure if found in the people.

They came from communities Father Mullally has served over the decades to celebrate his 60th anniversary of religious profession with the Society of the Divine Word. During the celebration, representatives from parishes in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi were asked to stand, a visible reminder of the lives and communities that have intersected with his ministry.

Looking back over those years, Father Mullally said one lesson has remained remarkably consistent: ministry begins with being close to people.

GREENVILLE – Father Tom Mullally, SVD, distributes Communion during a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrating the 60th anniversary of his religious profession with the Society of the Divine Word. Attendees came from communities in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi where Father Mullally has served during his decades of ministry. View more photos at jacksondiocese.zenfoliosite.com.

“If you are good to the people, compassionate and merciful, they love you,” he said.

He said smaller parishes have given him something particularly valuable – time to know the people he serves.
“The smaller parishes give you more time. You get to know the people better,” Father Mullally said, describing the closeness of a small parish as being “like family.”

Born Nov. 9, 1942, in Emmett, Michigan, Father Mullally was the fourth of five children born to John and Ann Mullally. His father died in 1949, leaving his mother to raise their five children.

Some of his fondest childhood memories were summers spent on his grandparents’ farm in Vassar, Michigan. Farm life helped instill lessons in hard work, responsibility, perseverance, simplicity and concern for others – qualities that would follow him into missionary ministry.

After graduating from Vassar High School in 1960, he entered Divine Word Seminary.

On Sept. 8, 1966, Father Mullally professed his first religious vows with the Society of the Divine Word. He professed perpetual vows four years later, on Sept. 8, 1970, and was ordained to the priesthood Dec. 19, 1970, in Techny, Illinois.
His ministry took him throughout the Divine Word Missionaries’ Southern Province, with assignments in Louisiana and Arkansas before eventually leading him to Mississippi.

Father Mullally came to the Delta in 2008, serving Catholic communities including Sacred Heart in Greenville, St. Francis in Shaw, Immaculate Conception in Indianola and St. Benedict the Moor in Indianola, as well as communities in Shelby and Mound Bayou and at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman.

He retired from active ministry in December 2020 but not from priestly ministry. Today, he continues serving as a priest in residence at Sacred Heart in Greenville and St. Francis in Shaw.

Nearly two decades in the Delta have given Father Mullally a particular appreciation for the faith of its Catholic communities.
Asked what the people of the Delta have taught him about faith, his answer was simple: “They chose to be Catholic.”

He spoke especially about Black Catholics who remain committed to the church while living in communities where Catholics are a small minority.

“They chose to be Black and Catholic. Now, that’s a commitment,” Father Mullally said. “They chose to be Catholic, and to remain Catholic. Now, that’s faith. That’s loyalty to the Church.”

Father Mullally has also encountered new experiences during his years in the Delta, including ministry to the growing Hispanic Catholic community. Although he does not speak Spanish beyond a few words, he said he has learned that communication in ministry goes deeper than language.

“The core of the heart is so important,” Father Mullally said. “Because they know that you love them, you have compassion for them.”

At the anniversary Mass, provincial Father Augustine “Gus” Wall, SVD, reflected on a characteristic he believes has defined Father Mullally’s missionary life – presence.

“One thing, I’m sure we’ve all experienced about Father Tom, is that he is present for us,” Father Wall said. “If you’re having joy in your life, he wants to hear it. And he will pray with you for it. If you’re going through some … trouble, he wants to hear it even more.”

Parishioners offered similar memories.

One described Father Mullally as someone who listened and offered good advice when she needed to talk. Another recalled his presence in parishioners’ homes – blessing homes, sharing meals and becoming part of the life and history of the community.

During the anniversary celebration, Father Mullally stood with a candle in hand and renewed the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience he first professed six decades ago.

GREENVILLE – Father Tom Mullally, SVD (left), flashes a broad smile as he walks down the aisle alongside Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Father Augustine “Gus” Wall, SVD, following the celebration of the 60th anniversary of his religious profession in the Society of the Divine Word. (Photos by Joanna King)

Following the renewal of vows, Father Mullally became emotional as he thanked God and reflected on reaching a milestone he once was not certain he would see.

“I just thank God. I didn’t think I’d make it,” he said tearfully.

Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, who has known Father Mullally for more than a decade of his priesthood, pointed to the contrast between the young Divine Word Missionary who professed vows at age 23 in 1966 and the priest celebrating six decades of religious life in 2026.

The years have changed some things, the bishop joked, but not Father Mullally’s desire to serve.

“He doesn’t dance physically like he used to,” Bishop Kopacz said. “But he dances in his heart.”

Sixty years after his first profession, Father Mullally’s missionary journey continues – still rooted in the people, still centered on relationships and still answering the call that first led a young man from rural Michigan to the Society of the Divine Word.

United In Mission campaign launches across Diocese of Jackson

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By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – The Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Jackson has launched United In Mission – Forming Shepherds, Strengthening Parishes, a $21.5 million capital campaign for the Diocese of Jackson.

The campaign will direct $10 million toward parish needs, $10 million toward a permanent seminarian education endowment and $1.5 million toward the 2027 Catholic Service Appeal.
“Through parish gatherings, listening sessions and conversations rooted in faith and prayer, one message became clear: We must invest in the future of our Church by forming strong spiritual leaders and strengthening our parish communities,” Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz said in a letter introducing the campaign.

“As one diocesan family, we are called to move forward together,” Bishop Kopacz said. “United by our faith and guided by the Holy Spirit, we have a unique opportunity to strengthen our Church today while preparing for the needs of tomorrow.”

Parishes will conduct their campaigns in one of two phases. Block 1 campaigns will continue through December 2026, while Block 2 parishes will participate from January through June 2027. Pledges may be fulfilled over five years.

The Catholic Foundation will oversee gift processing, pledge fulfillment, donor stewardship, campaign reporting and the long-term management of endowment funds. It is working with Guidance In Giving to provide pastors, parish leaders and volunteers with campaign training, materials and individualized support.

“United In Mission gives every parishioner an opportunity to help address the needs of the Church both now and well into the future,” said Rebecca Harris, executive director of the Catholic Foundation. “Through one unified effort, we can strengthen individual parishes, provide lasting support for the formation of future priests and sustain the diocesan ministries that serve people across the state. The Catholic Foundation is honored to help ensure that every gift is managed responsibly and according to the intentions of our donors.”

The first funds raised by each parish will fulfill its 2027 Catholic Service Appeal goal. Once that goal is met, half of the funds raised up to the parish’s United In Mission target will return to the parish, while the other half will support the seminarian education endowment. If a parish exceeds its campaign target, 70% of the additional funds will return to the parish.

Parishes may use their shares for locally identified needs such as building improvements, deferred maintenance, debt reduction, ministry expansion, outreach or preparation for future growth. Block 1 parishes are expected to begin receiving quarterly distributions in January 2027, followed by Block 2 parishes in June 2027.

The Catholic Foundation Shepherds for Tomorrow Seminarian Education Endowment will provide a permanent source of funding for the spiritual, academic and pastoral formation of men preparing to serve as priests in the Diocese of Jackson.

The diocese has experienced increased interest in priestly vocations, bringing both hope and a need for greater financial resources to educate and form future priests.

“God continues to bless us with young men answering the call to discern the priesthood, and it is our responsibility to ensure that the resources are available to prepare these future shepherds to serve the People of God throughout our diocese,” Bishop Kopacz said.

Campaign leaders are encouraging every Catholic household to pray for the campaign and consider a sacrificial commitment. Gifts may be made as one-time contributions or through five-year pledges fulfilled monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually.
“Together, we can ensure that the Diocese of Jackson remains strong, vibrant and faithful for generations to come,” Bishop Kopacz said.

For more information about United In Mission or ways to give, visit bit.ly/unitedinmissionjackson or contact the Catholic Foundation at 601-960-8477 or rebecca.harris@jacksondiocese.org.

‘Come and see’: Unexpected year in Saltillo deepens priest’s understanding of mission

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By Joanna Puddister King
FOREST – When Father Adolfo Suarez-Pasillas learned that a change in immigration requirements would force him to leave the United States for a year, his first reaction was uncertainty.

“At the beginning I panicked a little bit, because that was not within my life’s plan,” he said.

Father Suarez-Pasillas, a priest of the Diocese of Jackson who is originally from Mexico, had expected that after five years in the United States he would be able to obtain permanent residency. Instead, changes in immigration requirements meant he would have to leave the country, with no guarantee, at least in his mind, that he would be able to return.

“My future was uncertain,” he recalled.

But as he has learned to do throughout his priesthood, Father Suarez-Pasillas tried to look for God’s will in the unexpected turn.
“I always try to see God’s will in every event in my life,” he said. “Once I accepted it, I was at peace with this situation.”

That unexpected year would ultimately take him to the Diocese of Saltillo in Mexico, a longtime mission partner of the Diocese of Jackson, where an immigration challenge became an opportunity for ministry – and for Father Suarez-Pasillas to experience firsthand a relationship Mississippi Catholics have supported for years.

At the time of his departure, Father Suarez-Pasillas was serving as pastor of St. Michael Parish in Forest, St. Anne Parish in Newton and St. Michael Parish in Paulding, as well as administrator of Centro Católico in Morton.
Leaving those communities was difficult.

SALTILLO, Mexico – Father Adolfo Suarez-Pasillas, left, Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz and Father David Martinez participate in a celebration of the Holy Infant Jesus of Good Health (Santo Niño de la Salud) at San Miguel on Oct. 17, 2025. Father Suarez-Pasillas spent a year serving in the Diocese of Saltillo, a longtime mission partner of the Diocese of Jackson, after visa requirements necessitated his temporary departure from the United States. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

“We were all sad and disappointed,” he said, but he reminded his parishioners that they must trust that what was happening was within God’s will for both them and him.

The communities had experienced periods of time without a pastor before Father Suarez-Pasillas arrived, he said, and knew how to keep parish life moving forward. Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz appointed Father Augustine Palimattam administrator pro tempore during Father Suarez-Pasillas’ absence, allowing him to leave knowing the communities would be cared for.

The longstanding relationship between the dioceses of Jackson and Saltillo also provided Father Suarez-Pasillas with a place to continue his priestly ministry during his year away. Because the two dioceses were already in regular communication through their mission partnership, Bishop Kopacz was able to work with Bishop Hilario González García of Saltillo to arrange for him to serve there.

Returning to his native Mexico did not mean returning to familiar ministry.

Father Suarez-Pasillas grew up in Mexico and completed part of his seminary formation there, but he had never served there as a priest. Saltillo was also different from the parts of Mexico he knew, and much of his ministry took him into rural communities.

He found himself learning to be more flexible – traveling to remote areas, entering people’s homes and adapting to the pastoral needs and customs of the communities he served.

That experience, he said, deepened his understanding of the priesthood.

“Traveling to those remote communities and coming into people’s houses, experiencing the way they live and their values, was for me like living the Gospel,” Father Suarez-Pasillas said.

He compared the experience to Christ going from place to place, preaching, healing and encountering people where they were.
The faith of the people also left an impression on him.

“Overall, it was a great experience,” he said. “I am always edified by people’s faith and deep respect for the priest.”

One priest in particular provided an example Father Suarez-Pasillas said will remain with him.

Father David Martinez, the pastor with whom he served, continues an active ministry despite serious health problems following COVID-19. Father Suarez-Pasillas described him as a hardworking priest deeply dedicated to the communities entrusted to him.
“Basically, he is giving his life to the ministry,” Father Suarez-Pasillas said.

Despite health challenges and difficulty sleeping at night, Father Martinez continued serving his communities without complaint, he said.

His pastor’s example, along with the faith of the people Father Suarez-Pasillas encountered, helped turn what began as an unwanted interruption into a formative chapter of his priesthood.

Throughout the year, his connection to Mississippi remained strong.

Parishioners sent messages and gifts, and the continued support of the Diocese of Jackson allowed him not only to continue his ministry in Mexico but also to assist his family.

“I am grateful to them because due to their support, I was able to continue my ministry in my homeland,” he said.
He also knew that his bishop and diocese wanted him home.

“I felt that Bishop and the Diocese really wanted me to be back, which I really appreciate,” Father Suarez-Pasillas said.

A year after leaving, he was able to return to the Diocese of Jackson – and to the same communities he had reluctantly left behind. He resumed his ministry as pastor of the parishes in Forest, Newton and Paulding and as administrator of Centro Católico in Morton.

His year in Saltillo also gave Father Suarez-Pasillas a new perspective on the importance of the mission partnership between the two dioceses.

Many mission communities, he said, do not have the financial resources necessary to bring priests to their communities or maintain their chapels. Support from Catholics in the Diocese of Jackson helps make that ministry possible.

For Father Suarez-Pasillas, supporting the mission is also part of the call to discipleship.

“This is important because that is the Lord’s command: to bring the light of the Gospel to the ends of the earth,” he said.

Mission, he emphasized, involves both those who go and those who make it possible for them to go.

“To make a mission possible, we do not only need those who are going, but we also need those who support it,” he said. “Both are important, and both make sacrifices.”

Father Suarez-Pasillas said those who support the mission also receive something in return. He recalled a lesson he learned while volunteering at St. Dominic Hospital: People sometimes believe they are the ones doing the helping, when those they serve are actually providing them with an opportunity to encounter and serve Christ.

“We often forget that when we are ministering to our brothers and sisters, we are ministering to Him,” he said.

Now back in Mississippi, Father Suarez-Pasillas hopes more Catholics – including his brother priests – will have an opportunity to experience the Saltillo mission firsthand.

“We hear about it, but if we are able to experience it firsthand, then it will become something real and not just something we hear over and over again,” he said.

He points to Christ’s invitation: “Come and see.”

“See how the Lord is living in a different place than yours,” Father Suarez-Pasillas said.

Looking back, he sees his unexpected year away as another lesson in something he began learning during his seminary years: God sometimes places people where they would not choose to go, but where they may need to be.

“At the beginning we try to resist, we complain,” he said. “But once we accept it and try to live it, we will enjoy it.”

What began with uncertainty ultimately brought Father Suarez-Pasillas back to Mississippi with a deeper understanding of his priesthood – and of a mission partnership that, for one unexpected year, became his home.

For photos from Saltillo visit: https://jacksondiocese.zenfoliosite.com/galleries/parishes/saltillo-mexico?ct=3

Educators called to “live by the Spirit’ in new school year

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MADISON – St. Joseph School hosted a professional development day for teachers on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Executive director of Catholic Education, Joni House delivered the opening remarks, welcoming educators from across the Diocese. Teachers from St. Joseph, Madison; St. Anthony, Madison; St. Richard, Jackson; Sister Thea Bowman School, Jackson; St. Joseph, Greenville; Vicksburg Catholic School; St. Patrick School, Meridian; and Cathedral School, Natchez, participated in the training and collaborative learning sessions. (Photos by Tereza Ma)

By Joanna King and Tereza Ma
JACKSON – Catholic school educators from across the Diocese of Jackson gathered in early August for prayer, fellowship and professional development as they prepared to welcome students for the 2026-2027 school year.

Hosted by the Office of Catholic Education, professional development days were held Aug. 3 at Annunciation Catholic School in Columbus, Aug. 5 at St. Joseph Catholic School in Madison and Aug. 7 at St. Richard Early Learning Center in Jackson. Each gathering began with Mass and continued with presentations, breakout sessions and grade-level discussions.

The diocesan theme for the new school year is “Live by the Spirit,” inspired by Ephesians 4:32 and its call to kindness, compassion and forgiveness.

Joni House, executive director Catholic Education, connected the theme to the daily work of Catholic schools, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technology. She encouraged educators to consider not only whether technology can accomplish a task, but whether its use serves the human person and supports the mission of Catholic education.

“Our Catholic identity is not something we add to education,” House said. “It is the foundation of everything we do.”

She emphasized that while technology can assist educators, it cannot replace relationships, faith formation, moral discernment or the personal witness at the heart of Catholic education.

In his homily during the opening Mass in Madison, Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz reflected on the trust parents place in Catholic school educators and their shared desire to see children flourish.

“We see them. We know them. We know them by name,” Bishop Kopacz said. “It is very personal. It’s not invisible. It’s not impersonal. We’re building communities once again of faith, hope and love as the Lord calls us to.”

He encouraged educators to help students become “more alive with each passing day in body, mind and spirit, in faith, hope and love.”

Veteran Kentucky educator and speaker Gerry Brooks served as the keynote presenter through a special video created for Diocese of Jackson educators. Brooks, whose humorous videos draw upon everyday experiences in education, has served as a classroom teacher, intervention specialist and school administrator. His presentations encourage teachers and administrators to build positive and constructive school cultures.

Brooks challenged educators to care for their own well-being, avoid becoming distracted by unnecessary conflict and place relationships at the center of their interactions with students, parents and colleagues.

“Always choose to build a relationship over being right,” Brooks said.

The message complemented the diocesan theme by reminding educators that kindness and compassion are expressed through everyday choices and encounters.

As faculty and staff returned to their schools, they carried with them practical resources, renewed connections with fellow educators and a common call to “Live by the Spirit” in their classrooms and school communities.

https://jacksondiocese.zenfoliosite.com/galleries/schools-1/professional-development-day-2026?ct=3

Assessment charts unified future for Metro Jackson Catholic schools

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By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – A comprehensive assessment of Catholic education in the Jackson metropolitan area recommends bringing four Catholic schools under a unified governance and administrative structure designed to strengthen their shared mission and ensure their long-term sustainability.

The assessment encompasses St. Joseph Catholic School in Madison, serving grades seven through 12, along with St. Anthony Catholic School in Madison, St. Richard Catholic School in Jackson and Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School in Jackson, each serving prekindergarten through sixth grade.

The proposed system would provide students with a more seamless path from early childhood through high school while allowing the schools to coordinate resources, leadership, enrollment, advancement, communications and academic planning. The area’s three early learning centers are expected to join the organization after the new structure is fully operational.

Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz authorized the assessment in April 2025 with the unanimous approval of the 10 pastors serving on the Canonical Board of Pastors. A 23-member committee of clergy, educators, school leaders and lay representatives from Metro Jackson parishes guided the process.
In his letter authorizing the study, Bishop Kopacz described Catholic education as a responsibility shared by the entire Catholic community.
“While each parish has traditionally supported its own school, it is worth noting that Catholic education is a significant ministry of the entire Church,” he wrote. “It is the responsibility of every Catholic parish in the metro area to ensure the vitality of our Catholic schools.”

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The committee selected Partners in Mission to conduct the assessment. Its work included 395 surveys completed by Catholic school and non-Catholic school families, 50 confidential narratives, interviews with stakeholders, meetings with school principals and on-site visits conducted in October and November 2025.

The assessment identified Catholic identity, dedicated and caring faculty and staff, academic quality and strong school communities among the schools’ greatest strengths. It also examined enrollment, finances, governance, facilities, demographic changes and competition within the Jackson-area education market.

The report’s central recommendation is the creation of a unified Catholic school system governed by a board of directors composed of clergy and lay members. The board would provide strategic direction, oversee governance and fundraising, and ensure the schools’ financial sustainability and fidelity to their Catholic mission.

A founding president would lead the system and oversee a central administrative office. The schools would also work toward greater alignment in areas including admissions, curriculum, staffing, marketing, communications, advancement and alumni engagement.

In a June 23 letter included with the full assessment, Bishop Kopacz accepted the committee’s recommendations and authorized the formation of the new entity. Legal and canonical work has begun, while the committee continues its work on the organization’s structure, formation of its board and the search for a president.

“We will move forward thoughtfully and faithfully, with both urgency and prudence, trusting always in the Lord’s guidance,” Bishop Kopacz wrote.

The assessment does not call for the four schools to surrender their individual histories or communities. Rather, it presents a structure through which the schools can build upon their existing strengths while working together more effectively.

Lester Diamond, chairman of the Metro Jackson Catholic Schools Assessment Committee, said the work should not be understood solely as an examination of organizational and financial matters.

“It would be easy to view this assessment as simply another report focused on enrollment, finances, governance and facilities,” Diamond wrote in a message to the Catholic community. “While those matters are important, this work is about far more than organizational structure.

“At its heart, this assessment is about mission.”

Diamond described Catholic schools as places where children encounter Jesus Christ, faith and reason are united, character is formed and young people are prepared for lives of faith, service and leadership.

“The assessment before you presents a vision for strengthening our schools so they may faithfully serve that mission for generations to come,” he wrote. “It reflects careful research, broad consultation across our Catholic community, and a shared commitment to excellence in both faith formation and academics.”

The report outlines five strategic priorities for the proposed system: Catholic identity, price transparency, diverse excellence, career exposure and facility modernization. It also identifies opportunities to reach families seeking a smaller, faith-based alternative to large public schools and a more affordable option than other private schools in the area.

The transition will include the establishment of the board of directors and selection of a founding president, followed by a three- to five-year strategic planning process involving additional community participation and professional guidance.

Bishop Kopacz said the work remains rooted in the Church’s mission of forming young people in the light of Jesus Christ and nurturing the whole person.

“I am confident that these efforts will strengthen our schools and serve our families well for many years to come,” he wrote. “Above all, it is my hope that our students will come to know, love and follow Jesus Christ, living lives of faithful intentional discipleship.”

Read the full summary report

Journey of Hope luncheon celebrates shared legacy of service

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By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – Catholic Charities, Inc. will bring together two longstanding ministries of service in Mississippi at its 2026 Journey of Hope Luncheon, featuring Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth, O.P., of St. Dominic Health.

The luncheon will be held Tuesday, Sept. 22, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Country Club of Jackson. This year’s event will highlight St. Dominic’s 80 years of service and Catholic Charities’ 63 years of serving people in need throughout Mississippi.

Sister Dorothea, associate executive director of the St. Dominic Health Services Foundation, said St. Dominic’s anniversary offers an opportunity to celebrate a legacy of compassionate, faith-filled care.

“What stands out to me is this mission of service throughout St. Dominic’s and the community continues today as a vibrant ministry of providing compassionate care and hope,” she said.

Inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ and the witness of its founding Dominican Sisters, St. Dominic provides care as a healing ministry of the Catholic Church. Sister Dorothea said that mission has improved the lives of countless Mississippians by seeking the healing and wholeness of body, mind and spirit.

That commitment to service also connects St. Dominic with the work of Catholic Charities. Through shared resources and outreach efforts, the two ministries have assisted people experiencing medical, financial and other hardships.

Among those efforts are the Sister Trinita Community Clinic, Care-A-Van, educational classes and other outreach programs. The Sister Trinita Community Clinic provides free primary care to people who are uninsured or medically underserved.

Sister Dorothea said the name “Journey of Hope” reflects what both organizations seek to offer people confronting health, food, housing and financial challenges.

“People who are struggling with many challenges on their journey in life are given hope through the compassionate care and the many services provided by Catholic Charities and St. Dominic’s,” she said.

Sister Dorothea has witnessed that hope throughout her years of ministry, including in hospital intensive care units as chaplains and clinical staff offer spiritual support and medical care to patients and their families.

She has also seen it through the community clinic, which opened 30 years ago to serve uninsured and underserved patients in west Jackson.

“Hope was restored for countless patients, witnessed in the community and continues today,” she said.

Catholic Charities began the Journey of Hope Luncheon in 2003 to introduce its programs and services to a wider audience, according to Michael Thomas, development director for Catholic Charities. The event has grown consistently through the years, with its largest luncheon drawing more than 1,100 guests.

Previous speakers have included Coach Lou Holtz, Father Burke Masters, Rocky Bleier, Elizabeth Smart, Jim Caviezel, David Magee, Jonathan Morris and Bishop Duncan Gray. Former Catholic Charities clients have also shared stories of how the organization helped them overcome difficult circumstances.

Thomas said Sister Dorothea was a natural choice for this year’s luncheon because of her knowledge of both institutions and her years of service and devotion.

“St. Dominic and Catholic Charities have worked closely over the years,” Thomas said. “It was the right time to highlight the 80 years of service from St. Dominic and the 63 years of Catholic Charities serving the needs of many Mississippians.”

Journey of Hope is a free luncheon designed to educate guests about Catholic Charities and the work of its staff. During the event, guests will have an opportunity to make a voluntary contribution to support the organization’s programs, but there is no obligation to give.

Table captains are asked to invite seven friends, family members or colleagues to join them at a table of eight. Individuals may also contact Catholic Charities to attend.

Thomas said the luncheon is successful when guests leave with a greater understanding of the programs and staff serving people in need across Mississippi.

Sister Dorothea hopes guests will also recognize how their financial support, volunteerism and generosity allow that work to continue.

“Our guests are the hands of Jesus Christ in union with the co-workers of Catholic Charities as they bring hope, help and healing to those less fortunate,” she said.

As Catholic Charities and St. Dominic celebrate their respective milestones, Sister Dorothea said she hopes both will remain focused on their missions and continue their legacies of compassionate service.

“The charity of Christ urges us on,” she said. “I hope the leaders today instill in all the staff members the profound privilege to serve the needs of the vulnerable.”

To attend the Journey of Hope Luncheon or serve as a table captain, call Catholic Charities at (601) 355-8634 or Michael Thomas at (601) 331-1152. The names of confirmed guests are requested in advance.

Table Captain Reservation Sheet