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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz ordained seven men to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Jackson on July 18, 2026 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson. In the following profiles, the new deacons share their vocation stories, the people and experiences that shaped their faith, and their hopes for serving the people of the diocese.
Click each photo to read about our new permanent deacons and their wives.
By Joanna Puddister King CANTON – Father Guy Wilson, ST, has been nominated by the Diocese of Jackson for Catholic Extension Society’s 2026-2027 Lumen Christi Award, the organization’s highest honor.
Since 1978, the annual award has recognized individuals, groups and institutions whose service radiates and reveals the light of Christ in the communities they serve. This year, bishops from 46 dioceses across the United States submitted nominations highlighting spiritual care, compassionate service and self-sacrifice.
“The Lumen Christi Award is a real-time window into the incredible impact of people of faith in America,” said Father Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension Society. “Born out of their love for God, the dedication of these nominees to the good of the Church and the good of their neighbors should make us all proud to be Catholic.”
CANTON – Father Guy Wilson, S.T., sits beside a portrait of Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman during the annual Sister Thea Bowman Musical Celebration at Holy Child Jesus Church on March 26, 2023. Father Wilson, pastor of Holy Child Jesus in Canton and Sacred Heart parish in Camden, has been nominated by the Diocese of Jackson for Catholic Extension Society’s 2026-2027 Lumen Christi Award in recognition of his ministry of faith, unity and service. (Photo by Joanna King)
Father Wilson, 74, has served as a priest for 47 years in a variety of cultures and communities. He currently serves as pastor of two historically Black Catholic parishes in Camden and Canton – Sacred Heart and Holy Child Jesus – where his ministry brings together pastoral care, community development and outreach across racial, cultural and denominational lines.
Music remains a defining part of parish life at both churches, whose choirs carry forward a tradition shaped in part by Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, a Canton native whose cause for canonization is under consideration by the Vatican. Father Wilson is also collaborating with the Diocese of Jackson as it prepares for a future shrine honoring Sister Thea.
His ministry extends to Canton’s growing Latino population through bilingual programming and diocesan gatherings, including youth activities and three-day retreats for Spanish-speaking men and women.
Father Wilson has also developed ecumenical partnerships in a region where Catholics make up a small percentage of the population. His “Pray and Play” initiative brings together Catholic, Baptist and evangelical communities through a faith-based youth basketball program. Participants commit to attending Sunday worship, and tournaments begin and end with prayer.
Through the Sacred Heart Family Center in Camden, Father Wilson oversees food distribution programs, daily meals for seniors and adults with special needs, and summer nutrition assistance for children.
Other community efforts on parish property include a health clinic serving an aging population with limited access to care and the Theresa Day Care Center, the only childcare facility within 30 miles. Father Wilson is also working to address the area’s shortage of affordable housing, with a long-range vision of building 40 homes on church-owned land.
The nomination describes a ministry encompassing the liturgical, cultural, social and developmental needs of the community – work that strengthens faith while building relationships among historically divided communities.
“Please keep Father Guy in your prayers throughout this process,” said Rebecca Harris, director of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Jackson. “We are grateful for his faithful ministry and the many ways he serves the people of our diocese. We pray that God will continue to bless his work and guide him in the days ahead.”
Catholic Extension Society expects to announce the award finalists later this summer and select the national honoree in the fall. Each finalist will receive $15,000 to support and expand their ministry. The national recipient will receive $50,000, with an additional $50,000 awarded to the nominating diocese.
By Joanna Puddister King JACKSON – August is recognized as Make-A-Will Month, providing an opportunity to reflect on the values that matter most and the legacy we hope to leave behind. While creating a will is an important step in caring for loved ones, it is also an opportunity to continue supporting the Church and the ministries that have helped shape your faith.
The Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Jackson encourages Catholics to consider remembering their parish, Catholic school or a favorite diocesan ministry in their estate plans. A bequest is a simple yet meaningful way to ensure that your faith continues to make an impact for generations to come. Because these gifts are made through an estate, they generally do not affect a person’s current financial situation but can provide lasting support for cherished ministries.
To assist families begin the estate planning process, The Catholic Foundation offers several free resources, including access to an online will creation tool at mycatholicwill.com/jacksondiocese. The website guides individuals through the process of creating a will at no cost while also providing information about charitable giving and estate planning.
“Estate planning is one of the greatest gifts we can leave to our families and to the Church,” said Rebecca Harris, executive director of the Catholic Foundation. “Whether you are creating your first will or updating an existing one, we want to make the process as simple as possible. If the Church has played an important role in your life, I encourage you to prayerfully consider including your parish, Catholic school or a ministry that is close to your heart. These gifts become a lasting witness of faith and generosity.”
Harris is also available to help individuals and families understand the foundation’s estate-planning resources and discuss charitable giving options with their professional advisers. Through prayerful planning, Catholics can provide for those they love while extending their faithful stewardship beyond their lifetimes.
“By remembering the Church in your will, you create a legacy that will strengthen ministries, support future generations and continue Christ’s mission throughout the Diocese of Jackson,” Harris said.
By Joanna Puddister King JACKSON – An unwanted vehicle can now help Catholic Charities meet needs that fall outside traditional sources of funding through a new partnership with Paul Moak Automotive in Jackson.
The Catholic Charities Auto Donation Program accepts qualifying cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and other vehicles. Proceeds from their sale will support Catholic Charities programs serving individuals and families across Mississippi.
The program gives donors a simple way to turn a vehicle they no longer need into flexible support for services across the state.
The partnership offers a local alternative to national vehicle donation services, which often send donated vehicles directly to wholesale auctions. Through the new program, Paul Moak Automotive will evaluate each donated vehicle and, when appropriate, recondition, photograph and offer it for sale on the retail market.
“Wholesale auctions are built to move vehicles quickly, not necessarily to maximize their value,” said John Scarbrough of Paul Moak Automotive. “Taking the time to prepare and sell vehicles locally at retail – when appropriate – typically generates stronger returns for the charity.”
Scarbrough said Catholic Charities’ previous experience with vehicle donations and Paul Moak Automotive’s knowledge of the retail market made the partnership a natural fit.
“We are excited to work alongside Catholic Charities in this way,” he said.
The additional proceeds will give Catholic Charities greater flexibility to respond to everyday needs that may not qualify for support through grants or other restricted funding sources, according to Christina Bach, executive director of Catholic Charities. “There are always needs that arise that are not covered by grant funding,” Bach said. “A child may need a school uniform or even something as simple as a belt, for example. Having these additional funds allows us to better support our agency, our programs and the people we serve.”
Bach encouraged people not to assume that an older or unused vehicle has nothing to offer. Vehicles may qualify for the program even if their owners believe they have little value.
“Even if you think your car has no value, it can make a big difference in the life of someone working toward a better future,” Bach said. “Through this program, Paul Moak Automotive may be able to secure a better price for the vehicle than traditional auction-based donation programs. That benefits the donor while creating a local investment in the work of Catholic Charities.”
For Paul Moak Automotive, the partnership also provides an opportunity to support an organization responding to a wide range of needs throughout the community.
“From hunger relief and adoption and pregnancy services to counseling and shelter, Catholic Charities has a broad service footprint that addresses many levels of need in our community,” Scarbrough said. “It is a real honor for our organization to partner in that work.”
Vehicle donations may also qualify as charitable contributions for tax purposes. Donors should consult a tax professional regarding their individual circumstances.
Por Joanna Puddister King JACKSON – La Fundación Católica ha lanzado Unidos en la misión – Formando Pastores, Fortaleciendo Parroquias, una campaña de capital de 21.5 millones de dólares para la Diócesis de Jackson.
La campaña destinará 10 millones de dólares a las necesidades parroquiales, 10 millones a un fondo permanente para la educación de los seminaristas y 1.5 millones a la Campaña de Servicio Católico para el 2027.
“A través de reuniones parroquiales, sesiones de escucha y conversaciones basadas en la fe y la oración, un mensaje quedó claro: Debemos invertir en el futuro de nuestra Iglesia formando líderes espirituales fuertes y fortaleciendo nuestras comunidades parroquiales”, dijo el obispo Joseph R. Kopacz en una carta presentando la campaña.
“Como una sola familia diocesana, estamos llamados a progresar juntos”, dijo el obispo Kopacz. “Unidos por nuestra fe y guiados por el Espíritu Santo, tenemos una oportunidad única de fortalecer nuestra Iglesia hoy mientras nos preparamos para las necesidades del mañana.” Las parroquias llevarán a cabo sus campañas en una de dos fases. Las campañas del Bloque 1 continuarán hasta diciembre del 2026, mientras que las parroquias del Bloque 2 participarán de enero a junio del 2027. Los contratos pueden cumplirse durante cinco años.
La Fundación Católica supervisará el fondo de donaciones, el cumplimiento de compromisos, la gestión responsable de los donantes, la información de campañas y el manejo a largo plazo de los fondos de donación. Colaborará con Orientación en I Giving para proporcionar a los pastores, líderes parroquiales y voluntarios formación en campañas, materiales y apoyo individual.
“Unidos en la Misión ofrece a cada feligrés la oportunidad de ayudar a atender las necesidades de la Iglesia tanto ahora como en el futuro”, dijo Rebecca Harris, directora ejecutiva de la Fundación Católica. “A través de un esfuerzo unificado, podemos fortalecer las parroquias individuales, proporcionando un apoyo duradero para la formación de futuros sacerdotes y sostener los ministerios diocesanos que sirven a las personas de todo el estado. La Fundación Católica se siente honrada de ayudar a garantizar que cada donación se maneje de manera responsable y conforme a las intenciones de nuestros donantes.”
Los primeros fondos recaudados por cada parroquia cumplirán su objetivo de la Campaña de Servicio Católico para el 2027. Una vez alcanzado ese objetivo, la mitad de los fondos recaudados hasta el objetivo de Unidos en la misión de la parroquia volverán a la parroquia, mientras que la otra mitad apoyará el fondo de donación para la educación de seminaristas. Si una parroquia supera su objetivo de campaña, al 70% los fondos adicionales volverán a la parroquia.
Las parroquias pueden utilizar sus partes para necesidades identificadas localmente, como mejoras en edificios, mantenimiento diferido, reducción de deuda, expansión ministerial, publicidad o preparación para el crecimiento futuro. Se espera que las parroquias del Bloque 1 comiencen a recibir distribuciones trimestrales en enero del 2027, seguidas por las parroquias del Bloque 2 en junio del 2027.
La fundación católica Shepherds for Tomorrow Seminarian Education Endowment Proporcionara una Fuente permanente de finanzas para la formación spiritual, académica y pastoral de los hombres que se preparan para servir como sacerdotes en la Diócesis de Jackson.
La diócesis ha experimentado un interés creciente en las vocaciones sacerdotales, lo que aporta tanto esperanza como la necesidad de mayores recursos financieros para educar y formar a futuros sacerdotes.
“Dios sigue bendiciéndonos con jóvenes que responden al llamado a discernir el sacerdocio, y es nuestra responsabilidad asegurarnos de que los recursos estén disponibles para preparar a estos futuros pastores para servir al Pueblo de Dios en toda nuestra diócesis”, dijo el obispo Kopacz.
Los líderes de la campaña están animando a todos los hogares católicos a rezar por la campaña y a considerar un compromiso de sacrificio. Las donaciones se pueden hacer como contribuciones únicas o mediante promesas de cinco años cumplidas mensual, trimestral, semestral o anualmente.
“Juntos, podemos garantizar que la Diócesis de Jackson siga siendo fuerte, vibrante y fiel durante generaciones venideras”, dijo Harris.
