Author Archives: Tereza Ma

Bishop Kopacz schedule

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May 6-12 – Polish National Catholic Conference, Scranton, Pa.

Confirmation schedule

Sunday, Apr. 29, 5 p.m. – Jackson St. Richard
Wednesday, May 2, 6 p.m. – Meridian St. Patrick and St. Joseph
Thursday, May 3, 6 p.m. – Flowood St. Paul
Friday, May 4, 6 p.m. – Cleveland Our Lady of Victories
Saturday, May 5, 5:30 p.m. – Greenville St. Joseph
Saturday, May 19, 11a.m. – Amory St. Helen
Saturday, May 19, 4 p.m. – Houston Immaculate Heart of Mary
Sunday, May 20, 9 a.m. – West Point Immaculate Conception
Sunday, May 20, 5 p.m. – Gluckstadt St. Joseph
Saturday, June 2, 11a.m. – Carthage St. Anne
Sunday June 3, 9 a.m. – Jackson Christ the King
Sunday, June 3, 1p.m.– Jackson Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle

Only public events are listed on this schedule and all events are subject to change.
Please check with the local parish for further details

La Pascua invita a la reflexión sobre el Espíritu Santo

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Obispo Joseph Kopacz

Por Obispo Joseph Kopacz
Entre la Pascua y la fiesta de Pentecostés, 50 días, anunciamos las Escrituras que narran la historia del crecimiento de la Iglesia primitiva. Hace casi 2000 años, el Espíritu Santo, el cual resucitó a Jesús de entre los muertos, sacó a los 120 discípulos, reunidos en torno a los apóstoles y María, a las calles y al mundo para llevar la Buena Noticia de la salvación a todas las naciones.
Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, el complementario del evangelio de san Lucas, es la primera entrega de la efusión del prometido Espíritu Santo a ir a los confines de la tierra hasta el final de los tiempos, hasta que Jesucristo regrese.
Cada vez que la unción del Espíritu Santo se celebra en el sacramento de la Confirmación a lo largo de nuestra diócesis y en todas partes, el trabajo de Pentecostés continúa. Ah, pero hemos conocido la acción del Espíritu Santo mucho antes de Pentecostés.
Mientras nuestra nación observa cada año el Día de la Tierra el 22 de abril para celebrar el regalo del mundo natural, nosotros, como hijos de Dios, reconocemos el orden natural de las cosas como el don de la creación. “En el principio Dios creó los cielos y la tierra.
La tierra estaba sin forma y vacía, y la oscuridad cubría las aguas profundas. Y el Espíritu de Dios se movía sobre la superficie de las aguas”, (Génesis 1:1-2). Por otra parte, Job 26:13 dice, “con un soplo dejó al cielo despejado” o “los hizo bellos”, y “el Espíritu de Dios me hizo, e infundió en mi su aliento”, (Job 33:4). Otro ejemplo es el Salmo 104:30 que dice, “Pero si envías tu aliento de vida, son creados, y así renuevas la faz de la tierra”.
El Espíritu Santo, el Ruaj Yahweh, en una forma mucho más personal, es la fuerza y la inspiración en el trabajo de los profetas de Israel. “El Espíritu del Señor está sobre mí, porque el Señor me ha consagrado para predicar buenas nuevas a los pobres; me ha enviado a aliviar a los afligidos, a proclamar la libertad a los cautivos y la libertad a los que están en la carcel” (Isaías 61:1).
Por supuesto, esta ardiente espera del Mesías se cumplió con la obra incesante del Espíritu Santo en María de Nazaret. “El ángel le dijo, el Espíritu Santo vendrá sobre ti y el poder del Altísimo descansará sobre ti como una nube; por eso el que ha de nacer será santo; él será llamado Hijo de Dios.” (Lucas 1:35).
Desde este primer momento de la Encarnación y a lo largo de su vida terrena, su muerte y resurrección, el Espíritu Santo acompañó a Jesús de Nazaret. El Espíritu se cernió sobre las aguas del bautismo del amado Hijo de Dios (Marcos 1:17-11) y a la vez llevó a Jesús al desierto (Marcos 1:12). Del desierto Jesús regresó a su hogar en la sinagoga en Nazaret para proclamar de Isaías que el Espíritu del Señor estaba sobre él, y lo que los profetas y las personas anhelaban fue cumplido al escucharlo a él (Lucas 4: 18).
Durante un momento clave de su ministerio público, Jesús se regocijó en el Espíritu Santo y alabó la grandeza de Dios, su padre (Lucas 10:21). Con su vida terrena al borde de la tortura y la muerte, Jesús les asegura a sus discípulos que “el Consolador, el Espíritu Santo, enviado por el Padre, él os enseñará todas las cosas”. (Juan 14:26)
En su carta a los Romanos, san Pablo describe una creencia fundamental de que el Espíritu de Dios resucitó a Jesús de entre los muertos (8:11).
Como había prometido, Jesús en una de sus apariciones de resurrección, un momento de pentecostés en el evangelio de Juan, sopló a los Apóstoles el don del Espíritu Santo y los envió al mundo a predicar y a bautizar, (Juan 20:22).
La aventura de la salvación, impulsada por el Espíritu Santo, continúa durante el tiempo pascual del 2018 hasta los confines de la tierra, y nuestras celebraciones de confirmación promueven la obra de salvación iniciada en el Nuevo Testamento. “Porque por un solo Espíritu fuimos todos bautizados en un cuerpo, judíos o no judíos, esclavos o libres, fuimos bautizados para forman un mismo cuerpo por medio de un solo espíritu y a todos se nos dio a beber de ese mismo espíritu, (1Cor. 12:13).
Cuando siento los dones del Espíritu trabajando en estas liturgias de confirmación recuerdo la profunda elocuencia de San Pablo en la Carta a los Corintios, “Nadie puede decir, “Jesús es el Señor”, excepto por el Espíritu Santo.
Ahora, hay diversidad de dones, pero el Espíritu es el mismo, y hay diversidad de ministerios, pero el mismo Señor. Hay variedad de obras, pero es el mismo Dios quien produce todas las obras en cada persona. A cada persona se le ha dado la posibilidad de manifestar el Espíritu para el bien común, (1Cor 12,1ss). Nuestra identidad está firmemente establecida como hijos de Dios porque somos guiados por el Espíritu de Dios, (Rom 8:14).
A través de la fe y el bautismo, somos la morada del Espíritu Santo, templo de Dios (1Cor 3: 16-17), y los signos vivos de nuestro huésped son los frutos de amor, alegría, paz, paciencia, benignidad, bondad, fe, mansedumbre y templanza. Contra tales cosas no hay ley (Gálatas 5,22-23).
Como un pueblo peregrino que camina en el tiempo y que reside en cada rincón de la tierra habitable debemos seguir el mandato del Señor de predicar, bautizar y enseñarle a todos que él nos ha mandado en el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo (Mateo 28). En un Espíritu conducido por la fe, sus palabras siguen ardiendo en nuestros corazones, y continuamos reconociéndolo en la fracción del pan.
Aunque no somos del mundo, estamos en el mundo, y nuestro espíritu conducido por la fe nos obliga a reconocer que el Reino de Dios es justicia, paz y gozo en el Espíritu Santo (Romanos 14:17). Este es nuestro mandato y plantilla para vivir con la mente y el corazón de Jesucristo.

Easter invites reflection on Holy Spirit

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Bishop Joseph Kopacz

By Bishop Joseph Kopacz
Between Easter and the feast of Pentecost, 50 days, we proclaim the Scriptures that tell the story of the growth of the early Church. Nearly 2,000 years ago the Holy Spirit, who raised Jesus from the dead, drove the 120 disciples, gathered around the Apostles and Mary, out into the streets and into the world to bring the Good News of salvation to all the nations.
The Acts of the Apostles, Saint Luke’s companion piece to his gospel, is the first installment of the outpouring of the promised Holy Spirit to go to the ends of the earth until the end of time, until Jesus Christ comes again. Each time the anointing of the Holy Spirit is celebrated in the Sacrament of Confirmation throughout our Diocese of Jackson and everywhere, the work of Pentecost continues.
Oh, but we have known the action of the Holy Spirit long before Pentecost. As our nation observes Earth Day each year on April 22, to celebrate the gift of the natural world, we, as God’s children, recognize the natural order of things as the gift of creation. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” (Genesis 1:1-2) Moreover, Job 26:13 says, “by His breath the heavens are cleared” or “made beautiful,” and “the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” (Job 33:4) Another instance is Psalm 104:30 which says, “You send forth Your Spirit; they are created, and You renew the face of the ground.”
The Holy Spirit, the Ruach Yahweh, in a much more personal way, is the power and inspiration at work in Israel’s prophets. “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to all who are bound;” (Isaiah 61,1)
Of course, this burning expectation for the Messiah is fulfilled with the unceasing work of the Holy Spirit in Mary of Nazareth. “The angel said to her, the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.” (Luke 1,25ff). From this first moment of the Incarnation and throughout his earthly life, death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit accompanied Jesus of Nazareth. The Spirit hovered over the waters of the baptism of the beloved Son of God, (Mark 1,7-11) and then at once drove Jesus out into the wilderness. (Mark 1,12).
From the desert wilderness Jesus returned home to the synagogue in Nazareth to proclaim from Isaiah that the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and that which the prophets and people yearned for was fulfilled in their hearing in him. (Luke 4,18)
During a pivotal moment of his, public Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and praised the greatness of God, his Father. (Luke 10,21)
With his earthly life on the verge of torture and death, Jesus assures his disciples that “the Helper, the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, will teach you all things.” (John 14,26) In his letter to the Romans, Saint Paul portrays a fundamental belief that the Spirit of God raised Jesus from the dead. (8,11) As promised, Jesus in one of his resurrection appearances, a Pentecost moment in the Gospel of John, breathed into his apostles the gift of the Holy Spirit and sent them into the world to preach and baptize. (John 20,22)
The adventure of salvation prompted by the Holy Spirit continues during the Easter season 2018 to the ends of the earth, and our celebrations of Confirmation further the work of salvation begun in the New Testament. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bound or free; and have been all made to drink of the one Spirit. (Cor. 12,13)
When I experience the gifts of the Spirit at work in these Confirmation liturgies I recall the profound eloquence of Saint Paul in Corinthians. “No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of ministries, but the same Lord. There are varieties of works, but it is the same God who produces all the works in everyone. To each person has been given the ability to manifest the Spirit for the common good. (1Cor 12,1ff).
Our identity is firmly established as God’s children because we are led by God’s Spirit. (Rom 8,14). Through faith and baptism we are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, God’s temple (1Corinthians 3, 16-17), and the living signs of our guest are the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5,22-23). As a pilgrim people journeying through time and residing in every inhabitable corner of the earth we further the Lord’s mandate to preach, baptize and teach all that he has commanded us in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Mathew 28).
In Spirit-led faith, his words continue to burn in our hearts, and we continue to recognize him in the breaking of the bread. Although we are not of the world, we are in the world, and our Spirit-led faith compels us to recognize that the Kingdom of God is about justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14,17) This is our mandate and template for living with the mind and heart of Jesus Christ.

Parish calendar

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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
CHATAWA St. Mary of the Pines Retreat Center, The Art and Heart of the Spiritual Life, June 17-23. The spiritual life is the ongoing process of being transformed into the image of Christ for the sake of others and breaking free from the agenda of the false self, living in the present moment and willingness to resist temptation and to forgive others. Presenter: Father Albert Haase, OFM. Suggested donation: $450. Details: Sister Sue Von Bank (601) 783-0801 retreatcenter@ssndcp.org.
CULLMAN, Ala., Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center, 8-Day Intensive/Post-Intensive Centering Prayer, May 22-29. A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required. Deadline for registration and deposit is May 1. Details: Katy Smith at (205) 410-1493 or smithdoc20@gmail.com.

DIOCESAN ANNOUNCEMENT
The Office of Family Ministry is seeking parish participation for a divorced Catholics support ministry. In every parish, there are some marriages that end in divorce. The first place most Catholics turn when confronted with divorce is to their own parish. The Diocese of Jackson wants to support parishioners recovering from divorce, by assisting them with learning and living their faith more fully. Will you help to support divorced Catholics in your parish? The “Recovering from Divorce Parish Program” can help you get started. Details: Charlene Bearden at 601-960-8487 or email at charlene.bearden@jacksondiocese.org.

PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS
AMORY St. Helen, book discussion group will discuss “Red Sparrow” by Jason Matthews on Monday, May 14, at noon. Details: (662) 256-8392.
CANTON Sacred Heart Parish is hosting more than 100 exhibitors during the Canton Flea Market, Thursday, May 10. Details: John Oliver Dowdle, Chairman at 601-955-3117 or https://www.facebook.com/CantonFleaMarketCatholicChurch/
COLUMBUS Annunciation, Pentecost International Food Festival, Sunday, May 20, from 5 p.m. – sunset. Details: to volunteer to be the coordinator for a food region (Cajun, Southern, Italian, etc.), contact Mike Cancellare at mikecancellare@hotmail.com or (703) 597-3498.
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph Parish, Formal Tea on Saturday, May 19, 2 p.m., in the Parish Hall, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children 10 and younger. Available for purchase after all Masses on May 6 and 13. Proceeds will be donated to the Carmelite Monastery in Jackson. Details: Gracie Wilson at (601) 790-4524.
JACKSON St. Richard, Cardinal Men’s Club “Flight to the Finish” 5K Run, 5K Race Walk and Mile House Challenge, Saturday, May 5 at 9 a.m. After the 5K, Pigs ‘N’ Tails from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Includes all-you-can-eat crawfish and pulled pork. They’ll be serving hamburgers and hot dogs also. Cost: $15 – age 13 and older; $10 – age 5-12. Free for age 4 and younger. Details: Shannon Garner garner@saintrichard.com or (601) 366-2335.
MADISON St. Francis of Assisi, Cajun Fest, Sunday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mouth-watering food will include crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, boiled crawfish and other Cajun delicacies. Festival favorites also include corn dogs, funnel fries and sno-cones. Entertainment will include games for the kids, awesome raffle prizes and bingo. Dance to live music or pick up a bargain at the Cajun Fest General Store. Arts and craft vendors will also have a variety of Mississippi-made products on display. Details: call Amy Hornback at the church office (601) 856-5556 or https://www.facebook.com/stfrancismadison/
PEARL St. Jude, Adult Faith Formation, “Symbolon – The Catholic Faith Explained,” Sundays at 9:45 a.m. Details: church office (601) 939-3181.

YOUTH BRIEFS
CLARKSDALE Catholic Community of Clarksdale, Shipwrecked Vacation Bible School, June 18-22. Volunteers are needed. Details: church office (662) 624-4301.
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, “Camp Catholic” Vacation Bible School, June 11-13. Join us as we prepare to Camp in God’s Creation. Adult and youth volunteers fifth-graders and older are needed. Volunteer sign-up sheets will be in the back of church. Details: contact Karen Worrell at kworrellcre@hotmail.com or church office (601) 856-2054.
HERNANDO Holy Spirit Parish, “Open Gym” for sixth-12th graders, Wednesdays, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center. The Men’s Association provides dinner and a time for fellowship before religious education classes. Additional volunteers are needed to help chaperone. Details: Hank Ludwig at (662) 404-4672 or hludwig@renasant.com.
MADISON, St. Francis of Assisi, summer trip for current eighth- 12th graders. Includes a fun-filled service conference, a day at the beach and a theme park. Details: Amy Lipovetsky amy.lipovetsky@stfrancismadison.org or church office (601) 856-5556.
St. Joseph School will host a Jr. Bruin Baseball Camp June 19, 20 and 21 for boys in Pre-K through rising seventh grades at D.M. Howie Field from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $100.00 per camper. The Bruin coaching staff and players will be on hand to teach the fundamentals of baseball. This camp is for beginners, as well as the most experienced players. Details: Please pre-register with Coach Gerard McCall at gmccall@stjoebruins.com.
NATCHEZ Cathedral School, Crawfish Countdown, Friday, May 11, at 6 p.m. Includes crawfish, jambalaya, desserts, beverages and prizes. $100 ticket admits two people and the chance to win $5,000. Details: (601) 442-2531 or www.cathedralgreenwave.com.

Bishop ordains deacon for Jackson while visiting Saltillo

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By Monsignor Michael Flannery
SALTILLO, MEXICO – On Thursday, April 12 Bishop Joseph Kopacz and I began our annual visit to the mission in Saltillo, Mexico. The highlight of this year’s visit was a side-trip for the diaconal ordination of Adolfo Suarez Pasillas in his home parish in Aguascalientes.
Fathers David Martinez and Evelio Casarubias, the priests of the mission, met us at the airport to bring us on the 70-mile drive to Saltillo in time for 6 p.m. Mass at Divine Mercy Church, dedicated by Bishop Kopacz two years ago. After Mass, a delicious meal was served honoring our arrival.
The following morning (Friday), we were on the road at 7 a.m. to visit the ranchos (mountain villages), accompanied by five altar servers and three musicians. Our first stop was the village of San Francisco to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation. Seldom, if ever, do the mountain villages see a bishop. Under normal circumstances, a villager must travel to the cathedral church for confirmation, bringing family and sponsors with him/her and maybe stay overnight. Therefore, bishop’s visit is a great savings for the families. After confirmation, we all shared a big breakfast with the villagers and newly confirmed.
In the course of that day we left the State of Coahuila into State of Zacatecas, visiting the villages of Jalapa, Anima, Sabanilla, Garambullo and Tapon. Tapon is the most remote village and takes six hours of travel to get there. Most of the way follows a bouncy trail, traveling approximately five-to-seven miles an hour. Our last stop of the day was el Rancho el Cuervo, a famous hunting camp where the gracious host had prepared a delicious meal. In all, it was a full day for Bishop Kopacz, having celebrated three ceremonies of Confirmations, four celebrations of the Word and Holy Communion and one blessing of the villagers.
Saturday, Bishop Don Raul Vera, bishop of Saltillo, joined Bishop Kopacz to bless the cornerstone of a new church, San Jose. The blessing took place outdoors under an improvised shade. The excitement of the 200 villagers was amazing. They participated in the Mass with great reverence and enthusiasm. The reality of having their own worship space was within view. Bishop Vera preached the homily. He spoke of cooperating with the bishops of Texas and the Mexican bishops whose dioceses were adjacent to the U.S. border. This newly-formed group of bishops were in the process of drafting a letter to President Trump pleading with him not to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Bishop Kopacz, paraphrasing Pope Francis, spoke of building bridges such as the bridge which the Dioceses of Biloxi and Jackson has had with the Diocese of Saltillo for 49 years.
After Mass, we travelled on to Presa San Pedro for the celebration of Confirmation for villagers from La Rosa, La Purisima and La Ventura. Again, it was a great festival of faith. Before leaving, Bishop Kopacz made a home visit to a lady who suffered from cerebral palsy. She was now 24 years of age and weighed no more than 45 pounds. She had never spoken and only made guttural sounds. The family was very appreciative of the bishop’s visit.
On Sunday morning, back in Saltillo, we had a Mass at 9 a.m. at Divine Mercy Church including several baptisms, and a breakfast with the senior citizens. After the meal we joined a procession four blocks from the church led by Aztec dancers, who were on their way to the largest Mass of the day at 1p.m. Again, Bishop Kopacz was the main celebrant, accompanied by Bishop Vera. Celebrations continued until 11p.m. Bishop also visited the grave of Father Patrick Quinn, the founder of the mission and a local seminary during his weekend in Saltillo.
On Tuesday we were off to Aguascalientes for the ordination. After a rehearsal we shared a meal with Adolfo’s delightful family. On Wednesday morning Adolfo showed us the historic sites of Aguascalientes. The town was making extensive preparations for the three-week Fair of San Marcos, an annual festival attended by several million people from all over Mexico. This musical festival is an unbroken tradition for 190 years. Locals allege more beer would be consumed over the three-week period of the fair than during the remainder of the calendar year.
The Mass of ordination took place in Adolfo’s home town of Jesus Maria at the parish church of Jesus of Nazareth at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 18. Bishop Kopacz presided over the Mass with a packed church of an estimated 500 people, another 400 had gathered in the courtyard. The support from the parishioners was incredible. The vicar general of the Diocese of Aguascalientes welcomed Bishop Kopacz to the diocese.
He remarked that the parish of Jesus of Nazareth was the most spiritual parish of the whole diocese. The Diocese of Aguascalientes ordains an average of 12 priests per year and presently has enough of a surplus that some of their priests are serving in other areas of Mexico. In fact, the vicar mentioned sharing some priests with the Diocese of Jackson.
Father Kent Bowlds, pastor of Cleveland Our Lady of Victories parish, where Adolfo has served, made the trip for this joyful event. He gave the testimonial of readiness of the candidate. After the ordination we adjourned to a nearby salon where we were greeted by a Mariachi band and the celebration continued until 11 p.m. When he returns to Jackson, Deacon Suarez Pasillas will be assigned to Jackson St. Therese Parish for the year before he is ordained a priest.
In all, it was a packed week, a tremendous experience of faith-sharing and a great blessing for all participants. On our trip home, Bishop Kopacz was already making plans for his return journey in the coming year when he will hopefully bless the newly constructed church of San Jose and participate in the golden jubilee of the foundation of the Saltillo Mission. The good work begun by Fr. Patrick Quinn, the founder of the Saltillo Mission still continues in its outreach to the poor.

(Editor’s note: More extensive coverage of Deacon Adolfo’s ordination will appear in the June 29 edition of Mississippi Catholic along with all ordination for this year.)
(Msgr. Michael Flannery is a retired priest for the Diocese of Jackson. He has written a book about the Saltillo mission, available at Madison St. Francis Parish.)

Photo by Monsignor Michael Flannery

Photo by Monsignor Michael Flannery

Photo by Monsignor Michael Flannery

Photo by Monsignor Michael Flannery

Photo by Monsignor Michael Flannery

Photo by Monsignor Michael Flannery

Photo by Monsignor Michael Flannery

Photo by Monsignor Michael Flannery

Photo by Monsignor Michael Flannery

Photo by Monsignor Michael Flannery

Photo by Monsignor Michael Flannery

Photo by Monsignor Michael Flannery

Photo by Monsignor Michael Flannery

Photo by Cristian Lopez

Photo by Cristian Lopez

Photo by Cristian Lopez

Photo by Cristian Lopez

Photo by Cristian Lopez

Photo by Cristian Lopez

Photo by Cristian Lopez

Photo by Cristian Lopez

Photo by Cristian Lopez

Church celebrates holiest week

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Palm Sunday

Pearl, St. Jude Parish photos by Rhonda Bowden

Carthage, St. Anne Parish photos by Sister Maria Elena, MGSpS

Chrism Mass

Jackson, St. Peter photos by Tereza Ma ans Maureen Smith

 

Holy Thursday

Pearl, St. Jude Parish photos by Tereza Ma

Good Friday

Jackson, St. Therese Parish photos by Elsa Baughman

No Catholic Church offers Mass on Good Friday. Instead, they may have stations or veneration of the cross.

Easter Vigil

Jackson, St. Peter photos by Maureen Smith

 

Holy Week across the Diocese

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GREENWOOD – Sixth-grader Daniel Varges (right), shares unleavened bread with Father Joachim “Kim” Studwell, OFM, during a Seder meal at St. Francis of Assisi School on Wednesday, March 28. (Photo by Cherrie Criss)

The Way of the Cross, also known as Stations of the Cross, is a powerful reflection on the passion of Christ. This year, Mississippi Catholic received photos from youth groups and schools all across the diocese who offered their communities a live reenactment of the stations. Not all the photos would fit in the printed version, so more are posted to galleries on the website: www.mississippicatholic.com.
As the Easter season progresses, please remember to send your First Communion and Confirmation photos to editor@mississippicatholic.com for inclusion in the Spring Sacraments issue.

COLUMBUS – Annunciation School eighth-grader Ren Kitko, carries the cross as Jesus during live stations of the cross for the school community. (Photo by Katie Fenstermacher)

NEW ALBANY – Cody Carson depicts Christ as the youth of St. Francis of Assisi Parish lead an outdoor live stations of the cross. They started the tradition in 2012, inviting anyone of any faith to join in this memorial of Christ’s passion.
This year, two-dozen parishioners participated in the event. (Photo by Claudia Murguia)

 

MERIDIAN – Pilate questions Jesus as St. Patrick School first graders, performed a live Stations of the Cross Wednesday, March 28, for the school. (Photo by Mary Yarger)

  GREENVILLE – Live stations of the Cross are a tradition for middle-schoolers at St. Joseph School. In left photo, Jesus falls the second time. (Photo by Missi Blackstock)

PEARL – St. Jude Parish youth participated in Stations of Cross led by Father Lincoln Dall, the front row is Molly, Katie, Jack, and Charlotte Riordan. The next row back is Craig Millette and John and Mary Beth VanLandingham. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

Full STEM ahead, Catholic schools rack up science, engineering awards

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By Kristian Beatty
Full STEM ahead!  March and April have been exciting for several students across the Diocese of Jackson!  Students from Greenville St. Joe, Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School, St. Richard Catholic School, and St. Anthony Catholic school attended and won awards at science fairs held in Jackson and Pearl, MS. Many students started working on their science fair projects in the Fall of 2017 and had to win at their school science fair to move on the next level. Congratulations to all the students who participated at the MAIS Overall Science Fair and the MSEF Region II Science Fair. 

JACKSON – A student from Madison St. Anthony school answers questions for a judge at the MSEF Region II Science Fair on Thursday, March 22, at Jackson State University. Schools from across the diocese brought home honors from similar events around the state in March and April.

Wednesday, April 4: St. Joseph Catholic High School (Greenville) students attended the MAIS Overall Science Fair at the Muse Center in Pearl, MS.

3rd place: Mary Patton Meyer, Dorian Rice, Avery Cole, Kamiya Clark, Carsen Mansour, McKenzie Sandifer

1st place: Eli Williamson, Sarah Tonos, Mikayla Dotson

Best of Fair ($200 prize): Eli Williamson

Thursday, March 22nd: Sr.Thea Bowman Catholic School (Jackson), St. Richard Catholic School (Jackson) and St. Anthony Catholic School (Madison) students attended the MSEF Region II held at Jackson State University in Jackson, MS. The following students placed in their categories out of 482 students according to Kristy Love-Kendrick- JSU Region II Science Fair Director:

Sister Thea Bowmen Catholic School had 14 students participate and 8 of those students won awards.

Organic Chemistry

Malick Yedjou – 1st place

Botany

Synia Means – 1st place

Medicine and Health

Alexander Mason – 1st place

Inorganic Chemistry

Charis Ngong – 2nd place

Ashleigh Mason – 3rd place

Physics and Astronomy 

Cobe Williams – 4th place

Computer Science and Math

Jon Burse – 5th place

Special Energy Smart Award sponsored by the MS Development Authority:

Malick Yedjou

St. Richard Catholic School had 17 students participate and 3 of those students won awards.

Behavioral science

Mary Margaret Martin-4th

Carrington Fowler-5th

Microbiology 

Turner Brown-2nd

St. Anthony Catholic School had 47 students participate and 27 of those students won awards.

Class 1 Awards

Ella Eatherly- Class 1 Overall Individual Best of Fair

Animal Sciences  

John Harris – 2nd Place

Susannah Harmon- 4th Place

Behavioral & Social Science    

Abby Stringer-1st Place

Madelyn Rodrigue-2nd Place     

Biochemistry       

Josie Ricotta-5th Place

Botany       

Samantha Naegele-3rd Place

Earth & Environmental  

Katie Ann Venable-1st Place

Inorganic Chemistry      

Ella Eatherly-1st Place

Microbiology       

Miller Franklin-1st Place

Jack Kosek-2nd Place

Organic Chemistry

Emily Loyacono-3rd Place

Ellie Latour-4th Place

Class 2 Awards-

Class 2 School Award: St. Anthony Catholic School

 Animal Sciences  

Stella Williams-1st Place

Carolina deLange-2nd Place

Biochemistry       

Maria deLange-3rd Place

Botany       

Isabelle Zevallos-5th Place

Computer Science & Math      

JJ Tice-2nd Place

Earth & Environmental  

Jennings Kimbrell-2nd Place

Inorganic Chemistry      

Iliana Blount-2nd Place

Tyler Stovall-4th Place

Medicine & Health         

1st- Eliza Rowlett-2nd Place

         

Microbiology       

Stella McCarty-1st Place

Annsley Maynor-4th Place

Kate Kosek-5th Place

Organic Chemistry

Emerson Erwin-3rd Place

Sophie Sosa-5th Place

Physics & Astronomy    

Cameron Moody-1st Place

(Kristian Beatty is development director for Madison St. Anthony School.)

 

Lucky day for young people

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By Abbey Schuhmann
COVINGTON, La. – On Saturday, March 17, the Feast of St. Patrick, teens and adult leaders from 22 parishes from around the Diocese of Jackson traveled to St. Joseph Abbey and Seminary College for the 2018 Abbey Youth Festival (AYF). The theme for the day was “Arise” coming from the gospel for that weekend.
The 2018 AYF logo was designed by seminarian, Luke Mayeux of the Diocese of Beaumont. The image is an imitation of the Dom Gregory de Wit painting in the apse of the St. Joseph Abbey Church which hosted AYF. Inspired by St. Patrick’s Breastplate prayer, the logo exemplifies the Christo-centric aspect of the prayer, while the 12 stars symbolize discipleship as well as the Blessed Mother inviting us to her son. The image of the Risen Lord invokes the message found in the Gospel from the day: “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” John 12: 20-33.
The seminarians at St. Joseph Seminary College play a vital role in the production of AYF including Andrew Bowden and Tristan Stovall from the Diocese of Jackson. This year’s festival brought in more than 3,000 young people from Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. The festival always boasts a packed schedule that includes faith-filled music, prayer, catechesis, fellowship and fun. Showers on Friday did not make for ideal conditions, but organizers made accomodations and the day went forward as scheduled. For the first time, much of the festival was hosted on the main campus. Another new addition to the program schedule was the opportunity to attend breakout sessions throughout the day. Father Brad Doyle and Father Bryce Sibley offered the keynote presentation. Emily Wilson presented the breakout session for teen girls while Austin Ashcraft, Joe Bass, Father Doyle and John Finch led the session for teen guys.
Adult leaders had the opportunity to attend a session discussing “Ministry in the Modern Age.” The Vigil Project and Ike Ndolo, Catholic song-writers and recording artists, entertained the crowd with two different concerts. The Vigil Project also provided music for Mass and Eucharistic adoration. All participants had the opportunity throughout the day to visit different vendor booths including religious orders and communities from all around the country. Because of the venue change, groups could tour the beautiful Abbey church on campus. Many teens and adults took advantage of the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation.
This year’s prayer chapel area featured an exhibit of Eucharistic miracles from around the world. The day wrapped up with Mass and candlelight adoration – the highlight of the event for most participants. Archbishop Gregory Aymond of the Archdiocese of New Orleans celebrated the Mass; the homilist was Father Colm Cahill of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The common theme throughout the day was for teens to “take action” in their faith. Each person is called to something great and now is the time to “Arise” and heed the call.
The Luck of the Irish kept the rain away for the majority of the day, while the ground was still very muddy from the previous day’s showers; most teens embraced the day and the circumstances.
Abbey Youth Fest is an excellent opportunity for teens to see the bigger church and enjoy fellowship with other young Catholics. This was the eighth year for thisdiocese to sponsor a trip and it won’t be the last. Make plans to participate in the 2019 event scheduled for Saturday, March 23rd. For more information visit www.abbeyyouthfest.com or contact the Office of Youth Ministry at 601-949-6934 or Abbey.Schuhmann@jacksondiocese.org

(Abbey Schuhmann is the coordinator of youth ministry for the Diocese of Jackson.)

Seminarians Ryan Stoer and Tristan Stoval visit with parishioners from St. Francis, Madison

Seminarian Andrew Bowden assists at the first aid tent

Flowood St. Paul