Author Archives: Tereza Ma

Faith in action at Holy Family Jackson

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By Dorothy Balser
Corinne Anderson speaks about how Holy Family parish in Jackson lives out the calling of their faith on behalf of the “least of these.” (Matthew 25)

  1. What does it mean to you personally to put your Faith into Action?
    I always try to give back to others. My grandmother often quoted the Bible to me when she was helping others. I can hear her saying over and over “to whom much is given, much is expected.” So, I kind of got that from her. It’s important that I try to give back.
    When Father Xavier came to Holy Family in 2014, he introduced us to the Norbertine principles. The one I latched onto is something called “self-emptying service,” which is a willingness to cede one’s personal advantage for the good of the community – particularly as expressed in the generosity and discipline required to participate in the structures that support community life. Well there it was – the personal good of the community, the generosity, the structure that supports community life – that’s what Catholicism is all about.
  2. In general, how does Holy Family parish show faith in action?
    Since I came to the parish in 1979, there has been a core group of parishioners trying to do outreach. We began by ministering to people within the parish, making sure we touched base with people we didn’t see often. Then sometime early on, we realized we could not continue just ministering to ourselves. We needed to reach out to the community around the church, which is predominantly African American. Many of the apartment complexes around the church were opportunities for us to reach out with Bible school and summer sessions we had for youth.
  3. Describe one or two of the ministries at Holy Family parish where faith in action is seen.
    Many people in our parish are involved in faith in action ministries. Besides myself, people that have consistently helped the ministries grow are Joyce Adams, Ann Pullum and Gladys Russell. One of the ways we have reached out is through the faith formation and liturgy committees joining together to adopt the local Green Elementary School. We started taking little packets of school supplies to the school and began inviting students to our Black History Month program at church. We had a youth choir and a boy’s dance group and their parents also came to participate, most of whom are not Catholic.
    The other ministry is our food pantry. The diocese sent out a call for proposals to do various faith-building activities in the community. I called the project “going beyond boundaries: witnessing and focusing on life and dignity of the human person” and it was accepted by the pastoral council. So, it has become our theme to go outside the boundaries of the church.
    A number of the people we talked with across the street at the senior citizen’s complex became our first group to work with. As we started talking with them, we found out they have many food needs because their money runs out about a week before their check comes each month. So, we had the idea to see if we could get a little help to establish a food pantry and at least work with them. Funds from the diocesan mission grant provided part of the start-up money for that program. We then reached out to the apartments next door that have people with low-income, and the ministry continued to grow. There are now three apartment complexes within a mile of the church where we serve people from the food pantry. We reported to the parish what we were doing and soon started what we call a “20-20 club.” We found that we could work with the Mississippi Food Network to get most of the USDA food for free, but other necessities that are not on the USDA list, like jiffy, beans, etc. are supported by the 20-20 club, which is 20 people paying $20 per month to help pay for the $450 in extra food supplies.
    We started small with one of the closets in the parish hall and Cowboy Maloney gave us a good deal on some freezers. Now we serve about 40 to 50 families each month. We are still operating during the pandemic using a drive-through method and last month we served 111 families, which was a total of 159 individuals.
  4. What impact has this faith in action ministry had on the people served and on those involved in the ministry?
    People at the senior citizen’s home across the street see us as part of their family. They used to call us “that Catholic church across the street.” Now I hear them talking about “Holy Family” and referring to people by name. In terms of the community, we start in the morning with a prayer that we make sure we treat every person as if he or she is a special member of the family. We have conversations in our committee meetings about how we want to make sure each of us is letting them know we are here to help, and we want to be part of their extended family. There are parishioners and also non-Catholics that have joined us through an “each-one-bring-one” invitation, many who come religiously because they see we are doing good things here and they want to help. There is a lot to do and they are a tremendous help with picking up and unloading food from the food network, packing frozen or dry food items, delivering food and keeping a count for the reporting.
    We adopted the Norbertine self-emptying principle as one of our marching mantras. So, the community social outreach piece and witnessing through evangelization became part of our “reaching beyond boundaries.” We started with a core group of senior citizens in the parish that decided they could do this ministry as their self-emptying service. Now younger members of the parish are involved as well as members of the youth group that come periodically and earn community service points for school. The ladies guild is also involved by donating about 100 gift bags a year as a way of letting people know about Holy Family without pushing church on them. Some of the people we serve have asked us “what time are your services?” and so we’ve made a few new friends at Holy Family.
  5. What suggestions do you have for people that are not sure how to put their faith in action?
    I would suggest for people that want to do something to first ask, “How can we evangelize? How can we witness?” My grandmother always talked about reaching out to the community and to meet and get focused in one direction. If you don’t have a particular goal or direction, then you can talk a thing to death. I would also say go to the pastoral council meetings, which should be open to everyone, even if you are not a member of the council. See what leadership is talking about for the direction of the parish. Then talk with the people that might have the inclination to serve on a broader scale and will roll up their sleeves to get busy and let the community know we are truly a universal church.
    A suggestion for us as a church is that in order to get people in the parish involved, we have to do a better job of communication. We have to find ways to make sure people know what social outreach projects we have and to continue putting it out there on a regular basis – tell people what you’re doing, what your goals are and how we must reach out to the broader community. We can no longer just go to Mass and go home.
JACKSON – On distribution day in April, the food pantry coordinating team at Holy Family Jackson gathers to review drive-through distribution assignments prior to the arrival of clients. (Photo by Veronica Russell)

(Witnesses of Faith in Action ministries in the diocese of Jackson are featured each month. If you’d like to see your parish, school or group featured, contact the Parish Social Ministry office at psm@ccjackson.org.)

Caminando por fe

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Sin embarg todos los días, en la iglesia y el mundo, se deben tomar decisiones para mantener nuestra forma de vida y nuestras preciadas tradiciones, y al mismo tiempo para proteger el bien común.

Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz

Por Obispo Joseph Kopacz
Durante los próximos nueve días, la iglesia en todo el mundo se prepara de diversas maneras para celebrar la solemnidad de Pentecostés, la efusión del Espíritu Santo, la culminación del misterio pascual, la muerte, resurrección y ascensión del Señor Jesús al cielo.
Al igual que las cabeceras de los ríos poderosos en su punto de origen, que parecen tan modestos en su punto de origen, caen en cascada en impresionantes corrientes de aguas que dan vida, también la experiencia de Pentecostés, de alcance modesto, con solo 120 discipulos que se reunieron en el espacio sagrado del Aposento Alto, se convirtió en ríos salvadores de gracia que aún continúan empoderando a la iglesia y animando a muchos en nuestro mundo. En ambos casos, considere el impacto de largo alcance del río Mississippi y de la iglesia católica universal.
El Espíritu Santo de Dios, la mente y el corazón de Jesucristo, es al mismo tiempo obvio con el plan de salvación aún envuelto en misterio. Tenemos la ventaja de casi 2,000 años de historia para observar lo que el Señor quiere para su pueblo y lo que no quiere. Sin embargo, en el momento presente, a menudo vemos las cosas tenuemente como en un espejo, recordando las palabras de Jesús: “El viento sopla por donde quiere, y aunque oyes su ruido, no sabes de dónde viene ni a dónde va. Así son también todos los que nacen del Espíritu.” (Juan 3:8)
En los últimos dos meses y medio, hemos pedido al Espíritu Santo que tome las decisiones correctas con respecto a nuestra respuesta a COVID-19. Al igual que el viento, no estamos seguros de dónde vino esta fuerza destructiva, ni a dónde va, ni a dónde nos llevará. Sin embargo, todos los días en la iglesia y el mundo, se deben tomar decisiones para mantener nuestra forma de vida y nuestras preciadas tradiciones, y al mismo tiempo para proteger el bien común. Esto requiere la sabiduría de Salomón, por así decirlo, o mucho más abarcador, los dones del Espíritu Santo.
La celebración de la Confirmación en toda nuestra diócesis se ha retrasado, pero los dones del Espíritu Santo están a nuestra disposición: conocimiento, comprensión, sabiduría, juicio correcto, coraje, piedad y temor al Señor. En nuestra diócesis, con estos dones como nuestros principios rectores, hemos tomado medidas para ofrecer a los fieles los dones de los sacramentos, especialmente la Eucaristía a través de transmisión en vivo y el Sacramento de la Reconciliación. Grupos de diez o menos personas también se han reunido en oración para funerales, el bautismo, el matrimonio y el R.C.I.A.
Con mucho cuidado, decidimos reanudar la celebración pública de la Misa en nuestras iglesias para el fin de semana de Pentecostés. Este plazo permite un tiempo suficiente para preparar el liderazgo de la parroquia para dar la bienvenida a las congregaciones más pequeñas con el fin de cumplir con las formas reconocidas de contener el virus.
El paquete de directivas y pautas se difunde ampliamente para que la parroquia y el liderazgo diocesano se implementen y adapten a cada parroquia según la capacidad de asientos y la composición de la congregación.
En el pasaje evangélico de Juan, del fin de semana pasado, Jesús estaba preparando a sus discípulos para su retirada de sus vidas, mientras les aseguraba que no se quedarían impotentes, como los huérfanos. Él trató de aliviar sus ansiedades con la promesa del don del Espíritu Santo, los fortificó con el don de la paz y les prometió en la Ascensión que estaría con ellos siempre hasta el final de los tiempos.
Caminando por fe, todavía sacudidos por la duda y la ansiedad, fueron obedientes a las instrucciones del Señor de regresar a Jerusalén y esperar en oración para ser revestidos con el poder de lo alto, el Espíritu Santo.
Cada generación de cristianos, incluidos especialmente nosotros mismos, en medio de la pandemia de un siglo, puede ser sacudida por la duda y la ansiedad en nuestros intentos de reconciliar las promesas de Dios con las sombras y la oscuridad en nuestras vidas y en nuestro mundo. No nos tomamos estos asuntos a la ligera.
Antes de la recepción de la comunión en cada misa, el sacerdote reza ardientemente: “Líbranos de todos los males, Señor, y concédenos la paz en nuestros días, para que, ayudados por tu misericordia, vivamos siempre libres de pecado y protegidos de toda perturbación, mientras esperamos la gloriosa venida de nuestro Salvador Jesucristo.”
Hay la sensación creciente que la pandemia nos obligará a correr una maratón en el futuro. En cuyo caso, junto con los dones del Espíritu Santo, también necesitaremos el fruto del Espíritu que “…produce amor, alegría, paz, paciencia, amabilidad, bondad, fidelidad, humildad y dominio propio.” (Gálatas 5:22-23).
Mientras esperamos la reanudación de la celebración pública de la Misa en Pentecostés, que el Espíritu Santo de Dios nos ilumine para santificar a Jesucristo en nuestros corazones (1Pedro 3:15) para continuar sirviéndose unos a otros y al bien común de todos y, en todos los casos, para darle a Dios la gloria.

To meet a displaced person is to encounter Christ, pope says

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By Junno Arocho Esteves
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The sad reality of people displaced within the borders of their own country, a crisis that has been ignored for far too long, is an opportunity for Christians to encounter Jesus, Pope Francis said.
“In each of these people, forced to flee to safety, Jesus is present as he was at the time of Herod. In the faces of the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, strangers and prisoners, we are called to see the face of Christ who pleads with us to help,” the pope wrote in his message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2020.
“If we can recognize him in those faces, we will be the ones to thank him for having been able to meet, love and serve him in them,” he said.
The Vatican will mark World Day of Migrants and Refugees Sept. 27 with the theme: “Forced like Jesus Christ to flee.”
During a livestreamed news conference May 15, Cardinal Michael Czerny, undersecretary for the Vatican’s Migrants and Refugees Section, said that this year’s focus on internally displaced persons is a continuation of Pope Francis’ teachings that center on “the discarded, the forgotten, the set aside.”
The pope’s message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees “is an invitation to discover them, to discover that they exist and that they are here among us; in our own country, in our own diocese, in our own parish,” the cardinal said.
According to the 2020 Global Report on Internal Displacement, there are an estimated 50.8 million internally displaced persons worldwide. Among them, there are 45.7 million displaced due to conflict and violence and 5.1 million who were forced to move because of disasters.
However, Cardinal Czerny said, it is yet to be seen “how much the COVID-19 pandemic is a driver of internal displacement.”
In his message, the pope said the sufferings endured by internally displaced persons have only been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
“In the light of the tragic events that have marked 2020, I would like this message, although concerned with internally displaced persons, to embrace all those who are experiencing situations of precariousness, abandonment, marginalization and rejection as a result of COVID-19,” he wrote.
Recalling the day’s theme, the pope said that Jesus, Mary and Joseph experienced the same “tragic fate” of the displaced and refugees, a fate “marked by fear, uncertainty and unease.”
Displaced people, he said, “offer us this opportunity to meet the Lord, even though our eyes find it hard to recognize him: his clothing in tatters, his feet dirty, his face disfigured, his body wounded, his tongue unable to speak our language.”
Reflecting on the pastoral challenge to “welcome, protect, promote and integrate” migrants, the pope said he wished to expand on those verbs to further explain the church’s mission.
The pope said that the precariousness experienced by many today due to the pandemic “is a constant in the lives of displaced people,” and “all too often we stop at statistics” and fail to understand the suffering of those on the margins.
“But it is not about statistics, it is about real people!” he said. “If we encounter them, we will get to know more about them. And knowing their stories, we will be able to understand them.”
To be close to displaced persons, he continued, means to serve them and not turn them away due to fear and prejudices that “often prevent us from becoming neighbors.”
Sharing, an essential element of Christian life, is another important aspect that allows for men and women to “grow together, leaving no one behind,” the pope said.
“The pandemic has reminded us how we are all in the same boat,” he said. “Realizing that we have the same concerns and fears has shown us once more that no one can be saved alone,” he said.
The pope said the coronavirus pandemic also serves as a reminder of the importance of co-responsibility and that in order “to promote those whom we assist, we must involve them and make them agents in their own redemption.”
“To preserve our common home and make it conform more and more to God’s original plan, we must commit ourselves to ensuring international cooperation, global solidarity and local commitment, leaving no one excluded,” the pope said.

Follow Arocho on Twitter: @arochoju

“All shall be well? Really?”

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Sister alies therese

From the hermitage
By Sister alies therese
I’ve never given plagues much thought. Stunned by AIDS (1980s) and hearing of various pestilence ‘over there’ in Africa or India … but not here! I was a polio pioneer but don’t remember if I got the real stuff or the placebo. Even the ‘white plague’ (TB) has largely been relegated to medication.
In Derbyshire, England, on the grounds of the Parish Church of St. Lawrence, stands a large 8th century stone cross looking out over Plague Village. What a name!
There are black plagues, bubonic plagues, leprosy, SARS, polio, AIDS, anthrax, H1N1, ebola, bird flu, dengue fever, Spanish flu, TB, and, of course, this horrid “19.” Consider these folks:
St. Louis died of plague in Tunisia during a crusade in 1270. St. Julian of Norwich, England, 1416, was an anchoress, lived through three plagues.
Martin Luther wrote Whether One May Flee From a Deadly Plague, where he discussed whether a pastor (or others) might ‘run away’ if their life was in danger. Germany, 1527.
In Mexico, Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared in 1531 between the European small pox invasion and later hemorrhagic fevers. St. Martin de Porres, OP of Peru, 1630’s, nursed the sick midst the plague.
Venerable Dorothy Day (Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn), 1918, nursed the epidemic sick and Sts. Francisco and Jacinta Portugal, 1919-20, both died of plague.
St. Julian was six when the black death hit Norwich in 1348 and resurged in 1362 and 1369. Clearly, for most of her life the terrors of plague and death surrounded her.
Author, Ritamary Bradley explores St. Julian’s writings in Julian’s Way:
“Julian insists this present situation requires the impossible to be well. God answers gently: ‘True, you cannot do the impossible. But, I can. Hence all things can be made well.’ (32)
St. Julian talking with the Lord: ‘Really what kind of a mother are you? All is not well: none of these things (ravaging disease, hunger, pain …) are being made right, are they?’
To us God sounds defensive: ‘I didn’t say that! I did not say you would not be tempted. Did I say you would not be travailed?’
‘Then what did You say?’
God answers this time ‘sharply:’ ‘What I said is that you will not be overcome.’ (68). In the end we will sing a mighty chorus: ‘Indeed, this is the way things are, and it is well.’ For we shall then see …’”(85).
I wonder if Julian’s religious sensibility of devotion to the Passion of Christ wasn‘t formed around the plague pains and anguish she heard at her window and saw in her prayer?
Venerable Dorothy Day (d. 1980), not unlike many of our first responders, was young and still trying to find her way to God and her way to serve. So, she went to nursing school, just in the nick of time.
“One afternoon when I had been cleaning up filth all day, and the perverse patient had again thrown her bedpan out on the floor dirtying my shoes and stockings, I left the ward in tears … this was the time of the ‘flu’ epidemic and the wards were filled and the halls too. Many of the nurses became ill and we were very short-handed. Every night before going off duty there were bodies to be wrapped in sheets and wheeled away to the morgue. When we returned in the morning, the night nurse was performing the same grim task. (D. Day, The Long Loneliness, HarperOne, 1952).
What would be well? All? Really?
I want to remember what Governor Cuomo said: “The cruelest irony is the poorest pay the highest price.” Just look around, not only Mississippi, but the world! Not only the dying patients but the frontline workers. Did you see the pic of the masked kneeling six-year-old, Alen Zelada at night prayer on Junin St., Guadalupe, NW Peru? When asked why he was there said he wanted to be sure God heard him. His house was noisy. He wanted an end to the sickness … people are dying.
Offer what kind of service you can and note that during this time of anguish we can either be lonely or alone. Community is formed in many different ways. Love is needed for all to be well!
“We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.” (D. Day)

(Sister alies therese is a vowed catholic solitary who lives an eremitical life.)

School Sisters of St. Francis celebrate Jubilee

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MILWAUKEE, Wis. – More than three dozen School Sisters of St. Francis of the United States Province will celebrate milestone anniversaries of service as women religious this year. In addition, one lay woman in associate relationship with the community will celebrate her 40-year Jubilee and two lay women their 25-year Jubilees.
These are the sisters celebrating Jubilee this year who have served in the Diocese of Jackson.

Sister Frances Kloewer (75 Years)

Sister Frances Kloewer was born in Harlan, Iowa. She received a bachelor of science degree in education at Alverno College in Milwaukee and a master of science degree in education from the University of Nebraska in Omaha.
In the Diocese of Jackson, Sister served as principal and teacher at Christ the King School in Jackson (1957-1966), taught at St. Francis School in Yazoo City (1967-1970) and taught at Holy Family School in Jackson (1970-1972).
Other service: In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister taught at Immaculate Conception School, Chicago (1948-1957). In the Diocese of Des Moines, she ministered in Earling as a teacher at St. Joseph School (1978-1990), library media specialist (1991-2000) and substitute teacher and volunteer (2002-2012) at Shelby County Catholic School. In the Archdiocese of Omaha, she taught at St. Patrick School in Fremont (1972-1975) and at St. John the Baptist School in Petersburg (1975-1978), and served as a volunteer at New Cassel Retirement Center in Omaha (2012-2019). In the Diocese of Joliet, Sister taught at St. Alphonsus School in Lemont (1966-1967). In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, sister served in the mailing department for the Seraphic Press at St. Joseph Convent, Milwaukee (1947-1948).
Sister currently resides at Sacred Heart in Milwaukee.

Sister Dorothy Hegemann (70 Years)

Sister Dorothy Hegemann was born in Howells, Nebraska. She received a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics from Alverno College in Milwaukee.
In the Diocese of Jackson, sister taught at St. Mary School in Holly Springs (1954-1958) and at St. Francis High School in Yazoo City (1958-1959).
Other service: In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister taught at Alvernia High School, Chicago (1959-1960). In the Diocese of Dubuque, Sister taught at Rudolphinum High School in Protivin, Iowa (1966-1968). In the Diocese of Lincoln, Sister taught at Aquinas High School in David City, Nebraska (1968-1974). In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Sister taught at St. Joseph High School, Kenosha (1960-1962). She also ministered at Alverno College, Milwaukee, as a teacher (1981-1987), instructional services math coordinator (1987-2012), and math tutor (2012-2013). In the Diocese of Omaha, Sister taught at Ryan High School in Omaha (1962-1966) and Archbishop Bergan High School in Fremont (1974-1981).
Sister currently resides at St. Joseph Center in Milwaukee.

Sister Antonienne Thoma (70 Years)


Sister Antonienne Thoma was born in Danville, Illinois. She received a bachelor of science degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee, a master of arts degree in special education from DePaul University in Chicago and a master of pastoral studies from Loyola University in Chicago.
In the Diocese of Jackson, Sister served as office assistant at Sacred Heart Southern Missions in Hernando (2006-2015).
Other service: In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister taught at Holy Angels School in Chicago (1959-1961), served as a diagnostician at St. John of the Cross School in Western Springs (1973-1978), and was assistant principal at St. Jerome School in Chicago (1978-1979). Sister also served as a learning disabilities teacher at Our Lady of the Wayside School in Arlington Heights (1979-1984) where she also served as a pastoral associate (1984-1988 and 1989-1991), and as director of care and outreach (1988-1989). Sister served as ministry director in Chicago for her congregation’s United States Province (1998-2003). In the Diocese of Joliet, Sister taught at St. Liborius School in Steger (1961), and at St. Raphael School in Naperville (1961-1965) where she also served as principal (1965-1968). She taught at St. Luke School in Carol Stream (1969-1970), and at St. Walter School in Roselle (1970-1972). In the Diocese of La Crosse, Sister served as chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital in Marshfield, Wisconsin (1993-1998). In the Diocese of Madison, Sister served as chaplain at Meriter Hospital in Madison (1992-1993). In the Diocese of New Ulm, Sister served as a homemaker and librarian at Japanese Martyrs Convent in Leavenworth, Minnesota (1954-1958). In the Archdiocese of Omaha, sister served as homemaker at St. John the Baptist Convent in Fordyce, Nebraska (1952-1954). In the Diocese of Rockford, she served as homemaker for Madonna High School in Aurora, Illinois (1951-1952).
Sister currently resides at Sacred Heart in Milwaukee.

Sister Catherine Mauge (60 Years)

Sister Catherine Mauge was born in Chicago, Illinois. She received a bachelor of arts degree in music education and liturgy from Alverno College in Milwaukee.
In the Diocese of Jackson, Sister served at CADET School, Holly Springs, as musician (1969-1990) and religious education coordinator (1975-1990).
In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister served as musician for St. Bernardine School in Forest Park (1963-1965) and at Holy Angels School in Chicago (1965-1969). In the Diocese of San Bernardino, she served as a private music teacher and organist in Idyllwild (1991-2007) and currently serves as musician at the Idyllwild Center for Spiritual Living in Hemet, California (2012 to present).
Sister resides in Idyllwild, California.

Virtual ceremonies and distance learning

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By Laura Grisham
WALLS – Sacred Heart school and Holy Family school students left for spring break not having any idea that they would not physically return to their classrooms this school year. Students and teachers have had to find creative new ways to do their regular activities. Many things have been adapted and shared via Facebook. Masses and prayer services, the May Crowning events, even Sacred Heart’s race day were all virtual experiences this year.
Distance learning has been the order of the day for all the children. Some students were well prepared for the change, having used Google Classroom on a daily basis. For others, the transition had a learning curve.
Sacred Heart school principal Bridget Martin shared that the two math and two history courses that offer Carnegie units for high school were a little more difficult to coordinate. These classes had to be introduced on a Zoom conference so students and teachers could meet daily to complete the work. “Due to Virtus and Protection of Children guidelines, teaching assistants are invited to join in the classes each day for two adults to be present. Classes are also password protected,” she said.
Martin explained that as students join the Zoom session, they are stopped in a virtual waiting room. Teachers grant admission as they are recognized. It was noted that this permission-based action has kept hackers and strangers at bay.

HOLLY SPRINGS – May crownings were virtual experiences for the students at Holy Family school. Above, Dylan Sangster had the honor of crowning Mary this year. (Photo by Laura Grisham)

PreK-3 through second grade students have also had a little more of a challenge. “Children that age are not meant to solely learn online,” Martin said. Students with access to technology have been working through an early childhood platform called “Seesaw.”
Unfortunately, some families do not have computers, tablets or internet access. This was especially a challenge at Holy Family school. Parents have made regular trips to the school in order to pick up and return students’ assignments.
As a result of COVID-19, and predictions of possible flare up again this fall, the Diocese of Jackson has required all schools to complete a distance-learning plan. This will be communicated to parents and students in August. Everyone will be trained in the online programs in the event we are away from the school building again when the 2020-2021 school year begins. This way, schoolwork will be immediately accessible.
As the eighth-grade students prepare to be promoted, administrators face yet another challenge: how to celebrate at a distance. Holy Family will honor students at a “drive-in” ceremony of sorts. Sacred Heart school will wait until the end of the month and also laud the students outside.
Teachers, parents and students have worked together to meet the educational challenges presented by the current health crisis – teaching, learning and connecting in a different way. Although they have been apart physically, in a way they have grown closer. By working apart toward a common goal and adapting to finish the school year successfully, they have shared experiences and learned more than they could ever have imagined when the school year began.

In memorium: Father Howard Johnson

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LELAND – Lt. Colonel Howard W. Johnson, USA (Ret.), an Army chaplain and Catholic priest, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2020, in Bethesda, Maryland. He was 86 years old. He led a life full of service to his country and the Lord.
Father Johnson spent his formative years in Leland, Mississippi and was born in Washington, D.C. in 1933. Father Johnson attended St. Joseph’s High School in Greenville, graduating in 1952. His studies next took him to St. Bernard’s Seminary in Alabama, where he graduated with a degree in Theology. He continued his graduate studies at Notre Dame University, in South Bend, Indiana, studying religious education. His love of learning later led Father Johnson to earn two Master degrees, one from Baylor University, for pastoral psychology, and another from Long Island University (New York), for guidance and counseling.
He was ordained on May 26, 1960 at St. James Church (Diocese of Jackson) in Leland. From 1960 to 1964, he returned to his high school alma mater, where he was the assistant pastor and high school religious education teacher at St. Joseph’s Parish and High School in Greenville.
Father Johnson enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1964, and attended Chaplain’s Officer School at Fort Hamilton, in Brooklyn, New York. As a Chaplain for the U.S. Army for nearly twenty-five years, he provided spiritual and religious coverage at the Battalion, Brigade, Division and Post levels. He served twelve years overseas, including tours in Korea, Panama, Vietnam, and Germany. He also had posts throughout various army bases in the United States, including at the United States Military Academy at West Point. For his service providing spiritual and religious coverage during his overseas tours he received numerous service commendations and awards, including The Bronze Star Medal for his coverage to soldiers in combat in Vietnam.
When he returned to the United States, he provided counseling to veterans as part of his chaplaincy duties. He worked tirelessly with veterans afflicted with drug addiction, not only as a spiritual counsel, but as a friend and advocate. His gentle spirit provided solace to many.
After completing 24 years of distinguished active duty military service, Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Johnson retired from the military in 1988. He then served for several years as the director of religious education for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, living in Washington, D.C., until he fell ill. He resided in the D.C. area for the remainder of his life, mostly at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Washington, D.C.
In addition to spending time with family and friends, Father Johnson very much liked reading mystery novels and Washington Redskins football.
Father Howard’s ashes will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia at a time to be determined later.

Live Streaming Mass Listing

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In the wake of the cancellation of all public Masses in the Diocese of Jackson, local priests are being creative and utilizing technology to be present to their faith communities and bring Mass and other services to them in their homes.
The following is a listing of virtual Mass and prayer opportunities established by priests and parishes in the diocese.
With the loosening of restrictions by Governor Tate Reeves, some parishes are now offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Drive-in Adoration. Check with your home parish for more details and availability. We look forward to celebrating together soon!

DEANERY I
CANTON Sacred Heart, Details: Saturday 5:15 p.m., Sunday 9:30 a.m.; facebook @sacredheartcantonms
CAMDEN Sacred Heart, Details: Sunday 10 a.m. English, 12:30 p.m. Spanish; facebook @sacredheartcamdenms
CLINTON Holy Savior, Details: follow YouTube – search Holy Savior Catholic Church Clinton
FLOWOOD St. Paul, Details: Sunday 10:30 a.m.; YouTube – search St. Paul Catholic Church and subscribe or facebook @StPaulCatholicChurch
JACKSON Cathedral of St. Peter, Details: Daily Monday through Friday 12:05 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. English and 11 a.m. Spanish; facebook @jacksondiocese, YouTube search Catholic Diocese of Jackson
JACKSON Christ the King, Details: Sunday 9 a.m.; facebook @CTKJacksonMs
JACKSON Holy Family, Details: Sunday 9:50 a.m.; facebook @HFCCJackson
JACKSON St. Richard, Details: Daily and Sunday 8 a.m.; facebook @saintrichardms
JACKSON St. Therese, Details: Sunday 9:30 a.m. English, 12:30 p.m. Spanish; facebook @St.-Therese -Catholic-Church-106886477623772
MADISON St. Francis of Assisi, Details: Daily 7 a.m., Sundays 10:30 a.m.; facebook @stfrancisassisimadison
PEARL St. Jude, Details: Monday 6 p.m., Tuesday 6 p.m., Wednesday 6 p.m., Thursday Adoration 5 p.m. and Mass 6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m., Saturday 8 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m. English, 11 a.m. Spanish; facebook @stjudepearl
VICKSBURG St. Michael, Details: Sunday facebook @stmichaelvicksburg
VICKSBURG St. Paul, Details: Sunday 10 a.m.; facebook @Saint-Paul-Catholic-Church-of-Vicksburg-562031117586220

DEANERY II
McCOMB St. Alphonsus, Details: Sunday 10:15 a.m.; facebook @St-Alphonsus-Catholic-Church-Pike-County-Catholic-Community-283052928758
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Details: Daily Monday through Friday 7:15 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m.; facebook @stmarybasilica or visit https://greenwavesports.live

DEANERY III
GREENWOOD St. Francis of Assisi, Details: Sunday 10 a.m. English, 11:30 a.m. Spanish; facebook @stfrancisgreenwood
GREENVILLE Sacred Heart, 9 a.m. Sunday English, 11:15 a.m. Spanish; Details: facebook @Sacred-Heart-Catholic-Church-of-Greenville-Mississippi-238314926374934
GREENVILLE St. Joseph, Details: Daily 12 p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m.; facebook @St.-Joseph-Catholic-Church-of-Greenville-Mississippi-114619032033970
LELAND St. James, Details: Sunday 9 a.m.; facebook @StJamesLeland

DEANERY IV
CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI (Holy Spirit Hernando, St. Joseph Holly Springs, Queen of Peace Olive Branch, Good Shepherd Robinsonville, St. Gregory the Great Senatobia, Christ the King Southaven) Details: Sunday 9:30 a.m. English, 11 a.m. Spanish; facebook @Catholic Parishes of Northwest Mississippi
CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, Details: Sunday 9 a.m.; facebook @olvcleveland
CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth, Details: Daily Monday through Friday 12:10 p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m.; facebook @stelizabethclarksdale

DEANERY V
CORINTH St. James the Less, Daily; Details: YouTube – search Saint James Corinth, MS
NEW ALBANY St. Francis of Assisi, Details: Sunday 10 a.m. bilingual; facebook @stfrancisnewalbanyms
OXFORD St. John, Details: Daily Monday through Friday 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.; facebook @StJohnoxfordMs
RIPLEY St. Matthew, Details: Sunday 10 a.m.; facebook @StMatthewRipley
STARKVILLE St. Joseph, Details: Sunday 10 a.m.; facebook @stjosephstarkville
TUPELO St. James, Details: Daily Monday through Friday and Sunday 8 a.m. English, 10 a.m. Spanish; facebook @StJames-Catholic-Church-Tupelo-425836438235299

DEANERY VI
MERIDIAN St. Patrick and St. Joseph Community, Details: Sunday 10 a.m.; facebook @catholiccommunitymeridian

NATION/ WORLDWIDE
VATICAN NEWS: Pope Francis’ daily events, Details: facebook @vaticannews and YouTube @vaticannews
EWTN: Daily events, Details: https://www.ewtn.com/everywhere/online
BISHOP ROBERT BARRON: Daily events, Details: www.wordonfire.org, facebook @BishopRobertBarron or YouTube search Word on Fire video

Inmigrantes deciden entre vida y muerte

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Mensaje del Departamento de
Salud del Estado de Mississippi

NO se le pedirán documentos.
Las pruebas están disponibles en centros de salud comunitarios, a través del Departamento de Salud del Estado de Mississippi y en clínicas temporales de UMC, que hacen la prueba sin que usted salga
de su automóvil.
• Para obtener una cita para las clínicas de
MSDH/UMC, llame al
601-496-7200
• Su información no se comparte con ninguna agencia gubernamental encargada de hacer cumplir la ley.
• Las pruebas positivas para COVID-19 no son
absolutamente nada de lo que avergonzarse.
• Es importante saber si eres positivo. Esto protege a su familia y lo ayuda a obtener atención médica.
Distancia social y lavarse las manos son importantes para prevenir la propagación de COVID-19.
• No vaya a trabajar si se siente enfermo.

—

Por Berta Mexidor
JACKSON – Durante la crisis de COVID-19 los inmigrantes se cruzan hoy entre la ayuda económica y su estado legal. Las medidas de “distanciamiento social”, los paquetes de ayuda gubernamental y los debates sobre cómo reabrir la economía se siguen con atención. Cada persona está contemplando su propia situación, cómo mantener a su familia o cuidando a las personas en riesgo en su propio círculo. Todo esto está dejando un lugar muy pequeño de caridad para los extraños.
Algunos residentes legales e inmigrantes indocumentados ahora son parte “esencial” para la sociedad por su participación en la entrega de productos y servicios, haciendo que el tema sea más confuso y controvertido.
Todos están en la “misma tormenta, pero no en el mismo bote”, según Kimberly Mukherjee, MD, profesora asistente de pediatría clínica de la Facultad de medicina de la Universidad de Tulane, quien, entre otros, buscan nuevas formas de atender a los pacientes de la población vulnerable, en especial a inmigrantes. El mismo sentimiento se comparte con varias voces que reclaman atención a los inmigrantes, desplazados y víctimas de la trata de personas.
La reciente legislación de EE. UU. para el alivio financiero a individuos y familias durante la actual pandemia de COVID-19 no incluyó ninguna asistencia a inmigrantes ilegales, pero también excluyó a los niños ciudadanos estadounidenses que pertenecen a una familia con un estatus migratorio mixto. Para recibir los $500 por cada niño menor de 18 años, los padres tenían que haber presentado el impuesto sobre la renta y poseer un número de seguro social. Muchas familias inmigrantes pagan sus impuestos, bajo un TPIN, pero debido a la falta de SSN, no reciben los fondos de ayuda por cada menor de edad elegible.
Otra de las preocupaciones es sobre los 643,560 adultos y jóvenes adultos bajo la Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA), aprobada en 2012 y pendiente hoy de una decisión de la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos. Algunos de los beneficiarios son médicos, enfermeras y trabajadores esenciales en la primera línea contra la pandemia, y por ley, a la espera de la deportación si el estado de DACA se niega en el futuro.
Dauda Sesay, presidente de la Organización de Louisiana para Refugiados e Inmigrantes reconoce la intrincada participación emocional de los inmigrantes y refugiados legales, que son elegibles para los beneficios y temen que recibir los mismos. Algunos refugiados e inmigrantes legales están teniendo problemas con los beneficios de desempleo debido a la falta de familiaridad con el proceso, la barrera del idioma, las habilidades de internet y que declarar una reducción de ingresos se considere en el futuro como Cargo Público, lo que afectará sus intenciones de ciudadanía. o continuación de la residencia legal.
Existe una aprehensión nacional sobre la liberación a la sociedad de los reclusos infectados por el nuevo coronavirus. ICE también liberó a algunas personas con condiciones de alto riesgo, que no representan un peligro para la población en general. Amelia McGowan, abogada de inmigración del Centro de Justicia de Mississippi, ha seguido de cerca el número de 181 inmigrantes internos afectados por COVID 19, reportados por ICE 15 en Mississippi y 166 en Louisiana. McGowan tiene la respuesta a la pregunta: ¿Por qué los centros de detención son tan vulnerables al virus?:
• El hacinamiento debido a las transferencias regulares entre las instalaciones, el aumento de las redadas, la mayor colaboración entre el estado, la policía local y el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS), el aumento de la detención de personas que huyen de la persecución y la tortura, en busca de asilo político y humanitario.
• Limitado acceso a productos de limpieza e higiene.
• Atención médica deficiente
Las familias con todos los miembros indocumenta
dos, algunos de ellos en centros de detención, dependen de sus propios ingresos y caridad del público, esta vez al final de la lista, cuando más de 36 millones de estadounidenses están desempleados y millones de personas están necesitadas.
En Mississippi: la ayuda humanitaria proporcionada por Caridades Católicas a las parroquias con familias indocumentadas afectadas después de la redada de ICE, el 7 de agosto de 2019, continúa. Después de las redadas, alrededor de 700 familias se vieron afectadas, principalmente trabajadores en fábricas de pollos en Carthage, Canton, Forest y Morton. Muchos han estado recibiendo apoyo emocional y fondos de donaciones nacionales y Extensión Católica a través de Caridades Católicas. Además del miedo a la deportación y la separación de la familia se suma al miedo a enfermarse.
Muchos guatemaltecos se vieron afectados en Forest. Monika Soto es tutora de inglés para el distrito escolar municipal de Forest y está preocupada porque los niños están en casa, enfrentando la agravada situación de sus padres, la falta de comidas escolares y de materiales de aprendizaje for falta de computadoras personales y servicio de internet para continuar sus clases, viviendo con padres que no pueden ayudarlos en sus deberes escolares debido a la falta de instrucción y las barreras del idioma que tienen muchos.
Monika también describió que algunos trabajadores reciben una carta donde se les considera “trabajadores esenciales”, pero si se enferman, los beneficios del desempleo o los fondos de ayuda no son una opción. La necesidad de ingresos lleva a un trabajador de una planta procesadora a traer la infección por COVID-19 al hogar, donde todos se enferman. Varios de ellos tienen miedo de admitir que están enfermos y siguen trabajando. Los inmigrantes se encuentran en una encrucijada con dos problemas, la propagación de la enfermedad y la falta de dinero. Esta situación se reproduce no solo en Forest pero en todo el estado y país.

Rose Ocampo, a leader in the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, urges passersby in Maywood, Ill., May 9, 2020, to complete the U.S. census, while she maintains social Rose Ocampo, líder de la Coalición para el Liderazgo Espiritual y Público, insta a los transeúntes en Maywood, Illinois, el 9 de mayo de 2020, a completar el censo de EE. UU., mientras mantiene el distanciamiento social debido a la pandemia del coronavirus. (Foto del CNS/cortesía Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership)

Obispos de Estados Unidos consagran de nuevo país a María

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Por Mark Pattison
WASHINGTON, (CNS) – Los obispos de Estados Unidos reconsagraron el país a María mientras la nación continúa luchando en medio de la pandemia por el coronavirus. Los obispos en Canadá también utilizaron el 1 de mayo para volver a dedicar su país a la Santísima Madre.
El arzobispo José H. Gómez de Los Ángeles, presidente de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos, fue quien presidió la “Renovación de la Consagración de los Estados Unidos de América a la Sagrada Virgen María” el 1 de mayo. en la Catedral Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles en Los Ángeles, California.
El arzobispo Gómez dijo: “En este momento difícil recurrimos a la Santísima Virgen María, madre de la iglesia, para que interceda ante su hijo por todos los afectados por la pandemia. Imploramos por su maternal cuidado.” El arzobispo Gómez hizo notar la historia de María en Estados Unidos. “Los primeros misioneros llegaron a este país bajo el manto de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Más tarde, los obispos la consagraron como patrona de los Estados Unidos de América”, manifestó. “La Virgen María ha acompañado a esta gran nación desde nuestros comienzos”, agregó el arzobispo. “Ahora en este momento difícil, renovamos nuestra consagración a ella”.

JACKSON – El viernes primero de mayo, el obispo Kopacz de la Diócesis de Jackson, en solida
ridad con todas las diócesis católicas en los Estados Unidos y en Canadá, renovó la consagración de los Estados Unidos a la Bienaventurada Virgen María. (Foto por Joanna Puddister) King)