Category Archives: Diocesan News

Traversing the U.S., eucharistic pilgrimage plants seeds of mission on Gulf Coast

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By Terry Dickson, Gulf Pine Catholic
BILOXI – After more than two years of prayer, planning and anticipation, pilgrims on the St. Juan Diego Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage recently made their way across the Mississippi Gulf Coast. For organizers and participants, it was truly a week to remember.

“This has been an amazing week. I think the Holy Spirit has had a humongous hand in it,” said seminarian Ricky Molsbee, a member of the Eucharistic Revival Committee for the Diocese of Biloxi. “Listening to the pilgrims’ testimonies has been one of the biggest gifts. To see the youth of our church mixed in with members of the religious communities and how they are filled with the Holy Spirit and how they want to share and evangelize with everybody has been an incredible thing to witness. You can just feel their love for the Eucharist.”

BILOXI – The St. Juan Diego Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage traveled through the Mississippi Gulf Coast between June 10-14. A group of parishioners and Knights of Columbus from St. Francis of Assisi in Madison traveled down to participate in the event on Thursday, June 13. (Photo by Michael Barrett Photography)

Molsbee highlighted walking all three days of the route as the pinnacle of his experience, spanning from Our Lady of the Gulf Church in Bay St. Louis to Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral in Biloxi.
“I was privileged to walk all 22 miles,” he said. It was tough. It wasn’t easy. We baked a lot in the hot sun, but having the opportunity to walk with our Lord was something that I will never forget for the rest of my life.”

Deacon William Stentz, who a part of the committee, agreed with Molsbee’s sentiments.“Our church is alive,” he said. “Beyond the beauty of the people who attended all the special Masses and especially those who processed – some were with walkers and canes, some were children, some were parents, some were single people, some were from religious orders, and some were clergy – what was most surprising was the number of passersby who would just fall to their knees when they got a glimpse of the Monstrance containing Jesus.

“Cars would stop in turn lanes or park on the grass along Highway 90. People would honk their horns lovingly as they passed by, people would just stand and stare from their yards, people would stare from their windows, construction workers and delivery truck drivers would stop and try to take it all in. If they didn’t know what was going on, we have to pray that the Holy Spirit has sparked curiosity in them and they’ll reach out, wondering what do those Catholics have that I don’t have?”

Chantel Normand, a parishioner of Our Mother of Mercy Parish in Pass Christian, said she felt “a sense of wonder” as she saw Jesus being carried in procession along the Gulf Coast, comparing it to the thrill she gets when she rides her favorite Disney ride, Animal Kingdom’s Avatar Flight of Passage.

“Witnessing the magic of the Holy Spirit bringing families, parishes, and cultures together in solidarity was truly profound,” she said. “To witness the pleasure of seeing Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and experience the same feelings I felt as a child took me to a new level of magic, a magic that could only be found in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Father Rofinus Jas, SVD, pastor of Our Mother of Mercy Pass Christian, found the pilgrimage deeply moving. “It was very moving for me to witness Jesus … walking, holding, touching, talking, praying, chanting, singing, and reflecting that our Lord Jesus was with us,” he said. “It was a joyful experience for me to see Jesus personally by touching and holding Him in my hands during procession.”

Reflecting on the impact of the event, Father Jas was moved by the strong sense of community.
“Along the way, we walked with Jesus; we united with one heart and many faces in praying and thanksgiving and believing with our whole hearts that God never abandons us.”

Ann Hale, a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Long Beach, shared her perspective: “To feel like a disciple from 2,000 years ago following our precious Lord was an experience like no other. It was a privilege to show the world the beautiful sacrifice of Jesus’ love.”

Looking forward, Molsbee outlined the next steps for the Eucharistic Revival movement. “Year three of the Eucharistic Revival begins after the Eucharistic Congress, which takes place this month in Indianapolis. After that, we are going to be going out on mission,” he said.

“This is a grassroots movement. It starts with everybody in the pews. … But, when you have the love of the Eucharist, you can’t shut up about it. … It’s like what Peter says to Jesus after the Bread of Life Discourse when He asks the 12 apostles, ‘Are you going to leave too?’ and Peter says, ‘To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’”

The pilgrimage on the St. Juan Diego Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage was not just a physical journey but a spiritual awakening for many. It brought together a diverse community in profound unity and renewed their commitment to the Eucharistic faith, echoing the words of St. Francis of Assisi: ‘Preach the gospel at all times and, if necessary, use words.’”

Happy Ordination Anniversary

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June 28
Father Stephen Okojie
St. Stephen Magee & St. Therese Jackson

July 16
Deacon Mark Bowden
St. Jude Pearl

Deacon Dien Hoang
Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle Jackson

Deacon Wesley Lindsay
Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle Jackson

Deacon John Pham
St. Michael Forest

Deacon David Rouch
St. Michael Vicksburg

Deacon Tony Schmidt
St. Paul Flowood

August 5
Msgr. Elvin Sunds
Retired

August 14
Father AnthonyClaret Onyeocha
St. Joseph Woodville & Holy Family Gloster

August 16
Father Joe Dyer
Retired

In memoriam: Father George R. Kitchin

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GULFPORT – Father George R. Kitchin, age 81, of Gulfport, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2024.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Deacon Leon Kitchin and Effie Smith Kitchin; and two sisters, Leona Pollard Webb and Helene Kitchin Cohen.

Father Kitchin is survived by his siblings, Robert Kitchin (Ann) of Bolivar, Missouri, John Kitchin (Susan) of Gautier, Mississippi, and Peggy Kitchin of Ridgeland, Mississippi; his nieces and nephews, Trey Pollard (Guyanne), Justin Cohen (Eliany), Andrew Cohen, Paul Kitchin (Sarah), David Kitchin, Joseph Kitchin, Clare Kitchin, and Jonathan Kitchin (Renae); and his brother priests from the Diocese of Biloxi and the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson.

GULFPORT – Father George R. Kitchin passed away on July 5, 2024 at 81 years of age. He was ordained for the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson in 1970 by Bishop Joseph Brunini at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Greenwood. (Photo courtesy of Diocese of Biloxi))

He was born in Durham, North Carolina and was raised in Greenwood, Mississippi. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 13, 1970 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Greenwood by Bishop Joseph Brunini. After his ordination, he was assigned to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and remained in the Diocese of Biloxi until his passing.

Father Kitchin served as associate pastor of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church, Bay St. Louis, Sacred Heart Parish in Pascagoula, and Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Biloxi. In 1982, he was appointed as the founding pastor of St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church in White Cypress.

Other assignments included: 1988 to 2002, pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Ocean Springs; 2002-2014, pastor of St. James Catholic Church in Gulfport; and 2014 until his retirement, pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church in Gautier. He was the longtime director of the Diocese of Biloxi Charismatic Renewal Program.
Father Kitchin was a profound homilist and engaging conversationalist and enjoyed all aspects of American History, especially the American Revolution, and the history of the Catholic Church. He had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother, and enjoyed specific ministries within the church, especially the XLT Movement where he encouraged other to spend an hour of adoration with praise and worship along with offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Father Kitchin also had a deep connection to catholic education giving support to families in need ensuring that their children could receive a catholic education. The people of the Diocese of Biloxi are grateful for the 54 years of ministry he gave to the people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

To continue to work helping families with tuition assistance, the family would prefer memorials be made to the Guardian Angel Program, c/o Office of Finance, Catholic Diocese of Biloxi, 1790 Popps Ferry Road, Biloxi, MS 39532.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Bishop Louis Kihneman with his brother priests serving as concelebrants at St. James Catholic Church in Gulfport on July 15, 2024. Interment will be private in St. James Cemetery.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

Jubilees

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School Sisters of St. Francis celebrate jubilees

By Michael O’Loughlin
MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Thirty-five School Sisters of St. Francis of the United States Province celebrated milestone anniversaries of service as women religious on June 15, 2024. A Jubilee Mass was celebrated in St. Joseph Chapel at the sisters’ motherhouse in Milwaukee.

In addition, six lay women in Associate Relationship with the community celebrated their 25, 40, and 50-year jubilees.

Five sisters who are each celebrating 60, 70, 80, and 85 years of consecrated life have significant service in the Diocese of Jackson.

Five School Sisters of St. Francis are celebrating milestone jubilees in 2024. Pictured (l-r): Sister Bernadette Engelhaupt, SSSF celebrating 60 years; Sister Kathleen McNulty, SSSF celebrating 60 years; Sister Ramona Ann Schmidtknecht, SSSF celebrating 70 years; Sister Michele Doyle, SSSF celebrating 80 years; and Sister Arlene Welding, SSSF celebrating 85 years. Each served in the Diocese of Jackson. (Photos courtesy of School Sisters of St. Francis and Laura Grisham)

60 Years – Sister Bernadette Engelhaupt (St. Mary, Iuka) and Sister Kathleen McNulty (St. Francis School, Yazoo City and CADET School, Holly Springs)
Sister Bernadette Engelhaupt was born in Spencer, Nebraska. She has a bachelor’s degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a master’s degree from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. In the Diocese of Jackson, she served as the parish minister at St. Mary Parish in Iuka (2002–2009).

Sister Kathleen McNulty was born in Blue Island, Illinois. She has a bachelor’s degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a master’s degree from Colorado State University in Fort Collins. In the Diocese of Jackson, she taught at St. Francis School in Yazoo City (1968–1969) and CADET School in Holly Springs (1969–1975 and 1976–1978).

70 Years – Sister Ramona Ann Schmidtknecht (St. Mary School, CADET School, Child Care Center, Holy Family School, Holly Springs and Sacred Heart Southern Missions, Walls)
Sister Ramona Ann Schmidtknecht was born in Galesville, Wisconsin. She has a bachelor’s degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a master’s degree from St. Louis University in Missouri. In the Diocese of Jackson, she has served in Holly Springs as a teacher at St. Mary School (1963–1969); teacher at CADET School (1969–1973 and 1975-1995); director of Child Care Center (1973–1975); and food service manager at Christopher Care Center (1999–2001). At Holy Family School in Holly Springs, Sister has ministered as a teacher (1995-1999 and 2004-2016) food service manager of the early childhood center (2001-2004), volunteer and substitute teacher (2016-2024). Since 2016, Sister has also volunteered at the Sacred Heart Southern Missions Garden Café.

80 Years – Sister Michele Doyle (St. Francis High School, Yazoo City; State College, Jackson; Director of Religious Education and Lay Ministry Program, Diocese of Jackson; Director of Education at St. Francis Early Learning Center, Madison)
Sister Michele Doyle was born in Forest Park, Illinois. She has a bachelor’s degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and master’s degrees from Loyola University in Chicago and the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. In the Diocese of Jackson, she taught at St. Francis High School in Yazoo City (1949–1969 and 1973-1975) and State College in Jackson (1969–1975). She served the Diocese of Jackson as director of adult religious education (1975–1983) and in the diocese’s lay ministry program (2006-2021). She also served as director of education for St. Francis Assisi Parish in Madison (1991-2006).

85 Years – Sister Arlene Welding (St. Francis School, Yazoo City)
Sister Arlene Welding was born in Oakdale, Nebraska. She has a bachelor’s degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a master’s degree from the University of San Francisco. In the Diocese of Jackson, she taught at St. Francis School in Yazoo City (1953-1962).

Cards and donations in honor of sisters’ years of service may be mailed to each sister’s attention, c/o Jubilee Committee, School Sisters of St. Francis, 1545 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53215.

Sister Dorothy Heiderscheit, OSF celebrates 60th jubilee

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Sister Dorothy Heiderscheit, OSF, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis, of Dubuque, Iowa, celebrated her Diamond Jubilee (60 years) on Sunday, June 23, at Mount St. Francis Center in Dubuque.

Sister Dorothy was born in Iowa. She received a bachelor’s degree from Briar Cliff University, Sioux City, Iowa, and Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa; and a master’s degree from Tulane University, New Orleans.

Sister served at Region V Community Mental Health Center, Greenville, Mississippi, and was Director of Family Ministry at Catholic Charities from 1987-2000. She now resides at Mount St. Francis Center in Dubuque and serves as a facilitator and consultant for religious congregations.

“Community and ministry have been a blessing in my life. The gift of experiencing God in everyone I encounter and share life with is truly the Gospel coming alive. The joy of this Jubilee is deeply embedded in my gratitude for family, community and the People of God around the world who have touched my life,” she said of her Jubilee.

Cards may be sent to Sister Dorothy at 3390 Windsor Ave., Dubuque, IA 52001.

US bishops discuss anti-poverty arm, pastoral frameworks, groundbreaking proposals at spring meeting

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By Peter Jesserer Smith
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (OSV News) – Gathered in Louisville for their spring plenary assembly, the U.S. bishops’ June 12-14 meeting saw a mix of important matters discussed – with some unexpected twists and moments of robust discussion – starting with how the bishops would continue to address the scourge of poverty in the U.S. and ending with a view to the future for the National Eucharistic Revival.

The first day of the bishops’ public session was June 13. Behind closed doors, the bishops discussed the future of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, their domestic anti-poverty initiative, which has suffered in recent years from declining donations and questions about grant-making decisions that had depleted its funding reserves.

In a June 13 press conference, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for Military Services USA, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, told reporters that no decisions had been made yet. But he emphasized the bishops remain committed “to the vital work of fighting poverty in this country.”

In a shift from previous assemblies, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the papal ambassador to the U.S., did not focus his address to the bishops on the process of becoming a synodal church but instead focused on the National Eucharistic Revival, affirming the central importance of the bishops’ endeavor. He urged them to experience this revival as bishops, and emphasized Pope Francis’ insight that Eucharistic devotion is connected with the church’s mission of “washing the feet of wounded humanity.”

The U.S. bishops voted to send a message to Pope Francis, joining him in praying for peace in the world, calling for diplomatic solutions that affirm human fraternity, and thanking him for sending Cardinal Luis A. Tagle as his delegate to the National Eucharistic Congress in July.

Over the course of both days, the bishops also heard about the ongoing progress of the Synod on Synodality, and that its second session this October will zero in on what a synodal church should look like. The bishops heard that becoming a synodal church was about creating a place of encounter in the church, where tensions could be fruitfully transformed for the sake of the church’s health and holiness.
Bishop Daniel E. Flores, who served last year as a president delegate of the synod assembly and a member of the synod’s preparatory commission, emphasized it would help bishops “to think together with our people about how to be about what we should be about, which is the concerns of Christ the Lord.”

The bishops of the Latin Church also voted to approve all their agenda items related to English translation texts for the Liturgy of the Hours and the Roman Missal – a process which the bishops’ chair of the Committee on Divine Worship, Bishop Steven J. Lopes of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, said finally completed the work on the new English translation of the Liturgy of the Hours that the bishops began in 2012.

The U.S. bishops overwhelmingly voted June 14 to approve a pastoral framework for Indigenous Catholic ministry, which also included an apology for the church’s failures over the course of its history in North America “to nurture, strengthen, honor, recognize and appreciate those entrusted to our pastoral care.”
However, the bishops’ pastoral framework for youth and young adult ministry hit a snag that stunned the bishops and Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota – chair of the bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth – who had presented on it just the day before as a “watershed moment” in forming youth and young adults for “missionary discipleship” and “Christlike leadership in society.”

Initially falling short of the two-thirds threshold needed to pass by two votes at bishops’ assembly, the USCCB in Washington announced June 18 the framework passed with 188 votes in favor, four against, and four abstentions, following a canvass of bishops eligible to vote.

The aspect of the bishops’ meeting that most resembled a real debate was a vigorous discussion June 14 over creating a national directory of instituted ministries. The bishops had a lively exchange regarding lay ministries and whether they should together consider the ministries of acolyte, lector and catechist – the former two which Pope Francis expanded to include women and the latter which he formally instituted – or start work on guidelines for the catechist, an ancient office in the church and now an instituted lay ministry. They also expressed concern about proper formation, but also about a kind of “professionalization” that would exclude faithful people from living this ministry – particularly those who had valuable experience from Latin American contexts.

Bishop Lopes suggested the bishops should continue by considering all three together, and work on clarifying their complementary roles in carrying out the local church’s mission, saying Pope Francis seemed to be inviting them to understand these ministries as not simply serving a liturgical function but encompassing a “larger reality” of lived discipleship.

Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes, archbishop emeritus of New Orleans, however, advocated an amendment to start some preliminary work on the ministry of catechist – making adjustments at a later date with respect to the ministry of acolyte and lector – that the bishops could examine at their meeting in November.

Speaking on behalf of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, he cited the urgency of catechesis given the high rates of Catholic adults disaffiliating from the church. The committee’s amendment ultimately carried the day, and the bishops approved the national directory proposal.
The bishops had another robust discussion the day before, June 13, following the update on their mental health campaign, which included presentations on how Catholic Charities can help the bishops form a “trauma-aware church,” and the vital importance of parish engagement and accompaniment in this effort to save lives.

The bishops’ exchange affirmed their view that ending the stigma surrounding mental health was not only good for the faithful, but also for clergy, allowing them to open up about their own mental health needs.
The bishops also voiced their unanimous approval for the plans of Bishop David L. Ricken of Green Bay, Wisconsin, to open a cause for the canonization of Adele Brise, a Belgian-born immigrant from the 19th-century, whose visions of the Virgin Mary Bishop Ricken had declared worthy of belief in 2010. The bishop suggested Brise provided a model for their evangelization and catechesis efforts.

Although the bishops’ public sessions had opened with matters that seemed routine, the June 14 session included presentations inviting the bishops to authorize groundbreaking efforts on combatting abuse and an urgent call to engage with lawmakers on immigration policy affecting religious workers from foreign countries.

Suzanne Healy, chair of the bishops’ National Review Board, introduced proposals toward combating sexual abuse, including the issuance of guidelines that would address the sexual or spiritual abuse of adults, a new John Jay College to study abuse allegations since 2011, and a 2027 national day of prayer as an act of restorative justice.

Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, chair of the bishops’ Committee on Migration, reported to the bishops that a foreign-born priest who applies for a green card has a 15-year wait – and current rules on the federal Temporary Religious Worker Visa Immigration program mean that priest would have to go back to another country every five years.

Bishops on the floor likewise expressed their concern about how confusing the rules were for religious workers to navigate. Bishop Seitz said a “partial fix” from the federal administration might shorten that time, but without Congress intervening, the situation is ultimately “simply not sustainable for our ministries.”

The bishops’ final agenda item June 14 was the matter of the National Eucharistic Congress. Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, board chair of the National Eucharistic Congress Inc., told the bishops that they expect a sold-out stadium of 50,000 people for the weekend of July 17-21 at the National Eucharistic Congress.

But he emphasized that their eye was already toward the future, from initiatives to invite Catholics to “consider walking one person back to the faith,” along with forming “Eucharistic missionaries,” and planning future national Eucharistic congresses, similar to what takes place in other countries.

Peter Jesserer Smith is national news and features editor for OSV News. Follow him on X (formerly known as Twitter) @peterjesserersmith.

Calendar of events

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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
DIOCESE – Fall Faith Formation Day – “Reimagining Communities of Faith,” Saturday, Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Francis Madison. Keynote speaker: Father Tim Donovan. All formation leaders and volunteers are invited to attend this day of formation and fellowship. Registration deadline is Aug. 9. Cost: $10 per person. Details: register at https://bit.ly/FFDay2024 or contact Fran at fran.lavelle@jacksondiocese.org.

BILOXI – Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat, Aug. 23-25. Rachel’s Vineyard is an international retreat that provides an opportunity for women and men to find forgiveness and healing from abortion. The retreat begins on Friday evening and ends on Sunday afternoon and will be held at the William J. Kelly Retreat Center in Bay St. Louis. If you or someone you know would like to attend, please contact Deacon Johnny Williams at (228) 702-2169 or email at rachelsvineyard@biloxidiocese.org. Details: for more information visit https://biloxidiocese.org/rachel.

CHATAWA – Our Lady of Hope, Blessed Virgin Mary Day Retreat with Kitty Cleveland, Thursday, Aug. 15 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with speaker Roy Schoeman. Enjoy talks, music, Mass, prayer, lunch and more. Cost: $125. Details: (601) 202-3137 or email retreatsoloh3167@yahoo.com.

GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph, Millions of Monicas: Praying with confidence for our children, each Tuesday, beginning in July from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the church. Join with other mothers, grandmothers and step-mothers as we pray to grow in holiness and humility, and for our children’s faithful return to the church. Details: church office (601) 856-2054 or email millionsofmonicas@stjosephgluckstadt.com.

HOMEWOOD, Ala. – Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference of the Diocese of Birmingham, July 26-27 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Family Life Center (1728 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, Alabama). The conference theme is “Unity in the Body of Christ” and it will feature feature lay evangelist, Richard Lane. Cost $30 for individuals or $85 for a family of three or more. Register at www.catholiccharismaticrenewal.org. All are welcome! Details: for more information contact Sally Smith at mustardsally14@gmail.com or (205) 983-4150.

JACKSON – St. Richard, “Inspire” – a day retreat for women of all ages, Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8:30-3:30 p.m. in Foley Hall. Save the date. Details: church office (601) 366-2335.

LAS VEGAS – 23rd Annual National Conference for Single Catholics, Aug. 16-18. Details: visit https://nationalcatholicsingles.com.

PEARL – St. Jude, Life in the Spirit Seminar by the Marian Servants of Jesus, Saturday, Aug. 17, registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and event ends with 4 p.m. vigil Mass. Presented by Father Bill Henry, Dr. Frank Hench, Mary Ann Henchy, Deacon John McGregor and the Marian Servants of Jesus, the Lamb of God Community. Topic: God’s Love, Salvation, New Life, Receiving God’s Gifts and Praying for Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Lunch will be provided. No cost but $10 suggested donation to cover lunch. Registration deadline is Aug. 12. Details: email your contact info to msofjlog@gmail.com to register or for more information.

LOUISIANA – Tenth Annual Fête-Dieu du Mississippi Eucharistic Boat Procession (from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, Aug. 14-15. The solemn flotilla will embark on the Mighty Mississippi for a Blessing of the River and the Great State of Louisiana. Register for the all-night vigil and find out more information at https://www.fetedieuduteche.org.

PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS
BATESVILLE – St. Mary, Rummage Sale, Aug. 2 and 3 in the parish center. Details: church office (662) 563-2273.

CAMDEN – Sacred Heart, Hip-Hop Back to School Bash, Saturday, July 27 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. For grades ninth through twelfth only. Presented by the Sacred Heart Young Adult Group. Cost: $10. Details: church office (662) 438-2354.

CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth, Annual St. Elizabeth Fair, Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 5:30-8 p.m. Enjoy the traditional spaghetti dinner at the school and enjoy prize booths and the popular frozen casserole booth. Details: church office (662) 624-4301.

CORINTH – St. James, Volleyball Tournament, Saturday, July 27 at 8 a.m. There will be food, and more for sale. Get your team together for a fun day on a sand court. Details: Register your team or get more details at (662) 415-0844.

GREENVILLE – St. Joseph, Vacation Bible School “Great Big Beautiful World,” July 28-30 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Open to all children entering Pre-K3 through fifth grade. Details: register at https://www.stjosephgreenville.org/vbs-registration or call Alyssa at (662) 820-0868.

FLOWOOD – St. Paul Early Learning Center, Annual Golf Tournament, Friday, Sept. 20 at Bay Pointe Golf Club. Registration information coming soon. Save the date!

JACKSON – Christ the King, Parish Picnic, Saturday, Sept. 21. Save the date!

SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Fall Festival, Saturday, Oct. 5. Save the date!

Christ the King, Spanish as a Second Language Classes, Mondays at 6 p.m. in the education building, room number four. Join us for this free year-round class. No cost. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.

STARKVILLE – St. Joseph, Black and White Gala, Saturday, Aug. 17 from 6-9 p.m. Tickets: $50 per person or $500 per table benefitting the food pantry. Keynote speaker: Cassandra Mobley of the Mississippi Food Network. Enjoy fabulous food, beverages, music and dancing. Must be 21 to attend. Details: call (662) 323-2257 or email andy.teresa93@gmail.com.

TUPELO – St. James, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level I Formation Course, beginning Aug. 23. Long weekend format (Friday through Sunday) with dates in Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., and concluding in Jan. 2025. Course cost: $500 per participant; discounts available for parishes sending more than three participants. Details: contact Karen Mayfield, karen@stjamestupelo.com for course brochure and further information.

CORRECTION
Our June 14 edition contained an error in the book review for “The Saints of St. Mary’s.” We incorrectly identified the book publisher at Dogwood Press. The correct book publisher is the Mississippi Sports Council. The Mississippi Catholic regrets the error.

Mississippi Catholic

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Bishop Joseph N. Latino in memoriam

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https://issuu.com/joanna.king/docs/ms_catholic_3_12_2021

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“Padre” Flannery celebrates 60 years of priesthood

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By Joe Lee
MADISON – The blast furnace heat made quite an impression on Msgr. Michael Flannery, known as Padre to parishioners all over Mississippi and the impoverished Saltillo region of Mexico, when he landed in Jackson for the first time in September 1964.

The racial discord also made a significant impression. Flannery arrived shortly after the horrific murders of civil rights leaders Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner and James Cheney in Neshoba County.

“My first assignment was St. Mary’s in west Jackson,” said Flannery, who celebrates the 60th anniversary of his priest ordination on June 14. “The school was integrated the morning after I arrived. A Black family had a little girl entering kindergarten, and there was a big demonstration. We feared Klan violence and left the lights on overnight for two weeks, but nothing came of it.

MADISON – Msgr. Michael Flannery “Padre” and Father Albeen Vatti joining in the fun playing spoons on frottoirs (washboards) and dancing during a spirited cajun tune on Oct 3, 2021 at St. Francis parish’s annual Cajun Fest fundraiser. Msgr. Flannery is celebrating his 60th anniversary as a priest on June 14, 2024. (Photo by Joanna King)

“A professor at seminary prepared us to face difficulty in the U.S. but said it wouldn’t be fair to tell us what to do. He said, ‘I’ve given you moral principles. You apply them to the situation you find yourself in.’ That made an impression on me.”

Assigned to Our Lady of Victories in Pascagoula in 1967, Flannery organized the first Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) group to deliver items to Saltillo, but the game-changer was the involvement of Father Patrick Quinn. Saltillo Mission, Flannery’s book about the long-running service project that sent more than 20,000 Mississippi youth to Mexico, was published in 2017.

“Father Quinn had a tremendous love for the poor,” Flannery said. “One year he was seriously injured in a car accident on a slick mountain road, and Bishop Brunini wanted his medical treatment done in Mississippi. Quinn initially refused, saying he would receive care unavailable to the poor. He eventually agreed to it, but only if he could return to Saltillo once healthy.”

Valerie Balser Winn, accompanied her CYO from St. Alphonsus in McComb to Saltillo in 1973.

“Father Flannery always seemed full of energy and laughter as he drove a crowded jeep among the prairie dogs and cacti for what seemed like hours,” Winn said. “He supervised the deliveries of medicine, dental care and balloons for the children.

“Not knowing Spanish myself and watching him tell those gathered for Mass in the tiny brick and mud huts about Father Quinn’s accident … I can still see the shock and sadness in their faces. Then I saw them comforted with Father Flannery’s message of hope.”

Flannery’s mastery of Spanish led to his assignment to Rosedale, one of several Delta towns where he worked primarily with migrants. While in Cleveland he was asked by Bishop Brunini to learn canon law. Finishing at St. Paul’s in Ottawa, Canada, in 1985, Flannery was brought into the tribunal after returning to Mississippi, serving as judicial vicar.

“I see the tribunal as a healing ministry,” he said. “Divorce is a very painful thing, as part of you dies in that process. My experiences in Saltillo, with a lot of people suffering there, got me interested in the tribunal.”

MADISON – Msgr. Michael Flannery, affectionately known as “Padre,” is celebrating his 60th year of priesthood on June 14, 2024. Pictured is Msgr. Flannery celebrating Mass at his 50th anniversary celebration in 2014. (Photo from archives)

The vicar general at the time was Father Francis Cosgrove, a fellow Irishman and a good friend of Flannery’s. Cosgrove would be assigned to St. Francis of Assisi in Madison in 1994, and Flannery was named vicar general. When Cosgrove was sent to Meridian in 2005 to pastor at St. Patrick, Flannery was moved to St. Francis.
“Father Cosgrove built the church, which was dedicated in 2000,” Flannery said. “I was glad to get back to parish ministry, my first love. The initial plan was for St. Francis to have a church, a family life center and a school. The first two had been taken care of by the time I got there.”

When a diocesan survey showed great support for another Catholic school in the Jackson area, Flannery went right to work. St. Anthony opened in Madison in 2009, and enrollment has tripled in 15 years.
“Father Mike’s generosity to St. Anthony is a matter of record,” said St. Francis parishioner Ed Marsalis. “I love him dearly. He is a best friend, a true theologian. He continues the mission he was given that graduation day in Ireland and performs weekly masses in our parish and throughout the diocese.”

Msgr. Elvin Sunds compares his friend of half a century to the Good Shepherd in giving his all for his sheep. Father Albeen Vatti, St. Francis pastor since 2015, delights parishioners by routinely bantering with Flannery but has a deep respect for him.

“He’s always willing to help and lives a very simple lifestyle,” Vatti said. “Following him was challenging because of his years of experience, but he has been a great blessing to me.”

Now in his early eighties, Flannery shows no signs of slowing down. He visits St. Anthony often during the school year to entertain young Eagles, and he’ll fill in at parishes all over central Mississippi during the scalding summer months. He wouldn’t be anywhere else.

“I’ve been happy as a priest,” he said. “It has been a good life, a joyful life, and I would do it again.”

Happy Ordination Anniversary

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June 1
Father Anthony Okwum, SSJ
Holy Family, Natchez & St. Anne, Fayette

June 2
Father Guy Wilson, ST
Holy Child Jesus, Canton & Sacred Heart, Camden

June 4
Father Joe Tonos
St. Richard, Jackson

Deacon Jeff Artigues
Deacon John McGinley
St. Joseph, Starkville

Deacon Denzil Lobo
Christ the King, Jackson

Deacon John McGregor
St. Jude, Pearl

Deacon Ted Schreck
Catholic Parishes of Northwest MS

June 6
Father PJ Curley
Retired

Father Daniel Gallagher
Retired

June 7
Father Kevin Slattery
St. Therese, Jackson

June 8
Father Thomas Delaney
Retired

June 9
Father Juan Chavajay
Sacred Heart, Canton

June 10
Father Robert Dore
St. Michael, Vicksburg

June 11
Msgr. Patrick Farrell
Retired

Father Thomas Lalor
Retired

Father Clifford Hennings, OFM
St. Francis, Greenwood

June 12
Father Kent Bowlds
Our Lady of Victories, Cleveland

Father Frank Cosgrove
Retired

Father Gerry Hurley
St. Paul, Flowood

June 13
Father Mike O’Brien
Retired

Father Mario Solorzano
St. James the Less, Corinth

June 14
Msgr. Mike Flannery
Retired

Father Tom McGing
Retired

Father David O’Connor
Retired

June 15
Father David Szatkowski, SCJ
Catholic Parishes of Northwest MS

June 16
Father Jeffrey Waldrep
Annunciation, Columbus

June 18
Father Anthony Quyet
Retired

June 26
Deacon David Gruseck
Annunciation, Columbus

June 27
Father Andrew Nguyen
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Greenwood

Father Cesar Sanchez
St. Jude, Pearl

Father Marco Sanchez, ST
St. Anne, Carthage & St. Therese, Kosciusko

Thank you for answering the call!

“Going home to God”: Father Noel Prendergast passes at age 90

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By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – Just shy of sixty-six years a priest, Father Noel Prendergast entered eternal life on May 26, 2024.

He was born Jan. 1, 1934, the youngest of John and Mary Prendergast’s seven children. He was born at Christmastime, so that’s where Noel came from, Father Prendergast once told Mississippi Catholic.

He studied six years at St. Patrick’s College and Seminary in Carlow, Ireland; and was ordained in that city’s Catholic cathedral on June 7, 1958. It was Prendergast’s choice to spend his entire priesthood in Mississippi, giving up cold, wet winters and springs for the occasional snow and frequent hot temperatures native to the Deep South.

Father Prendergast and three other priests arrived in Mississippi in September 1958. His first assignment was to Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Biloxi as an associate pastor.

Four years later, he was moved to St. Mary’s Church in Jackson, where he served for two years as associate pastor. Father Prendergast once remarked that he “saw it more of an adventure,” since the parish also had a school.

From there, he was transferred to Mercy Hospital in Vicksburg, where he was chaplain. He left after three years for his first pastorate at Assumption Church in Natchez in 1967.

Father Prendergast became a U.S. citizen in the mid-1960s. “I figured if I was going to live here, I needed to be a citizen and take part in voting,” Prendergast recalled in 2018 for his sixtieth anniversary celebration.

CLINTON – Father Noel Prendergast stands in the sanctuary of Holy Savior Clinton in this file photo. He passed away at age 90 on Sunday, May 26. (Photo from archives)

Just two years after arriving in Natchez, Bishop Joseph Brunini assigned him as pastor of Gulf Coast Missions in Gulfport. He enjoyed returning to the coast, as he missed the sea, as he was only about 30 minutes from the ocean in his native Ireland.

Another two short years later, he was on his way to Annunciation parish in Columbus, where he served as pastor for 10 years. “You really got to know the people and appreciate them, and they appreciated what you did for them,” Father Prendergast once said.

His next stop was St. Michael’s Church in Vicksburg in September 1980, where he remained for 12 years. During his tenure, Father Prendergast helped oversee the construction of a new church structure, while the old church building became the parish hall.

His next assignment, in 1991, was Holy Savior in Clinton and Immaculate Conception in Raymond, where he remained 12 years.

In 2003, he found himself at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Yazoo City, where he remained until he requested retirement at age 75 in 2008.

Father Prendergast chose to come to Mississippi, and he chose to stay in Mississippi. At his 60th ordination anniversary celebration in 2018, Father Prendergast said that he came back to Clinton because he couldn’t “stand the weather over there” in Ireland and that he knew more people in Mississippi than he did in Ireland. Mississippi had become his home.

He enjoyed the life of a retiree, taking annual trips back to his homeland in Ireland to visit family; and also spending time on the golf course with his fellow priests and filling in occasionally at his home parish of Holy Savior Clinton. Father PJ Curley played golf with him nearly every Monday and Friday for 40 years, developing a deep friendship as fellow golfers and Irish priests.

“Imagine the eternal hug from God to Noel, who is in his image and in his likeness,” said Father Curley during the funeral Mass for Father Prendergast. “What a beautiful thought what a beautiful image. Going home to God.”

“Father Noel Prendergast is home, safe and sound.”