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.

(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.)

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 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 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 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 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.

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.

Sister Mary Patricia
DETROIT – Sister Mary Patricia, Cecilia Pyszynski, of Detroit, Michigan, completed her life’s journey of 93 years on April 17, 2020 in Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent, Livonia, Michigan. Sister was in religious life for 75 years.
The former Cecilia Pyszynski, was the first of seven children of John and Veronica (Balcerak). At the age of 10 she was afflicted with polio and was unable to walk for a year.Through therapy she gradually regained the use of her limb.

She entered the Seminary of the Felician Sisters in Detroit in 1940, and after graduation, June 11, 1944, was admitted to the postulancy on June 29, 1944. During the investiture ceremonies the following year, Cecilia received the name, Sister Mary Patricia. Final profession of vows was in 1952.
Sister Mary Patricia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Madonna (College) University and a Master of Arts in religious education from Aquinas College. On a journey that spanned 60 years in the ministry of education, 31 years were in teaching and 29 years as Director in religious education.
Sister taught primary grades in nine different schools within the Archdiocese of Detroit. In other dioceses Sister taught at: St. Joseph Jackson; St. Mary Alpena; St. Stanislaus Ludington; St. Cecilia Clare; Holy Spirit and St. Jude Grand Rapids; St. Hyacinth Bay City; and St. Stanislaus Dorr.
Sister Patricia was permanently transferred to St. Joseph Convent in 2007 where she continued to be active in pastoral ministry until 2011. Her health steadily declined, and she was placed in hospice care. Her life peacefully ebbed away and on April 17, 2020, Sister Mary Patricia slipped into the Lord’s embrace and journeyed to eternity.
Internment was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, Michigan on April 22, 2020.

Sister Mary Alice Ann
BAY CITY, Mich. – Sister Mary Alice Ann, Alice Gradowski, of Bay City, Michigan, entered eternal life April 25, 2020 while in St. Mary Mercy Hospital, Livonia, Michigan. Sister was 73 years old and was in religious life for 55 years.
Born on May 5, 1946 Alice was the fifth of five children born to Stanley and Alphonsa (Andrzejewski): Virgil, Ernest and Robert; and one sister – Maxine Kolat. Alice was baptized and confirmed at St. Hedwig Church in Bay City, Michigan where she also attended the parish grade school.
Following graduation 1960, she attended Felician Academy in Detroit, Michigan. In June 1964, Alice was accepted as a postulant to the Felician Congregation, and the following year, at the Investiture Ceremony, she received the name of Sister Mary Fernanda, later changed to Sister Mary Alice Ann. Final vows were professed in 1973.
Sister Alice Ann earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Madonna University in Livonia and a Master of Arts from Eastern Michigan University in preparation for a ministry of education that spanned thirty-six years. For the first 13 years, Sister mainly taught primary grades at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Wyandotte; St. Valentine, Kawkawlin; and St. Christine, Detroit. For the next 23 years Sister was assigned as principal at St. Dunstan, Garden City; St. Joseph, Jackson; St. Hyacinth, Bay City; and St. Thecla, Clinton Township.
As principal, Sister was involved in many extracurricular activities: Eucharistic minister, parish council, teaching in the R.C.I.A. program, conducting Share-the Word discussion groups and participating in week-end renewals. Attendance at basketball and soccer games, school dances and parish raffles were also an important part of her life as principal.
Sister Alice Ann served as local minister of several of the convents for a total of 14 of years. When the Presentation Central Convent held elections in the year 2000, Sister Alice Ann was elected to the Livonia Provincial Administration as Third Councilor and director of education until 2006.
Following a short residence St. Francis Home in Saginaw and a final assignment at St. Stanislaus Convent, Bay City, Michigan, Sister retired to Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent, Livonia. Assigned to dining room assistant and the ministry of prayer, sister performed her duties joyfully for 12 years. One of the first sisters in chapel in the early hours of morning, sister could be seen scurrying down the corridors in her wheelchair to visit the Blessed Sacrament and join in community prayer.
In early April her health began to decline, and Sister was taken to St. Mary Mercy Hospital. On April 25, 2020, during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sister Alice Ann left this earth for her final journey to the God whom she served with joy for 55 years in religious life.
Interment was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery on April 29.

By Carol Warfield
JACKSON – Kevin, a 16-year-old, was displaying a nonchalant attitude, short attention span, depression and feelings of hopelessness. When his mother saw a social media post stating “My end is near” she knew his feelings had turned to possible suicidal tendencies and called Catholic Charities Hope Haven for help. Kevin met with a psychiatrist and was diagnosed with mixed anxiety disorder.
Catholic Charities Hope Haven program provides home-based counseling and service coordination to families with children ages 3 to 18 in crisis in the Hinds, Madison and Rankin county areas. Support is provided in both school and community environments. Services are available to families whose children have a mental health diagnosis or would be eligible for care upon evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist. Counseling services are designed to assist the family in resolving a crisis and keeping the youth at home. Services are typically provided for a three to six-month period.
Hope Haven utilizes wraparound Mississippi Youth Programs Around the Clock (MYPAC), a family driven process that utilizes the strengths of a child and family, as well as, their support system to create an individualized plan to meet their needs and reach desired outcomes. Wraparound revolutionizes the way in which Catholic Charities works with families, communities and service providers.

For Kevin, the Catholic Charities Hope Haven wraparound facilitator met with his family to explore his feelings and worked with them to develop better communication methods. Kevin learned new coping skills to deal with his emotions and the facilitator helped Kevin expand his activities at church and school by creating a community of support.
In addition, Hope Haven offers a crisis line which is available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. Crisis services include telephone and mobile response, as well as outreach services. Mobile crisis services involve on-site intervention of a crisis and telephone services involve phone support and/or referral information to community resources.
It is Hope Haven’s belief that families and youth deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, at no time more so than when they are facing a crisis. When a youth has a serious emotional disturbance, the youth and each family member face many challenges and they deserve compassion and support as they face them. Catholic Charities recognizes the importance of family and community and works diligently to help families resolve crises without disrupting the family unit. Home and neighborhood-based interventions and collaborating with families’ informal and formal support systems are key program components.
With help from Hope Haven, Kevin’s social skills improved, along with positive self-esteem and self-worth. He learned to openly communicate his feelings and now seems to be very happy and upbeat. Today he is in a better place emotionally and mentally. Kevin has improved his grades and has a healthy social life. He has a bright future ahead!
Hope Haven staff is always guided by what is in the best interest of the youth and families. Services are specifically tailored to youth and family’s needs, to create hope and opportunity in those situations which have traditionally been viewed as difficult. For more information on Hope Haven call: 601-376-0500 or visit www.catholiccharitiesjackson.org.

(Carol Warfield is the program director of Hope Haven at Catholic Charities Jackson)